Golden Strongboxes
Page 12
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with lifting first axle
' HIRTY-SIX Tidd Golden itrongboxes have been ordered oy Golden Wonder/HP Foods Ind built to the company's own .pecifications, including a lifting irst axle.
Since the introduction of ;olden Strongboxes in 1978, ;olden Wonder/HP Foods — part of the Imperial Foods Group bought single-axle versions, iut the need for greater flexibilty meant that tandem-axles night have to be used for some aroducts.
Transport services manager of he company, David Folwell, de:Wed on air suspension incorpoating a bogie lift on the first ixle, complete with an autonatic overload device. Rubery )wen Rockwell was approached
o manufacture the device and idapted its Neway axle air lift. Claimed to be compact, yet ightweight, it was designed to )perate within the vehicle chasis subframe and can be fitted
o any type of trailer.
The overload protection valve s a unique work of technology Hi air suspension systems. It is riggered off to drop the axle as he trailer load reaches 9,800kg 9.6 tons) and when the trailer las been emptied, by pushing a kitton the driver lifts-the axle for he return light-laden or unladen ourney.
This automatic system is eng leered to be failsafe whatever he driver may do, and when unning in the lift position will lot drop with every bump in the oad.
Claimed advantages of the air ;uspension include less deterio nation to loads through fewer shocks from the ride; no spring breakages; and the ability to raise and lower the deck for loading and unloading by simply inflating the bellows.
The Neway Axle Air Lift suspension system is claimed to be the ideal solution for operators transporting light and bulky goods one way with a heavily laden vehicle on the return journey.
Tidd says there is a slight extra cost and weight penalty with the Tidd air suspension trailer (total tandem axle weight is 960kg), but according to Golden Wonder, running costs have been drastically reduced, and it expects to keep the trailers for 12 years as opposed to ten years with the alternative spring suspension specification.