Three companies that are part of Truck Bodies & Equipment International (TBEI)—Crysteel Manufacturing, Rugby Manufacturing, and DuraClass Manufacturing—displayed their latest products, including an innovative tailgate option for dump operators, at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
Crysteel, which produces dump bodies ranging from 2 to 20 yards in addition to a full line of hoists, showed two products at the show – a redesigned A-Tipper and a new tailgate.
The A-Tipper is now available with aluminum, which makes it about 200 lbs. lighter than competitors, said Joe Paulson, general manager of the Lake Crysteel manufacturing plant.
A strong crossmemberless understructure with 8-in. longsills and a 1/4 integrated, tapered cabshield and minimal welds contributes to the weight reduction.
“We really redesigned this, revamped it and gave it a fresh look with aluminum,” said Paulson.
The lightweight aluminum also offers increased payload capacity, corrosion resistance and lower maintenance costs, the company said.
A new design feature is independent tailgate latching, and 3/8 in. stainless steel handle. The positive independent locking latches allow users to easily drop the tailgate, spreadthrough, or simply remove.
All Crysteel A-Tippers come standard with 3/16 in. aluminum construction, rigid sides with single panel reverse bend, tarp mounting provisions and integrated receivers, 6 in. board pockets, and LED lighting with one-piece wiring harness.
Crysteel offers a comprehensive, five-year warranty on all dump bodies and hoists, it said.
The company also debuted its new High ’N Slide tailgate.
The patented product offers traditional dump-through, sliding, and high-lift functionality in a single tailgate, the company noted. Through a simple mechanical adjustment, the tailgate switches from high-lift, with 21 in. of clearance, to sliding mode. Traditional dump-through is always available.
This allows operators to spread product over a larger area in a controlled manner. It also allows bulky items to be dumped without damaging the tailgate. It also provides easy access to mulch, asphalt, etc., without raising the dump body when shovel loads are required.
For dump fleets, particularly operators of single-axle dumps, DuraClass offers a line of tub body dumps that is designed to provide the benefits of larger dumps in a smaller package.
The HPT “Tub” body line features two models, the HPT-B1 and the HPT-B2. The smaller of the two, the HPT-B2, offers an open fender design, which decreases the opportunity for rust, said Steve McDonough, general manager of DuraClass Manufacturing in Tishomingo, MS.
The B2 is available in 10 and 11 ft. lengths in 3/16 in. AR400 carbon steel. Lengths of 14 to 18 ft. are available in 3/16 in. Hi-Tensile carbon steel. There is also an option for stainless steel.
“There are a lot of opportunities for this to become a municipal body for us where the B1 is a little heavier and larger,” McDonough said. The B2 is 250 lbs. lighter than the B1, he said.
The B1 features a closed fender design, and comes in 14- to 18-ft lengths in either carbon steel or stainless steel. The HPT-B1 has capacity ranges from 10- to 20-yard.
Both models feature a semi-elliptical body using high tensile steels, crossmemberless understructure, and a body sidewall without extra bracing.
Rugby Manufacturing put its recently redesigned Rancher bodies on display. Changes included a narrower, tapered bulkhead for improved visibility. There is also a B&W Turnoverball hitch that allows for a flat surface with no cutouts in the floor.