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Two Yanks and they're here!

21st December 2000
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Alpha Catering Services

• Operating trucks at an airport presents unique problems. Obviously, the security considerations are one; the presence of hugely expensive aircraft just waiting to be hit by the trucks is another. But at some airports, operations are totally off the Queen's Highway, and this can be a benefit For example, it is not necessary to comply with UK Type Approval—although airport operators have their own rules and regulations.

Alpha Catering Services is one of the largest companies in its field, with 28 units spread from Florida to Tasmania, 19 of which are in the UK. Cfifspent a day with Alpha at Manchester airport, its busiest UK operation. The group has two food preparation units at the airport, one for scheduled and one for charter flights, and between them they prepare more than 400,000 meals for 1,400 flights a week. Getting these meals aboard the aircraft, which might have to be turned around in as little as 20 minutes, is achieved using a fleet of 37 specialised trucks.

It was thanks to the firm's Florida connections that group transport manager Steve Cobboid realised he could reduce some of his capital outlay by purchasing in the US, and after much deliberation a pair of Ford F/50 high lifts was ordered. There is no disputing that the attraction was their price. Although Alpha has no exact match for the Fords' specification, the closest UK-sourced alternative would have cost about £97,000 on a Daf, Volvo or Dennis Eagle chassis, whereas the Fords were $90,000 (plus 4.2% import duty) apiece—around £65,000.

The vehicles are based on the 2000 model year Ford F-750 Super Duty XL chassis cabs, rated at 142 tonnes GVW (or 33,000lb in their home country). The payload, which would make most operators cringe, is just 3,636kg; average for this type of truck. Power is from a 5.9litre Cummins tSB rated at a modest 185hp, with transmission through an Allison AT-545 four-speed torque converter automatic. Although the AT-545 is normally specified only for applications up to 13.6 tonnes, Allison has made an exception for this low-speed application.

The bonneted two-man cab is extremely spacious, to the extent that short drivers are unable to see over the dash. One of the first in-service modifications has been the fitting of corner marker pylons to the existing crash bar. The cab is strictly utilitarian, with vinyl seats and a simple forward/neutral/ reverse gear selector. The other modification needed before the airport authority would approve it was the fitting of

European-style rear lights, complete with amber indicators.

The chassis, though, is merely a way of moving the body. In this case, it is a 24ft (7.32m) Hiloader scissor-lift with a 19f1 Bin (5.94m) lifting height, made by another Florida firm, Hi-Way. The access bridge extends and moves sideways, while the lifting mechanism has the usual thorough set of interlocks and safeguards to avoid unplanned bodily contact.

Performance is not an issue with these airport vehicles. Manchester has limits of 20mph on the airfield and 10mph in the access tunnel which are strictly enforced, and even trucks that travel on public roads rarely do so for more than 10 minutes at a time. So the Fords' maximum geared speed of 47mph is perfectly adequate.

Fuel economy is also relatively unimportant, as even if the engines are idling for a large proportion of the running time, fuel comes to less than 2% of Alpha's distribution costs, and this is helped by the use of rebated fuel wherever possible.

Parts supply should not be a problem, as Hi-Way has an agreement with Cheltenham's Douglas Equipment to carry fast-moving spares. Unscheduled items can usually be obtained directly from the US within 48 hours. After some initial reservation drivers now erijoy the Fords—vi ingly, they cite good manoeuvrabild major benefit. In the confined around the aircraft there are still doubts about how well the fold-d0v bilisers work compared with the compact telescopic units.

They have only a few weeks' s under their wheels, but Alpha is pl with the Fords. However, the num future US purchases will be limited number of wholly off-highway loc and the need to be able to drive thi cies on the public highway, even doesn't always happen.

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Locations: Manchester

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