In times of high fuel prices, the empty weight of a semitrailer plays a major role. When tipper trailers are on the road for half of their operating time without a load, for example on the way back from the customer, a low empty weight is crucial. Next Logistics GmbH from Nottertal-Heilinger Höhen ordered a 3-axle tipper trailer with aluminum body Light Basic in the Greenline version from Fliegl. The decisive factor was, among other things, the low unladen weight in this class of only 5843 kilograms in the version with a 50-cubic-meter body. "This means the trailer is almost 1000 kilograms lighter than competitor vehicles, so we can load more," says Managing Director Sten Schröder. Fliegl achieves the low weight through various measures: The side walls of the 2.15-meter-high box body are made of 30-millimeter-thick, lightweight hollow chamber profiles; the lightweight frame, including the patented curved front end, also contributes to the low weight.
The conical aluminum body ensures better aerodynamics and thus lower fuel consumption; in addition, sticky cargo slides off the loading area more easily; the floor is made of 6-millimeter-thick aluminum throughout, and the sloping front wall is 5 millimeters thick. The membrane rear wall is attached with a double-jointed hinge that offers a very large opening angle during unloading; the rubber seal of the tailgate is heat-resistant up to 170 degrees Celsius. A grain slide is mounted in each of the two doors, because Next Logistics transports only grain with the new trailer. While a 35-cubic-meter trough would suffice for the permissible total weight of wheat, the full 50 cubic meters are needed for oats.
When loading the skip, bulk material occasionally goes astray, but thanks to the integrated and stone-repellent mudguards, it immediately falls to the ground and is not transported onto the road. The Cramaro "Cabriole" sliding roof also ensures that the load stays in the skip. Thanks to the electric drive and radio remote control, there is no need for tiresome manual opening and closing: "Safety was important to me here, so that the driver no longer has to climb up and slip off in the rain or snow," says Sten Schröder. On top of that, the air resistance decreases with the hood closed, the airstream can no longer catch on the rear wall flap when the body is empty - that also saves fuel.
As usual with Fliegl, the axles are laser-measured and optimally adjusted, which reduces rolling resistance and thus also contributes to low fuel consumption. The SAF axles in off-road design are equipped with 430-millimeter disc brakes, and the 1st axle is designed as an automatic lift axle. The first axle can also be lifted under load, thus shifting 2.8 tons of the trailer weight onto the fifth wheel when tipping, which provides more stability during unloading. With the body lowered and fully loaded, as much as 6.7 tons are shifted to the drive axle - resulting in more traction on loose ground. From a speed of 25 km/h, the axle lowers again automatically; of course, it can also be lowered manually. On this vehicle, the third axle is also designed as a lift axle. The reason: "I save fuel on empty runs, and I also have to change the tires much less often because they don't wear out as quickly," says Sten Schröder.
Many clever details make everyday work easier, offer more safety, or make the trailer more durable: The 3.55-meter-long aluminum suspension ladder ensures a secure footing when climbing into the body; the underride guard is particularly easy to operate thanks to spring support, and the lockable stainless steel stowage box has space for many things that the driver needs during work. The air suspension arms and the lift axle mechanism are hot-dip galvanized and therefore protected against corrosion for a particularly long time: Fliegl offers a 10-year warranty against rust-through.
The comprehensive LED package consists of multi-chamber taillights, side marker lights, and position and lane departure lights. The lighting package includes two LED worklights integrated in the rear and two mounted on the right and left sides.
The most important features at a glance:
- 5843 kilograms unladen weight, 29,157 kilograms payload.
- Conical aluminum body with 50 cubic meters load volume
- Rear wall with double hinge as well as two-wing door with ½ to ½ pitch and grain slide in each door; heat-resistant rubber gasket
- Cramaro sliding roof with electric drive and radio remote control
- 1st axle designed as automatic lift axle, incl. forced lowering and starting aid; 3rd axle also designed as lift axle
- Galvanized air suspension mounts with 10-year warranty against rust-through
- Stone-repellent integral mudguards, spring-supported underride guard
