Harsh and Malcolm Construction introduce demountable skiploader

Companies team up to create new solution that offers vehicle operational versatility

HARSH and Glasgow-based Malcolm Construction have developed a demountable skiploader which, they say, is a new innovation for truck-based waste-handling systems. The Harsh HS14T demount skiploader is designed to work with a 26-tonne gvw 6x4 chassis and offers a maximum 14-tonne lift capacity, along with a 10-tonne lift via the full reach of its telescopic arms.

Fitted with a conventional hookloader unit, the demount system can be loaded on and off a chassis which, effectively, doubles a vehicle’s operating versatility.

‘With this vehicle, we can run it as a standard hookloader for one trip then quickly change it to a skiploader for its next job,’ said Freddy MacAlister, fleet engineer for Malcolm Construction. 
‘With one particular client, we’ve been using separate skiploader and hookloader vehicles side by side, whereas this vehicle can do all the work just by itself. As such, it’s really quite special.’

Built to a CHEM TS16 standard and able to handle skips from 6 to16 cubic yards, the unit weighs 4,800kg – providing a total payload capacity of 10-plus tonnes which, according to Malcolm, is well beyond the maximum that most skips ever actually reach.

In developing the new demountable system, Harsh have also paid particular attention to making the machine operation as fast, easy and safe as possible. In addition to the quick mounting to the truck, a simple hydraulic ‘change-over’ system between the hooklift and skiploader systems has been fitted. 

With fully independent operation of both the unit’s landing feet, and left and right extending telescopic arms, the driver can execute all the functions of the skiploader via full radio- remote control.

Andrew Malcolm, director of Malcolm Construction, commented: ‘The new HARSH demount skip system gives us a real productivity boost and is ideal for trucks working on more intensive, shorter range duties where we need to be moving as many containers per day as possible.

‘This type of work can change by the hour as we respond to incoming customer requests, so having one truck that can move both skips and hooklift bins is a key operating advantage. Harsh has come up with an intelligent product that’s absolutely ideal for our business.’

Adam Hargreaves, director of Harsh, added: ‘We are delighted to have been able to create an entirely new operating solution for Malcolm Construction, now one of the UK’s leading construction and waste handling businesses. This is a great example not just of joint teamwork between customer and supplier, but also a clear demonstration of how Harsh is a real leader in being able to develop innovative and imaginative answers to individual customer requirements.’