TNT Logistics innovates with hydraulic press truck
30 June 2003 - 09:09 CET
TNT Logistics France has announced the introduction of a brand new foam transport solution: the hydraulic press truck. Using a compression system consisting of an intermediate floor that can be raised and lowered, the revolutionary truck can transport twice as much foam as a standard truck.The project was launched on 6 March 2003 with the vehicle handover at the premises of the Belgian manufacturer Jans Creacar. The foam, produced at Langeac in France, is transported to the production plants of our customer at Noyen and Louviers, where it is prepared for use in mattresses, settees or in the automotive industry.
Our customer's aim was to optimise the loading procedure and transport between the factories (Langeac to Noyen and Louviers and vice versa) and so reduce the transport price per cubic metre.
As its name suggests, the truck compresses blocks of foam by up to 70% of their original volume, enabling 180 m3 of material to be transported in a traditional high-volume vehicle as opposed to the standard 90 m3.
The driver uses an infrared remote control to operate the floors, roof and rear doors. As can be seen from the diagrams, the lower layer is first loaded, with the blocks being carried towards the front of the semi-trailer on a conveyor belt. Following loading, the doors are closed and the roof and intermediate floor are lowered to start the compression process. Once the roof has returned to the haulage position, the intermediate floor continues the compression and stops when there is a distance of 1.5 m between the two floors. The intermediate floor is then locked in place and the roof is raised. The remaining space is loaded using the same procedure.
After loading, the roof continues to compress the freight, the truck is secured and the driver can commence delivery. The foam can remain in this reduced state for 48 hours, after which the pressure alters the substance of the material and it will not return to its original dimensions.
The vehicle can be seen at the Brioude site of TNT Logistics.
Technique
The semi-trailer is a relatively traditional model with BPW dual disc-braked twin-wheel axles. The walls have been constructed using polyfond. Its maximum authorised loading weight is 30,000 kg, leaving a load capacity of almost 17,000 kg. The vehicle has a lower floor and intermediate floor both equipped with conveyor belts, and a raisable jacked roof. The roof and intermediate floor rise to a height of 7 metres above the ground. The hydraulic system is powered by an auxiliary 13 kW (18 HP) diesel motor.
This solution demonstrates the development TNT Logistics wishes to pursue as regards the environment. Compression will enable the company to halve the number of trucks needed to transport the foam to its destination. And fewer trucks mean less pollution and less disruptive traffic on our roads.
‘TNT Logistics will continue to commit itself to the environment in all aspects of its development, placing an emphasis on sustainable growth. Our capital is formed by everything around us and each and every one of us has the responsibility to protect it', said Pierre Girardin, Managing Director of TNT Logistics France.
