New D-TEC Flexitrailer TRACTION

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 KESTEREN – The new type of container chassis launched by D-TEC is the solution for the frequently low fifth wheel load when transporting 20ft containers at the rear of the chassis.‘The Flexitrailer Traction achieves optimum traction of the drive axle’, according to product manager Elbert Folmer. Sufficient pressure on the drive axle is important, particularly in mountainous regions and during wet weather. A 20ft container should preferably be placed in the middle of a container chassis. However, in most cases that is not possible because this makes it impossible to position the container against a loading dock. The solution is to slide the container over the axles towards the back at the loading dock, using a sliding platform, slider, or roller-chain. The disadvantages of all systems are an extremely high deadweight, the maintenance costs and susceptibility to damage. Save 2000 Litres of Diesel  Folmer: ‘D-TEC has come up with a clever and simple alternative. The basic version of the Flexitrailer Traction weighs approximately 4.5 tons. That is about 1100 to 1500 kilos less than the current solutions available. This represents an annual saving of 1500 to 2000 litres of diesel’  The operating principle is almost identical to the well-known D-TEC Flexitrailer. The chassis is based on a central telescopic beam enabling extension in front of and behind the axles. What is new is that the 20ft container is not placed behind the neck, but on the neck. In order to achieve this, the foremost twist-lock beam at the 40ft position, at the front of the gooseneck, can be slid backwards.  Advanced Traction Optimization  D-TEC also supplies an Advanced Traction Optimization system. ‘The user can use this to further optimise the weight on the drive axle by first partially reducing load on the first axle, so that the second and third axles are maximally loaded and the fifth wheel load is up to 30 percent higher. This function works and is permanent, also at speed”, Folmer explains.  This is how 20ft containers of up to 25 tons can be transported with 25 percent of the combined weight on the drive axle. 20ft containers weighing 30 tons always have more than 20 percent of the weight on the drive axle. ‘However, this is not only dependent on the trailer, but also on the design of the truck. Using the specifications of a truck, D-TEC can give a good indication of the load on the drive axle when using Flexitrailer Traction.’ As the container does not slide over the chassis, heavy rollers and bearings and moving mudguards and twist-lock arms are not necessary. Its simple, mechanical operation makes the chassis far less prone to damage. The standard version of the Flexitrailer Traction is suitable for 1x20ft, 2x20ft, 30ft and 40ft with and without tunnel. D-TEC will present the Flexitrailer Traction in September at the IAA in Hannover.