Hi,
It’s been a while since I last posted, but I’m still driving around out there.
I have an assessment tomorrow for Somerfield, and have been told that it is a Wincanton assessment. I have some questions brought up by vague memories of things I have read in the past. Any help would be appreciated.
I understand that all the shopping trollies have the suzie connections at the front LH side of the trailer, so that to connect up you have to crank the unit over to the right. I understood that this was so that you don’t have to climb on the catwalk. Is this correct ? Also, If you do get on the catwalk, does this fail the assessment ?
I have never really had to use the shunt button on the trailer before. Obviously if I am going to crank the unit over to disconnect the suzies, I’ll have to push the trailer back afterwards. Should I (in order) pull forward cranked, then apply trailer brake, then disconnect suzies, then remove trailer brake and apply shunt, then push trailer back, then apply trailer brake.
Also, does the shunt reset automatically or do I have to reset it ? Also, do they require the trailer left with the brake on ? (I would have done that anyway, but some shunters get arsey about it)
Any other tips would be appreciated.
The last time I had to connect up to a trailer where there was no room between the unit and fridge unit, I connected the suzies before I was hooked on the fifth wheel (with the trailer brake on, natch) then pushed back to hook up. I guess this would be seen as bad viz H&S ?
Thanks
Alan
PS. I just checked my own links in my sig and found the Coupling Guide PDF from the Society of Engineers. Starting at page 16 it describes just what I’m asking about. Would this still hold true ? (the PDF is quite old)
smoker:
Hi,
It’s been a while since I last posted, but I’m still driving around out there.
I have an assessment tomorrow for Somerfield, and have been told that it is a Wincanton assessment. I have some questions brought up by vague memories of things I have read in the past. Any help would be appreciated.
I understand that all the shopping trollies have the suzie connections at the front LH side of the trailer, so that to connect up you have to crank the unit over to the right. I understood that this was so that you don’t have to climb on the catwalk. Is this correct ? Also, If you do get on the catwalk, does this fail the assessment ?
I have never really had to use the shunt button on the trailer before. Obviously if I am going to crank the unit over to disconnect the suzies, I’ll have to push the trailer back afterwards. Should I (in order) pull forward cranked, then apply trailer brake, then disconnect suzies, then remove trailer brake and apply shunt, then push trailer back, then apply trailer brake.
Also, does the shunt reset automatically or do I have to reset it ? Also, do they require the trailer left with the brake on ? (I would have done that anyway, but some shunters get arsey about it)
Any other tips would be appreciated.
The last time I had to connect up to a trailer where there was no room between the unit and fridge unit, I connected the suzies before I was hooked on the fifth wheel (with the trailer brake on, natch) then pushed back to hook up. I guess this would be seen as bad viz H&S ?
Thanks
Alan
PS. I just checked my own links in my sig and found the Coupling Guide PDF from the Society of Engineers. Starting at page 16 it describes just what I’m asking about. Would this still hold true ? (the PDF is quite old)
Most suzie connections are on sliding rails these days. Shouldn’t be necessary to crank it.
It’s not a fail to get on the catwalk.
Forget about the shunt button. You won’t need it.
You won’t be wrong in applying the trailer brake before and after you couple/un-couple.
Ask if they use the split-coupling method. You probably won’t need to use it.
Use the suspension on the unit when going under and coming out again.
Hi Alan
I did a Wincanton assesment last year(Oct) at Swan Valley all the trailer connections were on a sliding rail at the bottom r/h side which made connecting a doddle one thing they will never ever let you do is split couple that was drummed into me from the start there,they do have a procedure for spit coupling but that was only on a couple of trailers they had hired in over the christmas period which had fixed connectors.
You do need to use shunt button so you can crank the unit over to the right. But only when pulling a 44 trailer. On assessment you will prob only have a 40 so just couple up as normal without shunt button etc.
Somerfield have the connections on the trailer fitted on the n/s of the trailer.
Lower your suspension when reversing to trailer and when dropping.
They love all the checks so check as much as you can.
Use the brake retarder the love the fuel savings it gives you.
I done this assessment the other month so if you need anymore advice just ask.
Thanks to you all for your replies. I’ll have to see what happens I guess, as I hear different things from different people. I’ll just be as safe and observant as possible and try not to swipe anything while reversing
(Someone told me I’ll have to blind side reverse, I never actually enjoy doing that)
I just wanted to make sure there were no gotchas before I started. Nearly every trailer I’ve ever used has plenty of space for coupling. (skellys, tanks etc).
I’ll report back tomorrow.
well good luck smoker, but to answer one of your points: if I was on an assessment for a company that required it then I would make 101% certain that id applied the handbrake on the trauiler.
if its anything like somerfields in dunfermline its a 4 hour assessment. 2 hours of paperwork, 1 hour of chatting/waiting and 1 hour driving, trailer is optional. My assessment was solo! They dont allow split coupling on site. We were warned that drivers had been thrown off the site for doing it. Back under, clip in, shunt button and pull forward on full right lock. Then you put the lines on. I only did a few shifts and refused to go back. Its a shambles at that site. I heard some drivers got banned on purpose!
Well I don’t know why I worried. Perfectly straight-forward. Check the unit over. Drive over to a trailer, back almost straight under. Checked the trailer brake, lowered the unit, hooked up. Lifted the legs off and hooked the suzies up (swing out bar) and then cranked the legs up. Quick visual round the trailer, trailer brake off then a drive down the motorway, through Taunton and back to the yard. Drop the trailer off, parked the unit up then spent 40 minutes going over the H&S in the canteen.
All done. 2 hours 15 minutes all told.
I’ve had worse.
Now just wait until the jobs start coming in - hope that’s soon, I’m skint.
Cheers
daf3300:
i have only been driving 30 years whats split coupling ?
When you attach your airlines, before you’re fully under the trailer, mainly on fridges, and 13.6m boxes.
That’s why the emphasis is on applying the trailer handbrake
When you attach your airlines, before you’re fully under the trailer, mainly on fridges, and 13.6m boxes.
That’s why the emphasis is on applying the trailer handbrake
Split coupling is dangerouus
the HSE pdf says that
but amazingly it dosnt say dont do it
common sense and extra care is needed when you have to split couple
why do Wincanton have to imply its illegal when its only company policy
i did a stint at B&Q Coventry
the most dangerous thing their was getting into the vehicles that were parked up like sardines
Why is split coupling dangerous?? As long as you check that both the unit and trl brake are on then how can it be?? Wincanton are OTT on H+S,just go in brockworth the GSK side and see for yourself
