An Entirely New Concept In Self-Propelled Trailers For
Heavy Capacity In-Plant Handling Requirements
50 Ton Self-Propelled Trailer
Incredible maneuverability at an affordable price! If you are looking for a heavy capacity trailer that can maneuver ITSELF in confined spaces, then this new line of SPTs (Self-Propelled Trailers) from Wheelift Systems opens a new era for heavy manufacturing operations. These trailers are so maneuverable; they will rotate-on-center by rotating about the center point of the rear axles. These capabilities are made possible by Wheelift’s SynchroSteer® computerized steering technology in conjunction with its Uniload® on-center rotation axle assemblies. This is adopting the same technology used in Wheelift’s omni-directional steer self-loading transporters (www.wheelift.com), but by exchanging the much more sophisticated all-fluid-suspension for a mechanical “rocker beam” mounting of two fixed direction, laterally articulating axle assemblies on the rear of the trailer, the trailer takes on a new set of characteristics. In this new configuration, the trailer has two on-center-rotation, electronically driven and steered independent axle assemblies on the front end.
By adopting a mechanical 3-point suspension concept and giving up the self-loading feature, these new Self-Propelled Trailers offer outstanding performance at a more affordable price, yet still offer never-before available maneuverability in both 50 Ton and 100 Ton capacities. The trailers are all electrically driven from an on-board 480 V, 3 ph AC, LP gas engine driven generator. As an option, the trailer can have the capability to plug into a shore power connection as a back-up power source or when near silent operation is desirable. The Uniload® driver axle assemblies have a slew bearing mount to the underside of the trailer frame. Each axle wheel is independently driven wirelessly with very precise computer control to provide precision differential steering. That is to say; the turning of the on-center rotation axle assemblies are controlled by literally hundreds of algorithm calculations every second that determine each wheels direction of rotation and travel speed. One wheel rotating backwards and the other forwards, causes the axle to rotate on center. In actually, the computer is reacting to the operator’s fingertip movement of the joystick on the wireless controller. As the operator positions the joystick for a turn to the left or right, or all the way to on-center rotation, the SynchroSteer® computer calculates the required steering angle in relation to the center point between the rear axles. The operator also controls the travel speed through the same joystick.
The trailers have solid urethane tires that are specifically designed to take the abuse of deteriorated factory floors. Coupled with the robust mill-duty design of the axles and the entire trailer structure, these trailers will withstand many years of heavy usage.
Available in two capacities, these self-propelled trailers, or SPTs for short, handle loads up to 50 Tons, and loads up to 100 tons. They are specifically designed for in-plant operations in highly congested areas and on relatively level floors where ramps and slab undulations equate to less than 2% slopes for a fully loaded trailer.
