April was another month filled with exciting projects ranging from tipper bodies and truck trays to trailer combos and custom builds. One of the really exciting projects we were pleased to work on involved performing a chassis stretch and fitting a new tipper body on a Mack for our client, Future Constructions.
DESIGNING THE TRUCK BODY
First things first. Our client came to us requesting a tipper body for a prime mover Mack. To ensure that our tipper body would be perfect for our client, we first started by learning about the jobs the Mack would be carrying out on a daily basis. This step is fundamental, as we always want to make sure that the solutions we provide to our clients are really tailored towards their specific business needs.
Only after we get a good understanding of the daily operations and jobs that are going to be performed with the trucks that come to our workshop, do we proceeded with the design of the tipper bodies – taking all specifications and requirements into account.
In this case, it turned out that our client required a minimum tipper body length of 4.5mt. Therefore, we decided to perform a wheelbase extension first.
WHEELBASE EXTENSION
At AA Diesel Truck Bodies, we follow manufacturer instructions whenever we modify wheelbases to ensure that our work meets the highest standards. For this prime mover, our qualified in-house technicians performed a chassis extension based on Mack manufacturer guidelines.
When modifying wheelbases, we measure and take into consideration the weight distribution under different types of loads to make sure that the truck will be in an optimal state to perform all the jobs it is expected to. Also, we check all the angles of the driveline and double skin the chassis for additional strength and durability.
Once we were certain that everything on the Mack was balanced after the modification, we proceeded to extend the electronics and pneumatic airlines. Then, we painted the wheelbase extension in a light grey colour to complement the rest of the truck.
Before fitting the tipper body, our in-house engineers tested and checked all the modifications one last time; and with everything working perfectly, they issued a VASS certificate of compliance.
FITTING THE TRUCK BODY & FINISHING TOUCHES
After the chassis stretch, the Mack was ready to have the brand new 4.5mt-long tipper body fitted, which we designed and fabricated in our workshop. The tipper body was built with Hardox Wear Plate steel, which is made of the highest quality materials for increased durability and unbeatable impact strength.
In addition, we installed an electric tarp, a two-way singing tailgate, and our new hand-held tipper control for extra ease of use. And finally, we finished off the Mack with custom blue stickers to really make things pop.
Both our client and we are very proud of and happy with the results, especially because everything on this project – from beginning to end – was performed in-house. This gives our clients the advantage of reducing the hassle of dealing with different suppliers.
We offer all the expertise, skills, and knowledge you need in one place to help our clients get back to the road faster.