Cartwright meets APC Overnight challenge on 22 July 2013

Body and trailer manufacturer Cartwright has engineered a double-deck longer semi-trailer for APC Overnight that not only increases load capacity and cuts its carbon footprint, but also improves on loading and unloading operations.

The task was to produce a 15.65m version of APC Overnight's current 13.7m double-deck trailer, enabling an additional eight cages (18% capacity) to be transported.

Cartwright worked within the overall height limit of 4.9m for trunking operations, and engineered a solution with a rear-steer to conform to the UK turning circle legislation, increasing the chassis ride height from 870mm to 1,110mm.

To allow for side loading / unloading and an efficient cage loading configuration, the second deck lifting platform had to be 10.8m long, only supported at each end and just 45mm thick. Also, it needed a lifting roof, allowing the second deck to be raised to enable side access to the lower deck.

The lifting roof is integral to the lifting deck operation, but only activates when necessary, depending upon the position of the moving deck, according to Darren Holland, group sales director of Cartwright.

This means that the lifting roof operation is simple and does not require its own power source, he says, adding that the result is lower cost and maintenance, as well s enhanced reliability.

"Working closely with the APC Overnight team, we have engineered a solution to drive significant improvements for them through Cartwright's innovative solutions," comments Holland.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
The Cartwright Group

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