Whether it's an asphalt paver, crawler excavator, or rollers – Jens Keiner and his team transport every kind of construction machinery. Recently, the SDS 470 T from Fliegl joined the fleet, in addition to the three low-loaders already in operation.
"We had a Fliegl trailer before and were satisfied with it; moreover, the price is right, and Fliegl is based in Thuringia just like us," explains company boss Jens Keiner.
The machines weigh up to 34 tons, so a robust low-loader is needed that is perfectly tailored to the transport requirements. When loading, for example, large excavators, the excavator arm is stored in the specially designed 3,800-millimeter-long and 650-millimeter-wide excavator boom trough, which extends from the rear axles to the stern. On the sides of the trough are four lashing holes with a pulling force of 5,000 kilograms.
Two Pairs of Wheel Recesses for Tall Wheel Loaders
A feature of the SDS 470 T is the two pairs of wheel recesses, 400 and 350 millimeters deep, through which tall wheel loaders can be transported without exceeding the permissible overall height. The wheel recesses can be covered when not in use, yielding a flat loading surface.
A loading surface of up to 3,000 millimeters in width results when using the side extensions, which, according to Jens Keiner, occurs regularly. Like the main floor, the 70-millimeter-thick wooden planks for the extensions are made of robust larch wood.
The storage compartment for the planks is located on the gooseneck. This is clad with steel sheet; the rest of the loading floor as well as the 950-millimeter-long rear ramp consists of 70-millimeter-thick larch wooden planks with a particularly high coefficient of friction, as required for load securing.
Laser-measured SAF drum-brake axles for less tire wear and lower fuel consumption
The SAF drum-brake axles with twin tires are laser-measured and perfectly aligned as is customary with Fliegl – this reduces tire wear and lowers fuel consumption. The first axle is designed as an automatic lift axle, including forced lowering and starting aid. At speeds up to 25 km/h and when the axle carries 30 percent of the load, it can be raised (also operable from the truck) and thus transfer more weight to the kingpin plate – increasing traction for the drive axles.
To avoid being inadvertently overloaded with changing freight, the driver can monitor the axle loads via a display in the cab; the data comes from the EBS-Canbus signal. The last axle is trailing-steered, an automatic reverse lock is activated via the reverse light or manually on the tractor.
The two split steel ramps with cable-extension can be hydraulically raised, lowered, and moved sideways. The ramps are 4,200 millimeters long and 750 millimeters wide; together with the long rear ramp they provide a shallow approach angle and are therefore suitable for vehicles with
low ground clearance. A distinctive feature of the ramps and the rear ramp is the 22-millimeter-thick hard rubber coating:
"We need it, for example, to load the rollers, that provides grip," explains Jens Keiner.
Dozens of tie-down points are distributed across the entire trailer
To ensure the load arrives safely at the destination, Fliegl outfits the trailer with dozens of tie-down points distributed across the entire trailer. 22 tie-down pegs are mounted on the top and sides of the outer frame, distributed over the gooseneck and the low-loading area. In addition, 4 fixed and 6 swiveling tie-down eyes are installed on the gooseneck. Jens Keiner also had 4 folding tie-down eyes with a 10,000-kilogram pull capacity mounted in the low-loading area. 16 rung pockets in the outer frame round out the package; they can be converted to ring tie-down eyes if needed.
When handling heavy loads, safety is paramount, as is load securing and lighting: in addition to the LED all-round beacon at the rear, there are also four illuminated warning signs that can be extended to a width of 3 meters, and at each warning sign there is a beacon holder. Two LED work lights at the rear ensure safe work and maneuvering in the dark. Also, the full-width splash guard keeps water off the ground and improves visibility for the following traffic.
Comprehensive towing-vehicle assessment for special permits for heavy transport
When picking
up with the appropriate tractor unit, Fliegl's plant in Triptis prepares a comprehensive towing-vehicle assessment, with which the necessary exceptional permits for heavy transports under § 70 StVZO can be applied for. Jens Keiner would like to operate with full payload, but:
"I've been waiting six weeks for the authority's approval, so at the moment we are only traveling with a gross train weight of 40 tons," says the boss.
Approximately 100,000 kilometers will he and his team cover per year with the trailer in the future. And that for many years to come, because Fliegl offers a 15-year warranty against rust-through on the hot-dip galvanized and passivated chassis.
Overview: Fliegl Three-Axle Saddle Low-Loader SDS 470 T
- Low-loader trailer with 3 axles on a total length of 13,300 mm; loading platform length including rear ramp 9,100 mm
- Payload capacity/technical: 25,200/38,200 kg, empty weight: 9,800 kg
- Loading surface in the low deck can be widened to 3 m with planks
- 70 mm thick softwood floor for optimal friction
- Air suspension with axle-load indication for obtaining exemptions under § 70 StVZO; 1st axle designed as a lift axle
- Hot-dip galvanized steel ramps, 4,200 mm long, 750 mm wide; hydraulically raise-, lower- and movable; coated with hard rubber
- 2 pairs of wheel recesses, 400 and 350 mm deep, coverable; excavator boom trough 3,800 mm long, 650 mm wide
- Various load-securing options with ring tie-down eyes, lashing pins, folding
