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Tarmac is 'moving' forwards as it addresses productivity
Page 14
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TRADITIONALLY, rigid tippers are the standard industry method of delivering Tarmac. and although they have many safety features. they're costly and inefficient in today's climate. Are moving floor trailers a viable replacement?
Eighteen months ago, Tarmac central regional transport manager Martin Critchell decided to take a look at using moving floor trailers as a way to boost productivity, cost effectiveness and improve safety.
He challenged Environmental Trailer Hire's Oliver Dixon to produce a moving floor trailer that could haul asphalts as well as aggregates, sand and gravel. "Indeed, everything an eightwheeler could carry," Critchell adds, "to give us an attractive alternative in our contract haulier fleet." Two such trailers would do the work of three insulated 8x4s, carrying the same variety of loads, but, unlike tippers, the artic will make much neater split deliveries by simply stopping the floor and 'walking' it forward and in a much safer fashion.
"We were sold on the idea, hut it needed a clean-out sled that worked," says Critchell, "and following a number of modifications, the first such trailer is now operating in our fleet."
With guidance from Dixon and Finn-Tech's Bert Finnikin, Tarmac has a build programme in place that will provide another eight such trailers to support its eightwheeler fleet doing day-to-day deliveries in the firm's central area within the year. "The concept has so many plus features," states Critchell. "It's safer, allows a controlled discharge, and can deliver under overhanging obstructions such as phone and power cables, bridges and trees."
Using a moving floor trailer represents a radical change from a traditional tipping method.so from a driver and banksmen's viewpoint, such expensive trailers will require extra user-sensitivity. 'that's why Critchell has initiated a detailed training progamme.
Compared with about /90,000 for a new 8x4 tipper, with its limited return on investment, a new tractor and moving floor combination will be closer to 150,000.
However,Crtichell advises hauliers to find a good used unit for a new trailer, which together should work out at £125,000. hut he's keen to stress they'll be carrying nearly 50% more payload on every delivery.
"Hauliers will get a bigger return with more flexibility, and we get a safer, more versatile vehicle," Crtichel I says.