PW-ACTUA 50th anniversary of belt trailer manufacturer Van der Peet Bodywork manufacturer H.W. van der Peet & Zn. in Nieuwkoop celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The company’s big success started in 1967 with a unique invention: the belt trailer. This belt trailer, also known as the unloader, had and still has the important advantage that, when unloading, damage to produce such as potatoes is minimised, unlike with a tipping body. It was Henk van der Peet senior who, around half a century ago, invented the very first belt trailer for semi-trailers. He did this at the request of the Institute for Storage and Processing of Agricultural Products (IBVL), which came knocking on Van der Peet’s door asking whether he could develop a vehicle that could minimise damage to potatoes during transport operations. The manufacturer took an existing trailer body and mounted a conveyor belt on its floor. From that position, he placed slanting, removable walls along the sides and the first belt trailer was created. It’s now more streamlined and less heavy Although Van der Peet developed the belt trailer first for the transport of potatoes, he soon made belt trailer types for other products. One of the advantages of the belt trailer is that it doesn’t need any height space such as trailers do, and can therefore unload in low buildings. Today, H.W van der Peet & Zn. manufactures specific vehicles for a number of other food and also non-food products. Developments haven’t stood still since the first belt trailer was introduced. The latest versions are lighter, more stable and can be provided with insulation. The ongoing development process still focuses on preventing fall and unloading damage, according to Wietske van der Peet in a press release. For that purpose, the bodywork manufacturer designed many versions and options of fall breakers. Insulated beams and fall pillows have all been designed to prevent fall and pressure damage, says Van der Peet. Round profiles, developed by the company itself, are also applied; these limit pressure damage and prevent residue in the trailer body. One of the manufacturer’s most recent developments is the Kolibri belt trailer which is equipped with a self-supporting chassis. Thanks to the application of special profiles and insulated panels, this belt trailer is 11 to 17 percent lighter than similar belt trailer versions. This weight saving has a positive effect for the carrying capacity according to Van der Peet, because you can reduce the number of trips. And the environment and the road network also benefit. A variant of the Kolibri is the Kolibri Streamer, which is a streamlined belt trailer that achieves a fuel saving of 5 litres per 100 kilometres. The Kolibri Streamer is the only trailer that can be streamlined according to the European Road Traffic Act without having to make any concessions in respect of loading space and weight, Van der Peet explains. The latest belt trailers by the celebrating Van der Peet are also on show at various agricultural shows in the Netherlands, among which PotatoEurope in Emmeloord on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 September. ● Developments haven’t stood still since the first belt trailer was introduced by Van der Peet. 10 Potato World 2017 • number 3 Pagina 9
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