We are pleased to report some good news with regards to the safe use of quick hitches for lifting operations. Hydrex, in conjunction with Miller Quick Hitches and Lloyds British Testing, have been working together to move matters forward. As reported in the last M&EE Update, the Group was invited to send a working party up to the North East to witness some initial testing of the miller products. Unfortunately this initial testing gave rise to more questions than there were available answers at the time.

Subsequently, a further visit to Miller’s factory at Cramlington in early July produced much better results. This time we had the benefit of Miller’s designer and test facilities on hand, along with the people from Lloyds British Testing….A test rig that had been produced by Lloyds British Testing that stimulated lifting operations and the various angles in which loads could be applied to the coupler’s jaws (and)…the testing was carried out to the satisfaction of Lloyds British Testing and ourselves…On completion of the testing, Lloyds British confirmed that it was prepared to fully certificate the coupler for lifting, both from the auxiliary point and via the quick link hitch jaws. This means that all of our requirements have been achieved'.

Rail Infrastructure.