One-man Meat Loader Promotes Hygiene
Page 40
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
EQUIPMENT which enables, carcases .1-4 of meat to be loaded or unloaded by one man, has been introduced by Market Transport, Ltd., 166 Weir Road, London, $.W.12. It is notable for its rigid construction, simplicity of design and for the suspension of the meat from the roof, so that it never touches the floor of the vehicle.
The design is centred on the use of a substantial tubular U-shaped frame having its two arms pivoted to a base unit securely bolted through the floor to a sub-frame, or other structure, capable of taking the imposed load.
The piston head of a single-stage hydraulic ram is linked to each arm, the reaction of the ram being taken on the built-out structure of the base unit. The pistons are chromium finished as a protection against rust or other corrosion.
Mounted on the cross-beam of the U-shaped frame are three specially designed brackets to take the loading hooks all of which are provided with two rollers. When the frame is in a vertical position these brackets line up with three rails secured to the roof of the vehicle. All the operative has to do is to push the carcase forward and the hook and its load will pass on to the roof rail. Three carcases can be loaded or unloaded at a time.
Running across the centre of the body and at the rear end is a substantial chain. When the vehicle is being loaded this chain can rest on the floor. At the half-full stage, the centre chain is raised from the rear end and when full, the rear chain is hauled tight. The object of this is to prevent the carcasses from swinging, thus stabilizing the load.
Provision is made at the point of union of the brackets and the rails to ensure perfect alignment even in the event of any tendency towards malalignment after long periods of use. The safety factor at this point has also received careful study.
a6 To supply the hydraulic power, a four-cylindered pump is driven from the power take-off of the vehicle, the control valve being placed at the rear of the body on the near side.
The gear can be supplied as a complete kit for installation.
The choice of either hand or mechanical.operation is given, the lifting time, loaded, being 7 sec. with the mechanical gear and 30 sec. with hand lever.
The minimum interior height of the body to take the standard equipment must be 6 ft. 3 in., and the minimum interior width 6 ft. 0i in. Roof rails, which are, of course, essential, do not form part of the kit.
The price of the hand-operated set is 035 and of the mechanical gear, £155. As shown to The Commercial Motor the Market Loader, as it is called, war fitted to a Thames 3-ton, oiler.