Dutch trailer manufacturer Broshuis has developed a joker axle for its pendulum axle semi-low loaders to overcome lower axle load limits on European routes.
Broshuis explained that due to the overdue maintenance of Europe’s infrastructure, lower axle loads are allowed on an increasing number of (inland) roads, bridges and overpasses. “As a result, you can no longer get exemptions for certain routes with your combination, often requiring major detours… The joker axle is a one or two-axle axle bogie that you can link between the dolly and the axle bogie of our pendulum axle semi-low loaders. By adding a joker axle, you can reduce the axle loads in the permit (more axles for the same weight) when this is required for a particular route.”
The manufacturer said that it increases the flexibility of transport operators’ fleets. The first of the axles have been sold, allowing customer’s 10-axle (3+7) PL2 semi-low loaders to be converted into 12-axle (3+2+7) PL2 semi-low loaders.
The joker axle can be fitted to all new and existing heavy-duty pendulum axle semi-low loaders from Broshuis. The unique shape of the compression joints makes fitting and removing the pin an easy job; connecting or disconnecting the joker axle can take as little as 15 minutes, said Broshuis.
