All-black tanker debuts in Mid-Canterbury

With capacities of 6,000 gallons or 25,000 litres, most of the statistics on the pair are plus-sized, as will be the contractor’s prime movers that will be tasked with hauling these heavy loads.
With liquid effluent typically 1,000kg per cubic metre, the 30 tonne load will be added to the tanker’s tare weight of around 7 tonnes, plus the prime movers weight, meaning they will only be destined for off-road applications when fully loaded.

Alongside their impressive physical statistics, the standard equipment hits some big numbers too, with a fast turnaround assured by a vacuum pump capable of 18,000l/min. This is augmented by an additional centrifugal pump mounted on top of the filler arm.

The company notes that high capacity pumps of this type, used in rapid-fill situations over short bursts, are prone to overheating, so the configuration includes an air/water cooling system with a radiator bank mounted next to the vacuum pump.

Up at the front end, the drawbar is fitted with a spring-damped hydraulic system, ball and spoon coupling, air brakes and complemented by a hand operated parking jack or easy attachment and removal.

Loading on one unit is via a direct-fill system, featuring an 8-inch pipe dropped directly into a holding, with a hydraulic bleed valve incorporated to drain the pipe when it is raised.

The second tanker is filled via a loading pipe that couples to a ground-based loading hopper, carried under the tanker body when not in use or during transit between jobs.

Equipped with a tri-axle system, using forced steering on the front and rear assemblies, the configuration is said to allow tight turns in confined spaces.

The tankers also incorporate a clever tank balance system, meaning the operator can empty from the rear of the tanker during downhill sections and return to front end emptying on level ground.

At the business end of the tankers, a four-section, the 12-metre boom and dribble bar assembly is carried on a three-point linkage system that allows the contractor to attach a separate shallow disc cultivator if the effluent needs to be incorporated. A clever boom unfold system works sequentially from the transport position, out into the full 12m working width.

The tankers are also pre-equipped with variable application technology, which the owner is considering for the future.

Taking around 3 months to build, followed by an estimated 10-week journey time to New Zealand, the purchaser is obviously keen to exploit the fertiliser value of effluent, having invested €360,000 ($615,000) in the machines – of course with an all-black colour scheme.

www.cochranes.co.nz