Since its launch in January 2007, Fort Vale’s MK3 Safeload bottom loading coupler has enjoyed major success with road loading fuel terminals both in the UK and in Europe, from the cold of Iceland to the warmth of Italy. Four years on, the company felt that a product review would be both timely and meaningful.
A rigorous testing programme and a review of sales of spare parts has concluded that the MK3 Safeload bottom loading coupler is so reliable that Fort Vale is offering an unprecedented three year warranty for wear and tear of all metals parts under Standard Environmental Conditions.*
“The MK3 Safeload is so robust and reliable, we believe that our new 3 Year Warranty will not only win market confidence but also new customers,” says Fort Vale. “Comprehensive demonstrations of the coupler will be given on our stand 39P at StocExpo.”
Fort Vale goes on to state that, although seals are obviously a consumable item, the product review has also highlighted that the number of seal kits sold represents only 15% of the total number of couplers sold. Therefore, the seals themselves are giving outstanding performance in the field. A variety of seal materials are available, depending upon the cargo and operating conditions, all of which are competitively priced and available ex-stock.
In line with of BS EN13083 for bottom loading & unloading adaptors and BS EN12266-1, BS EN12266-2, Fort Vale designed an in-house endurance test programme. Initially, Fort Vale had intended to mimic an estimated operational working life based on one operation every twenty minutes, over a constant 24 hour day for five years (equalling 131,400 cycles). The test in fact continued to 250,000 cycles, which represents 10 times the number of cycles called for in BS EN13083.
Testing was carried out at Fort Vale’s Research & Development facility using a specially built pneumatically operated endurance test rig. The coupler was connected, opened, pressurized with fluid for a set period of time, closed and then disconnected. A counter was affixed to the coupler to automatically record the number of connections. The amount of liquid loss had been measured at regular intervals and was found to be, on average, 75% less than the permitted 5cc. On completion, the coupler was found to be leak-free at the MAWP and there was no significant wear or damage to any of the parts.
To replicate the rigours of daily service, Fort Vale went on to perform Impact Testing on the MK3 Safeload coupler with repeated side impact and drop tests based on the requirements of BS EN13463. Following testing, the coupler remained in the closed position with the interlock fully engaged.
To trial a Fort Vale MK3 Safeload coupler or find out more details about its 3 Year Warranty, please contact our Sales team: sales@fortvale.com.
*Warranty details can be found at www.fortvale.com/english/saleterm.pdf (paragraph 9)
