All charged up
Jul 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The aluminum bodies will be manufactured on an existing assembly line that can produce 25 bodies per week. The steel bodies will be manufactured on a new line that Fruehauf has installed at a cost in excess of £500,000 ($1,000,000). The line includes a new press brake and high-definition plasma table, both of which are able to process steel up to 12 meters (39.37 feet) long. The line can produce eight bodies per week.
Optimum temperature control and increased body stability were the objective of the changes Krone has made to its Cool Liner refrigerated vans.
The main modifications that Krone introduced concern the front wall and the sidewall areas together with a redesigned rear frame. The thickness of the front wall, previously 50 mm, is now 60 mm (2.36 inches) over the entire width in the central recessed area for the air return profiles. This not only means a K-value improvement, but at the same time increases the stability of the front wall. An additional advantage: the reinforcement provides a full return air cross-section area over the entire inner width of the trailer. Additionally, the thicker front wall allows stronger connection with the side panels.
Krone reinforced the lower front wall corners to accommodate the forces that occur during coupling and uncoupling. An additional new component is the tiltable protection plate: The tilting mechanism allows cleaning to meet HACCP requirements. Also, it allows easier access to the refrigeration unit during maintenance work.
The new feature of the sidewalls is a stronger and higher exterior profile. This new corner profile has clearly wider bonding surfaces than the previous profile with its bevelled edges and constitutes enhanced corner stiffness and a demonstrably improved overall rigidity of the box against torsion and bending. In addition, the new framing profile improves the breakaway resistance against separation and damage, which results in a robust general appearance. Beside the outer framing profiles, the inner framing profile between the roof and the sidewalls is renewed, and Krone additionally uses inner angles glued into place in the new Cool Liner range.
Aerodynamic trailer from Gray and Adams Ltd includes radiused front end, drag-reducing side skirts, and redesigned roof at the rear to smooth airflow. The company is based in Fraserburgh, Scotland, and has three additional manufacturing plants in the U K and Ireland.
Swing-door, open-side trailers are the niche for Ab Ekeri Oy, a trailer manufacturer in Kållby, Finland. Designed for quick loading and unloading, the multiple doors swing open until the entire length of the trailer is open. The design is even available as a reefer, including mult-temp operations in which refrigerated goods can be unloaded from the rear and dry goods from the side. Made of 65 mm (2½") insulated panels, Ekeri insulated trailers can operate at up to -25° C (-13° F). The company also offers EkeGuard, an electronic surveillance system that integrates central locking and alarm systems, as well as monitoring trailer suspension levels, axle loads, and temperature control.
Schmitz Cargobull awarded “Best of European Business” of medium-sized companies
Schmitz Cargobull has been named one of the fastest growing companies in Europe in terms of profit.
The jury of the award “Best of European Business” chose Schmitz Cargobull as the winner in the category of medium-sized companies in Germany. Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, together with their media partners of CNN, Financial Times Germany, and Manager-Magazin, awarded this prize in Berlin to the most successful German companies in the categories of “Profitable Growth” and “Cross-Border Acquisitions”. The winners are now qualified for the European Final.
The experts analyzed the growth for the years 2002 to 2006. In addition, key publicly available financial figures and strategic factors were taken as a basis for the decision, according to the press release made by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
Schmitz Cargobull AG produced more than 50,000 vehicles in the business year 2006/2007 (1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007), up 41% percent.
Mid-size sweeper. Scarab Minor VM is an in-between sized hydrostatic street sweeper — a compact unit, yet one capable traveling 40 mph on city streets. Built as a single unit (chassis, cab, and equipment), the sweeper is powered by a 3-liter turbodiesel. The chassis, designed specifically for sweeper applications, has a 3.5-tonne (4,409-pound) GVW rating. The cab has been redesigned with new doors and windows for improved visibility. It is a product of Scarab Sweepers Ltd, Marden Tonbridge, Kent.
ArvinMeritor presents lightweight trailer suspension
ArvinMeritor's European Trailer Systems business unveiled its next generation cast suspension (CS) trailer suspension at the Birmingham Show.
The suspension features cast steel trailing arms that are rigidly attached to the axle providing a protective axle “grip” to extend the axle life due to its stress reduced design.
The direct trailing arm joint eliminates U-bolts, removing maintenance and weight. The use of cast steel allows the trailing arms to be shaped around the brake and wheel end permitting fitment of disc or drum brakes. The trailing arms will exceed the life of the running gear.
Ultimate demountable? Most demountable bodies are relatively simple. Not so the ditch and sewer cleaner from Whale Tankers, Ravenshaw, Solihull, West Midlands. Using the company's Quick Change Body system, the body can be replaced with a vacuum tank, dump, or other type of body.
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