THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

September 2008

A couple of years ago, a new fifth wheel hit the market claiming to be ‘lube-free’ which had many folk in the industry saying “impossible”. The product in question was the Holland FW17EK, distributed in South Africa by Transport Technology. Today, after putting ‘shoulder to the wheel’, so to speak, this lightweight cast steel coupling device is setting new standards in a number of applications reports Paul Collings. 

More than half a million kilometres on zero grease leaves this lil’ baby lookin’ smooth.

A fifth wheel, in the mind of most truckers, is a messy thing. “To many, it’s the ‘big, black, greasy thing on the back of the truck tractor,” says Steve Hibbert, export sales manager for SAF-Holland, a global leader in fifth wheel and truck axle/suspension development and key supplier to Transport Technology.

Transport Technology represents a number of European and Scandinavian manufacturers of goods for the trucking industry. Interlinked among these are VBG Group, Tuna Wheel, Fontaine, Harsh and Spiro b.v. 

Through Transport Technology’s network of branches and distributors, sales have grown tremendously says Richard Ingram,  managing director of Transport Technology. 

“Transport Technology believes in strong customer as well as supplier relationships and this is clearly visible when reviewing the six-year relationship that Transport Technology has with SAF-Holland. Hibbert visits South Africa at least four times a year for periods of between five and fifteen days,” he says. 

SAF-Holland is clearly a professional and innovative company as can be seen by the new technology they supply to our southern African market. “The company has also furthered its penetration of the European market thanks to the acquisition of Swiss fifth wheel and Trilex wheels manufacturer, George Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH,” says Hibbert.

“The Holland range of fifth wheels is unique for a number of reasons with a number of features that improve efficiency and help lower operating costs,” explains Hibbert.

“While most fifth wheels are made from ductile iron, all Holland fifth wheels are produced using cast steel with a machined top surface, which is lighter and more durable than their iron competitors and the NoLube versions require no grease, ever, while being able to multi-couple with trailers that have greased rubbing plates.” 

Incredible as it may sound, the Holland FW17EK has been in service locally for over two years in a number of long-haul fleets and is proving itself to be an outright winner, while disproving the naysayers, says Transport Technology’s Richard Ingram.

“Sandpiper Logistics have loaned us an FW17EK we sold to them in 2005 for exhibition at the upcoming Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS). This fifth wheel has clocked up 650 000 km pulling reefers all across the country and is practically as good as new, ready to clock up another 600 000 km. And it’s achieved this with no applied lubrication.” 

Steve Hibbert exerts a firm grip on the notion that Fifth wheels can be better, with a bit of ingenuity.

So how is this possible? 

SAF-Holland’s ‘NoLube’ technology uses a special surface alloy treatment on the kingpin contact surfaces of the lock jaw and the contact plate is equipped with friction-free, replaceable, self-lubricating inserts made using UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) polyethylene, which is moulded to a ‘honeycomb’ steel reinforcement plate. The release mechanism has a low-friction coating and pocket inserts fit between the top plate and mounting brackets to provide long-lasting top plate articulation without lubrication. 

Further innovations exist to make the Holland fifth wheel series exceptional, adds Hibbert. “The Holland Kompensator is a fifth wheel mounting base designed for use with torsionally rigid trailers such as liquid and dry-bulk tankers. Over uneven terrain and through tight turns, these vehicles typically do not flex to relieve the twisting force that arises between the tractor and trailer. This puts major stress on the chassis and the tank, leading to stress fractures which are extremely costly to repair, as well as premature drive tyre wear.” 

The Kompensator has a cradle that allows lateral movement of the fifth wheel in stressful situations, allowing more flexibility between truck and trailer by reducing torque and twist transfer through the fifth wheel. 

“The ‘weight-saving’ bracket, which bolts directly to the truck chassis, eliminates the need for heavy metal Ripple Plates and ISO Brackets on the fifth wheels. This reduces the tare mass by up to 90kg dependant on what model fifth wheel is used,” adds Hibbert. And here's a first. But more of that one later. In partnership with Alcoa, SAF-Holland has produced what is claimed to be the ‘world’s lightest fifth wheel’ which Transport Technology will be bringing into South Africa.