Lifting Fifth Wheels
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I N addition to their existing range of semi-trailer fifth-wheel couplings and automatic/fifth-wheel convertors, the York Trailer Co., Corby, Northants, are now offering the American-built Bartlett hydraulically lifting fifth wheel.
This coupler will lift the front end of a fully laden trailer, making shunting in busy yards a lot easier and quicker. The tractor couples up in the usual way but instead of leaving his cab to wind up the trailer landing gear, the driver raises the whole front end of the trailer, controlling the lift from the cab. The trailer is then
moved and lowered. Again, the driver need not leave the cab. The coupler is released by an air diaphragm or a vacuum servo operating the coupling release. The lift is from a single hydraulic ram linked to a power take-off on the tractive unit gearbox.
Lifting couplers can be fitted at York Service Depots in Corby, Warrington, London and Glasgow.