Ideal loading conditions are a rarity in the hauling industry. While a construction company loading equipment in the yard might not have any difficulty, a level surface with plenty of room to maneuver is much harder to find on an active jobsite. In towing and recovery applications, loading can be even more difficult. In addition to the struggles of moving dead equipment, often singlehandedly, these operators must also deal with traffic, poor visibility from darkness or weather, and soft shoulders. There is no way to eliminate these challenges completely, but safe, efficient loading is possible with the right equipment.
Traveling axle trailers provide the ideal combination of features to increase safety and versatility. However, like any trailer, maximizing these benefits relies on a careful matching of product specs with the individual operation. A careful consideration of available features with a reputable dealer or manufacturer promises a long-term solution that will provide more safety, durability and better return on investment.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Traveling axle or sliding axle trailers are available from several manufacturers, each with slightly different features, but certain design standards make these trailers ideal for operations looking for versatility and ease of loading.
Capacity: Generally, traveling axle manufacturers offer models with 40- and 55-ton capacity, making them ideal for transporting a variety of equipment. If the trailer will mostly be hauling larger equipment, like excavators or pavers, pay close attention to the manufacturer’s 10-foot capacity rating. However, those wanting to haul mixed loads of small and mid-sized construction tools, such as skid steers, lifts or buses, should carefully consider the overall capacity. This number tells them how many pieces of equipment, such as mini-excavators or concrete road dividers, they can safely transport on the trailer deck.
Operators can choose from a number of available deck lengths — usually 48, 50 or 53 feet — to select a trailer ideally suited for their specific hauling needs. This customization is especially cost effective for hauling mixed or concentrated short loads, since it allows them to choose a length that works best in the areas they will be used.
Loaded Deck Height: Within the U.S., legal load height is 13 feet, 6 inches. However, operators are faced with many overhead obstacles that are even lower, especially in urban environments. In these situations, a single inch can mean a difference of hours when it comes to getting from point A to point B and beyond. A traveling axle trailer with an industry leading low loaded deck height of 36-inches provides optimal flexibility for transporting taller equipment such as excavators and buses.
Load Angle: The trailer’s load angle is key to safety and efficiency since it allows operators to simply drive or, in the case of dead or immobile equipment, winch loads onto the deck, eliminating the hassle of ramps and the dangers associated with driving up and over the rear axle. It also makes transporting machines with low ground clearance, such as pavers and rollers, much more convenient. Load angles usually vary between 8 and 6 degrees. Generally speaking, the lower the load angle, the easier loading will be.
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
In addition to the above considerations, industry-leading manufactures offer advanced features that can improve traveling axle trailer performance.
Durable Construction: Operators should look for a trailer with a rugged design made to excel in the adverse conditions often found on jobsites.
To provide ample power and traction for moving axles on muddy or uneven terrain, carefully consider the rig’s piggyback cylinder. Most traveling axle trailers rely on hydraulics to move axles forward and back and tilt the trailer deck up and down. When it comes to the axles, the piggyback cylinder is the driving force behind this movement. While a 4-inch cylinder is common on most traveling axle trailers, models with a 5-inch cylinder provide 56-percent more push force of the cylinders to maximize axle operation while loading and unloading.
Operators should also consider a four-beam frame design that uses 4-inch I-beam crossmembers. Compared to the perimeter frame commonly found on traveling axle trailers, which uses 3-inch crossmembers and concentrates weight on only two outside beams, the four-beam frame offers better deflection across the entire deck. This results in a more even weight distribution that increases trailer longevity and versatility with mixed loads of smaller equipment.
Another durability differentiator to consider is the thickness of apitong decking. This tightly woven and incredibly dense South Asian wood is less susceptible to chipping and cracking, compared to oak or other hardwood, while providing more traction than metal. For maximum longevity, look for trailers offering 1.5-inch-thick (nominal) apitong.
Winch: Look for a trailer with a 20,000-pound, direct-drive planetary winch, which offers up to twice the loading speed of a more traditional worm-gear model. This productivity boost is especially important for operators frequently needing to load dead equipment, containers, or other immobile objects.
With remote control, operators can use the winch from any position — including behind the wheel of inoperable machinery or on the passenger side of the trailer to avoid traffic. This feature also makes it possible for a single operator to load the trailer.
For optimum efficiency, look for a six-function remote system. This not only controls the winch, but also moves the axles and tilts the deck. A remote with a range of 150 feet increases the viable working area, allowing operators to choose the safest vantage point for loading and unloading.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
There are the little extras from top-tier trailer manufacturers that can make a big difference.
In towing and recovery operations, having easy access to all the tools you need is imperative for getting the job done. Look for a trailer with ample storage.
Trailers offering double keyhole tie-down slots on top of the outside beams and recessed in the center of the main deck offer increased flexibility. This feature allows for safe side-by-side loading of smaller equipment, such as skid steers.
There’s a lot riding on a company’s trailer decision. Work with reputable dealers and manufacturers to understand the key considerations for optimal safety, efficiency and longevity.
Troy Geisler is the vice president of sales and marketing for Talbert Manufacturing. Talbert has been building world-class heavy-haul and specialized trailers to rigorous customer specifications since 1938. For more, visit www.talbertmfg.com.