truck loading solutions

Refrigerated trailers, as you might imagine, are a type of trailer on which you can control the temperature. Often, these trailers will be box trailers. You’ll also see the term ‘reefer box trailer’ used when referring to refrigerated trailers. These types of trailers are excellent for transporting food, drinks, pharmaceutical products and other temperature-sensitive items. They help to keep them in prime condition during transit until they reach their final destination.

The dimensions of reefer box trailers can vary much more than other types of trailers. They can have similar dimensions to box trailers, such as an internal length of 13.31 metres, a width of 2.48 metres and a height of around 2.60 metres. Their payload may be around 31,000 kilos and their cubic capacity of approximately 85 m³. 

The towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight which the vehicle can tow. A truck’s towing capacity is the gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR) — the maximum gross weight of the loaded truck, plus the weight of the trailer —minus the truck’s curb weight.

It’s important to know the tongue weight of the trailer because you have to account for the weight of this part of the trailer in the truck’s payload. The tongue weight is normally 10 to 15% of the weight of the trailer. This means you must calculate the unladen weight of the trailer, add the weight of the load on it and then calculate 15% of this figure. You then remove this 15% from your maximum payload.

When it comes to transporting goods around the European Union, things get complicated, but a vehicle manufacturer, in the case of extreme distribution of mass of non-uniform loads, must state the extreme possible positions of the centre of gravity of the payload and/or interior equipment fittings.

In terms of the maximum permissible mass of vehicles, this will vary depending on the country and on the number of axles. This is measured in tonnes, and for non-drive axles will range from 10 to 12, depending on the weight of the vehicle or other circumstances, and for drive axles from 7 to 12, again determined by the weight of the vehicle or other circumstances.

Lorries that have two axles will find this weight ranges from between 16 and 21.5, depending on the country and on the circumstances of the vehicle. Lorries that have three axles enjoy slightly higher permissible weights of between 21.5 and 30.5, again according to the country and the circumstances of the vehicle.  

Articulated vehicles enjoy much heavier maximum permissible weights. These range from 36 to 50, determined by the country and the circumstances of the vehicle.

Direct lashings are often used for plant equipment and machinery. Often, the operator can attach these to the load and then to a lashing point or the vehicle chassis. To keep the load secure, these are applied in opposing pairs.

Frictional lashings, meanwhile, are used for many different types of loads. They’ll pass from one side of the load over to the other, and the angle of the lashing should be as close to vertical as possible. If the load is low, consider placing a pallet on top of it to increase the verticality of the lashing.

The number of lashings you need to use will depend upon:

• the load weight;
• the friction between the load and the load bed;
• the rating of the lashing;
• the angle of the lashing relative to the load bed;
• the number of tensioners you’re using.

These types of vehicles and trailers may feature a load curtain, but often they don’t provide enough load securing. There are still certain things you can do to make the loads more secure.

If goods or unstacked pallets weigh less than 400 kilos per item, you can use buckle straps that hang from the structure roof. You can also secure them with inner curtains. If the goods or the pallets weigh more than 400 kilos, or if the combined weight of stacked pallets is more than 400 kilos, you can treat them as heavy goods.

In the case of heavy goods that weigh more than 400 kilos per item or pallet, you can secure them with lashing, load-rated nets and tarpaulin with integral straps. The method you choose must be able to restrain half the weight of the load to the side and rear, and the full weight forward. Often, the load itself and the body structure will determine the best way to secure the load.

If the operator has stacked the load higher than the sides of the vehicle, they’ll have to secure the load by other means. Usually, over-the-top lashings will be the necessary system. You can’t rely upon the sides of the vehicle to secure this type of load. You should also be careful if you’re going to stack the load higher than the sides of the vehicle because it can affect the stability of the vehicle and will also raise the centre of gravity.

Overloading a vehicle can have serious consequences. If a vehicle is carrying too much weight, it can become unstable, difficult to steer and take longer to stop. The consequences can be fatal.

Overloading will also put a huge strain on the tyres, which can overheat and wear quickly, and then lead to early, dangerous and expensive failures such as blowouts. It’s also worth knowing that the illegality of overloading cancels out the operator’s insurance cover. If the vehicle is involved in a crash, the insurance company may refuse to cover you for the damage.

Note that overloading increases your costs because you’ll consume more fuel. It’s unjust towards other operators as well because you’re moving more load per journey by exceeding the legal limits, creating unfair competition.

To prevent overloading, there are several things you should do:

• Know the weights of the vehicle and the load. If you can, weigh the vehicle to establish the weights of individual axles.
• To avoid overloading axles, redistribute the weight of any loads evenly.
• Check the gross vehicle weight before setting out.
• Remember that you hold the responsibility for not overloading, not the customer. This means you shouldn’t immediately accept the weights declared by customers, the delivery notes or the invoices.
• Keep in mind that the gross vehicle weight (GVW) and the gross trailer weight (GTW) include the weight of the trailer, the passengers, the vehicle, the load and the driver. Account, too, for the weight of pallets or packages.
• Ensure you’re using the lift/tag axle correctly. If you don’t, you could be exceeding the gross weight or axle weight legal limits.

Like forklift trucks, stackers, also known as ‘stacker trucks’, are designed to lift heavy loads. They can handle up to around 5 tonnes, which makes it much easier to carry large items and heavily stacked pallets. They feature hydraulic pumps or winches and can raise loads to around 2.85 metres (9.3 ft). Some manufacturers design stackers for usage together with ladders for loading and unloading when working with higher storage units.

Stackers operate almost like forklifts. The stacker is equipped with forks that you lock into the pallets so you can lift them off the ground. You’ll call upon either a hydraulic pump or winch (whichever one the stacker is fitted with) to lift the pallets.

If you’re using a hydraulic manual stacker, you’ll use a pump-activated lever that raises the forks off the ground by activating a jack. If you’re using a winch-operated pallet stacker, you’ll turn a winch that is attached to strong wire cables or to link chains to operate the stacker. This type of stacker can lift loads and lower them quicker than a hydraulic stacker, and manufacturers also equip them with special brakes to prevent accidental lowering, so you have complete control over the stacker.

A towable cart is one of the most versatile ways to transport pallets through a facility. They’re fast, convenient and, importantly, safer to operate than forklift trucks. A tugger can transport a chain of pallets to any point or to several points, allowing you to flow more pallets to more destinations in your warehouse or other facilities in a single trip.

These carts come especially into their own when it comes to transporting pallets and large items to workstations since forklifts shouldn’t really enter areas where people are at work, if possible. Tuggers are small and provide better visibility, and can pass through traffic and even rack areas more safely than a forklift truck.

The fact the pallet is already on a cart means workers can move it around without having to use a pallet jack or stacker. They can move it, work on it and leave it for collection when they’ve finished. The only downside to these carts is that it’s not possible to lift or manipulate the pallets once they reach their destination.

The main and most important purpose of a ULD is to secure the cargo during the flight. Safety is paramount. ULDs also perform other important jobs because they:

• remove the need for loading and unloading manually;
• protect cargo contents, allowing goods to arrive undamaged;
• maximise the use of the aircraft’s cargo space;
• enable fast, easy transfer of cargo between planes.

You or anyone else who must operate a pallet truck should have proper training, and you should observe the steps below:

• always face the direction in which you’re going directly;
• assess the space in front of you carefully, keeping in mind that pallet truck wheels are small and can jam up easily in narrow spaces;
• never move your load without securing it first;
• walk slowly when you push the pallet truck;
• never load the cart heavier than the stated capacity;
• when going down an incline, always go in reverse to keep control of the truck;
• when using the truck, always wear gloves;
• slow down when turning corners, and avoid making sharp turns;
• never leave the truck sitting on an incline.

Remove any pallets that are damaged, or which are inappropriate or unsuitable for use, from your workplace. If you’re not sure, avoid using them. Set aside the pallets for recycling if they’re substandard or damaged. They can become a serious health and safety hazard if you use them, especially if they’re on a high shelf and bear a heavy load.

The weight of pallets can vary considerably, from around 13 kilos to 32 or more, and that’s without the load. Some pallets may be light and perfectly suitable for lifting alone, but heavier pallets are more common, and unless mechanised equipment is available, employees should work together to lift heavier ones.

When loading a trailer, there are some basic rules you should follow that will make the operation much safer:

• If working with a forklift truck, the operator should start loading at the front of the vehicle and work backwards on alternate sides. If you’re unloading, the process is the opposite. This reduces the risk of the delivery vehicle capsizing.
• To maximise the amount the vehicle can carry, and to prevent the pallets and loads from slipping and sliding around, the pallets and loads should sit close together.
• Avoid pushing a load from one side to the other. This can cause the delivery vehicle to lean to one side, which can then make it harder for the forklift truck to re-introduce the forks into a pallet or load. In severe cases, the vehicle may tip over.
• Operators should load in delivery order: the first on is the last off. This stops gaps from appearing as the operator makes their deliveries, and it reduces the need to keep rearranging the loads at each drop-off point. Note that you may have to ignore this rule to achieve the correct axle weight, as you’ll need to distribute the weight evenly over the axles and, to accomplish this, might not be able to load in delivery order.

Around the world, we’re known as the number one; the global leader in loading and unloading solutions. This is not only because we are the largest but also the first too; we've been pioneering loading solutions since 1962.

The Built-in Rollerbed System a rollertrack system that allows you to maximise internal height and boasts a lifting capacity of up to 550 kilos per module, which enables you to load pallets of almost any size. You can build this system into the existing floor of vans, trailers and trucks.

The built-in pneumatic fall-and-rise rollerbed systems are suitable for handling air cargo pallets and containers, as well as the majority of block pallets, whether these are plastic or wood. The heavy duty steel of the rollertracks enables the system to withstand the movement of forklifts and pallets even when the system isn’t in use.

Choosing a fixed rollerbed makes it possible for you to load air cargo without a forklift truck and will shorten the time it takes you to load the pallets onto the trailer or vehicle. The twin rollertrack with which the system is fitted demands 20% less effort in loading and unloading compared to standard roller systems.

The auto lowering of the rollers, quick exhaust valves and pallet stops make the built-in rollerbed immensely safe. When set in the down position, the rollers sit entirely below the top plating opening, which means people can walk over them and not trip over. Operation of the system also takes place outside of the trailer, using pendant controls as an option.

The skate and track loading system can withstand up to 3.5 tonnes, and is specially designed for use in trucks or light vehicles. It’s ideal for shifting pallets, drums, machinery and other heavy goods or items into trucks or out of them. The system uses a set of manually operated skates that run in special tracks built into the floor of the trailer or container. This spares you from having to drive a forklift truck into the cargo area because you push the pallet into the truck to load it or pull the pallet to unload it. Since you don’t need to load or unload the trailer with a forklift truck, the goods will suffer less damage during loading and unloading, too.

The skate and track helps you to really make the most of the space in your trailer. You’ll also be able to optimise the use of the logistics workers because only one or two will be necessary to conduct the loading and unloading with this system.

If you’re looking for the right manual loading solution for your business and warehouse, download a copy of our free Manual Loading Solutions leaflet. 

From benefits to best practice, discover how to lighten the load with one of our Rollertrack Loading Systems, Powered Cargo Rollers Systems, Container Loading Systems and Container Lifting Systems and many more...

The moving floor automated loading system is a heavy-duty, flexible, slat conveyor belt system that can transfer palletised goods, non-palletised ones and crate-based goods to your trailer or from it. You can connect the system up to a production line conveyor, or you can use an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) or forklift truck to place the goods onto the conveyor belt, and then load or unload your trailer in just a few minutes.

This system is completely safe during loading and unloading, and since you don’t need any workers to conduct the loading or unloading of the trailer, delivers 100% end of line automation. The automated nature of the system means you’ll be able to minimise any damage to loads.

The trailerskate automated loading system is a simple but highly effective and efficient piece of loading and unloading equipment, and is designed perfectly to automate loading for medium to long hauls. The only technology in the trailer is the set of four tracks on the floor, and the long skates perform all the loading and unloading, even though, with the Riserplate system, the lift is coming from the track underneath. The system ensures the floor is always flat so that forklift trucks can drive over it if necessary.

Like the moving floor conveyor and the slipchain, the trailerskate delivers 100% end of line automation, so you won’t need any workers to assist in loading or unloading the trailer. The trailerskate makes routine high-volume loading and unloading processes extremely safe, and minimises damage to loads. It’s possible to load or unload pallets within just a few minutes.

Loading and unloading a trailer must be done efficiently, but you must also do it safely. If you’d like to know about how our solutions can help you unload and load your trailers more safely, contact us. Our team will be happy to advise you on the best solution for your business.

Load your trailers the safer, simpler way with Joloda Hydraroll’s modular rollerbed systems. Featuring a pre-installed frame that fits easily onto your trailer floor, our standard Trailer & Track systems can be equipped in a matter of hours.

Designed to streamline the loading process, the system uses pneumatically raised rollers which are only engaged during loading and unloading.

So you can benefit from faster, more efficient loading, and secure transit for your goods.   

• Transform any trailer to a rollerbed vehicle within hours
• Safely roll in and roll out your cargo without the use of forklifts
• Lift your rollers when you want to use them. Keep them lowered when in transit; pneumatic rollertrack is much safer than live rollers.
• Hydraroll Twin Roller track requires 20% less effort compared to standard roller systems
• Twin roller design and limited top plate roller opening reduces debris by 30%
• Reduces maintenance and increases airbag life
• 100% safety due to the Auto down system: up when loading or unloading/ auto-down when in transit!