Capital Equipment News August 2021

Understanding concentrated load ratings for a particular trailer ensures operators are not overloading the trailer.

with a manufacturer that understands this and will provide the best possible weight distribution over the axles. This can include adding a fourth flip axle or spreading two or three additional axles apart to evenly accept the load. Choosing axle configurations that offer more flexibility to handle different types of loads increases earning potential over the lifetime of the trailer. Furthermore, manufacturers often interpret Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) differently. Misunderstandings could lead to limited ratings and configurations, which could affect all that is needed to get the job done. Engineering & safety rating Well-thought-out features and designs are a good indication of experienced engineering at work. This goes beyond steel, welding and bolts. Good engineering is about understanding each customer’s needs and building a trailer optimised for durability, longevity and minimal maintenance. Working with a manufacturer that can provide custom- built solutions is ideal. They can design a trailer that can handle the load, which minimises maintenance and ensures owners get the greatest longevity. The trailer’s safety rating is one of the quickest ways to determine if a manufacturer uses high-quality components – such as heavy-duty T-1 steel and Apitong flooring – that will stand up to the jobs you have planned. The safety rating is intended to show operators how well the trailer is equipped to deal with the extra stress that comes from things like bumps, chuckholes and railroad tracks as it travels down the road.

QUICK TAKE

Purchase price is sometimes the only factor buyers consider when evaluating the cost of a heavy-haul trailer. The initial cost, however, can be misleading when considered alone

A comprehensive approach to calculating total cost of ownership requires an understanding of multiple factors, many of which cannot be found on the price tag

The first and most obvious element of total cost of ownership is purchase price. To the seasoned equipment buyer, price is evaluated based on what the equipment needs to do and the value it adds to the business

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The ease and cost of maintenance contribute greatly to the lifetime cost of ownership of heavy-haul trailers

manufacturers each offer an 8 m lowbed that can haul 50 t, but one may need the entire deck length to safely carry the weight, while another is rated for 50 t in a 5-m span, and another the same weight at half the deck length. Be sure to understand the difference in ratings. Loads are rarely evenly distributed across the entire deck, so understanding concentrated load ratings for a particular

trailer ensures operators are not overloading the trailer – decreasing safety and efficiency and racking up unnecessary maintenance costs. Axle configurations Laws and regulations vary from country to country, so it’s important to choose a trailer that maximises the load in each state to minimise permit costs. Work

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