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Mudoon welcomes the recent official announcment by the DFT to permit trials of Longer Semi-Trailers in the UK
Updated 16/10/2011
Mudoon have recently developed a KICK OUT reduction system (Patent Pending) for drastically reducing the tailswing in longer trailers
Updated 16/10/2011
Mudoon wins the FLEET TRANSPORT AWARDS (INNOVATION) Muldoon are delighted to receive this prestigious award for the Muldoon Sidewinder Positive Rear Steer System fitted to the 15.65m Longer Semi-Trailer
Updated 16/10/2011
Muldoon welcomes recent announcement by the DFT to permit trials of Longer Semi-Trailers in the UK.
Muldoon welcomes the recent official announcement by the DFT to permit trials of Longer Semi-Trailers in the UK.
With the advantages offered such as the ability to carry 15% extra per journey, reduction in CO2 emissions, less vehicles on the road, less fuel costs etc, this development offers massive benefits to businesses in the low weight distribution sector as well as to the environment.
For over 3 years, we have been working on a longer trailer prototype and have the advantage of already having undertaken 2 years trials in Northern Ireland under a VSO from DOE Northern Ireland.
During this period we have been able to test, review and make modifications where necessary to provide a longer trailer which meets all the regulatory requirements regarding EU turning circles whilst maintaining proper weight distribution, stability and safety.
More recently, we have perfected the system to a level where it has a kick out comparable to a standard 13.6m trailer when turning off a tangent onto the turning circle. The kick out experienced by longer trailers had been a major concern amongst the industry and this development is a major step forward in ensuring safety to other road users.
The system is easily maintained and offers prospective adopters the assurance of investing in a longer trailer which already has been tested fully on roads, both in rural and urban areas unladen and laden operating with proper weight distribution at 44t.
Operators can benefit from a lower initial capital investment due to the requirement of 1 steer axle only, greater payload benefits as a consequence and also less maintenance associated with the use of a single steer axle and savings on tyre costs due to the reduction in tyre scrub.
Muldoon have recently developed a KICK OUT REDUCTION SYSTEM for drastically reducing tailswing on longer trailers
As part of the ongoing development of our Longer Semi-Trailer prototype, we recently have developed a kick out reduction system which can be fitted to any steer system to greatly reduce kick out on any longer type steer trailer.
This compensator works by limiting tail swing when turning off a tangent onto the turning circle. The system is particularly invalubable in negotiating round-abouts and turning left or right from a straight ahead position where rear steer trailers can encounter kick out. This mechanism seriously reduces this effect providing safety to other vehicles, pedestrians on footpath etc.
NO ELECTRICAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
The system works purely mechanically, there are no electrical components whatsoever. In straightframe trailers using our mechanical sidewinder steering system, the tailswing can be reduced to a figure of approx 500mm, in the hydraulic version of our steer system which is used in stepframe trailers, on a 15.65m trailer, tail swing can be reduced to approximately 250mm, this is within levels of an existing standard 13.6m trailer. This comes well within the criteria as stipulated in The Road Transport (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 which allows a maximum of 800mm.
The kick out comes very near to reaching the criteria as described by the Dft as "The New Generation Active Steering" which currently has not yet been invented.
This development represents a great breakthrough in technical advances for this type of semi-trailer as well as benefitting any longer length trailer where tail swing can be a problem
Muldoon win the FLEET TRANSPORT AWARDS (Trailer Innovation)
Muldoon Transport Systems recently attended the Fleet Transport Awards, held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dublin, where we were delighted to be awarded as winners the prestigious Trailer Innovation Award sponsored by Texaco Lubricants for our 15.65m Longer Semi-Trailer Development and our selection for the Trailer Innovation Award to be held at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany.
The trailer was designed in response to the demand for longer semi-trailers in the UK. The Muldoon 15.65m longer semi-trailer meets all the regulatory requirements whilst maintaining proper weight distribution and safety.
