German trailer manufacturer SCHEUERLE says heavy-load logistics provider Zagrebtrans is relying on the modular platform vehicles in its UltralightCombi series for transporting components for the energy industry.
Zagrebtrans, headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, went with UltralightCombi trailers for their “outstanding” loading capacity, and their loading-area compatibility with other vehicles in the modular Combi series, said SCHEUERLE, a subsidiary of the Transporter Industry International Group (TII Group) owned by Otto Rettenmaier.
“The decisive factor for the investment was the technical sophistication of the product and the particularly favorable dead weight per axle line in this vehicle segment,” said Davor Radenić, technical manager at Zagrebtrans.
Depending on the version, the lightweight transport modules of the UltralightCombi series are available with a dead weight of around 2.4 US tons per axle line.
The Zagreb-based logistics provider is using a combination consisting of four UltralightCombi modules, which can be configured with a 5+7 combination. Between the five axle lines in front, and up to seven axle lines on the rear platform vehicle modules, there is a slab deck featuring a loading length of 8,000 millimeters (315 inches) in the low deck. This combination allows a payload of around 132.3 tons, with a dead weight of 132.3 tons. With the help of the UltralightCombi, Zagrebtrans transports large but relatively light components, including transformers and wind power installations.
The purchase decision also was based on the long-standing relationship between Zagrebtrans and SCHEUERLE, the companies said.
“We had already gained positive experiences with various transport solutions from SCHEUERLE,” Radenić said. “Our fleet already includes 72 axle lines of the FlatCombi series.”
With the FlatCombi platform vehicles, which have a very low loading height, Zagrebtrans transports wind turbine components such as turbine housings. The combination capability of the slab deck allows the heavy-load logistics operator to use it in combination with UltralightCombi modules, as well as with the FlatCombi transport platforms. The compatibility of the loading area module with other Combi series vehicles is an advantage for Radenić, saving Zagrebtrans additional investment in special equipment.
Zagrebtrans also saves money with the approval procedure for heavy goods transport, which is governed by a special regulation in Croatia, where the fee for granting approval is calculated on the total load and transport route. The weight-optimized UltralightCombi provides an advantage over heavier transport solutions.
With axle line loads of 12 tonnes (31.2 tons) at 80 km/h (49.7 mph), the platform vehicles of the UltralightCombi series are suitable for transporting large but relatively light loads on public roads. Construction machinery, components for wind turbines, containers, transformers and crawler crane components are typical loads.
Another advantage is easy handling, SCHEUERLE said. For example, the front bogie unit can be removed for loading operations so self-propelled machines can drive onto the low-deck trailer from the front by means of a flat ramp. With a width of 2.55 meters (8.4 feet), the UltralightCombi fully complies with EC standards and road traffic licensing regulations. However, the operator does not have to compromise on safety regarding wider transport platforms. The UltralightCombi has an identical support span as 3-meter-wide (9.8-foot-wide) vehicles.
The UltralightCombi modular platform vehicles are available in two-, three-, four- and five-axle versions. Their modular design facilitates use as a trailer and semi-trailer, as well as a bolster or low-bed combination. Available equipment options include excavator, slab and frame decks, and crane and wind tower adapters.