New angle on tilts
Page 28
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LIGHT WEIGHT and low maintenance are key features of a new tilt-body design—the London Tilt — from Lawrence David Ltd, Crowland, Peterborough.
The design has similar framework to most TIR superstructures but uses light steel mesh gates to span the side bays and the roof.
Full load retention is offered by the side gates, which stretch to almost the full body height. The gates may be hinged about either of the pillars supporting them or, alternatively, removed. The two gate bolts are located at their bottom corners allowing for ground-level operation.
The roof sections have tongues at each corner that locate in loops in the top cant rail. Once assembled, the roof structure braces the whole body and it is safe to walk on for sheeting.
If the gates are distorted by rough handling then, says the company, they can be easily straightened without special cquipment.
The side-pillars are removable and are secured into siderave sockets by spring-loaded captive bolts. A standard 20mm wheelnut spanner can be used to release or tighten the bolt, and once the bolt is loose the pillar is simply levered up and out of its socket.
Typically, a 12.2m (40ft) trailer has six side and roof gates which may be removed and stored in the body. The side gates are interchangeable, as are the roof sections.
For loading access three pillars per side, normally the two corner ones and one intermediate, must be left intact. The London Tilt calls for a special design or side-rave. It is 268mm (10.5in) deep and has a longitudinal trough in which the tilt rope rings are mounted.
Ccmpared with conventional tilt trailers the London Tilt is up to 254kg (5cwt) lighter— on a 12.2m (40ft) length trailer—and its construction fulfils all international requirements under TIR convention.
Price of the basic frame without gates but with timber roof rails and front bulkhead is £1,025. Additionally, the side gates are £397, and the roof gates £115.