Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

Trailer floor replacement


Dean O
 Share

Recommended Posts

I need to replace the floor on one of our plant trailers.

last one I did I removed the old phenolic, replaced with ply and the covered with ali... right or wrong it worked and has lasted well enough.

 

this trailers a bit bigger - it carries a tracked chipper so has to be a robust floor. would it be more efficient to use a 3 mm ali chequer plate without the ply base? ie would it be strong enough alone??

It may well be a silly question - ive got a large list of tasks over the xmas break and this would cut the job in half if it would be sufficiently strong.

 

I'm guessing not and would largely depend on the strength of the bearers but thought I'd think out loud - anyone done this?

 

the alternative at the moment is to take all three of our trailers into an ifor dealer and see what I can get for them against a new larger tipper with ramps that will carry either the stumpy, chipper plus tip arrisings if required...

 

thanks

Dean

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Log in or register to remove this advert

Hi Deano, the composite decks are good for about 7 years with careful use but the trailer flexes quite a bit, i have used 3mm plus the checker on plant and flat trailers with stitch welding, to be honest it is fine but ads weight and stresses the rest of the chassis,

resulting in further repairs, this summer my bobcat polished off the floor of the lm 14 66 flatbed, so i replaced the floor with scots pine 9x2.5 planks from my local mill, about 10 mm gaps using the same style of screws that they originally used for installation, while i was at it i did the spring bushes and checked the slider sides for wear, so six odd months in no cracks no fear of the floor failing, and no worries about compromising the surface, the trailer is firmer loading diggers and skid steers, and lengths of timber can be loaded without fear of damage.

Worst case if you break a board its 8 or 10 screws and its replaced!

also doused all sides with real creosote....

best part is it needs no maintenance, little cleaning.

Side benefit it makes for a very quiet trailer:-))

 

Seasons greetings!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

your alli chequer plate is very slippy when wet and surprisinly doesnt have a lot of strength, it would be a lot better laid over exterior ply or solid timber, the best solution would be keruen, same as is used on truck floors( far eastern hard wood grown in the mangrove swamps, is about 30% silica, and very very hard !!) it would outlast the steel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldn't have thought of weldmesh - this would be great for removing the need for cleaning the trailer floor...

 

I can put my hands on plenty of Norway spruce planks (if I mill them), this is pretty light when dry, but would they be strong enough, or durable enough.. say at 1.5 - 2 inch.?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.