“We like the Harsh tractor kit because it’s compact, practical, easy to use and maintain, and above all reliable,” says transport manager James Halder. He adds: “Today, a tractor and trailer is getting on for a combined £200k investment, so having the best hydraulic system to make the whole thing work properly is absolutely paramount - after all, it’s only a small item in relation to the cost of the whole vehicle.
Halder, who is based in Driffield, said that Harsh’s aftersales support service in York is another draw.
The company also fits Harsh sheeting systems.
“Trailers often get overlooked,” says managing director Paul Halder, “but they are every bit as important as the tractors that pull them. The life of a trailer can be three times that of the tractor, so they need proper maintenance and upkeep. One crucial area is the sheet, which is not only has to open and close multiple times a day but also has to be robust enough and of sufficient material quality to cope with every weather condition from blazing hot summer days through to frozen winters.
“With the prices of new vehicles now rising steeply, it makes obvious sense to refurbish and update our trailers as and when needed. The most significant area here is that our tipping trailers are being fitted with replacement sheets as they reach their mid-life age.”
The sheets in question are the Harsh side-to-side Roll n’Go model, hydraulically driven via an electro-hydraulic power pack. Operation is by the driver using a remote control.
Paul Halder added: “We also like the fact that the sheet can be operated without the driver having to climb up onto any part of the truck. This not only speeds up the whole vehicle turnaround process, but offers important health and safety advantages as well.”