Leading hose and coupling manufacturer Abdex Hose & Couplings Limited has recently completed an order covering the supply and installation of hydraulic systems on IVECO 8-wheeler, 44 tonne trucks. The 40 specially-adapted trucks have been ordered by an overseas defence ministry to be used for the laying of temporary airstrips in remote and desert areas.
Each of the 40 systems supplied and installed incorporates flame retardant hose assemblies, steel tubing, compression fittings and adaptors, couplings and various accessories including clamps and seals.
The Abdex systems are used to operate and control a large hydraulic hook that works in conjunction with a powerful hydraulic winch to lay and, subsequently, retrieve temporary airstrips manufactured from rolls of specialised aluminium. In operation, the end of an airstrip roll is released from the back of a truck which is then driven backwards on top of the airstrip thereby unrolling and positioning it in a single movement. Following use, the hook and winch are used to retrieve the airstrip rolls simply by reversing the procedure.
Prior to clinching the order, Abdex produced a prototype system that underwent exhaustive trials under a range of demanding and extreme operating conditions. "The testing of the prototype system was designed to prove beyond doubt both reliability and performance in a tough, ground breaking application," says Oliver Bain, managing director of Abdex. "And it was extremely gratifying to see that our system came through with flying colours - a real testament to the quality of our R&D capabilities."