Phoenix rises to carry more ashes
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RECENT overload prosecutions of refuse collection vehicle operators have prompted three local authorities in Southern England to convert vehicles with an additional axle and raise their operational limit to 20.33 tonnes.
The need for this has been made more urgent by the average household load of refuse increasing by as much as two per cent a year because more convenience packaging is used.
Windsor and Maidenhead Council has ordered 15 Granning air-suspension conversions on Dennis-Phoenix MD1618 vehicles — West of England Commercials of Newton Abbot undertook the conversion.
Wokingham District Coun cil has had two similar Dennis vehicles retro-fitted with Granning air suspensions by Andover Trailers.
The wheel size on the third axle is reduced to 8.25 x 15 to allow greater clearance when the axle is raised.
The Borough of Torbay has nearly 18 months' experience of a third axle conversion which enables up to 9.5 tonnes of refuse to be packed into its Glover Webb 202 vehicles compared to the previous six to 6.5 comics. Use of axle load indicators enables the drivers to keep within permitted axle limits and the authority's vehicle plant supervisor claims savings in tyre replacements.
About 2,000 Granning suspension units are in service in the UK.