It’s flashback Tuesday, and we love it when one good thing leads to another.
Five years ago, the country’s largest privately-owned tomato processor called on Hamilton to custom-build trailers for towing their famous love apples, both indoors and out. Well, fast forward to 2023 and that same customer recently came back to us for more orders of the same application, but with a new modification. Could we oblige? Is a tomato a fruit?
Turns out they wanted to increase throughput by adding even more cargo to each tomato wagon. In addition to increasing both the width and length of the trailers to secure a safe ride of up to 5 mph, we also upgraded the running gear from the previous solid pneumatic tires to press-on rubber tires. The new solid rubber tires are part of our “speed series” tire with precision ball-bearing. While pricier up front, the maintenance-free pneumatic tires with sealed ball bearings will prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. We also added a spring-loaded tongue to keep it from hitting the ground, which makes it easier to connect to.
Now instead of hauling up to 4 crates at a time, our customer can haul up to 6 crates of product per trip. And while the initial order called for three tomato trailers, they quickly followed up by ordering three more.
So, you know, sounds like everyone’s crushing it.
XT3427 Four Wheel Steer Trailer
- Capacity: 10,000 lbs.
- Deck Size: 60" wide x 144" long
- Deck Height: 24.5" deck height
- Deck Material: Hardwood
- Couplers:Loop Type Towing Tongue – Tow Height 16.625” – Pintle Hitch Rear – Towing (3) trailers at a time
- Running Gear: W-1650-PORB-1-1/4
- Finish: Red Enamel
- Travel Speeds:3-5 mph recommended
- Operating Environment:Indoors/Outdoors, concrete, asphalt