Demount bodies on sloping frame from Northern
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• A body demounting system which uses a pivoting subframe has been devised by Northern Tail Lifts of Shipley, West Yorkshire.
The sloping subframe is hinged at the front and uses conventional twistlocks which, when the chassis is driven under a standing body, raise the frame hydraulically at the rear via a folding elbow joint linkage. The linkage locks over-centre to take the body weight off the hydraulic rams.
To demount, the body is lowered to its rear legs with the short front-end slope of the rails becoming horizontal for a smooth run-off for the rollers. A flow restrictor is fitted to give a gentle descent. The pneumatic controls for the pt-o and lift system are in the cab.
Single rear wheels are used to give adequate leg dearance. Rear springs are underslung to lower the guiderail tails to 600mm for clean engagement on uneven ground.
Prices vary but the first Northern demount shunter was built for Transfleet at a cost of around £5,000, using one of its Mercedes-Benz 1213 chassis.