West Lothian rates new Gully Whale tankers 06 July 2011

West Lothian council says it's pleased with three new Gully Whale tankers – two MCV (medium volume combination) and one HVC (high volume combination).

"Not only are the Gully Whale MVCs performing well, but the HVC has given us the capacity to handle a wider range of applications," states Joe Drew from the council's fleet and cleansing services division comments.

"It has significantly improved our gully cleaning service, as it is proving particularly effective at dealing with areas such as underpasses," he continues.

Specified on DAF's 18-tonne FA LF 55.220, 4x2 left hand drive 18-tonne chassis, with sleeper cab, both 1,800 gallon capacity MVC tankers are equipped with Whale's upgraded anti-vibration gully boom control unit.

The control was developed in-house as a means of reducing health and safety concerns surrounding HAV (hand-arm vibration). Integral within the control is the vacuum pump PTO and boom valve switches.

Meanwhile, high pressure jetting comes from an Orca 240 high pressure pump, capable of delivering 120 l/min, whereas vacuum power comes from a Mistral 402 series exhauster compressor, specified by many local authorities for its performance and reliability.

Associated with the onboard jetting facility are both main and secondary hose reels, the latter being hydraulically operated on the tanker's nearside and fitted with a 30m x half inch high-pressure hose. The main hose is 100 metres long and both MVCs have also been supplied to meet the requirements of Chapter 8, which involves the provision of highway signs and Hi Viz signage, reflective tapes, reversing camera, amber light bar and overhead loading boom work light.

Meanwhile, the 1,700 gallon HVC is also based on a DAF 18-tonne 4x2, although in this case the FA LF 55.250. Drew explains that it has been equipped with a 5-inch, full-bore hydraulic loading boom operated from hand-held controls that include suck/blow and boom valve open/close.

On West Lothian's model, jetting power comes from a Pratissoli MW series high-pressure pump that delivers up to 59gpm at 2,000psi. The system also features both main and secondary hose reels, the former being hydraulically self-aligning, the latter hydraulically operated.

Vacuum power on the HVC is delivered by a much bigger and more powerful, water cooled rotary vane pump, the proven and reliable PR250, produces 910cfm - free air.

Drew states that Whale enjoys an excellent reputation in Scotland for the build quality of its tankers, and that the same is equally true of its support infrastructure.

"Overall, we are confident that our current frontline fleet of Whale gully cleaners will continue to deliver even greater operational efficiencies moving forward," he says.

Author
Brian Tinham

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