CV SHOW SPOTLIGHT Weighbridge space saver from Axtec
The space saving advantages of Axtec’s dynamic axle weighbridge has attracted interest from waste recycling companies.
“We do quite a lot of work in the waste industry,” says sales manager Derek Hack. “They often have a lack of space in their yards and this is a big advantage for them.”
Typically, a 15m weighbridge will take up over 50m of space to allow for a truck to move on and off the system. But because the Axtec sys- tem works axle by axle, up to 20m
Drive-over weighbridge at HW Martin
can be cut off that space as the trucks no longer need to drive onto the bridge in a straight line. One of the early users of the system was HW Martin (Waste) in Leeds, which processes more than 60,000tpa of dry recyclable materials collected by the council from the city’s 715,000 residents. “We supply an awful lot into the waste industry,” says Hack. “They weigh with a view to claiming recycling credits and charging customers.” The other advantage, he adds, is that it’s easy to clean because of its small size.
their vehicles are being driven. “We have no customers in the local authorities or municipal busi- ness,” says Man spokesperson Martin Pickering. “We will target this area. It is something we want to prioritise.” He claims that for local authorities, the big advantage in using the system would be saving in fuel consumption as well as keeping track of vehicles. The system will show if a driver is behaving in a way that will increase fuel consumption, for example harsh braking and acceleration. It will also check if drivers are keeping to the speed limit, over revving or spending unnecessary amounts of time idling.
Fuel consumption
either 18 or 26 tonne with some special versions even up to 36 tonne. Wood says that the Sprinter is also finding a market for recycling collections, pick- ing up newspapers and bottles. Meanwhile, Smith Electric Vehicles is drawing up plans for an 18 tonne electric refuse truck. The company already has a 12 tonne vehicle used for some waste collection work by councils.
“The 12 tonne model is not big enough for a proper bin wagon,” says Smith spokesperson Dan Jenkins. “So
Smith electric vehicle used by Kirklees Council
Smith are looking at taking the chas- sis up to 18 tonnes to make it a proper refuse truck.”
He adds that the initial calculations
show it would work and that custom- ers are interested in the vehicle. “Now they need to invest in the development of the product, but there is no time- scale as of yet.”
Man Truck & Bus plans to target local authorities in the next push for its Man Ecostyle on-line driver perfor- mance reporting system, a web-based tool that lets fleets monitor how well
And the device will measure how often the driver uses cruise control and how much time is spent in the sweet spot for fuel consumption. On the security front, Essex County Council could be the first user of a device that is due to be launched at the show that helps prevent theft of fuel, catalytic converters and batteries from vehicles. Called Truckminder, from a company of the same name, it has a central unit with sensors that can detect attempts to cut wires or steal fuel.
If these are activated, it will send a text to up to three mobile phone numbers, saying what the thieves are attempting to steal and the location of the vehicle. This will let the owner contact the driver or the police. It also has its own siren or can be wired to set off the vehicle alarm.
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Truckminder kit for preventing catalytic converter, battery and fuel thefts
48 Local Authority Waste & Recycling April 2011
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