Northern Ireland bodybuilder Muldoon Transport Systems has supplied a unique tipper to York-based biomass fuels specialist Verd Energy.
Based on a 26-tonne 6x2 DAF CF chassis, the truck is specified with a lifting and steering rear axle. The shorter wheelbase means manoeuvrability is improved, thereby allowing the vehicle to gain access to more restricted premises than a conventional 8x4.
Verd Energy chose a 400hp engine for its high power and torque outputs which allow a higher, rev-reducing rear axle ratio as well as reduced gearshifting - both of which improve the truck’s overall fuel efficiency and driveability.
The smooth sided alloy bulk body includes a super - lightweight Harsh FE combined ram and tank tipping gear. Justin Muldoon, director at Muldoon Transport Systems, said: “Harsh front end gears are an ideal component within a wider bulk blower specification. Often tipping on uneven ground, bodies can be raised for long periods of time so the overall performance of the tipping cylinder is particularly important.”
Specifically configured to discharge wood pellets, the body also includes an onboard weighing system that allows customers to be billed from the recorded weight of delivered product. The rear of the body is also equipped to carry Muldoon’s demountable vacuum system which can clean out storage areas and silos as and when required.
Mark Duncan, MD at Verd Energy, said that in order for the business to win new customers, it had to have vehicles that can “actually get to their premises without difficulty, yet still able to carry a worthwhile amount of biomass product. By choosing its specification very carefully, our new DAF achieves all these aims”.
