The European Road Transport Show staged in odd-numbered years at the RAI exhibition hall in Amsterdam is second only to the IAA in Hanover, Germany, held in even-numbered years. The challenge of designing new, attention-grabbing transport equipment for these world's largest truck shows is no less than the daily challenge of meeting Europe's increasingly complex regulations for road transport.
Emissions regulations, noise rules, size restrictions in city centers, cargo restraint regulations, road taxing rules, and environmental concerns are all in sharp conflict with the need for profitable sales of money-making transport equipment. New solutions for meeting those regulatory challenges were on display for nine days in October at the RAI in Amsterdam, and will be again at the IAA in Hanover in September.
The RAI Exhibition Center was sold out with 310 exhibitors. Visitors numbered 121,305, about 17% coming from abroad. The following pages show some of the innovations they saw on display in Amsterdam.
Distribution truck wins European innovation prize
An inner-city distribution truck won the top award for innovation at the 2005 European Road Transport show in Amsterdam. The newly designed straight truck is novel in that the cargo body lowers to the ground for loading and unloading, thus avoiding the need for loading docks or elevating gates. Faster loading and unloading results in a 40% increase in efficiency, says the builder.
The “Bandit” by Gemco Mobile Systems is designed especially for distribution of pallets and roller containers. Loading and unloading is possible from three sides. The absence of a rear axle and driveline creates additional load space. The space between wheel housings measures 1450 mm (57"). Loading from three sides is possible because the sides are enclosed by electrically operated curtains, and the rear has an aluminum flap.
The Bandit starts as a MAN L-2000 medium-duty truck. The frame is cut off back of the cab at the Gemco plant in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Then a new space frame of tubular steel is constructed for the body and incorporating the Tridec LV-O independent wheel suspensions. The Tridec suspensions can lower the body on its air bags, and the front axle of the truck also can lower on its air suspension. With the body flat on the ground, loading can proceed from all three sides.
The MAN D0836LFLO5 engine drives a planetary gearbox and electric generator that provide power to the individual rear wheel drive motors. With a maximum power of 218 hp, the electric drive provides shiftless acceleration up to the maximum speed of 85 kph (53 mph). Gemco claims that the diesel-electrical drive consumes 25% less fuel, and it is already suitable for alternative power sources such as fuel cells.
The truck has a gross vehicle weight of 16.5 tonnes (36,400 lb) and a tare weight of 7.3 tonnes (16,100 lb).This gives it a cargo capacity of 9.2 tonnes (20,300 lb). It runs on 22.5-inch wheels. Length is 9500 mm (31 feet) and height is 2750 mm (9 feet).
The first Bandit delivery truck built has been road tested in delivery service for the past year and a half. The second truck built was exhibited at the European Road Transport show at the RAI in Amsterdam in October. Gemco Trucks BV, P O Box 1713, 5602 BS, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
In-body elevators lower cargo to ground level
Another city delivery truck that lowers the cargo floor to ground level was shown in prototype stage at the RAI European Road Transport show in Amsterdam. The Terra Truck has three elevating floor sections that can lower or raise over half of the floor area.
The truck has a cargo capacity for 25 rolling containers or enclosed pallets. Fourteen of those rolling containers are transported on the elevating floor sections. The other 11 are on fixed sections of the floor, such as over the drive shaft and rear axle. They can be easily rolled onto one of the three elevators during delivery.
The Terra Truck is equipped with three hydraulically operated rolling shutter doors, one enclosing the rear and the other two for the side elevators. These permit unloading at curb level in the inner city without swinging doors that might impede traffic.
The prototype body is mounted on a DAF CF 65 chassis with a wheelbase of 5400 mm (213 inches). Body length is 6390 mm (21 feet). After successful field testing by Interbrew delivering beer, three more trucks are being built, but on shorter chassis, the DAF LF 55 with a wheelbase of 4100 mm (161"). These trucks, with a total length of 6630 mm (22 feet), are designed for delivery work in the inner city. Terra Truck Benelux BV, Pekelharinghaven 43, 1671 HM Medemblik, The Netherlands.
Light truck lifts load from ground level
Another new truck introduced at the RAI European Road Transport show in Amsterdam also loads from the ground. It is the City-L 3.5 by Netras Mobile Systems BV, a Dutch company. The City-L 3.5 can lift a four-meter (13-ft) body or container from the ground, and after transport, place it back on the ground or lift it to dock level for unloading.
The swap function makes the City-L 3.5 a multi-function workhorse. It can exchange a dry freight box for a refrigerated body, or a flat rack for machine transport, a garment body, fire-fighting equipment, mobile workshop, or emergency services. The physical constraints are that the body be no more than 1700 mm (67 inches) wide and four meters (13 feet) long.
The four-meter body demonstrated weighs 300 kilograms (660 pounds), leaving 1100 kg (2,400 pounds) for the cargo weight. The city-L 3.5 has a chassis weight without body of 2100 kg (4,630 lb) which adds to a total gross vehicle weight of 3500 kg (7,700 lb) for which it is licensed.
The cab unit is a Renault Master T35 with a 2.5 diesel engine and front-wheel drive. The chassis frame is replaced by a Netras space frame in a U-shape so that the rear wheels straddle the body when backing in reverse. Netras also adds the three-point hydraulic lifting system, with one point centered at the front of the body and the other two at the sides. Netras Mobile Systems BV, Schootense Dreef 2, 5708 HZ HELMOND, The Netherlands.
Ultrasonic sensors warn during docking
Schmitz Cargobull, Europe's largest trailer manufacturer, has a new docking aid that can't be overlooked or ignored. Ultrasonic sensors are fitted inside both the left-side and right-side dock bumpers that are also fitted with steel impact faces. Blinking lights and tone frequencies warn the driver about the distance to the dock. The faster the blinking, the shorter the distance. Meanwhile, pedestrians are warned by the sound of the horn and blinking trailer lights as soon as the driver shifts into reverse. Schmitz Cargobull AG, Bahnhofstrasse 22, D-48612 Horstmar, Germany.
ECK-streme Cool Van offers double-deck refrigeration
Van Eck introduced its double-deck dry freight van trailers three years ago, and at this year's European Road Transport show in Amsterdam, it premiered a refrigerated double-deck van trailer. It offers 1800 mm (71") interior height on each deck within an overall trailer height of four meters (157.5" or 13' 1-1/2"). It has capacity for 53 Euro pallets, compared to 33-pallet capacity of the usual single-floor van trailer.
The insulated van is built using Unitrans specially reinforced reefer panels for the walls and floor. Instead of a fixed second-deck, one option is for a hydraulically lifting deck. When lowered to its lowest position, the interior height is 2490 mm (98"). For loading and unloading, the double-decker has both an inside and outside elevator. The outside lifting tailgate is between the swinging rear doors and is raised by means of overhead cables. The inside elevator functions as part of the second deck.
For protection of the rear portal, the doors are equipped with proximity sensors that apply the trailer brakes at exactly 10 centimeters (4") from the loading dock. For protection against overturning, the standard ECK-streme van is equipped with WABCO TCE air suspensions including programmable level control and the new roll stability system (RSS).
A Carrier multi-temperature refrigerating unit is nose-mounted on the trailer. The two deck levels each has its own evaporator-blower unit.
The area above the upper coupler and below the second deck is used as an engine room. Located here are the air tanks for the braking system and the pneumatic suspensions, the electronic controls for the air suspension (ECAS), the roll stability system (RSS), electronic braking system (EBS), the electro-hydraulic drive for the tailgate lift and lift-floor, batteries for this electro-hydraulic drive, as well as storage for tools and chock blocks and remote control cables. Van Eck Beesd BV, Postbus 8, 4153 ZG Beesd, The Netherlands.
Burg glass transporter lifted by hydraulic, pneumatic suspension
Burg Industries has entered the market for glass transporters with a design already proven, after purchase of the assets of another trailer manufacturer. The market for these straddle trailers has expanded as the number of out-sized products they can carry has grown. Precast concrete products rank as one of the most prominent cargoes in addition to plate glass.
The Burg glass transporter can pick up and carry glass pallets, either the A-frame or L-type, having a length of 8055 mm (26' 5") and width of 1590 mm (63"). Overall trailer length is 10.911 meters (35.8 feet). Riding on six tires (385/65 R22.5 singles), the straddle trailer has a tare weight of 7600 kg (16,750 lb) and payload rating of 31.4 metric tonnes (69,225 lb).
The Tridec suspension with stub axles on air-suspended trailing arms is supplemented with hydraulic cylinders that provide a high lift to clear road obstacles and yet be able to lower the glass pallet to the ground. Burg Industries, Postbus 27, 2640 AA Pijnacker, The Netherlands.
Kögel Mega Maxx coil trailer
With a three meter (118") inside height, the new Kögel Mega-Maxx Coil is designed for maximum volume freight and automotive pallet cages as well as metal coils. The coil trough is 7.20 meters (23'6") long and allows coils of 25 tonnes (55,000 lb). The lid over the coil well has a fork truck axle load rating of 5.46 tonnes (12,000 lb). Besides a roof that opens for crane loading of coils, the roof also lifts for side loading of tall cargo. Standard are 13 pairs of lashing rings of two to four tonnes (4,400 to 8,800 lb) capacity. Kögel Fahrzeugwerke GmbH, Industriestrasse 1, D-89349 Burtenbach, Germany.
Broshuis reduces deck height 20%
An 8-axle semi low loader with an extremely low height was developed for Trans Inter Service of Menden, Germany, a heavy transport specialist operating throughout Europe and Russia. The deck of the deep low loader was reduced to 800 mm (31.5") from the more normal one meter (39.5").
Length of the main deck is 13.25 meters (43.5 feet) and it is extendible to 22.25 m (73 feet). If that is not long enough, additional beams can be placed between the neck and the bed. Gross weight is 105,000 kg (231,500 lb). The single-extendible trailer rides on 235/75R 17.5 tires. The axles are air-suspended and hydraulically steered. Each axle has a capacity of 10 tonnes (22,000 lb).
Purpose of the low deck height is to carry cargo such as transformers with a height of 3.7 meters (12 feet) without too many problems. One of the more popular loads is windmill columns having a diameter of 3.7 m (12 feet). These straight columns are being used now in Europe more than the tapered columns.
The Broshuis-built deep low loader was exhibited at the RAI European Road Transport show in Amsterdam. Broshuis BV, P O Box 468, NL-8260 AL Kampen, The Netherlands.
Trailer hitch adaptable to any truck frame
The CombiGroep of Dutch truck body builders won the innovation award at the previous RAI European Road Transport Show in 2003 for their universal underbody floor frame for van bodies to fit on any chassis. For the 2005 show, they entered the contest with the universal trailer hitch pictured here. It is adaptable to fit various truck frames by bolting the proper end angles to the transverse beam. The hitch was developed and is manufactured by the group's own research and production facility. Pictured with the hitch are three of the truck body builders who are members of the group: John Seller, Andries Storvis, and Jan Remmers. Combi Carrosseriebouwers BV, De Kolk 36, 8255 PE Swifterbant, The Netherlands.
Roll-up floor unloads trailer in three minutes
Piet Knapen sold his trailer manufacturing company a few years ago, and now he has a new one. He has always specialized in trailers with moving floors. Instead of a reciprocating-board floor, his new development is a belt full-width of the trailer. For unloading, the belt winds into a coil under the floor at the rear of the trailer. It pulls a front bulkhead with it, assuring complete clean-out. Another drive motor at the front of the trailer pulls the belt forward again for loading.
The belt is protected from cargo damage by transverse metal slats that permit the belt to be coiled up under the floor. Flexible seals between slats help to prevent leakage. The speed of the floor is infinitely variable from stationary to four meters (13 feet) per minute, thus permitting unloading in a little over three minutes.
The Ruflo Roll-floor is designed for bulk cargoes such as garbage and other solid wastes, wood chips, and even palletized loads. The first four Ruflo-equipped trailers produced are now being fleet tested, and the fifth (pictured here) was exhibited at the RAI-European Road Transport show in Amsterdam. Ruflo BV, Dukaat 10a, 5751 PW Deurne, The Netherlands.
Same rub rail inside and out
The latest van trailer design at Van Hool includes a very wide lower side rail of galvanized steel. It serves as a rubrail to deflect impacts that might otherwise damage the sidewall. It also serves as a rubrail inside the van, protecting the sidewalls against pallet and fork truck damage. The sidewalls of FRP-plywood or sandwich panels are bolted directly to this side rail. The sidewall fits into a channel at the top edge of the siderail, thus enclosing the panel edge. Van Hool NV, Bernard Van Hoolstraat 58, B-2500 Lier, Belgium.
Krone expands trailer tie-down equipment for safe transport
Krone, the second largest manufacturer of truck trailers in Europe, is continuing to develop new products for better load securement. It started with the Multi Lock side rave in the year 2000. It provided additional load-securement points every 100 mm (4") along each side of the platform, with each anchor point rated at two tonnes (4,400 lb).
The Multi Block loading bar came two years later and won the top prize for innovation at the 2002 IAA show in Hanover. It consists of a transverse bar that attaches to the side rave Multi Lock on each side. Besides providing a load stop against shifting pallets, it adds another 22 anchor points across the load bed. It is rated at 13.5 tonnes (29,750 lb). The combination of Multi Lock and Multi Block provides 3,000 load securing possibilities.
Multi Wall, an additional bulkhead within the trailer, prevents forward load shifting by bagged material or heavy cargo such as flagstones. In two heights of 800 mm (32") or 1500 mm (59"), it is rated at 8 tonnes (17,600 lb). A new product this year provides blocking for paper rolls in the horizontal (rolling!) position.
The big innovation premiered at the RAI show in Amsterdam is the Multi Fix, a load securing system for steel products and pipe. It consists of a fabric net placed over the ends of steel beams or pipe loads to prevent load shifting forward or rearward. The system also includes transverse beams that lock into the Multi Lock side raves. Stake sockets and bracing beams are added to prevent side shifting of the load, thus keeping heavy loads in the center of the trailer. Fahrzeugwerk Bernard Krone GmbH, Mecklenburger Strasse 7, D-49757 Werlte, Germany.
Stainless steel cap protects Lamberet dock bumpers
To protect its insulated trailers from rear end impacts while docking, Lamberet is now installing elastomeric dock bumpers that have a stainless steel cap. These metal-capped bumpers are installed on the rear crossmember at the extreme outer edge of the trailer — at the lower corners of the box. They project out more than the other dock bumpers and so absorb much of the shock during docking. When air is exhausted from the air suspensions, the metal-plated dock bumpers slide safely up or down the face of the dock with very little abrasion. The life of this dock bumper is expected to be eight times the life of fixed dock bumpers, and greater also than the roller bumpers that have been used in recent years.
Lamberet is the largest manufacturer of refrigerated vehicles in France. Its output in 2004 was 7,500 — vehicles from the smallest delivery trucks to the largest refrigerated trailers, and 3,000 of these were semi-trailers. Lamberet Constructions Isothermes, BP43, F-01380 Saint-Cyrsur-Menthon, France.
Schmitz chassis slides bogie to position containers
A new container chassis by Schmitz Cargobull can legally handle all containers from 20-ft to 45-ft with slanting corners and a long tunnel. What's more, the 20-ft containers can be loaded flush to the rear, then transported mid-ship. This is accomplished by sliding the chassis frame over the axle bogie. By pulling with the tractor, the chassis length is extended and the container is positioned in front of the rear axle of the tri-axle suspension to meet legal haulage requirements.
Positioning 30-ft containers requires no further extension. For 40-ft boxes, the rear frame is extended pneumatically with automatic locking. For 45-ft containers, the front frame is extended with pneumatic locking. Schmitz Cargobull AG, Bahnhofstrasse 22, D-48612 Horstmar, Germany.
Roller chain shifts loaded containers on chassis frame
A new way of shifting loaded containers forward for better weight distribution or rearward for unloading has been developed for D-Tec Flexitrailers. It uses a wide roller chain under the box and riding on the chassis frame members. This roller bearing makes it easy for the driver to move the container by pushing or pulling with the tractor when the trailer brakes are locked. The length of the roller chain support is 3.2 meters (126") and it adds 10 mm (less than a half inch) to the height of the chassis and container. A 40-ft container with tunnel can be shifted 1.3 meters (51"). A 45-ft tunnel type container can be shifted 0.9 meters (35"). Added weight for the roller chain system is 450 kg (990 lb). D-Tec Containertrailers BV, Nobelweg 3, 6669 MV Dodewaard, The Netherlands.
Remote shut-off solves reefer noise problem
When approaching or working in noise-sensitive residential areas, diesel-driven refrigeration units can be de-activated by a new Wireless On/Off System (WOOS) by Thermo King. The unit is re-activated on leaving the noise-sensitive area. WOOS is available in two systems: a remote key system for the driver or an automated system controlled by GPS. To eliminate human error, the GPS system de-activates the cooling unit whenever the truck enters a noise-sensitive area by means of pre-set positioning. When the cooling unit is equipped with the Thermo King DAS data registration system, it can be proven at what moments the reefer was inoperative. Thermo King Transportkoeling BV, Postbus 59060, 3008 PB Rotterdam, The Netherlands.