A hydraulic axle and electric steering in place of forced hydraulics are two new options for Hi-Spec Engineering’s tandem and tridem axle Kompactor trailers and slurry tankers.
The hydraulic axle helps ensure that the trailer or tanker weight is more evenly spread across all the axles, helping to minimise soil compaction and also provide more even braking performance.
The 5000 Tri-SR tanker is typical of the type of machine that will benefit from the technology. When fitted to this, or any other tandem or tridem Kompactor trailers and tankers, each wheel acts independently.
When crossing rough ground, this improves the ride comfort, and when traversing slopes, the system effectively enables the trailer or tanker body to self-level, so reducing the risk of roll-over. The operator can also raise and lower the chassis level if necessary and for transport when empty, the front axle can be raised to reduce tyre wear.
Electric steering
Available on all machines with tandem or tridem running gear, electric steering offers all the same benefits as a forced hydraulic system, but then with the extra one of crab steering. Electric steering is also neater and simpler than a closed hydraulic system.
The XCEL 1250 rear discharge spreader will also be at LAMMA as will a K36 Kompactor push-off trailer.
It works using a system of sensors on the axles for both steering and direction of travel, in addition to a gyroscope to sense any orientation changes. Operated from the cab using ISObus, each axle can be controlled automatically or manually.
The system can also be set to lock out the axles above a certain speed when travelling on the road. In addition to conventional steering, the operator can also set the axles to crab steer to reduce compaction.
Main picture: The 22,700-litre 5000 Tri-SR heading to LAMMA is one of the largest tankers in the Hi-Spec range.
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