Hauliers in a flap over snow spray
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By Jack Semple
DOUBTS over spray suppression equipment were given a new angle by hauliers at a meeting in Newmarket last week.
Five CM journalists were answering questions in a discussion hosted by Volvo dealer Duffields of Norwich.
Frozen slush up to one foot thick is sticking to spray guards, which are being phased in as a legal requirement on most lorries (although tippers are exempt).
The ice makes the spray guards useless, and can only be removed with a pressure hose.
Haulier John Fairweather asked if there is a danger of the weight pulling the spray guards off.
"I do not know of any work that has been done on the effect of snow on spray guards," said Bill Brock, CM's technical editor. Spray guards are at best 10 per cent effective, he said. "Cars do not even have mud flaps," commented Duffields' Roger Barnes.
Capital allowance changes announced last year are still leaving most hauliers uncertain about how they will replace their vehicles, and when.
There is clearly no single correct solution. "I'll do what my bank manager tells me," said one haulier.
But there was agreement that the changes will make owning lorries less attractive to own account operators, and farmers in the area were mentioned particularly.
This will mean new opportunities for hauliers. "In the past it has always been dog eat dog in haulage, and that is still the world we live in. But now we should be looking at the own account operators too," said one.
Hauliers would like to have more control over what drivers do when driving their lorries, but some of the equipment needed is regarded as too expensive. Patrick Connell, from furniture maker Alston, said his company has a system for pulling up drivers who use too much fuel.
"We have one driver who gets lOmpg plus from an F86, and 150,000 to a set of tyres. But he only drives at 45 mph, even on motorways. If you have an urgent job, you have got to give it to someone who is going to fly."
• The Freight Transport Association may take its spray suppression research away from the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in Crowthorne to cheaper premises.
Increased charges by the State-funded TRRL over the New Year has meant that the FTA has approached a twovehicle manufacturer to see whether its testing tracks may be suitable. • Sainsbury's is among companies testing the aerodynamic Britax spray suppression equipment. It does not conform to Construction and Use regulations.