THOMAS the square tanker
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• Next month's Tankcon exhibition includes an unusual Australian road tanker called THOMAS (Tank flaying Optimum Mass And Stability) from Sydney engineer Phil Hockney ((M 12-18 September, 1991).
TDG group member Linkman Tankers has ordered the new 12.2m square-look tanker for evaluation.
At the UK's 38-tonne gross limit it can carry 36,000 litres and weighs 5.5 tonnes unladen. It runs on RO-R air suspension and has full anti-lock braking.
The squared-off tank is 2.8m high overall and has a fairly low centre of gravity.
According to Australian operator experience the tanker is 45% less susceptible to rollovers than conventional designs.
Unusual design features include front and rear crashcrumple zones and a cylindrical tank shell with collapsible divisions, nested within a cage of hollow bars to absorb rollover impacts.
Below the extended hose tray lids hinged full-length side panels enclose the outlet valves and hoses.
When closed they become aerodynamic skirts that suppress spray and help reduce its drag factor by around 20%.
This is enhanced by the vortex effect created by its concave rear end.
Other safety features include vertical stop lights and indicators running up its side edges.