Date: 15 01 2013
The Platinum T35 is a new 4x4-drawn livestock
trailer from Houghton Parkhouse - a company with over 60 years of
experience in the design and manufacture of commercial livestock
transporters. It is arguably the most advanced and durable lifting
deck 3.5 tonne livestock trailer in production and the only one
capable of carrying two decks of sheep or pigs or one of full-sized
cattle.
The Platinum T35 takes its DNA from its
commercial haulage big brother, 'The
Platinum', with patented features and designs never before seen
in a livestock trailer within the 3500kgs category. The T35 is
engineered for safe and efficient livestock haulage and designed
specifically with the wellbeing of livestock and operators in mind.
This ethos is shown in a number of features - all of which come
built-in as standard.
The T35 is built around an aluminium-plank
monocoque that's manufactured using the same specialist extrusion
dies as Houghton's commercial Platinum transporters, with all the
strength and weight saving benefits this innovative design
affords.
Its electric-hydraulic fully lifting deck eliminates legal ramp
angle issues and is rated to a massive two tonnes. Uniquely among
transporters of this type, the T35 carries its own battery, which
charges through the electrical hook-up to the towing vehicle. This
setup enables stand-alone operation, so you can unhitch the T35 and use your towing vehicle elsewhere
while others take care of loading or unloading.
Both the lifting and lower decks are fully aluminium-planked,
allowing adult cattle loads or two decks of sheep, pigs or hounds.
In fact, you can carry any load that fits through the door (and
under the GVW limit) including palette freight. You could even pop
a quad-bike (or two) in the back and still have room for a full
deck of sheep or pigs. For safety and convenience, all deck
locking pins locate automatically and the rear door features a
slam-shut lock.
The T35 is watertight and tanked on both
decks, so overhead fouling becomes a thing of the past, while the
hygienic, clean-sweep interior makes for rapid wash-and-go
turnarounds. There's a light for each deck, adjustable lower vents,
and all controls and mechanisms can be externally accessed and
operated. All lights are LED type for reduced maintenance.
Below decks, the T35 sports compensating suspension with
torsion arms on cranked stub axles - another first in a livestock
transporter/trailer combination. This setup affords a lower centre
of gravity and allows the trailer to automatically redistribute
weight between axles when travelling over uneven terrain. The
result is greatly improved stability over similar-sized trailers
and a much smoother ride quality for animals. Another plus of
the T35s lower overall height is a reduction
in wind resistance compared to other 4x4 drawn livestock
transporters.
Just as important, these suspension improvements over its rivals
minimise stresses to the T35's chassis, coachwork and running gear
for a product lifespan that's expected to run into decades -
outperforming all of its market rivals. It's also far kinder
to the tow vehicle. Last but not least, a flush, easy-clean
undercarriage means there's nowhere for silt and dirt to hide.
With its high performance values, durability, versatility,
innovative design and features far beyond its competitors,The Platinum T35 opens up exciting new
possibilities for farming.
http://www.farminguk.com/Videos/Platinum-T35_110.html
http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/machinery/lamma/high-spec-houghton-parkhouse-trailer-debuts-at-lamma-2013/52021.article
http://business.highbeam.com/410548/article-1G1-311245894/looking-pukka-stock-trailer-new-platinum-t35-35t-4x4drawn