SCHEUERLE received an order from the company Griffin Coal Mining in Perth, West Australia, to deliver heavy-duty transport vehicles for transportation of huge excavators and dumpers, which are used in the coal mining industry. The machines, weighing up to 700 tons, put special demands on the transporters. After about one year of development and construction the self-propelled transport system, which is based on the SCHEUERLE InterCombi series, has now been tested extensively before delivery.
With the new system, four six-axle modules and two two-axle modules can be coupled with one another depending on the load. Twenty of a total of 56 pendulum axles possess a hydrostatic drive. To assure the traction drive, these axles are charged with pressure oil by two Power-Pack Units (PPUs). Also fed by the PPUs are the steering cylinder and axle compensation cylinder, which position the vehicle platform for loading and unloading accordingly and ensure the necessary axle compensation while driving at ground unevenness.
The transport combination is controlled by a radio remote control unit. Via joy-stick, functions like forward and backward gear as well as steering can be handled. If the transport of a huge excavator is operated, the vehicle combinations can be coupled side-by-side with 14 axle lines each and connected with distance bearings. The combination is lowered at rear and raised at front: A drive-up bevel is formed, which enables the excavator to navigate onto the platform trailers from behind. The distance between the ground and platform elevation at rear is bridged with drive-up wedges. When the excavator reaches its scheduled position, the system of Intercombi vehicles will be leveled back to drive elevation.