Saddle low loader for particularly heavy loads

• Jens Keiner expanded his fleet with a Fliegl SDS 470 T three-axle low loader semi-trailer designed for heavy construction machinery transport.

• The trailer features specialized loading areas including deep wheel recesses and an excavator arm recess to accommodate tall and heavy equipment safely.

• It includes advanced load securing options, hydraulic steel ramps with rubber coating, and safety equipment such as LED beacons and illuminated warning signs.

• The trailer has air suspension with axle load display for regulatory compliance and comes with a 15-year rust-through warranty on its galvanized chassis.

Jens Keiner from Reinsfeld near Arnstadt recently expanded his fleet with the addition of a Fliegl SDS 470 T three-axle low loader semi-trailer. He uses it to transport heavy construction machinery such as wheel loaders, chain excavators and road rollers throughout Germany.

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Whether asphalt pavers, chain excavators or rollers – Jens Keiner and his employees transport all types of construction machinery. The SDS 470 T from Fliegl was recently added to the fleet, joining the three existing low loaders. ‘We already had a Fliegl semi- trailer and were satisfied with it. What´s more, the price is right and, like us, Fliegl is based in Thuringia,’ explains company boss Jens Keiner.

The construction machines weigh up to 34 tonnes, so a robust low loader that is perfectly tailored to the transport requirements is needed. When loading large excavators, for example, the excavator arm is stored in the special 3,800-millimetre-long and 650-millimetre-wide excavator arm recess, which extends from the rear axles to the rear. Four lashing holes with a tensile force of 5,000 kilograms are embedded in the side of the recess.

A special feature of the SDS 470 T are the two pairs of wheel recesses, 400 and 350 millimetres deep, which allow even tall wheel loaders to be transported without exceeding the permissible overall height. The wheel recesses can be covered when not in use, creating a flat loading area.

A loading area up to 3,000 millimetres wide can be created when the side extensions are used, which, according to Jens Keiner, happens regularly. Like the loading floor, the 70-millimetre-thick wooden planks for the extensions are made of sturdy larch wood. The storage compartment for the planks is located on the gooseneck. This is covered with sheet steel; the rest of the loading floor and the 950-millimetre-long rear ramp consist of 70-millimetre-thick larch planks with a particularly high coefficient of friction, as required for load securing.

As is standard with Fliegl, the SAF drum brake axles with twin tyres are laser-measured and perfectly adjusted – this ensures low tyre wear and reduces fuel consumption. The first axle is designed as an automatic lift axle, including forced lowering and start-up assistance. Up to a speed of 25 km/h and when the axle is carrying 30% of the load, it can be raised (also operable from the truck) to shift more weight onto the fifth wheel – this ensures greater traction for the drive axles. To avoid accidental overloading when changing loads, the driver can monitor the axle loads via a display in the cab; the data is supplied by the EBS Canbus signal. The last axle is self-steering, and an automatic reverse lock is activated via the reversing light or manually on the towing vehicle.

The two split steel ramps with cable tensioning can be raised, lowered and moved sideways hydraulically. The ramps are 4,200 millimetres long and 750 millimetres wide. In combination with the long rear ramp, they offer a flat approach angle and are therefore suitable for vehicles with low ground clearance. A special feature of the ramps and rear ramp is the 22-millimetre-thick hard rubber coating: ‘We need this to load the rollers, for example, as it provides grip,’ explains Jens Keiner.

To ensure that the load arrives safely at its destination, Fliegl installs dozens of lashing points distributed across the entire trailer. Twenty-two lashing studs are embedded in the top and sides of the outer frame, distributed across the gooseneck and low-loader platform. There are also 4 fixed and 6 swivelling lashing eyes on the gooseneck. Jens Keiner also had 4 folding lashing eyes with a tensile force of 10,000 kilograms each fitted to the low-loader area. 16 stanchion pockets in the outer frame complete the package; these can be converted to ring lashing eyes if required.

When handling heavy loads, safety is paramount, both in terms of load securing and lighting: in addition to the LED rotating beacon at the rear, the equipment also includes four illuminated warning signs, which can be extended to a width of three metres, and each warning sign has a rotating beacon holder. Two LED work lights at the rear ensure safe working and manoeuvring in the dark. Safety is also ensured by the splash guard that extends across the entire width of the vehicle, keeping water on the ground and improving visibility for following traffic.

When the vehicle is picked up with the appropriate tractor unit, a comprehensive vehicle assessment is carried out at the Fliegl factory in Triptis, which can be used to apply for the special permits required for heavy goods transport in accordance with § 70 StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations). Jens Keiner would like to drive the full payload, but: ‘I´ve been waiting six weeks for approval from the authorities, so we´re currently only travelling with a gross vehicle weight of 40 tonnes,’ says the boss. He and his employees will cover around 100,000 kilometres per year with the trailer in future. And that will be the case for many years to come, because Fliegl offers a 15-year warranty against rusting through on the hot-dip galvanised and passivated chassis.

The most important information at a glance

• Low loader trailer with 3 axles and a total length of 13,300 mm; length of low loader platform including rear bevel: 9,100 mm

• Permissible/technical payload: 25,200/38,200 kg, unladen weight: 9,800 kg

• Loading area in low bed can be widened to 3 m with planks

• 70 mm thick softwood floor for optimum coefficient of friction

• Air suspension with axle load display for applying for special permits in accordance with § 70 StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations); 1st axle designed as a lift axle

• Galvanised steel ramps, 4,200 mm long, 750 mm wide; hydraulically liftable, lowerable and movable; covered with hard rubber

• 2 pairs of wheel wells, 400 and 350 mm deep, can be covered; excavator arm well 3,800 mm long, 650 mm wide

• Various load securing options with ring lashing eyes, lashing mushrooms, folding lashing eyes