ne-man assembly for new York It-body
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A completely redesigned superstructure ncorporated on a new TIR tilt-body from York Trailer Co Ltd, which has been eloped by the company's engineers. The has been to produce a body which, rt from the attachment of the dropsides, be readily assembled by one man.
!though the roof structure is made nger than before — a 15 stone man, it is !med, can walk on the longitudinal rds which support the tilt — the cant s are much simpler to erect. Each metre rail is a 3in. by 14in. rectangular I tube in three sections which lock into h other by means of a simple but positive d pin-and-socket arrangement. The front tion of the cant rail is dropped on to ight spigots on top of the body posts. Its .r end forms a socket inside which is an ;led peg. The "plug" end of the centre lion is cut away at an angle, with a ating hole in the bottom edge. The vet sleeves the two together, holding the ug" section well below horizontal so that peg locates in the mating hole — at ich point the second length of cant rail I be raised into position. The third section imilarly latched into the second.
fhere are no bolted joints or removable s to concern the driver — or the stoms authorities.
7ests indicate that the new superstructure t be erected by one man — with istance in locating the dropsides — in ; hour. Simpler loading from the side is ;sible on the new York TIR models, hout the cant rail having to be disturbed, :ause of a redesigned sidepost mounting. Instead of sitting in a deep pocket built ) the rave rail, each post is secured to the e by a single "anti-luce" fastener of the e commonly used on dropsides and boards. The weight on the post is taken )ugh a simple angle iron which sits ;ctly on the rave rail.
emoval of the post does not involve any ng since, after freeing the anti-luce ener, the post can be pulled clear at the torn, and lowered, freeing its top spigot n the cant rail.
temoval of any three adjacent sideposts ;s an unobstructed loading entry of on the 12-metre body with its five-bay s. A one-piece pvc tilt is standard ipment, but as an option, the cover may plit at the first post (8ft. behind the front :head), simplifying side loading even her.
'op loading by overhead crane is now ;ible without completely dismantling the :I-structure. The' roof is supported by aw, rectangular section, roof bows at pair of posts, locating in sockets in the
• rail. Between the roof bows are 6in. by boards. interchangeable with the side ;. They are of yellow rneranti hardwood, chosen for its durability and resistance to weathering.
Each of the 18mm plywood-panelled dropsides is now hung on three hinges, the centre one with a long pin so that the weight can be taken before lining up to engage the end hinges.
Longer handles are now fitted on the Tico locks securing the dropsides, thereby reducing the effort needed to operate them. Their effective radius is 13in.
Unladen weight of a 12-metre York TIR tilt trailer on widespread tandem running gear with bodywork to the new specification is 6 tons 3cwt. including spare wheel.