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| Brand new
and ready to roll. However, take a closer look at the tipper and you will see a host of signs that point to real issues that you, your drivers and your maintenance staff need to know of. Take a tour round your new trailer before you set off. |
OK, you've just taken delivery of your brand new tipper or trailer and all that's left now is to hook it up and put the rig in the hands of your driver to get it earning revenue. Not so. Take a close look at your new purchase and you will see a number of warning and reference signs placed alongside the tipper telling you what to do to ensure its longevity and safe operation.
FleetWatch editor Patrick O'Leary and technical editor
Dave Scott took a walk round this tipper - manufactured by Top Trailers - and photographed the various reference signs. The point we want to make here is that these signs are not promotional items. This is not advertising. What they deal with are serious items which cannot be overlooked.
It's a given that people don't read manuals and it is thus the manufacturers highlight certain serious and critical issues by using stickers. What the operator needs to do is to take his drivers and maintenance staff around the trailer and explain the reasons behind each warning sign. You have to tell your people the 'why'. For example, one of the signs screams out the word 'Danger'. It says the tipper must not be serviced or repaired when tipped unless the body is properly supported. But why is this? Well, if the hydraulics come down and bite you when you're working on the unit, you're finished. Simple - and deadly. And what about the sign stating that "all bolts, nuts and U-bolts must be tightened after first 1 000kms - thereafter every 2 000 kms." It doesn't tell you why so you have to get your staff around, point to it and explain why. And if you don't know, then get the supplier in to explain it all.
One of the Wabco signs warns that you must disconnect all ABS cables before welding on the trailer. Why? Well, simply because if you weld with the ABS cables connected, you will blow the entire ABS system. It's all about saving you money and your maintenance staff should be taken on a tour of the trailer on delivery to point such things out to them. Those grease point for example. Do they know that they must be greased weekly? Do your drivers know that?
One thing you can be sure of is that is the issues highlighted by these signs have caused problems before. If they hadn't, they wouldn't be highlighted so they are pointing you towards real issues. Take heed of them.
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