Safely closing the hatch: a remote controlled hatch-closing device reduces driver exposures to falls

Concrete Producer, The, Sept, 2006 by Rick Yelton

Climbing a cement tanker's ladder to open and close the top feed hatch can be tricky even when the driver uses the proper three-point contact technique. Dust and road grime often coat the ladder's treads and handrail, creating a slippery hazard even when dry.

But thanks to a new system developed by Salco Products Inc., a Lemont, Ill., manufacturer of dry bulk trailer accessories, one of your driver's least favorite and most dangerous tasks can be made much safer. When using their Salco's manway cover, the driver now remains on terra firma to close and seal the hatch.

Instead of the traditional flip/flop lid movement, the automatic opening device moves the hatch cover in a horizontal plane pivoting almost 270 degrees. An air-actuated piston, powered by tapping the tractor's air supply, does the work.

To open, the driven pulls down on the control valve to pressurize the system. The pressure causes the lid to rise from its sealing gasket. Then the piston slowly extends, causing the lid's bracket to rotate on the fixed pivot. To close, the driver closes the air switch, causing the piston to retract, and the lid returns to its locked and sealed position.

Not only is it safer, but the unit allows the task to be performed faster. The opening and closing operations each takes about 45 seconds.

The automatic manway cover system was design for easy installation on both new and old trailers. It seals the cover onto the trailer's ring using a standard cover and gasket. The cover can be installed on most trailers without welding. The installer normally needs only to remove the trailers existing brackets and then use the remaining hatch connections for mounting.

The system is suitable for trailers of both aluminum and steel construction. The complete assemble normally weighs less than 90 pounds.

The control switch is contained in its own watertight enclosure and can be mounted on the trailer's side or in the truck cab. The mechanic merely connects in the air-line into the system from the truck's compressor and out to the locking mechanism.

For more information on the automatic manway cover, telephone Salco Products Inc. at 630-783-2570, or visit www.salcoproducts.com

RELATED ARTICLE: Concrete truck study.

Producers can gain insights on the state of the concrete truck industry by reading a new report prepared by SpecialtyVehicles.net (SVN) of Modesto, Calif. The report covers the manufactures of trucks for concrete mix, concrete boom pumps, and volumetric mixers.

The study examines the industry from the standpoint of manufacturers that fill the essential task of providing customers with a dedicated vocational vehicle for concrete transport delivery and placement. About 20 companies in the United States and Canada are analyzed with data on sales, production volumes, and employees. Details of major companies include descriptions of their business and key operating features.

A detailed industry summary provides an overall picture of the size of the industry in terms of units and dollars. It also offers a breakdown of unit and market share for each of the four truck types discussed.

The research focused on four types of trucks: rear-discharge, front-discharge, concrete pump, and volumetric mixer trucks. The analysis differentiates between complete trucks versus manufacturing and installation only, of the mixer or pump unit on purchased chassis.

SVN interviewed industry executives, searched the Internet, and scrutinized numerous public domain documents to come up with the findings.

Some of the results include:

* While the industry has numerous players and is highly fragmented, the leading manufacturer, McNeilus, accounts for only 55.7% of total sales, which are estimated at over $1.38 billion for all product categories.

* Rear-discharge mixers are the leading type of truck amongst the four types examined.

* There has been considerable growth in all truck categories, thanks to the housing and commercial building boom. However, the manufacturing of these types of trucks being cyclical, the report forecasts a slower growth outlook.

The 122-page study, "The Manufacture of Concrete Mix, Concrete Pump & Volumetric Mixer Trucks in North America," is available as a complete report, or by individual sections for each of the four truck segments. There also are manufacturer profiles and contact directory/ database information of all the companies.

For more, telephone SVN at 209-576-8021 or visit its Web site at www.specialtyvehicles.net.