Goldhofer transport solutions tailored to the needs of the American market Keen response to the new THP/DC and STZ-P9 at CONEXPO 2017

For the German manufacturer of heavy-duty and oversized cargo vehicles, CONEXPO 2017 in Las Vegas was like playing to a home crowd – because Goldhofer Aktiengesellschaft is one of the industry leaders on the North American continent, too. Orders were placed at the stand for a total of 70 axle lines of the company’s new THP/DC dual-lane modular trailer and for two STZ-P9 semitrailers. “Better feedback than that is hard to imagine,” says a delighted Stefan Kohler, Regional Director of Sales North America. “For the new modules, we placed a special R&D focus on maximum flexibility for compliance with the various US traffic regulations. As a result, our customers can now handle their various transport operations much more easily than in the past.”

With its THP/DC, Goldhofer has developed a vehicle to meet the broad range of different vehicle registration requirements in the individual states of the USA. From a basic width of 4260mm, the modules can be widened step by step up to a maximum of 6100mm while the vehicle is on the move and under load (max. 24t axle load at 40kph), with the hydraulics operated by remote control. The standard running height of 1300mm can also be adjusted by using its hydraulic axle stroke of up to 700mm. In the past it has often been necessary to completely unload the vehicles in order to adjust the width manually for critical sections of the route or border crossings, but the hydraulic system developed for the THP/DC by Goldhofer offers an impressive degree of flexibility that translates into real added value. In addition to the savings in time, mobility costs are also reduced as no additional tools are needed to adjust the vehicles to comply with the different regulations in force in the various federal states. Optionally, the trailers can also be operated with a special THP/DC gooseneck and such THP/SL accessories as dropdeck and turntable bolster.

 The STZ P9 highway semitrailer is also tailored to the needs of the US transport industry. The vehicle has 3 x 3 twin-axle bogies with pendular axle technology and a maximum steering angle of 60 degrees for excellent maneuverability. The low running height of STZ-P9 makes for easy loading and unloading with a wide range of cargoes. Also, axle spacing between the bogies can be adjusted to meet the various US regulations.

Another attractive feature of the STZ-P9 is the rear bogie, which can be retracted under load for greater flexibility when negotiating tight bends and roundabouts. On completion of the maneuver, the tractor is used to return the vehicle to the original extension. That means time savings and reduced transport costs, with just one tractor needed for even the most challenging journeys.