Goldhofer’s new generation of self-tracking semi lowloaders, the Stepstar series, is designed for everyday haulage operations with maximum axle loads of 12t and payloads of up to 70t.
Launched in 2020, the Stepstar series provides a high payload-to-weight ratio which enables haulage and construction companies to achieve more efficient and economical utilization of their fleets.
Rainer Auerbacher, member of the board and head of transport technology, Goldhofer, explains the market demand and customer requirements that led to the development of the Stepstar series.
“There is significant demand for self-tracking trailers in the market. Our partners and customers have been asking us for years to add value to this category of trailers to solve certain transport problems. The target customer segment for the Stepstar is larger than that, for example, the AllRounder semi lowloader which we presented at the IAA in 2018. The AllRounder mainly served some existing customers and a small portion of the construction industry. The success of the AllRounder encouraged us to target a diverse market, including construction machinery transport, with the Stepstar.”
Rainer Auerbacher, member of the board and head of transport technology, Goldhofer.
The Stepstar self-tracking semi-trailers are available in three to five-axle versions, with or without telescopic steps. The vehicles provide an efficient load securing system and a new generation of ramps which can be attached and removed easily as well as operated by remote control.
The entire loading area can be equipped with a low-wear polymer coating named ‘TraffideckGo’ co-developed by Goldhofer and the Dow Chemical Company. This safety feature provides a high friction coefficient which reduces weight and loading height to 780 mm with 205 tyres or 855 mm with 245 tyres.
“Throughout the development of the Stepstar, we focused on reducing the deadweight to maximize the vehicle’s utilisation and flexibility. The extra-long and wide excavator boom recess on the Stepstar is open to the rear, which enables handling of larger excavator booms while reducing the overall height, a major advantage on routes with height restrictions. The combination of low deadweight, load securing features, high utilization and the use of premium components to maximise durability help reduce the total cost of ownership of the Stepstar,” says Rainer.
“The market feedback to the Stepstar has been overwhelming, beyond our expectations. The first year was successful, and with the current expansion of the portfolio with wheel recesses, we are looking forward to further success in solving the daily transport tasks of our customers. The first units to leave Europe will be on their way to South East Asia in a few weeks,” he adds.
The PST/SL-E series comprises all-rounder, self-propelled modules that can transport various loads.
Goldhofer vehicles that are in most demand in the Middle East are heavy-duty modular systems delivered as towed or self-propelled units. They include heavy-duty modules of the THP/SL and PST/SL-E series.
The towed models in Goldhofer’s THP/SL series of heavy-duty modules are used worldwide for transporting heavy loads requiring a high bending moment. They are suitable for any heavy-duty transport operation due to their wide range of variants, including split modules and a choice of wheelbases.
“The THP/SL-L makes its mark wherever heavy loads are involved. Despite its low dead weight, it delivers an axle load of 26.1 t at 20 km/h. The THP/SL-S is even lighter. With 245/70 R 17.5 single tyres, it turns in an impressive performance with an axle load of 15.6 tons at 20 km/h, increasing to 23 tons (at 10 km/h) with 285 mm tyres. With the low deadweight and the drop deck variants of these lightweight vehicles, the shortest routes can be used, including motorways and bridges with load limits, which would involve detours when working with heavier equipment,” says Rainer.
The PST/SL-E series comprises all-rounder, self-propelled modules that can transport various loads. The PST/SL-E modules can be combined with all vehicles of the SL-family, regardless of whether they are intended to be self-propelled or towed heavy-duty modules.
“The modules in the PST/SL-E series offer more tractive force per axle as well as a sturdier frame. Other innovative developments for the PST include the Speedrive freewheel mode and Addrive heavy-duty module that can be used in both the self-propelled and towed modes,” says Rainer.
Combination of self-propelled and heavy-duty modules.
Heavy-duty modules with the Speedrive option are equipped with switchable driven axles. This means they can be utilized as towed modules at higher speeds of up to 80 km/h (taking into account national regulations). With the drive unit activated, the load can be positioned at the destination with millimeter precision without a tractor unit and without time-consuming and costly reloading. In addition, the Speedrive option enables towing of the vehicle to a job site on its own axles.
The Addrive module combines the advantages of a towed heavy-duty module with those of a self-propelled modular transporter. It meets the most demanding requirements of modern road haulage operations in terms of versatility, tractive force, speed, availability and economics. This solution avoids the need to transfer the cargo from a road transport vehicle to one or more self-propelled vehicles, which may be necessary several times on certain routes. For each switchable drive axle line, the Addrive offers enormous tractive force (200 kN) and maximum climbing ability in the train. As the mechanical drive system can be completely disengaged, there is almost no wear in towed mode. Heat build-up is also avoided. Due to the integrated multi-combination coupling, various Goldhofer heavy-duty module systems can be used in combination.
