Simple solution to a complex problem
A company has been able to address recent legislation through the use of an incredibly simple, off-the-shelf solution for lorry crane operators, who can now operate the crane from the safety of their own cab.
Many operators and subcontractors now face tougher legislation in the form of environmental, health and safety regulations and so these companies often have to change their working practices.
Hydraulic operated machinery, mounted on the bed of lorries for example, is normally driven from a control box or panel mounted somewhere on the external structure of the vehicle. In order to address major health and safety legislation at a particular type of waste site, TH White, the main importer and installer of Palfinger and Epsilon cranes in the UK, was set a challenge by one of its customers.
The challenge was to develop a system that would swing a crane out of the confines of the main tipper body so that the body could tip, all from the within the cab of the vehicle. TH White invited hydraulics specialist Parker Hannifin to devise a solution.
Parker's answer was to employ two cylinders with linkages to operate the two valve sections required to lift and slew the main and outer boom of the crane, off the tipper body. Controlled by two 2/3 way valves in the cab, fine tuning was also enabled by using a reducing valve. The hardware used by Parker was all standard. TH White was able to place all of this in a neat plastic box next to the driver's seat. This made it simple for the driver to use the controls while looking out from the rear window of the cab.
According to Parker, TH White's customer was so impressed with the first unit purchased, that it has already ordered a second system.