Skip Loaders
The SM9, 13 & 16 SKIPLOADER Vehicles are manufactured completely in South Africa with the exception of the hydraulic valves and pump. They are designed for conditions in the local industry andprovide a long and efficient service.
Skiploader Main Body
The main body consisting of a heavy duty steel platform is suitably reinforced to withstand strenuous operating conditions. The main load bearing points i.e. boom cylinder attachment points, lifting arm pivot and jack leg housings are integrated into the main body construction. Wear strips and bin guides are located on the deck or top part of the main body platform where the container is carried.
Lifting Arm Cylinder
A lifting arm cylinder of the skip loader is located at each side of the main body. The base of each cylinder is connected to the main body frame and the rod of each cylinder is connected to the torque tube assembly. The lifting arm cylinders are manufactured locally to high engineering standards and the cylinder rods are induction hardened. Each cylinder is fitted with a dual over centre safety valve that prevents uncontrolled stroking of the cylinders under load and will also lock the cylinder in the event of sudden pressure loss.
Jack Leg
Two jack legs are located at the back of the Skiploader truck and can be extended backwards at an angle towards the ground. Each jack leg is actuated by a double acting cylinder which causes the jack leg to slide in and out the jack leg housing when operated. The jack legs offer extra stability to the vehicle and should always be extended when a load is lifted. Each jack leg cylinder is fitted with a pilot operated check valve for safety and each jack leg is fitted with a heavy duty roller to lower the friction on the ground when they are extended.
Lifting Arm
Two identical lifting arms are used to lift, lower and tip the skip container. The lifting arms were designed to handle the specified loads during normal operation. Each lifting arm is attached to the torque tube assembly by two pins and can easily be detached by removing these two pins.
Torque Tube Assembly
To ensure that the lifting arms always move simultaneously irrespective of the load, they are connected to each other via the torque tube assembly. The torque tube assembly is connected to the main body with a bearing and a pivot pin at each side allowing the arms to move forward and backwards as the torque tube rotates around the pivot joints. The arm pockets containing the lifting arms are welded to the torque tube and are also attached to the lifting arm cylinder rods.
Tipping Chain Assembly
Two tipping chain assemblies with hooks are attached to the back of the skip loader main body. If the tipping chains are hooked to the base of the container prior to off-‐loading, the bin will tip when the arms are moved backwards allowing the contents of the skip bin to be emptied behind the skip loader. When the tipping chains are not used they should be stowed away by hooking them to the tipping chain peg.
Lifting Chain Assembly
A set of lifting chains are connected to the end of each extension arm and each chain is fitted with a key plate with holes to fit the bin trunnions. Each chain is tested and certified to a prescribed load. Stowage hooks for the chains are provided on the lifting arms when they are not connected to a bin.
Hydraulic Oil Reservoir
The hydraulic oil reservoir contains the hydraulic oil for the skiploader’s hydraulic system. The tank is fitted with a sight glass to display the hydraulic oil level inside the tank and it is important to maintain this level as described in the section for Maintenance. The tank contains a suction strainer and return filter with a replaceable element to keep the hydraulic oil clean and is also fitted with a shut-‐off valve and manhole for maintenance purposes.
