Dundee-based Tayside Contracts has added five new DAF LF 18-tonne tippers to its 24-strong tipper fleet.
The trucks all feature bespoke bodies built by Cuthbertsons of Biggar, which trades under its brand name Cubbys. Although primarily intended for all-year hot asphalt and general road repair work, they have been constructed with 6mm heavy-duty Hardox steel floors and extra crossmembers, so that the bodies are strong enough to accommodate wheeled roll-on/roll-off demountable salt spreader units in the winter. The body sides have been manufactured from aluminium, with small access panels to facilitate tying down the salt-spreader.
Harsh has supplied the hydraulics, which are centered around the compact underfloor pot ram CU tipping gear. It’s strong, lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit between the chassis siderails. Harsh has also supplied its Flip ‘n’ Go sheeting system. The PVC sheet, which provides maximum heat retention, fits inside a full width metal box for protection when not in use.
The Harsh hydraulics have been adapted by Cubbys, to include a cab-controlled hydraulic circuit. This allows control of all the main ancillary equipment, not just for tipping, but also for operating the gritter and snowplough units.
Cubbys sales manager Ewan Tolson, said: “Our company has built up a considerable reputation in being able to build and deliver sophisticated and versatile bodywork solutions to operators that have to cope with often severe winter weather conditions. Increasingly, these customers want vehicles that are adaptable to multiple applications, for year-round work, rather than having trucks specified for a single purpose only. To achieve these goals, we welcome the inputs and capabilities offered by our key suppliers, of which Harsh is a prime example. Working together, pooling our various expertise, we can simply make a better vehicle.”
Tayside Contracts has a lengthy working relationship with both Cuthbertsons and Harsh, covering a wide range of vehicle types, including demount tippers, three-way tippers and hook-loaders.
