Here’s a fine example of a big rig also being used as a rolling billboard. Normally Convoi Exceptionnel is used to define an oversize or overweight load, but in this case it’s hinting at the exceptional qualities of the cargo. The Greenery is a fresh produce wholesaler, distributor and auction with a more than € 1 billion yearly revenue.
A 4×2 cabover tractor towing a semi-trailer with three axles and six super singles is the most common big rig configuration throughout Europe. A tractor with a tall walk through sleeper cab has become the norm, certainly in international road transport. All truck makers (Scania, Volvo, DAF, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Iveco, Renault) offer them.
The tractor unit here is a 2010 Scania R500 Topline with a 500 hp 15.6 liter V8 engine. Never too late with a V8; rather important in this branch.
Somewhere around 500 hp is the most usual maximum power output in this segment of trucking. If you want mucho more you can always ask the Swedes, they will amicably help you with a 730 hp Scania or 750 hp Volvo.
Duck!!
False alarm… The Scania tows a 2007 Pacton refrigerated semi-trailer. The Pacton’s overall length is 14.00 m (45’11”). On its sides and right cargo door it says Frische Ideen, German for fresh ideas. Germany has been our main export market for fresh produce for a very long time now.
Speaking of hauling produce to other countries, the Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products after the US. Yep, agribusiness is big business alright.
The semi-trailer’s first and third axle are steering axles, the first axle is also liftable. If you add up the rig’s individual axle loads you get a maximum legal GVM in the Netherlands of 46,500 kg (102,515 lbs), that’s from front to back: 8,000 + 11,500 + 9,000 + 9,000 + 9,000.
Now don’t forget the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals!
Interesting to see another way.
The combination wouldn’t be viable with the typical North American operation.
As I was reading I was wondering how it’s able to turn and how it manages any tire life, then I got to: “The semi-trailer’s first and third axle are steering axles, the first axle is also liftable. ”
Thanks for sharing
This milk hauler demonstrates how it works.
Nice article. I wasn’t aware that the Netherlands was such an agricultural export powerhouse; very impressive.
All that reclaimed land from the sea makes very fertile farmland.
+ the fertile farmland in the rest of the country + climate + green houses + knowledge/education + the whole infrastructure + dedicated professionals. All in random order.
The Greenery produce shows up in US supermarkets, mainly as (historically Dutch) bell peppers.
That trailer only reminds me of suggestive texts… Thanks, Apple!
What can I say but ” quack, quack”!?
The Greenery is also the name of Boscov’s Department Stores instore restaurant- which are excellent in the few stores that still have them.
Most tractor trailer combinations here are well signwritten or have artwork covering them single screw tractors are rare though uphill traction is better with tandem drive coupled with a power divider lock up and diff locks for extra slippery and steep country work. Multi steer trailer axles are banned though too many crashes caused by them usually on a quad/four axle trailer the rear axle steers.
When I drove one of these, many moons ago, you were the man when you had 250 horses as in the legendary Volvo F89 Turbo 6.
That thing would not shift when cold and you’d feel a rock lying next to the road.
A lot has happened since, the truck has more evolved then the passenger car.
The trick of today is how great climbers they are, for us the Belgian Ardennes behind Brussels were quite a challenge, today most trucks are in the 400 HP range and fly over those hills.
Bunks and sound proofing are a zillion times improved as has the space in the cab.
First Volvo set the standard with the F 88 & 89, then years later Renault showed the world how to make a real cab when they introduced their AE, later known as Magnum.
There’s something inbetween the Volvo F88/89 and the Renault AE: the 1978 Berliet TR350 Le Centaure.
Anyway, the evolution of the European long distance truck went mighty fast in the seventies and first half of the eighties. Power, comfort, ergonomics, bigger cabs, payload capacity, etc. Everything got so much better in those years.