Walsall, West Midlands, UK: Meat wholesaler Tican Chilled is using Hultsteins hydraulic-drive system to power truck fridges.on two CNG-powered Scania 18 tonners.
Hultsteins hydraulic refrigeration systems use an engine PTO-driven hydraulic pump to to drive the compressor of the fridge directly.
Hultsteins sys this approach is distinct from other hydraulic drive systems which convert hydraulic power to electricity to drive the compressor which results in a 10 to 15% power loss.
“The diesel-free slimline fridges are a natural fit with our sustainable transport programme,” says Ian Adderley, group operations manager, Tican.
“Over the first three months, the Slimline hydraulic units have performed exceptionally well and are living up to all our expectations regarding efficiency, economy and environmental impact.”
The diesel-free systems are expected to reduce carbon by around 90% and DPM/NOx emissions by over 95% compared to a normal diesel fridge unit, according to Tican and Hultsteins. During the first few months, diesel consumption reduced by around 10% of the amount usually expected of a conventional truck fridge.
“The units are certainly powerful, yet at the same time very quiet.” Adderley said. “They deliver 100% cooling capacity – even at idle speed – which is a great benefit given the 16-18 hour working days during which a constant set temperature is required. Furthermore, the absence of a diesel engine will not only contribute to low operating and maintenance costs but also will improve reliability and reduce downtime. The standard 5-year warranty on parts and service underpins Hultsteins’ confidence in the product.”
“We deliver to butchers throughout England and Wales from 7 key hubs and with many hundreds of destinations each week, the scope to reduce costs and environmental impact is of course considerable. In that regard, the Hultsteins fridges are making a significant contribution and in our view are preferable to conventional diesel refrigeration. I’m sure they will figure in our sustainable fleet requirements going forward,” he said.
Hultsteins hydraulic refrigeration systems have been used by single, multi-temperature and drawbar operators in Sweden and the Nordic countries for over 50 years. In the UK it sells three versions of its systems: Slimline, Topline and Lowline ranges.
