"Safe Block" System Supports Truck Box

"Safe Block" System Supports Truck Box TRUCKS Miscellaneous 27-4-17 A new device called the Roger Block makes it safe to work under a raised truck box without fear of being crushed if the hydraulics holding it up should fail. "A lot of people just stick a log or piece of square timber between the box rails and truck frame rails, but the force created by this wedge can cause that type of block to shoot forward, hitting someone, and the box itself can then come down and crush you," says Wilf Knitter of Kammec Mechanical Consultants in Whitecourt, Alberta. Knitter operates a heavy equipment repair shop and says the general concept of the patent pending Roger Block originated with Roger Beaudoin, who is a welder. Working with Beaudoin, Knitter further developed the idea with another business partner, mechanical engineer Paul McGrath. By making some modifications to the original design, the three men have created a device that is capable of supporting tremendous weight. The product is made from steel and requires no modification to the truck box. By placing one block on each side of the frame, the raised assembly is supported evenly to prevent twisting of the box frame. "The block has a hook on its bottom plate and you position that behind the end of the truck frame rails. The hook keeps the block from sliding forward," Knitter says. "The block is also hinged in the middle because you never know what angle the box is going to come down at. The hinge allows the block to align itself so that all the force is distributed over a 16-in. area, instead of point-loading the frames and causing damage to the rails." The Roger Block is meant to be used on an empty box and each block will safely support 6,600 lbs. With both blocks properly located, the system will support 13,200 lbs. with a safety factor of five. The Roger Block was just introduced to the marketplace in April. Each block weighs 31 lbs. and has a handle on the front. The price is $350 (Canadian) for a pair, or $200 for one block (plus freight). Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Wilf Knitter, Kammec Mechanical Consultants, Box 1859, Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada T7S 1P6 (ph 780 778-3184 or 800 665-0864; fax 780 778-2988); email: kammec@telus.net).

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