Operators are certainly taking the broad hint to fit sheeting
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systems to opentopped trucks and trailers. They know the H&SE will hammer them otherwise. Despite the extra cost, most cover kit makers or suppliers are busier than ever. We look at what's available.
Somehauliers might say 'Why fit sheeting systems? They cost money and only make the driver lazier than he already is'. Blame it, if you must, on pressure from environmental lobbies, from the Health & Safety Executive—which is about to produce a guidance document on the subject—and sound common sense.
In a world where large public groups jealously watch over our living space, there's no place for anyone allowing dry, dusty materials like sand, limestone dust, animal feed or household waste to blow all over the place.
For haulage, another concern is the possibility of drivers injuring themselves by falling from their tippers when covering or uncovering their loads.
It's only when compensation claims come in that tipper owners will realise the value of proper sheeting systems that can be operated from ground level, even from within the cab in the case of electricallyoperated designs. No-one wants to be hit by the H&SE or be the test case for a big injury claim.
Many quarry owners, aggregate suppliers and producers have bit the bullet and insist that hauliers operating from their premises have mechanical sheeting systems. Companies such as Bardon Roadstone have led the way, even offering interest-free finance to help owner-drivers fit them.
There is a wide range of sheeting systems available for rigid and trailer bodies for tipping, animal feed and skip carriers.
One of the largest suppliers is Dawbarn of Wisbech which is presently making between 70 and 80 kits per month. Formerly sail makers, the 120-year-old, family-run business now supplies cover systems to many of its tipping body and trailer manufacturing neighbours.
Business potential
With firms such as Bridge Bodies, Fruehauf, Nene Trailers, PPG, Stevecastle, WBS and Wilcox and with Neville Charrold and Mackworth not so far away, there is vast business potential. It makes three Evertaut systems a basic Utility sheet, a standard Rollover and a Clearspan Rollover.
The Utility cover which costs £650 for a 32-foot body (L567 in kit form) is a cheaper option to its base Rollover model. It secures down one side of the body top rail via three webbing straps which are tensioned by ratchets bolted to the opposite side. There are two support hoops and flaps front and rear pull down on elastic cords to stop water entry A handle locks into the side pole to roll back the cover and unfurling is via a centre strap.
Its basic Rollover opens by winding the cover back from one side to the other using a long swivelling handle from the ground. The Clearspan, which is based on a Flex-Con design, winds back the sheet from the centre position. Both close back over by pulling on straps. Like all such systems, they seal so well that straps should be released prior to tipping.
Rollovers for 32-foot bodies retail between £910 and .C1,032. Dawbarn is presently working on insulated covers, one specially to protect potato crops.
At Cinderford, Gloucestershire, tipping trailer manufacturer Rothdean also offers its own design of body coven Called the RollOver Sheet, there are two versions
The Mkl is a very basic tarp with flat bar ends that the driver simply rolls back while standing on the platform on the front of the body. It can be added to any-make of body and costs £750 to fit.
Arched sections
Rothdean's Mk2 version uses arched sections front and rear with a centre span for extra support. It rolls back from ground level using a long pivoting winding handle and unfurls for travelling by pulling the attached rope. The latter system can be supplied for any body make for £1,130.
Rothdean is currently building a pair of grain carriers for Dalgety both of which will have its Mk2 covers. According to sales manager Nigel Green "Tipping trailers are to a much higher spec' today. Just about every one we build has a cover fitted."
George Neville Transport Safety Systems builds two cover systems; the Easysheet Mk4 and Flipsider foldover design. There are manual and electrically-operated closures.
Its roll-across Easysheet can be operated by the driver at ground level and is suitable for rigids and trailers carrying quarry products, Tarmac, animal feeds, coal etc. Versions for 8x4's with hand winders can be fitted to a bodied chassis in a working day and costs £2,250. An electric wind system takes close on two days to fit and adds another £950.
Depending on the winding method, Easysheets for trailers retail at between £2,500 and £2,700.
Waste paper
For those shifting cargoes such as waste paper, Geo Neville Safety Systems offers the Flipsider comprising a pair of framed nets that fold over over the top from each side. The driver inserts a long winder into the geared drive box on the top front corners to enclose the top aperture.
For a large rigid container, the Flipsider costs £1,800 while a trailer system is in the region of £2,700. Most are fitted at the George Neville workshops in Kirkby-inAshfield but it can also be supplied in kit form like the 19 being built for Kamas Aggregates. Nearby George Neville Truck Equipment—they share the same founder— offers the manual, air or electricallyoperated Raitex Autocover with longitudinal or lateral closure. It fits any open topper and runs from side to side on rollers at each end. Prices are from £2,000-3,000 depending on the mechanism fitted.
Another centre wind system is the patented Sidewinder LR from Flexcon of Northallerton which allows Dawbarn to manufacture to the same design. It operates in exactly the same way as Dawbarn's Clearspan.
Hytec market the Darlingtonmade Rolltarp system. It's a simple roll-over system comprising curved and vented end plates and a centre span. The tarp anchors to one side or the other and has a pole at the far side.
Using a long handle, the sheet is then wound over to the opposite side before tipping or loading.
Straps front, centre and rear have D-hooks and ratchets to tighten the cover down. There's a version that can be opened from either side. Hytee supplies kits for rigids or trailers and any competent bodybuilder can fit them in around four man-hours. Typically an eight-legger version retails at about £850.
Some operators worry that their side-toside covers may be swiped by careless loaders or that really strong gales might get under them and cause damage. Front-to-rear covers can be the answer.
There are several types on offer; two of the latest are US designs.
They are the Donovan which is marketed in the UK by Transcover Systems of Ryarsh in Kent (See CM 30 March-5 April) and the Harsh Slide N Go system which is being launched at this week's TipCon show by Harsh UK.
Based on the US Cramaro design, 30in centre roof bows carry the tarp along steel cables in the top section. It operates via a simple hand wind operation or in electric drive form with a button in the cab.
Pulley wire
Another that rolls open front-to-rear is of Finnish origin and suitable for rigids or trailers. Made by ProtecMatic, the sheet is drawn electro-hydraulically over the load by a pulley wire system along the length of the trailer.
To protect the moving parts from damage when grab loading, it sits within a top casing and clasps at each end of the body forcing the wire flush with the frame and give a weather-proof seal, For a 10m trailer prices start at £9,500. A steel version adds 800kg to its unladen weight but only 500kg in aluminium.
So far only Rogers Waste Management of Canterbury has taken the plunge with two ProtecMatic covered recycling trailers. Despite the unfavourable exchange rate, UK agent Chris Langham is confident that its time saving feature will appeal.
CI by Bryan Jarvis