Tiltray

TILTRAY

This method of delivery is best suited where there is plenty of space in front of where the container is to be located.

Delivery

The truck will either drive or reverse into position. The tray of the truck will lift up them slide back (similar to a tip truck) until the back corner of the container is on the ground. As the truck drives forward the container remains stationary. The container slides down the tray of the truck as it drives forward until it is clear from under the container. The vehicle in these photos is able to deliver/pick up a single 20’ container. A semi trailer tiltray can deliver/pick up 1 x 40’ container or 2 x 20’ containers at once in the same manner.

Pick Up

When it comes time to pick the container up the process is reversed. The truck will back up just short of the container, the tray will lift up & slide back until the back corner of the tray is positioned against the front bottom corner of the container (Picture 2). Chains are put through the corner castings and connected to a winch at the front of the tray. As the winch pulls the container the truck tends to be pulled under the container (truck is out of gear and handbrake off) rather than the container being pulled up the tray. The container usually drags forward approx. 30cm. Once the container is halfway onto the truck, the tray if them lowered (picture 4), lifting the container off the ground. The container is then winched on the rest of the way then secured for transport. A 40’ container is picked in the same manner.

There are several points that need to be considered when using this type of truck for delivery:

• The height of the container while on the truck is 4.2m. You need to allow at least this height when going under powerlines/trees, eves of houses/factories or through doorways.
  
  
• Even though the container is 2.44m wide, the truck & mirrors etc. needs an opening of at least 2.9m.
  
  
• When the tray lifts up, the top front of the container will go up to 6.5m in height while unloading. This needs to be considered when unloading near/under powerlines and trees or inside factories.
  
  
• The truck will need clear space in front of the container to drive out from under the container & then manoeuvring space to drive away. This needs to be at least 12 metres for a 20’ container on a rigid truck or 18 metres for a 40’ container on a semitrailer.
  
  
• The land where the truck parks to unload needs to be relatively level. If the site slopes, the truck can unload if parked facing up or down the slope. If the truck is positioned facing across the slope, as the tray lifts up and the truck starts to drive out from under the container it can jump the side rail of the tray and roll over. 
  
  
• Most transport companies don’t like to take their vehicles off road. If delivery is into an area where the ground isn’t sealed or compacted / hardstand, the driver will inspect the area and make a judgement whether or not to proceed. If the vehicle becomes bogged / stuck you will be liable for the recovery cost. So it’s a good idea to make sure you identify any soft or wet areas, old rubble drains, recently excavated / filled areas etc. then advise the driver of their location. Also have an alternate site to place the container in case the driver won’t go off the compacted surface.