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| Overview |  |
Our prime products are the VisMate handle and twist lock overlay marker flag.
These products have been industry born and developed to assist a straddle driver by providing him/her with a visual aid to help locate the twist lock, and therefore lessening the chance of damage done to container trailers whilst loading.
Contributing Factors
Straddle Carrier cab design
The cab is a mobile glass house with windows everywhere. Now consider when driving on a bright sunny day and you experience dash board reflection. Straddle drivers experience severe reflection problems both from within the cab and from external sources, therefore decreasing vital visability. Strong glare can also come from the truck's highly polished aluminium rear mud guards.
In many straddle carriers, the driver sits sideways while driving and operating the machine. This can cause severe neck problems due to prolonged neck rotation. Visibility is severely reduced due to blind spots created by legs and framework.
Trailer colour
With a dark colour on asphalt and similarly grey or neutral colours on concrete, critical items (handles & twist locks) tend to blend in with the background. A darker coloured trailer at night is no fun. Remember, the straddle cab is approx 30ft in the air.
Over height frame
Normal field of vision is 2-3ft, however when an over height frame is utilised to load over height open top containers, this window is severely reduced. Due to the height of the container and frame, it has to be lifted higher to clear the modular arms of swing lifters, therefore narrowing the field of vision further more. Many of these containers also have a flapping tarp that skirts the load, thus decreasing this vital window.
Weather and lighting conditions
Bad weather can further reduce visibility due to rain and fog on the straddle windows. Poor lighting also makes locating the twist lock more difficult, especially in the early morning and evening.
Present Situation
Many transport operators are unaware of the very limited field of vision whilst operating straddles. Those that do, attempt to assist with the use of fluro paint on the twist lock and/or handles. While this is of some use and is appreciated by straddle drivers this does not solve the problem entirely. The painting of twist locks is of use when first identifying the landing position, however the view of the twist lock decreases to the point of being non existant as the container is lowered, leaving the twist lock handle as the only means of accurate alignment.
Truck drivers that have their twist lock handles turned out while being serviced by a straddle are of enormous assistance to the straddle driver.
Remember, steel on steel is a very good paint stripper on the twist locks, and the paint on handles wears off due to to being handled in everyday use.
The Solution
On units where VisMate handles are fitted the straddle driver has a clear visual indicator to locate the twist lock. VisMate handles are fluro-reflective, making the twist lock handle easier to see even in the harshest of conditions.
Contributing Factors
Straddle Carrier cab design
The cab is a mobile glass house with windows everywhere. Now consider when driving on a bright sunny day and you experience dash board reflection. Straddle drivers experience severe reflection problems both from within the cab and from external sources, therefore decreasing vital visability. Strong glare can also come from the truck's highly polished aluminium rear mud guards.
In many straddle carriers, the driver sits sideways while driving and operating the machine. This can cause severe neck problems due to prolonged neck rotation. Visibility is severely reduced due to blind spots created by legs and framework.
Trailer colour
With a dark colour on asphalt and similarly grey or neutral colours on concrete, critical items (handles & twist locks) tend to blend in with the background. A darker coloured trailer at night is no fun. Remember, the straddle cab is approx 30ft in the air.
Over height frame
Normal field of vision is 2-3ft, however when an over height frame is utilised to load over height open top containers, this window is severely reduced. Due to the height of the container and frame, it has to be lifted higher to clear the modular arms of swing lifters, therefore narrowing the field of vision further more. Many of these containers also have a flapping tarp that skirts the load, thus decreasing this vital window.
Weather and lighting conditions
Bad weather can further reduce visibility due to rain and fog on the straddle windows. Poor lighting also makes locating the twist lock more difficult, especially in the early morning and evening.
Present Situation
Many transport operators are unaware of the very limited field of vision whilst operating straddles. Those that do, attempt to assist with the use of fluro paint on the twist lock and/or handles. While this is of some use and is appreciated by straddle drivers this does not solve the problem entirely. The painting of twist locks is of use when first identifying the landing position, however the view of the twist lock decreases to the point of being non existant as the container is lowered, leaving the twist lock handle as the only means of accurate alignment.
Truck drivers that have their twist lock handles turned out while being serviced by a straddle are of enormous assistance to the straddle driver.
Remember, steel on steel is a very good paint stripper on the twist locks, and the paint on handles wears off due to to being handled in everyday use.
The Solution
On units where VisMate handles are fitted the straddle driver has a clear visual indicator to locate the twist lock. VisMate handles are fluro-reflective, making the twist lock handle easier to see even in the harshest of conditions.
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