TERBERG TOPLOADER® BIOWASTE SELECTED BY ARGENT BYPRODUCTS

Tough jobs require tough equipment and there can be few other instances where this is more appropriate than in the animal by-product processing industry. Strict industry controls such as the (EC) 1774/2002 regulation, which lays down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption, determines the working practices in this industry and materials handling & transportation are a couple of the industry operations that are subject to elements of EN 1774/2002.

In answer to the controls imposed on operators within the by-product processing business, Terberg Matec UK Limited has developed a range of special purpose vehicle bodies complete with lifting equipment that facilitates the hygienic collection and transportation of food waste and animal by-products in accordance with Article 7 and Annex II, Chapter II of EN 1774/2002.

The ‘Toploader® Biowaste’ has proved itself over the last few years becoming a popular choice for key players in the by-product processing business. One such assignment recently saw two Terberg ‘Toploader® Biowaste’ vehicles delivered to Argent Byproducts Group Ltd of Motherwell in Scotland. Manufactured to exacting Terberg specifications, the aluminium vehicle bodies and handling equipment were mounted on 18 tonne GVW Volvo FLE 18 4 x 2 chassis, giving a generous payload in excess of 8 tonnes.

Each of the all-aluminium bodies supplied to Argent are equipped with a powered, locking internal division effectively creating two body compartments. To the rear of the body a top-hung, swinging door incorporating heavy-duty seals together with a robust manual locking mechanism provides the method of load discharge when the body is tipped. In this instance the Toploader® Biowaste body is tipped by way of front-end hydraulic tipping gear.

Discharging the payload from each of the two body compartments is achieved by opening the rear door and tipping the body. An extra operation is required when discharging the front compartment. The operator must unlock the internal division whilst the rear door is open, this allows the material from the front compartment to be discharged through the rear compartment and out of the rear door.

The Toploader® Biowaste specified by Argent, utilises two of Terberg’s TLL1280 trade bin lifts, one being mounted up front on the nearside and the other to the rear. The TLL1280 lifter is a robust, fit-for-purpose unit with a capability to hoist containers of up to 1280 litres and a maximum weight of 500 kilograms.
The lifter safely hoists the wheeled container to roof level before rotating it to discharge the contents into the vehicle body via the roof lid that is automatically opened as the container is raised. The container is firmly clamped onto the TL1280’s comb throughout the lift as the clamp is actuated by mechanically constrained guide wheels during the lift.

Control of the lifter is achieved by two methods, each of which can be selected by the turn of a key. The first method is via a fixed button control station that necessitates the use of both hands to initiate and sustain the lift. Operation of the key-switch mounted to the vehicle nearside allows control of the lifter to be taken by a hard-wired pendant control, this method allows the operator to stand away from the vehicle whilst monitoring the lifting cycle.

Other ancillary equipment options for the Toploader® Biowaste include an access hatch for cleaning and maintenance purposes, ladders mounted to the roof or body side, work-lights to each lifter, underslung or rear door mounted bin carriers to house two 360-litre bins, a hand-wash unit and various other underbody storage solutions.

The Terberg Toploader® Biowaste range of products have been designed from the ground up with the expectation of withstanding the harsh working environment of the by-product industry. Body components and door seal materials have been selected such that they are resistant to chemical attack and can cope with frequent high-pressure steam cleaning that is the norm for vehicles operating in the by-product processing industry. Additionally, the TLL1280 lifter mechanics and fittings are protected from stringent cleaning regimes with vulnerable elements such as the electrical equipment and connections being rated to IP66 standards.

Terberg’s Scottish Area Sales Manager, Dave Shaw, says; "We have a comprehensive range of bodies, which include semi-trailers, specifically designed for the collection and transportation of animal by-products. When the bodies are integrated with a suitable product from our range of trade bin lifters we are able to provide a highly efficient, flexible and low-cost alternative to tail-lifts and lorry-mounted crane systems. In this way, we can provide a quick and simple solution to changing legislation or operational requirements."

For further details or to arrange a demonstration of the Toploader® Biowaste vehicle or for information regarding other Terberg Matec products contact Terberg Sales on 01925 283915.