As one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of tipping equipment – ranging from the common semi-trailer to a specialized tip-over-axle design and rugged dog trailers – Hercules prides itself on using high-quality materials and components to maintain a leading position in the domestic market.
Part of the success of the Hercules brand in Australia is due to the equipment it uses to ensure the load is perfectly sheltered against fitful weather. That’s where Razor’s advancements in electronically-controlled load covering make the most sense for Hercules, who are well aware of the quality boost the Australian-made load cover specialist can bring to the table.
“We have been in partnership with Razor for about 10 years, and in that time we have been using front-to-rear tarps for our quarry products and Razor-driven landing legs as well,” says Kevin Wright, Sales Manager at Hercules. “And in the bulk, grain and woodchip part of the business, which makes up a third of our production, we generally use Razor’s rollover tarp.
As Kevin states, neatness, safety, as well as a solid construction are what makes the rollover tarp a worthwhile addition to any tipper fleet. “It’s the tidiness and quality of the equipment that has always attracted us to purchasing Razor products,” he says. “From an OH&S point of view, there’s no change on their motorised equipment. It’s all covered in, guarded and easy to retrofit.”
Razor’s automatic push button mechanism is powered by a heavy-duty 12-volt motor and marshaled by an automatic stop sensor, ensuring a 15-second window for the tarp to open and close. The system comes complete with manual override capability and is powered with the tried and tested Razor power kit.
Carting large quantities of bulk material from point A to B isn’t as simple as tossing it all in the back, especially in a harsh operating environment like Australia. That’s why tipper expert Hercules has chosen Razor International’s roll over power tarp to protect the load in any wind and weather.
“The most pleasing aspect about a Razor rollover tarp is that the drivers don’t have to exit the vehicle to crank handles or pull the tarp back and forth anymore. That is a significant factor as far as safety is concerned because you reduce the chances of an operator injuring himself,” Kevin continues. “On top of that, when you have a rollover tarp that is powered electrically, you’ll generally find the system for the tarps is much tighter, rather than a manually-fastened one that is prone to flapping around while on the road.”
According to Kevin, the Razor rollover tarp can be operated by way of the main control pad located on either truck or trailer bin or by wireless remote. Once in operation, the tarp, which is constructed of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) material, can help the load withstand the rigors of harsh road conditions and weather. “The PVC material effectively makes the rollover tarp waterproof,” he explains. “But, the great thing about the power tarp is definitely the control option. Razor gives its clients the option of either installing a hardwire or remote controlled panels.”
As a result, Kevin is optimistic that the Razor option will soon be seen everywhere in the tipping industry. “We feel down the line the electric remote control aspect of the rollover tarp will be used more prominently amongst the quarry companies,” he adds. “In fact, we just finished building one such B-double tipper combination for a client and we are confident it will convince them, too.”
Based in Melbourne and Brisbane, Hercules manufactures up to 15 B-double combinations per year. “In that time we average building one semi-trailer per week, and five to six rigid bodies with dog trailers a week also,” says Kevin “This largely depends upon if we get a major contract. Otherwise, most of our clients will purchase one tipper or one combination at a time.”
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