Bi 9 . 38-tonne boost
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ORFOLK given the ORFOLK given the 1-tonne lorry one of the big)st pledges of faith so far by vesting in 300 of a potentially uch larger fleet of tri-axle iilers, reports ALAN MILLAR. The company, a Unilever subliary, will have the 300 trailers ady for May 1, when they can operated at their full weight, id could have 900 of its 1,100 rtch-based trailers operating a similar standard by the end next year, if demand supports is.
Announcing the company's 3ns last week, chairman Bill nw explained that preparation gan in 1980/81, when the final eights increase was not own, and a two-axle trailer 3s designed for operation at lything from 32.5 to 44 tonnes. -ice Britain settled for 38 -Ines, 116 of these vehicles re converted to tri-axle units. Unlike P&O Roadways (CM, March 19), which is opting for three-axle tractive units to reduce drive axle and kingpin overloading problems created by badly laden containers, Norfolk Line expects the hauliers who carry its semi-trailers in Britain will continue to use twoaxle tractive units.
It is confident that there will be no overloading problems, especially as the adoption of a 2.7m bogie spread gives more tolerance for individual axle loadings.
It is promising its customers savings of between four and 14 per cent in transport costs, depending on whether the trailers are laden to their full 24 tonnes capacity and on whether they are moved over longer or shorter distances.
Mr Dow said the.company's existing loads could be accommodated in eight per cent fewer vehicles using 38-tonners, and admitted that if insufficient business is generated this will mean a drop in work for its subcontractors. However, traffic on the Great Yarmouth-Scheveningen (Netherlands) crossing has been growing regularly in recent months.
The Budget tax increases would add between 0.5 and 0.75 of one per cent to Norfolk Line's operating costs, Mr Dow predicted, but said the effect would be negligible. He was much more concerned that the Government is making insufficient provision for heavier lorries.