Non-Hydraulic Deck and Ramp Operation
The deck is raised and lowered, and the multi-position ramp extended and retracted by the truck’s own air power system. Retriever does not use hydraulics.
The major benefits of non-hydraulic operation:
Significantly Reduced Maintenance Expenses.
There are no hydraulic filters to change, no hydraulic oil level to check and no lost time while the truck is in the shop for these services.
All that moves on Retriever are two Air Springs, four Gas Pistons and a few steel hinges… none of which are likely to wear out any time soon with normal usage… and none of which require any more maintenance than an occasional greasing of hinge points.
Maintenance labor charges, replacement parts costs and down time due to maintenance activity shrink dramatically with Retriever on the job.
No Environmental Clean Up Costs.
There’s nothing in Retriever that leaks or spills, so there’s never anything to clear up and no environmental remediation charges… which can run into thousands, and often entail dealing with one or more state or federal government organizations.
The savings can amount to between $1,500 and $3,000.
Reduced Chassis Costs, PLUS No PTO and Wet Kit Costs… since they’re not needed with an air powered system.
Savings on chassis and transmission upgrades required for rollbacks but not needed for Retriever range from $600 to as much as $4,000 on trucks of similar size, and many thousands more when a smaller truck can be utilized.
A PTO gear in the transmission is not required, a savings of up to $1,500 in the cost of the chassis. While required on most rollback trucks a double frame is not typically needed with Retriever, a savings of $2,000.
No Wet Kit is needed with an air-powered system, so not buying them adds another $2,500 savings on average.
Increased Margin from Increased Payloads
Retriever trades the dead weight of a hydraulic system for the inherently lighter, more reliable components of an air system.
Increased Margin from Improved Operator Productivity
It’s simply easier and faster to get equipment on and off Retriever than roll backs or semi trailers. Retriever can also deliver to more places that trailers would have difficulty reaching, also shortening deliver times.
There is also no winter weather down time with Retriever. If the truck’s air system will operate, so will Retriever.
The reduced maintenance requirement means Retriever spends its hours on the road working, not in the shop being repaired.
More time available to make deliveries means more deliveries made at lower net costs. Incremental margin gained from increased operating time, can range from $15,00 to $23,000 annually, depending on the size of your operation.
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