Innovative Mail Trolleys From Expresso

[johnnyp]

http://www.hellmail.co.uk/postalnews/te ... 4&zoneid=3
03 October 2008 by Steve Lawson - © Hellmail.co.uk




New and innovative designs for the transportation of mail on the 'final mile' could be seen at this years Post-Expo at the ExCel.

In the UK, the relatively new but familiar red 'prams' used by Royal Mail look fairly simple compared to some of the newer German equipment on display at Post-Expo, notably the two-handled electrically powered 'Smart Drive' models from Expresso.

Each with a load capacity up to 150kg, and front climbing wheels able to negate 15cm kerbs, these units would certainly have caught the eye of prospective buyers. Seemingly robust with lockable hatches, the demonstrator on the brochures appeared completely happy in her work - even jubilant.

The simpler of the two models was aimed specifically at the delivery of letters with a two-part security lid, the other presumably more expensive model (see photo), and reminiscent of a high-tech dustcart, is designed to hold six large and two small standard mail containers.

To be fair, Expresso distributes a massive range of hand and powered carts that I actually became quicly lost in, as you'll see if you visit their web site at http://www.expresso.de

For the push-pull variety of mobile mail container, the German company 'Viadukt' (http://www.viadukt.eu) offered a fair range of trolleys too, many of which wouldn't look out of place on Britain's pavements although with longer walks, the push-along trolley might be more suited to the flat terrain of the Fens or indeed, the Netherlands, but I rather liked the way these could be stacked in small vans for distribution.

The terrain as well as density of population in the UK varies enormously and with any investment in powered or manually operated units like these, what suits one area may not suit another, so we're likely to see a variety of mail trolleys as well as the traditional two-footed variety known as the delivery worker, who lets face it, can deal with more challenging surfaces that any of these designs.

The problem for Royal Mail is that with many postal delivery rounds increasing in size, it presents a real challenge finding secure trolleys that can take the backache out of delivery, handle the hills, and still have enough power left over to get the trolley back to the sorting office. That said, with advances in battery capacity, the powered trolley is one worth looking at, even if its never likely to see much use in the Highlands. Post-Expo merely provided a taster of whats to come.

© Hellmail.co.uk - Postal Industry News

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Are those chairs under the swing lid - perhaps they hope to bring back the postal bus, or more likely make us take our MRs out on the "push" - wont be called a walk any more

[Post Off]

This just shows people how much rubbish we have to deliver, that in-order to deliver it all, we have to advertise to the world that we can only get it to peoples homes by using a mini dustcart!

[brothermagrew]

Are those chairs under the swing lid - perhaps they hope to bring back the postal bus, or more likely make us take our MRs out on the "push" - wont be called a walk any more

Aye and how tall do you have to be to see over the top of this piece of apparatus?

[k979aaa]

Look's like a cross between an airport baggage trolly and a JCB!.

[Broxi51]

Why cant you's all think positively for once and applaud this innovative new trolley. Just think how much more we will get taken off our deliveries since we will have to push those b*ggers everywhere. We will get slower and be unable to deliver our 3.5 hour round within that time.

[brunswick]

just imagine a winter with a good covering of snow,now picture yourself pushing your trolley whilst wearing our issued royal mail footwear, you will be on your backside as much as you are on your feet.

[kingtubby]

This just shows people how much rubbish we have to deliver, that in-order to deliver it all, we have to advertise to the world that we can only get it to peoples homes by using a mini dustcart!

[dvbuk55]

Verrry eenterstink, Schultz, but I know nothing.

[brothermagrew]

Verrry eenterstink, Schultz, but I know nothing.

Funnily enough John Banner who played Sgt Schultz was a Jewish Austrian actor.

[F0zziebear]

I seem to remember the huge scepticism when the ice-cream trolleys were introduced in my DO. Yet, once a few had a go they refused to take back their old trolley and everyone else followed. These German made ones I believe have power assisted steering, which should help in more hilly situations. I understand that in theory they could take heavier loads without increasing the strain on a postie, but that is verbal and have not seen them in action.

All I would say is that yes deliveries are getting heavier and more items are 3D, but it would make no sense for RM to introduce equipment that was not of considered benefit. Obviously they want you to do more without increasing costs, and ideally reducing costs, but your delivery span is 3.5 hours and without major changes to that such as dividing prepping and delivery into two different roles there is only so much they can do. I am sure they will test that boundary as most company's do.

[kingtubby]

I seem to remember the huge scepticism when the ice-cream trolleys were introduced in my DO.

When did you get those? - we haven't even seen them yet

[norbert]

Are those chairs under the swing lid - perhaps they hope to bring back the postal bus, or more likely make us take our MRs out on the "push" - wont be called a walk any more

you're being very efficient pushing them round - is there a shelf on the side of your "roadsweeper's cart " for the mandatory cup of coffee , lap top for Ebay & Facebook and ashtray as well as those seats ?

if they put their bonuses in the bottom of the cart - you'll have no worries about the thing running away from you downhill - just be grateful it's not :lfo & :cfo "s bonuses or you'll need a engine to assist uphill .

In any case you'll only have to push your "guests " round to 10/11 or earlier - you'll have to work the hours you are paid by RM

Also where does the "magic carpet " go for all the s***e for RM to sweep under it ?

Also the feral kids on the sink estates will be continually asking you if it puts fires out

In all seriousness those "seats " are probably some sort of sorting table

[dvbuk55]

Verrry eenterstink, Schultz, but I know nothing.

Funnily enough John Banner who played Sgt Schultz was a Jewish Austrian actor.

I've just done a quickie on Hogans Heroes and they were produced between 1965 and 1971 which is strange because I didn't return to England until 1973 so I guess I must have been watching re-runs in the late 70s.

He had been interned in a concentration camp and his family wiped out in the holocaust so it must have been ironic to play nazi roles both earlier in his career and of course later as Sgt Schultz.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Verrry eenterstink, Schultz, but I know nothing.

Funnily enough John Banner who played Sgt Schultz was a Jewish Austrian actor.

I've just done a quickie on Hogans Heroes and they were produced between 1965 and 1971 which is strange because I didn't return to England until 1973 so I guess I must have been watching re-runs in the late 70s.

He had been interned in a concentration camp and his family wiped out in the holocaust so it must have been ironic to play nazi roles both earlier in his career and of course later as Sgt Schultz.

If you were in the Mob or you were a "brat" you might have seen them on SKC, they ran loads of different series on the Saturday Matinées.