Bulkhead triumph
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A self-supporting moveable bulkhead has been developed by Lawrence David specially for bodies with full side access.
Unlike those that stow upwards, the new design is self-supporting, set in a fullwidth, full-height rectangular frame across the body with rearward opening doors.
The bulkhead frame rolls in tracks set in the floor and is positioned using plungers set at 75mm intervals that dip into slots in the floor track.
A handle set into the rear of the offside door locks it to similar tracking in the roof.
The bulkhead doors are 100min thick and are made from aluminium panels lined
with polyurethane foam insulation. They are surrounded by rubber insulating seals and the bulkhead is insulated with thermal brush seals.
Each door has a thermostatically-controlled fan to blow cold air to the rear section.
The bodies have a thermal rating of 0.65Watts/m/degree and in tests Lawrence David says the bulkhead can maintain temperatures down to minus 20°C at the front while goods are carried at up to plus 5°C at the rear.
The new bulkhead, which is being installed in three 7.3m bodies for Lincolnshire food distributor Tom Granby, can be positioned between 4.8 and 1.2m from the front of the body.
They are the first Slidax bodies, to be equipped for operation at deep-freeze temperatures and are equipped with Petters L0050 refrigeration units.