Goldhofer "STEPSTAR" now also with wheel recesses for the construction industry2021
The »STEPSTAR«, Goldhofer's new generation of self-tracking semi lowloaders launched in 2020, is currently in great demand. The three- to five-axle semitrailers offer haulage businesses high standard of quality, intelligent details such as an efficient load securing system combined with user-friendly operation and a practical range of accessories. Now a second version of the »STEPSTAR« is available with one or two pairs of wheel recesses and the new »MEGA« gooseneck.
“There is no change, of course, with regard to the existing and proven advantages of the »STEPSTAR« family,” says Robert Steinhauser, Sales director Europe / North Africa, “but the wheel recess version and the »MEGA« gooseneck make for an even wider range of applications.” The new »STEPSTAR« semi lowloaders again score with a very low deadweight and the resulting benefits in terms of much higher payloads. Thanks to the use of premium components, maintenance intervals are longer and total cost of ownership is lower than that of comparable trailers. That means real savings on overall fleet operations.
With an intelligent lashing system, easy operation, and flexible setup options, all the vehicles in the »STEPSTAR« family offer a high level of safety plus cost-effective operations. That applies even more to the version with wheel recesses and the new gooseneck. The new »STEPSTAR« series comes with a choice of one or two pairs of wheel recesses. This enables extremely high construction machines to be transported where maximum height regulations would otherwise be a problem. The wheel recesses have a low entry angle and cross ribs for safe loading with wheeled vehicles with a low approach/departure angle. The depth of the wheel recesses can also be adjusted to the ground clearance of the machine to be loaded. A simple and well designed recess cover ensures fast setup times when other cargos are to be carried. With the extendable variants in particular, aluminum spacers can be used to facilitate transportation of wheeled vehicles with different wheelbases. The flat approach angle of the folding ramps is ideal for vehicles with low ground clearance, such as screen and crusher plants. The optional “TraffideckGO” low-wear, anti-slip polymer decking offers a high coefficient of friction for maximum safety when loading and traveling.
The new optional »MEGA« gooseneck is an additional plus, this allows more different loads to be transported with this vehicle than ever before, as the height difference between the loading area and the gooseneck is reduced to a minimum. This permits transportation divided loads, general cargos, and even a 40-foot or two 20-foot containers for a total rig length of 16.5 m.
All these attractive features make the »STEPSTAR« a highly versatile solution with a wide range of applications and keep downtimes to a minimum.
Goldhofer presents new semi-trailer model »STEPSTAR«2020
With the »STEPSTAR« series, Goldhofer has added a new generation of self-tracking semi lowloaders to its extensive range of heavy-duty and special transport solutions. The three- to five-axle semi-trailers offer haulage businesses a proven high standard of quality on attractive terms, attractive details such as an intelligent load securing system, a practical range of accessories and user-friendly operation. All that makes the latest product from the house of Goldhofer the ideal choice for everyday haulage operations with maximum axle loads of 12 t and payloads of up to 70 t.
High payload, low deadweight
Thanks to their advanced design, the recently introduced self-tracking »STEPSTAR« semi lowloaders come with an outstanding payload-to-weight ratio. This has been achieved through weight reductions in comparison with comparable vehicles, resulting in a higher payload of 1 t or more. “With the »STEPSTAR«, haulage and construction companies now stand to benefit from significantly more efficient and economical utilization of their fleets,” says Rainer Auerbacher, Head of Transport Technology at Goldhofer AG.
Premium components for low total cost of ownership
For maximum service life, the new semi lowloaders are fitted as standard with rugged low-maintenance premium components, including low-maintenance axles and landing gear from BPW as well as tail support legs with convenient foot operation and automatic height adjustment, and an ERMAX full LED lighting system for good vision and high visibility in the dark in bad weather. The high degree of standardization means that spare parts can be obtained quickly and easily if required.
Safe loads
The intelligent lashing system on the »STEPSTAR« semi lowloaders offers almost infinite flexibility for securing loads in compliance with the most rigorous codes. It includes a large number of anchor points and lashing rings, not only on the frame but also in the excavator boom recess and on the gooseneck. In addition to Wader container pockets and drive-over recessed lashing lugs on the tail, the entire deck is also fitted with lashing rings (RUD Optilash Fix 10 t) that retract into the frame. As a special highlight, an optional extra is available in the form of pocket stakes on the gooseneck for form-fit load securing. Another useful accessory is the TraffideckGO deck covering, which combines enhanced load security with reduced lashing requirements.
Flexible and cost-effective working
Designed for flexible transportation to and from construction sites, the extra long and wide excavator boom recess on the »STEPSTAR« has no cross members and is open to the rear. This makes it possible to carry even bigger excavator booms while simultaneously reducing overall height, a big advantage on routes with height restrictions. “The bottom line here is fewer hassles with permits and more cost-effective working,” says Robert Steinhauser, Director Sales Europe / North Africa. Loading and unloading are equally fast and simple operations as the new GOLDHOFER semi lowloader comes with light and long ramps, which are suitable for almost all self-propelled cargos, with simple adjustment for increasing the width to 2,990 mm or sliding the ramps completely together. The advantages also include a low ramp angle and a ground-friendly lowering mechanism. The ramps, which can be retrofitted as required, also offer fast and easy mounting and removal for fuel savings on the return journey and flexible use within the »STEPSTAR« family.
»STEPSTAR« technical data
Fifth wheel load 18.5 t/26 t
Swing clearance radius 2,100 mm / 2,300 mm / 2,400 mm
Vehicle width 2,550 mm
Axle spacing 1,410 mm
Max. steering angle+/- 20°
Excavator boom recess Length: 3,850 mm
Width: 760 mm
Depth: 310 mm
Number of axles: 3-5
Tires 205/65 R 17.5 245/70 R 17.5
Axle load 8 t at 80 km/h 10 t/12 t at 80 km/h
Ride height 780 mm (-60/+140) 855 mm (-60/+140)