Transporting freight via road and rail, QR National is largely involved in the resources sector, with a strong focus on coal and mineral haulage across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.
In December 2009, the Queensland Government announced plans for the privatisation of QR National and an Initial Public Offering took place on 22 November this year.
QR National’s Acacia Ridge depot operates a fleet of 23 trucks and 52 trailers including tautliners, drop decks and skels. This fleet is used for local pick-ups and deliveries and for short haul applications, carting general freight as well as dangerous goods.
The four low profile trucks in the fleet were purchased around three years ago to suit the container height that the company was required to cart and were initially fitted with low profile fifth wheels. When used with side door containers, the use of low profile trailers also provides greater OH&S for operators. “When side door containers are used on high profile trailers, operators are having to reach for the handles. It made more sense under the occupational health and safety provisions to lower the trailer height for these types of containers. In doing so, you lower the centre of gravity and the box can be opened easily by the operator,” explains QR National’s Fleet Compliance Co-ordinator, Greg Sawka.
The first GF Height-adjustable fifth wheel was purchased by the company just over a year ago. “The use of low profile fifth wheels on the trucks limited their uses as the trucks couldn’t be used on certain applications. One option was to go out and purchase new trailers which again wouldn’t suit all operations, so we investigated the practicality of using a dual height fifth wheel. We trialled the first GF fifth wheel and could see the benefit and the value of purchasing three more units. Any truck in the fleet can now tow any of our trailers,” says Greg.
The GF Height-adjustable fifth wheel was developed over a decade ago to offer ‘new-found flexibility’. It can be lowered to 167mm and lifted to 267mm, 317mm and a maximum height of 367mm.
When designing the GF Height-adjustable fifth wheel, GF has given priority to stability and sturdiness rather than focusing on weight reduction, in order to ensure maximum durability at all heights.
It is also robust and user friendly with an easy to use handle that offers one handed operation.
For greater wear, cast parts in this fifth wheel are made of light metal and iron.
The GF Height-adjustable fifth wheel is a modular system and has been designed with simplicity in mind. As there are no pneumatic components, service and maintenance is quick and easy, therefore reducing downtime.
This fifth wheel also features connections for central lubrication; permanent, low maintenance bearings; simple and safe wear adjustment; and an automatic safety lock option.
The GF Height-adjustable fifth wheel is also compatible with the RECOSS® sensor system. This ‘electronic assistant’ has been designed to offer increased safety, comfort and efficiency.
Greg comments, “The GF Height-adjustable fifth wheels have been working really well. They are relatively maintenance free and we’ve had no trouble at all on any of the units. We are effectively able to have the one truck doing two different jobs.”
He continues, “These fifth wheels are very versatile and suit our operation in particular because we can utilise the low profile trucks on all our trailers and in doing so can reduce downtime in selecting specific vehicles to perform specific operations. We can pretty much select any vehicle to undertake any task which is a big advantage.
“If the opportunity to purchase new equipment presents itself, we know that we can get great value out of installing a height adjustable turntable.”
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