The first 4+6 low-loader combination, type EURO-147-46(ICP), is going to C. Zwagerman Transport from Nederhorst den Berg, the Netherlands. This combination has been optimised for German regulations: an axle load of 12t at 80kph, so that loads of 100t can be transported efficiently in and to Germany.
Cor Zwagerman, director and owner of C. Zwagerman Transport, says, “The cranes and machinery that we transport are getting heavier all the time. This new low-loader is the largest that Nooteboom has ever put on the road. With a German exemption the load capacity is just over 100t and this enables us to enter a new segment of the market. This Nooteboom 4+6 low-loader has several advantages for us.”
In order to adapt the low-loader, as far as possible, to comply with the German regulations for exemptions, the axle distance has been increased to 1.51 m instead of the usual 1.36 m. In practice this means that due to this larger axle distance, which minimises the load on bridges and viaducts, the exemptions in the various federal states of Germany are easier to obtain.
“Another advantage is the close coupling system which makes it easy for us to convert the trailer into a ten-axle semi low-loader. In this configuration the load capacity increases to around 110 tonnes and the steering of the Interdolly can easily be adjusted to this shorter configuration,” said Zwagerman, “By choosing the 4+6 low-loader of Nooteboom, all the components—such as the gooseneck, Interdolly, load floor and axle assembly—are universally exchangeable with our 3+5 EURO-PX Nooteboom low-loader. This means we can put no less than 14 different configurations on the road and for us this is an economical and efficient alternative to modular trailers, which are complex and more expensive.”
When purchasing the latest 4+6, Zwagerman opted for a flat, shallow, 2750mm wide extendible floor as well as a narrow spine floor for the transport of large tracked vehicles. This spine floor also comes with mattresses to extend the load floor’s width, in a high or low position. The Interdolly with four axle lines is optionally equipped with a hydraulic landing leg which makes it even easier to couple/uncouple the load floor and the Interdolly. The gooseneck of the low-loader can be used on a four-axle or five-axle tractor.