Lifting aid
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IN I read with interest the article regarding the new Euro Rules on lifting (CM 17-23 Sept).
Acco has been aware of these proposals for some time and has developed a small wheeled bin lift which fits to the side of 3.5 tonne to 7.5 tonne chassis, allowing most vehicles and existing tipper bodies to be used for collecting from wheeled bins without the operator having to lift and tip the bin manually.
The 'Nippa' is ideal for Local Authorities collecting "missed bins", or for isolated areas where the conventional "bin wagon" is too costly or large. Acco feels that the "Nippa" will also assist in the collection of clinical waste from wheeled bins. It can lift and tip the contents through a side aperture in the body, hygienically and safely.
Gay Russell,
A CCO Motor Bodies, Bilston, West Midlands.
Motorway service?
• Last Thursday, I was filling my artic up at Watford Gap Services and noticed that I had a puncture on one of my new trailer tyres which cost me £220.00 and was only 10 days old. I went across the service area to the Motorway Tyres depot and asked if they would mend a puncture and I had sufficient cash on me to pay for it.
However the three fitters who were sitting in the tea room with no other work on said: "Sorry mate we don't mend punctures, we only supply and fit new tyres". I explained that the tyre was new and there was no need for another one to which their reply was "Tough, we only supply new tyres".
At this I phoned up the general manager's office at Watford Gap Blue Boar Services to complain about this and was told that it is nothing to do with them as they rent the space to the tyre company. I then suggested that I phoned my own tyre company to come and repair the puncture but was told by Blue Boar management that no other fitter is allowed on the service area as Motorway Tyres owns the franchise.
This is an appalling and disgusting rip-off and dangerous to other vehicles who will no doubt have tried to drive on a defective tyre because they don't want to pay an unnecessary cost for a new tyre.
I drove my at-tic back to the ATS Tyre depot at Colnbrook where fitters mended the puncture in their usual highly efficient manner and only charged me £18 which was better than £220.
Motorway Services recently have wondered why people don't use them so I suggest you stop ripping us of for enormous diesel costs, tyre costs and when you get your breakfast, it gets cold while you wait to get a drink and then pay for it!
Kelvin Purcell Wraysbury, Middlesex.
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