As electric power becomes increasingly important in the vertical transport sector so too we’re seeing a shift towards electrically-driven specialised horizontal transportation equipment. This change was evident at the recent Bauma trade show where many key specialised transport equipment manufacturers were showcasing their latest developments.
Pfedelbach, Germanyheadquartered specialised transport equipment manufacturer TII Scheuerle, for example, has expanded its range of Power Pack Units (PPU) to now include a fully electric, locally emission-free version called the ePPU which was proudly on display on its stand at the show.
The ePPU is just as efficient and high-performing, Scheuerle says, as its Z390 model – the most powerful diesel-powered PPU version in its range to date. The battery capacity has been designed to supply Scheuerle’s SPMT with sufficient operating power for an entire working day without requiring recharging.
Zero-emission drive systems these days are much more than just a niche for the environmentally aware; as TII Scheuerle points out they are rapidly becoming an economic necessity. They allow logistics providers to gain new business by being able to meet the strictest tendering requirements on environmental impact. Zeroemission drive is also becoming a requirement for operations in enclosed spaces and tunnels.
BENEFITS BONANZA
For many European companies investing in a sustainable transport fleet can have a positive impact on their Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) rating.
The absence of diesel-fume emissions means there is no negative impact on the health of operating personnel.
The ePPU is also substantially quieter – another big advantage for both employees and when the equipment is used in populated areas. A further plus is that communication between operators is much easier due to the unit’s low noise level, thereby increasing occupational safety.
Electric motors, unlike diesel engines, give maximum torque at all speeds – even from startup. This gives the ePPU yet more advantages. Among them, an excellent starting performance which, given a high level of traction, means that transport speeds can be quickly reached.
Electric motors are up to four times more energy-efficient than diesel engines, too, and consume only a minimum of energy when idling. The ePPU therefore delivers increased efficiency as well as lower energy and maintenance costs, says Scheuerle. They also have fewer moving parts so technical malfunctions are rare while the maintenance requirements of the ePPU are extremely low, it adds.
The drive energy is from a lithium-ion battery. It is also possible to quickly charge the energy storage system from a level of 20 up to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes via a CCS power plug with up to 300 kW, or via an AC grid connection with up to 44 kW overnight or during longer downtimes.
The ePPU is compatible with all Scheuerle SPMT axle lines of the technical generation 2 to 4. Given its high power output it can operate up to 26 driven pendulum axles or up to 40 conventional axle lines.
FLEXIBLE FRIEND
Also at Bauma Scheuerle showcased its EuroCompact U9 series which has been optimised for weight and length and now has a new gooseneck. The two- and three-axle semi-trailers are suitable for transporting construction machinery, steel and concrete components, or containers in the payload class up to 48 tonnes.
The new gooseneck has been designed to facilitate greater adaptability via variable coupling heights and optimised turning radii. Two independently controllable gooseneck supporting cylinders are designed to make coupling and uncoupling easier, even on uneven terrain. A springloaded steering wedge means that permanent adjustment is no longer necessary, says Scheuerle, which saves time when changing tractors.
Scheuerle has added to its established single-telescopic slab deck, which has a loading length of up to 12,610mm, with a new double-telescopic version. The new version has an overall height of only 260mm and a loading length of up to 17,000mm. An additional separation point in front of the bogie, used with an extension beam, is designed to enable precise, load-oriented pretensioning for maximum stability combined with minimal height; and the deck can be extended to a total length of 30 metres.
Another feature is, if required, the excavator deck can be converted into a loading deck for agricultural vehicles – a 2-in-1 solution that Scheuerle says is unique on the market.
The company has also extended the pendulum axle bogie of the EuroCompact trailer. Beside the existing wheelbase of 1,360mm, a version with 1,500mm is now also available.
GOING FOR GOLD
Memmingen, Germanyheadquartered specialised transport equipment manufacturer Goldhofer was also showcasing electric power at Bauma ‘25 in the form of its E-PowerPack which was powering its PST/SL-E split trailer with hydraulic widening. There were live demonstrations of the E-PowerPack and PST/SL-E split trailer every two hours.
The trailer can move loads of up to 45 tonnes and its width can vary between 3,000mm to 5,100mm (or up to 6,800mm as an option); while the E-PowerPack has a rated output of 250 kW (the equivalent of approximately 340hp). Together, Goldhofer says, the combination provides easy handling, while the direct electric power transmission means that positioning loads to within a millimetre is a reality.
A new operating system has redesigned remote controls, ultra-bright LED display and an integrated inclinometer.
WIND WORK
Wind farms have been growing, in number and in height, and are presenting ever-greater challenges for transporters. Goldhofer has responded with a revamp of its transport system for tower sections. The RA 3-100 (4+7) has a 100-tonne maximum payload and a stroke of 2000mm. Chassis width is 2950mm which Goldhofer says gives excellent lateral stability; the axles have air suspension.
A four-point load pickup system and adjustable, ergonomically optimised and lighter clamping units enable oneman loading/unloading without the use of a crane. “Customer feedback on our updated RA 3-100 has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Dennis Leschensky, director of sales Europe / North Africa at Goldhofer.
MAXIMUM MODULARITY
The Faymonville Group has expanded its MAX trailer range with the world premiere at Bauma of its MAX710 lowbed trailer for high payloads.
The six-, seven- or eight-axle variants are based on a modular system: the MAX710 comprises a gooseneck, a removable front bogie (with two or three axles), a lowbed (as an excavator deck or with outer beams), and a rear bogie (with four or five axles).
The gooseneck offers a technical fifth wheel load of 38 tonnes and is designed for 6×4 or 8×4 tractor units. “It can be spec’d with a practical radio remote control for the hydraulic functions,” says product and sales manager Mario Faymonville. “The 19.5-inch pendle-axle system of the bogies is of proven technology and high reliability, and are safe and manoeuvrable at all times, even in demanding terrain.”
When looking at the front bogie, its compactness is particularly eye-catching. “The focus of the development was clearly on the overall length of the vehicle,” he says. The bogie can be loaded onto the lowbed for unladen journeys. It is available with two or three axles. There is a choice of two extendable lowbed variants of the MAX710: the excavator deck with adjustable mattresses, and the lowbed with outer beams and fixed loading floor.
A newly-developed bolt coupling is integrated into the rear bogie, which is more compact than usual and so enables further length gains. As standard, the rear area is equipped with a generously sized, 900mm-wide excavator trough in which the boom of excavators or demolition machines can rest.
Faymonville points out that the trailer is upgradeable. “Customers can adapt existing combinations later by purchasing individual components, as all components are compatible with one another,” Mario Faymonville adds.
Under its Cometto brand Faymonville also showcased its Eco500 SPMT for the first time at a tradeshow. It has a low driving height of just 670mm, a base width of only 2,350mm, and an electronic multi-way steering system designed for maximum manoeuvrability. At the show a two-axle version was on display next to an electric power pack.
Faymonville says its Cometto brand leads the way by offering all three drive types in its portfolio: diesel, hybrid, and electric.
WEIGHT LOSS
Broshuis debuted a new selftracking semi low loader at Bauma. “Loads are becoming larger and heavier, which makes tare weight and load capacity crucial,” says Harold Vorsteveld, CEO at Broshuis. “With new technologies we have made our semi low loader lighter without compromising the quality.
“We used the latest computer technologies to tell us exactly where we could save weight and where we needed to strengthen it to achieve the ideal trailer. We are proud that we have been able to achieve a weight reduction of up to 15% which gives many benefits in increased load capacity.
“We have also implemented an axle distance that gives nine tonnes of axle load within the general use regulations in the EU. This increases the load capacity on a three-axle semi by another three tonnes. You can therefore now buy a self-tracking semi of extremely high load capacity.”
The development has been implemented on all Broshuis threeand four-axle self-tracking low loaders, with and without ramps.
TRANSPORT TRIO
Nooteboom has three new products which it also showcased at Bauma ‘25: the new EURO-PX3 low-loader and two new windcomponent transporters.
The PX3 is its third generation of EURO-PX low loaders with pendulum (swing) axles. This latest offering has been engineered to offer significant improvements over previous generations, says Nooteboom. These include increased payload, more loading space, and a wider excavator trough. It also has an optimised steering system with a larger steering angle for greater manoeuvrability and control. Maintenance costs have been reduced as well.
Nooteboom’s Mega Windmill Trailer XXL (MWT-XXL) made its public debut at Bauma, along with its newly announced Super Wing Carrier XL. Both innovations are specifically designed for transporting the largest wind turbine components that stretch the limits of wind turbine transport.
The MWT-XXL can transport larger tower sections than before. And tower sections with smaller diameters, and also turbine nacelles, can be also transported easily, making the new offering highly versatile. As we have said, the size of wind turbine components continues to grow. While the secondgeneration MWT-XL could already handle larger tower segments than the original MWT (it can accommodate segments with an inner diameter up to 5700mm), the third-generation MWT-XXL can transport an even wider range of segments, with inner diameters from 2850mm to 6100mm, without needing adjustments to the mounting frame.
This is achieved through a double, hydraulically heightadjustable A-frame. The load is clamped using a unique three-point system giving what Nooteboom claims to be the easiest operation and shortest loading/unloading times on the market. The load capacity is approximately 100t and the empty trailer remains well below four metres in height.
STABLE SUSPENSION
Nooteboom has chosen air suspension for the new trailers – for good reason. As wind turbine components become larger the height of their centre of gravity also increases. This means additional trailer stability is needed for safe transport. Trailer suspension, therefore, becomes a key issue.
In addition to standard theoretical calculations Noteboom also conducted stability tests at the RDW test track in Lelystad in the central Netherlands to examine the differences in road behaviour between air suspension and hydraulic suspension. The tests revealed that the new 2.84m wide Nooteboom self-steered dolly with air suspension is at least as stable as a comparable trailer with hydraulic suspension and pendulum axles.
Moreover, with air suspension, the driver receives a visible warning in advance if the vehicle starts to lean over. In the case of a self-steered dolly with hydraulic suspension and pendulum axles the driver does not get this warning.
Its air suspension gives the new MWT-XXL easy operation, low maintenance costs, and a low dead weight, says Nooteboom. The total weight of the loaded combination generally remains below 150 tonnes. Another advantage is that when an air-suspended axle compresses fully due to large road irregularities, pressure remains in the suspension system, allowing the other axles to continue bearing the load. In such situations with hydraulic suspension the pressure in the suspension system is lost and the compressed axle is much more overloaded. Lastly, air suspension is more environmentally friendly, simply because the vehicle uses less hydraulic oil.
A new option on the Nooteboom MWT-XXL is adjustable hooks that clamp the tower at the base. These enable the safe loading and transport of tower sections with flanges that are thicker, thinner, or significantly different in shape without the need for additional tools.
The latest MWT-XXL comes with a 2.84m wide self-steered dolly as standard, although Nooteboom can also supply the MWT for smaller diameters with a 2.55m wide self-steered dolly.
This narrower dolly takes up less road space and remains under the legally permissible vehicle width when empty, which is advantageous for obtaining permits in several European countries.
NEXT GENERATION
The other wind offering from Nooteboom is the four-times extendable Super Wing Carrier XL (SWC-XL). This is specially designed for transporting the latest wind turbine rotor blades that exceed 85 metres in length; the extremely long trailer represents the next generation of Super Wing Carrier.
New technologies include the Nooteboom-patented ‘Wing Shaped Beam’ which allows the transport height behind the gooseneck, where the root end of the rotor blade is loaded, to remain extra low.
Due to the increasing weight of ever-longer rotor blades, the front of the trailer is equipped with a two-axle Jeep dolly suitable for an 8×4 truck.
The rear has four pendulum axle lines. The loading floor behind the gooseneck can be extended in multiple stages to over 75 metres in length. With additional filling plates the driver can adjust the vertical curve of the unloaded trailer to match the wing’s shape to give an optimal balance between ground clearance and transport height.
As the longer rotor blades are heavier and higher at the root end, stability again played a crucial role in the SWC-XL’s design. By integrating the steering system into the Jeep dolly chassis instead of into the gooseneck, additional stability has been achieved at the front.
The extremely torsion-resistant chassis beams and the 2,840mm wide axle bogie at the rear also increase stability.
The free rotating Jeep dolly and the large 60 degree steering angle of the pendulum axles make the trailer highly manoeuvrable, and with the 1,600mm gooseneck stroke and the 600mm stroke of the rear pendulum axles even large obstacles can be overcome, says Nooteboom.
The entire side protection is foldable, which improves manoeuvrability in tight corners.
A major advantage of the Super Wing Carrier XL compared to rotor blade transport with a self-steered dolly is the significantly shorter loading and unloading time and ease of operation, says Nooteboom.
All system lines between the front and rear of the trailer are mounted inside the chassis beams for greater protection and automatically adjust to the extended trailer length.
When the Super Wing Carrier XL is empty, the entire Jeep dolly can be lifted using the gooseneck, making retraction quick and easy.
The trailer can be easily adapted to different rotor blade lengths and support distances. The rotor blade does not need to be transferred to separate transport frames first but can be loaded directly onto the Super Wing Carrier XL.
Transporting rotor blades with the Nooteboom Super Wing Carrier XL prevents various unwanted forces on rotor blades that typically occur with selfsteered dolly transport. This enhances safety, extends the wind turbine’s lifespan, and prevents premature repair and warranty costs. The 1,510mm axle spacing simplifies obtaining a 12-tonne per axle exemption across Europe.
As we can see from the above, Bauma 2025 showcased the specialised transport industry’s accelerating shift toward sustainability, flexibility, and performance. From electric powerpacks to groundbreaking modular trailers and advanced wind turbine transport systems, manufacturers demonstrated how innovation is addressing both environmental imperatives and the increasing scale of logistical challenges. Whether through reduced emissions, enhanced load capacities, or streamlined operations, these developments underscore a clear industry trajectory: smarter, cleaner, and more adaptable solutions that are setting new benchmarks in specialised transport.
