SAF-Holland is expanding its range of weight-reduced components to enable higher loads for trucks and trailers. An improved premium trailer axle, tyre pressure monitoring system and extra-light fifth wheels optimise the payload of articulated lorries.
With the new ten-spoke wheel end design, SAF-Holland is optimising the weight of its SAF Intradisc plus Integral premium axle. The lighter design was presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018 and has been in series production since the spring of 2019. In combination with the brake caliper SBS 2220 H01, the optimised trailer axle reduces the weight by 8 kg. On a three-axle semi-trailer, the SAF-Holland premium axle reduces the weight by a total of 24 kg ex works.
SBS 2220 H01 brake caliper.
In order to reduce the weight of the brake, SAF-Holland has adapted the topology of the cast parts while maintaining the same performance and service life of the disc brake. The 22.5” brake SBS 2220 H01, developed jointly with Haldex, is designed for axle loads of up to 9 t.
There are other ways of reducing weight, and thus costs, in articulated lorries that do not involve additional expenditure, for example by commercial vehicles making do without the spare wheel: One trailer tyre, steel rim and bracket together weigh around 160 kg. If these are not on board, the unladen weight of the tractor/trailer combination is reduced and the payload is significantly increased.
Trailers do not have to be entirely dependent on having a spare wheel. In many cases, the SAF Tire Pilot, an automatic tyre-inflating system, can prevent punctures. In the event of puncture damage, the control system maintains the tyre pressure at preset level, allowing the articulated lorry to safely reach the nearest garage to change the wheel. This prevents vehicles from being left stranded and minimises downtimes due to puncture damage.
SAF-Holland’s fifth wheels and kingpins enable the truck and trailer to be connect securely, whether it involves lightweight 7.5 t lorries or abnormal loads of up to 75 t. In order to keep the weight of its fifth wheels as low as possible, SAF-Holland has, for example, optimised the topology of the mounting brackets and the top plate. Direct mounting, which eliminates the traditional mounting plate, reduces time, and therefore costs.
Chassis-integrated FW 3214-W fifth wheel.
SAF-Holland has also developed the FW 3214-W, a chassis-integrated fifth wheel with an imposed load of up to 14 t, specifically for the Mercedes-Benz Actros and Antos tractor units. Because it is installed directly in the vehicle frame and individually adapted to the tractor unit, it significantly lowers its dead weight and thus increases the payload potential. The FW 3214-W with load-optimised and wear-optimised coupling plates made of spheroidal graphite cast iron, is a low-maintenance solution. The standard single-handed operation is practical: a safety latch enables coupling and uncoupling with one hand.
The FWAL-E is a light fifth wheel made of forged aluminium. It is up to 55 kg lighter than other couplings. The optionally available Weightsaver mounting system can reduce the weight by an additional 35 kg. The grease-free NoLube technology with its low-wear, replaceable slide plates and bearing inserts is exceptionally economical and environmentally friendly. The FWAL-E is designed for imposed loads of up to 20 t and is available in three heights: 167, 197 and 219 mm.
FWAL-E aluminium fifth wheel.
