CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
MAY 2014
29
B
olk Transport b.v. from Almelo in the
Netherlands has invested in no less
than 35 Nooteboom pendle axle lines
to provide them with transport solutions
for carrying loads such as the components
for wind turbines, industrial goods and
earthmoving machinery. As well as various
low-loaders with pendle axles and Interdolly
plus a trio of Super Wing Carriers for
transporting 70-metre-long rotor blades,
the delivery includes two MULTI-PX modular
semi low-loaders with Multidolly.
For its modular transports with load
capacities of up to around 120 tonnes, Bolk
chooses the Nooteboom MULTI-PX modular
semi low-loader with Multidolly.
Joop Savenije, managing director of Bolk
Transport explains, “The reason we opted
for the Nooteboom MULTI-PX modular semi
low-loader with Multidolly is that these
semi-trailers with pendle axles are the only
alternative for replacing and extending our
modular trailers in the segment, around
120-tonne load capacity. Of course, we also
looked at vehicles with multi-axle dollies and
so-called independent wheel suspension.
Using these vehicles as a modular trailer
doesn’t work for us. Compared with a
modular trailer or the MULTI-PX modular
semi, they fall short in key aspects. This is
mainly due to their steering capacity with
limited flexibility, insufficient axle travel and
too little ground clearance underneath the
vehicle in driving position. And what’s more,
Bolk invests in
35 NOOTEBOOM PENDLE-X AXLE LINES
these semi-trailers will obtain exemption
for 12 tonnes per axle line in Germany
only. But the Nooteboom MULTI-PX modular
semi low-loader will offer legally 12 tonnes
per axle line at 80 km/h in most European
countries.”
The modular semi low-loaders are just as
easy to use as the standard Nooteboom
semi-trailers and they are more versatile
than modular trailers. The MULTI-PX
modular semi low-loaders were purchased
in the configuration of a Multidolly with
three axle lines and rear axle assembly with
six axle lines, fitted with a double extendible
load floor. Removing the Multidolly is quick
and easy so the modular semi low-loader
can also be used as a semi with six axle
lines.
“The huge 70° steering angle and 600 mm
axle travel on the Nooteboom modular semi
low-loader are values we are used to with
our current modular trailers. One of the
important advantages of the Nooteboom
MULTI-PX is that it is easy to use. With our
modular trailers we always have to change
the steering rods first to achieve optimal
steering for various configurations. But
with the Nooteboom modular semi we only
have to operate a single lever. They cleverly
integrated several sets of steering cylinders
in the steering system. This ensures that
the steering is always optimal, whether we
drive it as a semi low-loader with 9 axle
lines or as a 3+6 semi low-loader with a
length of 40 metres. This not only saves us
a great deal of time, but having the correct
steering at all times also considerably
reduces our tyre wear. In a market where
the profit margins are extremely slim these
are the things that contribute to improve
profitability,” says Joop Savenije.
The MULTI-PX modular semi low-loader
has an hydraulic gooseneck with which the
coupling/axle weight ratio can hydraulically
and steplessly be adjusted. This means that
any coupling weight between 18 and 30
tonnes can be put at the required setting
to comply exactly with the legally permitted
axle weight in a specific country. The
Nooteboom modular semi low-loaders are
also equipped as standard with hydraulic
axle weight compensation with 3-point
as well as 4-point support. This feature is
particularly useful for the transport of loads
with a high centre of gravity.
b
