Mechanical solution to a legislative problem

Parker Hannifin has helped a company address recent legislation through the use of an incredibly simple, off-the-shelf solution for lorry crane operators.

Parker Hannifin has helped a company address recent legislation through the use of an incredibly simple, off-the-shelf solution for lorry crane operators.

Not only does Parker help address the legislation but it also enables the drivers to operate the crane from the safety of their own cab.

With many industries facing increasing amounts of legislation, keeping pace with new and forthcoming directives can be a real uphill struggle.

One area that has faced its fair share of directives is industrial waste and its associated sites.

Not only do they have to address multiple environmental concerns but increasing levels of health and safety commitments are coming into play - meaning that many operators and subcontractors have to change their working practices.

Certain sites are covered by even stricter legislation meaning that, in certain circumstances, unique solutions have to be found to address these needs.

Hydraulically operated machinery, mounted on the bed of lorries, 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 this 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 the body could tip - all from within the cab of the lorry.

TH White enlisted the services of Parker Hannifin and a simple solution was realised.

Parker's answer to this unique challenge employed two small air 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 two-/three-way valves in the cab fine tuning was also enabled through the use of a reducing valve.

TH White was able to place all of this in a neat plastic box next to the driver's seat making it a simple to use while looking out the rear window of the cab.

TH White's customer was so impressed with the first unit, due to the ease of operation and compliance with the new legislation, that it has already taken delivery of a second system.

The hardware used by Parker was all standard proving that a complex problem does not necessarily require a complex answer.

It is also a great example of one company employing the expertise of another in order to achieve an important goal.

Back to top