PPG will be showing its latest Smoothline Insulated tipper body at the Tip-Ex show in Harrogate this week; built to incorporate the full Lafarge specification, including fixed front-mounted access ladders and an impressive 200kg in weight reduction over competing tipper body designs. Key to the weight reduction and meeting the tough technical criteria laid down by Lafarge is the latest Edbro CX14 tipping cylinder; the company’s new CX14 model reduces weight substantially while improving strength and performance.
The first complete vehicle off the production line was revealed to the public at Tip-Ex, it has been built on an 8 wheel DAF CF85 chassis with a 5.7m wheel base. Owner and driver Dave Phillips of Dave Phillips Transport chose the new PPG design for both economic and practical reasons; the lighter weight design and the full Lafarge spec will allow him to fulfil his Lafarge contracts quickly and efficiently, while being versatile and easy to access to clean and use for other jobs. The weight reduction provides additional carrying capacity and the Edbro lifting gear adds easier, safer handling.
The PPG Smoothline Insulated Body employs double-skinned aluminium walls and a hardened aluminium floor, all packed with the latest thermal fibre insulation material in order to maintain working temperatures, starting between 180 and 220 degrees, for as long as possible while ensuring a touch-safe temperature on the outside. The overhang at the back and the optimum tyre dimensions ensure maximum compatibility with current road laying machines. The rivet-less side panel construction also provides a good sign writing surface and is easy to clean.
The new CX14 hydraulic tipping cylinder was tested alongside the body design, and both performed extremely well in field trials. The new body is being assembled at the PPG works facility in Peterborough and provides the ultimate in reliability and strength. The overall weight of the body, tipping gear and sheet system is only just over 2,000kg an amazing achievement for a 20,650kg payload.
Nick Elliot, National Transport Manager at Lafarge, has been instrumental in developing the new PPG tipper and is responsible for the current weight saving initiative; he explains, “We have set up a joint project between the various suppliers who contribute towards an 8x4 tipper vehicle. The overall goal is to achieve a 21 tonne payload. This will result in improved revenue for hauliers, an increase in the efficiency of our fleet, a reduction of our carbon footprint, which is an important part of our overall sustainability strategy and something which is becoming increasingly significant in winning major contracts.”
Peter Smith, Sales & Marketing Director at Edbro adds, “This is a great example of how Edbro works to support both our direct customer, in this instance the body builder PPG, the contractor, and his ultimate customer Lafarge. It is only by large companies such as Lafarge and truck manufacturers themselves laying down more demanding specifications that we are able to invest and improve our technology to achieve a common goal. We are finding that the areas of the market that are strong and growing are not focussed on reduced part costs, but on driving-up overall efficiency and improving reliability, which pay far higher dividends down the line.”
About Edbro
Edbro are the number one manufacturer of hydraulic truck tipping hoists and waste management equipment in the world.
With over 90 years of experience, the company has developed a range of products that offer high levels of safety and efficiency to customers worldwide. Latest tipping cylinders provide reduced weight and faster operation than other systems available, improving profits through greater load carrying capacity and increased number of deliveries.
With an extensive network of offices and distributors, Edbro can provide standard or custom solutions for any application, to anywhere in the world.
Editor Contact
DMA Europa Ltd. : David Bedford
Tel: +44 (0)1299 405454 Fax: +44 (0)1299 403092
Web: www.dmaeuropa.com
Email: david@dmaeuropa.com
Company Contact
Edbro Plc : Peter Smith, Sales & Marketing Director, Edbro Plc
Tel: + 44 (0) 1204 902364 Fax: + 44 (0) 1204 531957
Web: www.edbro.co.uk
Email: peter.smith@edbro.co.uk