New pneumatic landing gear from Prime Transport Solutions
A Dublin and North West England-based manufacturer is enjoying roaring success with its new pneumatic landing leg invented and designed by Jim Jemison, which has even caught the eye of a US government funded project.
Prime Transport Solutions (PTS) has moved the game on significantly with the new legs that are lighter, stronger and safer than hand-cranked designs, says General Manager Mathew King.
“Prime Transport Solutions has not just taken away the laborious process of having to crank the handle, and all the health and safety concerns that come with it, we have completely revolutionised landing legs
“Weight has been reduced significantly due to the removal of all the gearing mechanism allowing the structure to be made stronger by using thicker steel, it has a larger protective collar and, most importantly, the locking pin means the leg is un-collapsible. We offer a 10-year warranty rather than the standard five.”
King says the inclusion of the PTS50 on the US government’s backed drive to improve efficiency by 50% in the Daimler Super Truck project is ‘by far our biggest achievement to date’. PTS is the only UK manufacturer to be involved in the $80 million project who’s objectives are due to be met by 2015, in an effort to develop innovative technologies that will help produce more efficient, environmentally friendly products that will benefit tomorrows environment and the commercial vehicle industry.
The lower weight of the leg is one reason it was included, but so too is the significantly improved aerodynamics made possible by doing away with the crank handle and access door.
There’s interest from two US distributors, and also in New Zealand and Australasia, but it’s not just far afield that momentum is gaining for PTS which has just appointed a sales manager for Eastern Europe.
Back at home the leg is being trialled by Morrisons, and will be installed on all new-build trailers if successful, Work has also been done with Wabco to integrate the design with its OptiFlow trailer skirting.
“All in all we have had a very eventful seven months and come a very long way,” says a proud King.