With more than 4 million objects in its care, National Museums Liverpool operates a dedicated transshipment service that services all eight museums under its jurisdiction within the Merseyside area. The latest vehicle to join this service is the organisation’s first ever Isuzu 7.5 tonne rigid.
Load protection is the prerequisite of any distribution vehicle operated by the museum group and this new Isuzu N75.150 rigid is a specialist 7.5 tonne temperature-controlled truck designed specifically for the delivery and collection of an extraordinary diverse collection. From oil paintings to botany specimens, these can be fragile and environmentally sensitive objects.
According to David Crombie, senior painting conservator at National Museums Liverpool, “Everything about this conservation truck has been designed specifically to ensure that the load being carried has the maximum protection at every stage of the journey. For this reason alone, this Isuzu is specified to an extremely high level, covering everything from an optimum heating system and a chassis with minimal vibration, through to its ability to load and unload using a range of different access methods at each of our venues. Most importantly, it also fully meets the criteria of our GIS indemnity insurance for goods in transit.”
Working in conjunction with Isuzu dealer Warrington Vehicle Centre (WVC), the Euro VI Isuzu has been supplied with the Isuzu 6-speed Easyshift transmission, supported by a full five-year ITUK R&M contract. This debutant Isuzu will be potentially working for the museum group for the next five to ten year period.
“Our new Isuzu will play a really important role in the growing use of our transshipment service between all of our group venues, working on regular but short distance local routes, comprising of lots of stop/start running. However, the Euro VI specification will provide us with a future proofed vehicle for the impending ULEZ regulations that may come into play within Merseyside and other major conurbations in due course,” added David Crombie.
National Museums Liverpool and WVC devised a bespoke specification for this vehicle that provides a load space that can maintain a constant internal body temperature of between 18 and 20°C, adjusting automatically depending on the outside conditions. The insulated Bespoke Bodies temperature-controlled bodywork operates with a GAH J500 system that can compensate between the varying external summer and winter conditions. It also has the single-phase stand by option for running the temperature control system independently of the truck.
Internally, the temperature-controlled body features a system of rails and tie bars for securely holding crates or wrapped objects in position, as well as having a mix of padded rails, load lock and wooden rails, in both the floor and the ceiling, together with a lighting system that creates a well-lit interior working environment.
Externally, the vehicle also has been fitted with an Anteo 1000kg 2 metre cantilever tail lift that has the extra reach to accommodate larger crates and load boxes.
Other ancillary equipment specified on the Isuzu includes a touchscreen satnav, Brigade all-round CCTV system, wide angle side view mirrors and a Maple Goods in Transit alarm.
“As you would expect for such a detailed operational requirement, this specification was a long time in the planning and a result of the close working relationship between National Museums Liverpool and our experienced local Isuzu dealer, Warrington Vehicle Centre. One of the proven benefits of the Isuzu 7.5 tonne range is the flexibility of the Isuzu chassis to accommodate a range of truly varied body specifications,” said Richard Waterworth, head of sales, Isuzu Truck UK.
