62 2015 Implement healthy life-cycle Know the main risks to road implement integrity and the operational services to keep it well preserved throughout its useful life. The amount invested in the acquisition of a road implement may be distributed in the long term. Taking into account its period of use, the product can provide return for more than a decade. The useful life of a semi-trailer varies according to its application. Load transported, care, maintenance and transport route, among other variables must be taken into consideration. According to data from the National Agency for Land Transport (ANTT), we can estimate a lifetime between 11 and 15 years, “says Wilson Roberto Ferri, Commercial Director of Randon. Throughout its life-cycle the implement faces a number of risks when in operation. Speed bumps, potholes, poorly sized curves, bad weather and other factors can cause damage and may even shorten its life. For that reason transporters and truckers complain about the bad condition of roads and streets. Ironically, however, the biggest dangers happen “at home”: the overweight and poorly distributed loads are habits that still persist and boost structural damage. “Overloading accelerates components wearing considerably, in addition to compromising product structure. In this sense, it is important to observe the technical capacity of the implements, which is the capacity for which the product was sized by engineering”, warns the Director of Randon. About load distribution, he clarifies that during the design phase, the correct sizing of the chassis structure and loading compartment, suspension, brake balance, reaction of the tires on the ground and others elements are carefully analyzed. The incorrect distribution of load, apart from not meeting the existing legislation, directly affects the items above mentioned, endangering driver and other vehicles travelling through safety. Executive highlights that it’s possible something happens and compromises the whole body. “The risk may be restricted to specific regions or, in extreme cases, compromising the implement structure (chassis and load compartment). Resulting damage depends on the intensity and level to which the implement is submitted”. In many cases, realigning the product is not an easy task. “Considering extreme cases where the incorrect distribution compromises the structural part of the implement, repair is complex and involves high costs since the necessary interventions require the replacement of various components and/or large structural parts of the product, skilled labor and long repair time (cost per repair execution and implement downtime)”. It’s likely that many carriers or self-employed are making mistakes because of lack of knowledge. To avoid such misunderstandings, Wilson Ferri recommends the manufacturer’s manual, which includes the correct technical data, be read carefully. “Driver or load generator should know the material to be transported, position load the best possible way and place load according to implement reference points (master pin and suspension positioning). In cases of punctual load (such as pallets or load suspended by little points), some accessories like cradle and load supporting plates may also be used so that load is distributed in a place”, he instructs. An important reminder is: whenever there is uncertainty as to the correct load distribution, seek assistance from a specialist. You can lose a little time but make savings in the long run. Another tip: be attentive to preventive maintenance plan. It is important to keep equipment always available for use under the best conditions (see specific matter on maintenance on this edition). Operação Operation
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