We’re standing next to an example of a ne plus ultra flatbed semi-trailer. That’s not an exaggeration, given its herculean payload capacity of almost 70 tonnes (154,000 lbs). Legally allowed that is, add another seven tonnes for the factory number. The definition of ‘heavy-duty’ right there.
It’s called a ballast trailer, these come with the package if you hire a (very) large all-terrain crane. They are used to transport counterweights, outrigger pads -the really big and heavy ones- and crane parts.
Hydraulic suspension and a hydraulic steering system, the works. Conventional air suspension is optional, yet that’s only recommended if the whole combination mainly stays on smooth, paved surfaces.
The semi-trailer’s third axle is its only non-steering axle.
BKV’s 2022 Nooteboom ballast trailer, type OVB-95-07, also carries the crew’s cantina canteen (95-07 explained: 95 tonnes factory gross vehicle weight rating, seven axles).
The draft horse is a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Actros 3358 6×4 tractor, powered by the 15.6 liter OM 473 inline-six. Run-of-the-mill 13 liter engines are for pickups, you know.
Another Nooteboom OVB-95-07, this one is from 2019. It’s coupled to a 2020 MAN TGX 28.540 6×4 tractor. Naturally with the truck maker’s biggest engine, the 15.2 liter D38 inline-six. This combination is obviously following the track of a Liebherr crane. Maybe you’re also familiar with their refrigerators.
Let’s go to Germany, heavy haulage specialist Baumann showcased their mighty Mercedes-Benz Actros 4163 8×4 tractor and new Nooteboom OVB-90-05 ballast trailer with dual wheels.
The semi-trailer’s second axle is non-steering (‘fixed’), these are the three rearmost axles.
The same Baumann rig, posing in front of Nooteboom HQ in the Netherlands.
Back in 2015, the trailer manufacturer delivered the first OVB-95-07 to a customer. And the tractor driver got a new jacket, there goes the profit margin. Spin those wheels!
PS: regarding the State of Michigan, just google-image-search ‘Michigan Special’.
Wow, checking the tire pressure must be a full time job!
This Is Not Michigan
Wow! Word sure gets around.
Yes, Michigan has the highest truck weight limits in the US 164,000lbs, on 11 axles.
And that’s why our roads are some of the best in the nation! Oh wait… 🙂
And that’s why our roads are some of the best in the nation! Oh wait…
MDOT seems to be very defensive about the truck weight limits in the state.
The Federal government passed a reg in 1982 requiring all states to allow 5 axle semis “18 wheelers” up to 80,000lbs on Interstate highways. Michigan’s limit for 5 axle rigs is 80,000.
MDOT says what damages the roads is the weight per axle, not the total weight of the rig. so 164,000 spread over 11 axles actually puts less pressure on the road per axle, and “reduces traffic”, because one 11 axle rig can carry as much as two 18-wheelers, they say.
The other factor in the state is the amount of funding for road maintenance. Prior to the current Gov taking office, Michigan’s per capita funding for road maintenance was not only far below the other states around the Great Lakes, but ranked 48th in the country. Recall that when fuel taxes and registration fees were increased, to raise an additional $300M “for the roads”, $300M of road funding that had been coming from General Revenue was withdrawn, so Lansing could do something else with the money, and there was no net increase in road funding, even though we pay one of the highest tax burdens on fuel in the country.
I am quite encouraged about the amount of work being done now. I have not seen anywhere near this much work being done on 94 since 2010. Fortunately, much of the work was suspended on weekends, so I could get to the events at the Gilmore with minimal obstruction. I wanted to catch a couple lectures at the Studebaker Museum, but the lectures are during the week, and 94 was a snarled mess.
I took this screen capture from Google Maps of the mid-week traffic speeds the day one of those Studebaker lectures was on. Four traffic jams, just between Jackson and tie I-69 interchange is more than I have patience for. There were some days when Google Maps was effectively saying “don’t even try to use 94 through Jackson, take surface streets”.
Well, the traffic jam pic must have been too big for the page, as it didn’t post.
Here’s a graphic showing per capita road maintenance funding, as of 2013. My aunt used to live near Columbus. I didn’t need to look at the signs to know I had crossed into Ohio when I drove down for a vist. I could tell by the quality of the roads.
I-94 from Chicago to Detroit is a heavily traveled truck route. And gets quite hazardous around the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek entrances/exits. Granted this was 8 years ago but was one of the worst. It still happens almost annually.
It gets bad in the Summer sometimes too.
It gets bad in the Summer sometimes too.
Traffic density is nuts on 94. When I head to Auburn, as soon as I turn on to 69, I look around and seems there is hardly anyone around, compared to 94.
I grew up in Kalamazoo, so am too familiar with “lake effect” snow. A relatively benign day can turn evil in minutes. I drove over to Kazoo to visit my aunt. It was not snowing at all when I got there. A few minutes later, a lake effect dump hit town. Headed for home that moment. 94 was completely snow covered. I putzed along at 45, just keeping the taillights of a Neon visible ahead. A big Mercedes blew past me on the inside lane, driving like the road was perfectly clear and dry. I saw that Merc again, a few minutes later. He had spun and was stationary, pointing the wrong way.
Apples to apples comparison: the Benz weighs 10.5 tonnes, the ballast trailer’s GVWR is 88 tonnes. That’s a grand total of 98.5 tonnes/217,155 lbs on 10 axles.
I was going to say this. What also baffles me is that we also have trailers with axles and wheels underneath the entire trailer…..and none of them steer! I’ve noticed stretches of paved roads in Michigan….with ruts! I’m a native of Wisconsin so I was really surprised!
I’ve noticed stretches of paved roads in Michigan….with ruts! I’m a native of Wisconsin so I was really surprised!
Wisconsin spends 30% more per capita on road maintenance than Michigan historically has. So maybe Wisconsin’s roads are built better in the first place, and/or repaired before they become as dilapidated as Michigan’s.
Don’t the drivers raise a bunch of axles of such ‘centipede’ semi-trailers when they have to make a sharp turn? At least, that’s what a truck driver told me who had visited Canada. Otherwise I don’t see how that would be physically possible (from a trailer, tires and pavement POV).
I will have to ask a few truck driver friends of mine. I don’t recall seeing trailers lift their axles, only trucks with tag axles that lift.
Wow!
Also:
“following the track of a Liebherr crane. Maybe you’re also familiar with their refrigerators.”
Liebherr makes refrigerators?
Hydraulic suspension? – tell us more!
Perhaps…This trailer could be entered in a U.S. “Lowrider” competition.
Or .. maybe it could be used to carry a bevy of Citroen DS’s?
I’ve got a Liebherr myself, it’s standing in the back of my house.
It’s simply referred to as hydraulic suspension, but it is actually hydro-pneumatic suspension.
Wow, that’s impressive.
With the number of tires and all that weight does the government mandate tire pressure monitor sensors for these gigantic haulers?
I just checked. From July 7, 2024 onwards every new commercial vehicle (trailers and semi-trailers included) must have TPMS. Since July 6, 2022 that applies to every introduced new model.