Brett Aggregates gets Euro 6 tipper capacity up to 20 tonnes

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Transport Engineer / July 14, 2015

Brett Aggregates’ latest DAF 8x4 CF tipper, which has a PPG insulated alloy body, was retrofitted with Hyva’s new lightweight FCA129 tipping cylinder (in place of its standard FC137), as launched at the recent TIP-Ex show in Harrogate.

The result, according to the Faversham, Kent, based aggregates company's transport manager Tom Clubb is an unladen weight of just 11,900kg – meaning a full 20 tonnes payload capacity.

Accordingly, Brett has ordered another 10 new tippers to the same specification, which are due for delivery in September.

"At 430kg, this new Hyva ram is 20kg lighter than anything else," enthuses Clubb, who is responsible for the firm's 80-plus tipper fleet.

"While 20kg doesn't sound a lot, the real issue is there's no point in us carrying around unnecessary deadweight," he continues.

"What I also like about the FCA129 is that Hyva has really given the issue of tipping gear design a significant new direction - and not just on weight."

And he points to the equipment's separate ram and tank design – meaning that the oil tank no longer needs to be fabricated from steel.

"Hyva's use of industrial quality plastic for their oil tank saves both weight and cost," he explains, adding that maintenance on the cylinders is "much easier", so reducing downtime costs.

Brett Aggregates' latest tippers are all fully compliant to the CLOCS standard and accredited to FORS.

They are also fitted with the Exeros 360 degree camera system – as well as cameras inside the body to assist the driver in ensuring correct loading and tipping – plus Navman telematics to monitor critical areas of vehicle and driver performance.

"We encourage our drivers to be as involved as possible," states Clubb, "and to see themselves as 'asset managers' where their professionalism and expertise can really make a difference."

For him that means not just monitoring fuel consumption, but taking "a much wider view that embraces and encourages better driving practices" to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

And talking of asset management, Clubb further asserts that managing tipper downtime is also key – and that Hyva performs well in that regard.

"Recently, we needed a replacement cylinder for both a Hyva ram and an existing combined ram and tank hoist," he recalls.

"I spoke to Hyva on a Friday afternoon and we had the cylinder the following morning - a Saturday," he continues.

"Without the complication of an integral oil tank, the cylinder was also quick and easy to fit. In complete contrast, a replacement cylinder for our previous fleet standard combined ram and tank model would take six weeks."

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