Wilson bottom-dump trailer review

With harvest time upon us, we thought it appropriate to check out the latest in grain transport from distributors Barker Trailers

The Wilson Pacesetter Super-B bottom dump trailer set, distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Barker Trailers, offers a host of advantages over a conventional B-Double tipper combination – firstly there is a significant payload increase, then there is the bonus of cheaper insurance...

Increased regulation and a tough economy have taken a toll on the nation’s bulk haulage operators in recent years. Finding the balance between meeting more strict regulations and maintaining some form of profitability is something that Barker Trailers from Woodend, Victoria takes very seriously, and two years ago they became the sole distributor of the American-built Wilson Pacesetter bottom-dump trailer. Wilson, like Barker Trailers, has a long-standing reputation for engineering quality, and the company manufactures over 3000 bottom-dump trailers per year.

Early one chilly Melbourne morning, Joe Stawford, Transport Manager of Riordan Grain Services at Lara introduced himself with a smile and commented on the brisk coolness of the morning as he blew a breath of warm air over his clasped hands.

He explained that Jim Riordan commenced operations in 1996 with one truck, and today Riordan Grain Services now operates 15 of their own trucks and employs 25 sub contractors. Their fleet collects grain from as far away as southern NSW; the grain is then brought to their Melbourne depot where it’s packed for export. Currently they ship 180,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year.

Joe has been with the Company for over 12 years and admits the past few years have been some of the hardest they’ve experienced. Although he adds the introduction of the Wilson bottom dump trailers has brought welcomed relief in terms of productivity and operator safety.

"The Wilson trailers were very attractive to us because of their flexibility along with the 10 per cent increase in payload, safer operation and ease of use for the driver," Joe explained. "In addition there is minimal dust when unloading over drive-over pits. The flexibility of the Wilson trailers also allows us to segregate loads if we need to and they’re quicker to discharge than a conventional B-Double," Joe added.

The backbone of Wilson’s Pacesetter Super-B is the corrosion resistant aluminium. The lightweight, long-lasting aluminium along with Wilson’s tested-tough construction results in a trailer able to endure varying extremes and road stresses, while achieving some of the industry’s best load capacities. For instance, the Pacesetter Super-B has a tare weight of only 11.3 tonne, the lightest in its class.

The Wilson Pacesetter features large-diameter rivets with larger heads that generate greater shear strength. Combine this with the uniqueness of Wilson's one-piece inside and outside wall skins and a state-of-the-art maximum side strength is created. There is a 'Spliced-Side-Wall' variant is also available on request.

The landing gear is Jost’s durable A-400 featuring the compensating foot. They are mounted so that the load is distributed up through the trailer’s sidewalls to ensure the trailer can be parked safely without a prime-mover.

Long-lasting LED lights are standard for all applications of the tail, turn, and clearance trailer lights.

The tri-axle group on each trailer comprises Hendrickson’s robust 'Intraax' integrated suspension-axle-brake system that features the 'quick-align' pivot connection for fast and easy axle realignment. As well as the standard conventional eight by fifteen inch drum brake spec, disc brakes with both ABS and EBS are available as an option.

When it comes to maintenance there are only 36 grease nipples on the entire B-Double set.

The lightweight and secured aluminium roof bow binder bars enhance the trailer’s already present strength, as well as reduce premature tarp wear that is found on trailers with loose binder bars that are prone to move and vibrate

Each trailer comes complete with a patented “Tite Seal” document storage case. The robust aluminium case features seamless design and the 'cap-keeper' cable eliminates lost caps and ensures a water-tight seal and the prevention of opening.

There is also a convenient fold-out ladder that allows easy access up onto the rear of the trailer to complete tasks such as connecting airlines and rolling out the manual tarp. In addition there is a full-height ladder on each trailer.

"It’s the simple things like easy-to-operate tarps and a fold-down ladder that can make a big difference, especially to an older driver," Joe says.

Because the Wilson Pacesetter Super-B has five separate compartments, it has the flexibility to be able carry up to five different products in the one load. This is a great advantage for famers around planting time, when they need to carry both fertiliser and seed.

When it comes to unloading, the Wilson Pacesetter Super-B is in a class of its own and offers greater flexibility and far more safety features than traditional tippers.

Firstly, because the product is discharged through the bottom of the trailer, the trailer is extremely stable, there is no risk of it falling over. Secondly, dust is also minimised compared to a conventional tipper. And importantly, because the discharge units on the Wilson Pacesetter Super-B are mechanical, there is no risk of contamination of the product due to a hydraulic hose failure.

Wilson’s two-piece lower hopper comes standard with two stiffeners per side, plus corner bracing for a stronger hopper that is less prone to bulge and sag. These stiffeners also serve as handy knock rails for sticky product.

The self-cleaning rack-and-pinion door is swept clean as it glides past the trap frame. It is remotely controlled by the Shur-co ProTrap wireless electric door opener.

The ProTrap Electric Trap opener features all-metal gears and housing, to handle the hard stops. Each trailer is self-sufficient and comes with a Shur-Co solar panel battery kit to run the trap opener and optional electric tarps. This compact 30-watt solar panel, is just 20 millimeters deep and charges the battery that is rated for over 5000 cycles.

To enhance the flexibility of the Pacesetter Super-B at unloading time, Wilson also offers optional ‘Ag Hoppers’ such as the side cutes with a ‘true’ high ground clearance of 530 millimeters that are easy to operate and stow while in transit.

In addition, Michel’s eight-inch Hopper Auger Systems can be quickly installed when it’s planting time. These Hopper Auger Systems are easily attached with five to ten bolts depending on the model. Because each auger is equipped with a cleanout trap door unloading at elevators, without removing the Hopper Auger Systems is accomplished easily.

There is also a sturdy aluminium dump valve box which houses both the durable waterproof work light switch and the axle dump valve. In addition, each trailer comes with Riteweigh scales mounted in a durable polypropylene box. The 90-millimeter gauge is controlled by the suspension’s height-control valve and features a manual, push-pull valve to “bleed” air out of the gauge when it's not in use to help ensure the longevity of the scale system.

With many major grain-handling facilities now stipulating that drivers do not climb on their loads while on site, the Razor Rollover Tarp option is now a preferred choice with many operators. The Razor Roll-Over Tarp, features automatic push button operation, as well as in-cabin wireless remote operation and comes complete with a manual override capability.

"One of our Wilson trailer sets has over half a million kilometres on it, and we’ve haven’t had any issues with it," Joe said. "That’s really what it all boils down to, improved safety, greater efficiency and longer reliability which is what determines our bottom line and Barker’s Wilson Pacesetter Super-B is really giving us the results we’re after," he concluded.

Wilson bottom-dump trailer review

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