Philippi-Hagenbuch engineered the Push Block to integrate with the rear chassis on off-highway trucks ranging from 20-400 short tons (18.1-363t). The optimal positioning of the Push Block allows operators a safe and engineered ‘push point' to dislodge trucks from areas with poor ground conditions without damaging the truck body or pushing equipment.
"Contractors on large jobsites, from road construction projects to dam building sites, traverse sticky, muddy ground that can cause trucks to become stuck," said Josh Swank, vice president of sales at Philippi-Hagenbuch. "Prior to the development of the Push Block, support equipment, such as a dozer, pushed directly on the truck body to move it to dryer ground where it could regain traction. This type of pushing on the truck can damage the tyres, hinge and even the body since there's no component of a truck designed to take this type of pin-point pressure."
The Push Block provides a stable assembly that transfers rear pushing force directly to the truck's frame, preventing damage. By transferring the pushing and pulling forces through the Push Block to the truck frame, operations prevent damage, downtime and the associated costs without affecting the loading process or payload. Without the Push Block, trucks can experience body damage that impacts material flow or tailgate damage of as much as US$15,000. An integrated hook also allows the Push Block to be used for pulling a disabled or stuck off-highway truck.
Philippi-Hagenbuch designed the articulating Push Block for simplicity and durability. The Push Block pivots downward for unobstructed dumping, and is made of high-strength, abrasive-resistant Hardox 450 steel to ensure long-term stability.
Philippi-Hagenbuch offers the Push Block alone or as part of a versatile, customisable package designed to enhance productivity. Incorporating a Philippi-Hagenbuch Load Ejector, for example, minimises carryback within the truck bed while its Sideboards increase carrying capacity and Autogate Tailgates further maximise volumetric capacity and reduce carryback for haul trucks working in applications with sticky materials.