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Figure 3.14<br />

Fliegl Gigant push-<strong>of</strong>f trailer<br />

3.3.2 Capacity<br />

The current multi-lift bin used in QLD has a volume <strong>of</strong> 65 m 3 . This was also the size <strong>of</strong> the multi-lift<br />

bins in all NSW mill regions in NSW prior to 2008. With a 65 m 3 multi-lift, the maximum allowable<br />

payload under RTA NSW axle loading regulations is achieved with burnt cane with less than 100 %<br />

volume utilisation. For whole-<strong>of</strong>-crop harvesting, NSWSMC has replaced their steel framed 65 m 3<br />

multi-lift bins with imported low tare weight, aluminium 90 m 3 bins at Condong and Broadwater mill<br />

areas. Harwood mill still uses steel framed 65 m 3 multi-lift bins. The tare mass <strong>of</strong> the aluminium<br />

multi-lift bins is about 4.25 t. The aluminium bins have not been trouble free. The main issue is<br />

damage from side tipping haulouts catching on the side <strong>of</strong> the bin during unloading.<br />

Mallee System<br />

The product to be transported has bulk density and similar flow characteristics to burnt cane, and a<br />

road system suitable for road trains already exists throughout the WA wheatbelt for cartage <strong>of</strong> wheat.<br />

However, these systems use end tipping trailers and grain trailers do not have sufficient volume for<br />

mallee biomass. Side tipping road trains are considered essential for chipped biomass to avoid the<br />

problems <strong>of</strong> end tipping. For some free-flowing products, such as wheat, this can be accommodated<br />

by tipping through a grizzly screen into a pit. However, whole chipped mallee does not flow as well. It<br />

cannot be tipped over the drawbar <strong>of</strong> a second trailer or through a grizzly screen, and if tipped over<br />

the side it must be tipped clear <strong>of</strong> the trailer wheels.<br />

Road trains and B-doubles seem more likely than single semi-trailer as mallee crops are most likely to<br />

occur in low rainfall areas. Road transport <strong>of</strong> bulk materials in WA has become focussed upon two<br />

trailers (27.5m overall length) to give an extra axle group beyond the B-double. Hence, a<br />

configuration that allows side unloading <strong>of</strong> two trailers is essential.<br />

There are systems that collapse B-doubles into one long bin, opening the A trailer into the front <strong>of</strong> the<br />

B trailer, and then tipping the whole truck on a tipping platform. These whole truck tipping systems<br />

are expensive compared to tipping sideways into a pit, but they permit deliveries from a variety <strong>of</strong><br />

existing transport trailers that all tip over the rear. Bowl door tippers are common place in bulk<br />

transfer <strong>of</strong> materials in the construction industry. However, as it will be difficult to tip from a large<br />

capacity infield transport into a road trailer, and breaking up and re-assembling two-trailer<br />

configurations will be less productive in short haul situations, a containerised system may be most<br />

appropriate. A containerised system also avoids the problems anticipated with reduced bulk density<br />

when whole tree biomass is tipped from bin to bin (see section 3.2.1).<br />

95

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