This article reports that stability was the dominant theme of the road tanker exhibition at Blackpool, England, organised by the Road Haulage Association in June 1993. It describes several of the new models of tankers shown there. The main concern about stability is overbalancing when tankers are moving round curves in the road; static stability is also important for tipping powder-carrying tanks. An Omep all-aluminium tipping tanker incorporated three new principles that help tipping stability when the tank is hoisted: (1) widely spaced hinges; (2) big box- or tubular-section cross-members between hinges and running gear; (3) a spirit level to help the driver to set the rear of the tanker level before tipping. Tipping stability ceases to be a problem when hopper tanks are used for carrying powders. However, they cost up to 50% more and cannot provide as much maximum volume, although they weigh less. With liquids tankers, there was a strong trend towards stepped tankers. Manufacturers showing more stable new models included Clayton, Wilson, and Hockney. The burden of international regulations under A.D.R. was a leading discussion point, with complaints about excessive shell thicknesses leading to unnecessarily high weights.
Samenvatting