When semi-trailer manufacturer Wabash National Corp. won an exclusive 5-year contract to produce 2,500 frac tanks for a supplier to the fast-growing hydraulic fracturing industry, it turned to DJ Products for a safe, effective way to move the 28,000 lb bulk liquid storage containers down the production line. Because the 21,000 gal frac tanks are in high demand by oil and gas companies working the shale-oil beds in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Texas, Wabash and its customer wanted to ramp up tank production quickly.
Forklifts were an unacceptable match for both the product and Wabash's Lafayette, IN manufacturing plant. Fork trucks could not maintain the necessary positive connection between the truck's forks and the tank's front end, which meant that the tanks could disconnect from the forks unexpectedly and create a dangerous safety hazard. Forklifts would also be too heavy to traverse floor grates and so could not be used to maneuver tanks in and out of wash bays. Of more universal concern were the myriad of safety issues raised by operating an unwieldy forklift in a tight, confined, walled area shared with employees, vendors, equipment, and product.
Heavy-Duty Solution
DJ Products' TrailerCaddy Powered Trailer Mover offered Wabash National a safe, powerful solution for moving their frac tanks. With a heavy-duty steel frame, powerful 36 V battery, 2,000 lb differential/transaxle, and 2:1 gear reduction with chain-to-drive tires, the TrailerCaddy Frac Tank Mover is designed to maneuver 48 and 53 ft OTR trailers, tanks, lowboy trailers, and heavy commercial equipment trailers weighing up to 50,000 lb. Outfitted with a hydraulic actuator powered lift kit, the TrailerCaddy Extreme is capable of lifting tongue weights between 5,000 and 15,000 lb.
Unlike boxy forklifts, the TrailerCaddy Powered Trailer Dolly delivers maximum power in a sleek, compact, versatile, walk-behind yard truck/trailer spotter that is ergonomically designed for tight maneuvering of massive objects in a limited space by a single employee. Easy to use and operate, the TrailerCaddy Extreme does not require the specialized training or certification needed to operate a forklift, which allows any plant employee to operate this versatile piece of equipment. The multipurpose TrailerCaddy Extreme is available with ball hitch, kingpin, and pintle hitch attachment options.
