THE SPMT TRAILER

A Technical Review and its use within the Heavy

Construction Industry

Presented by
William Hoffe

October 2010
 Contents

• Definition

• Brief History of the SPMT Trailer

• Design Overview

• Uses within Industry

 Definition

 Self Propelled Modular Transporter – SPMT

 Powered HydroStatic Tractor Module - PST

 Major Players

 Manufacturers

 Users
TIANDI HEAVY INDUSTRIES
 History

 Lowbed/Lowboy Trailers
 1945 – 2nd World War

 1949 – Scheuerle

 1952 – Goldhofer

Multi-axle Self Propelled Lowbed Trailer

 History

 Multi-axle Steering & Hydraulic Suspension

 1957 – Scheuerle – Development of hydraulic suspension
 1963 – Goldhofer – Mechanical Multi-Axle Steering –
Modular Trailer
 1972 – Scheuerle – Development of Electric Steering
 History

 SPMT Form-factor
 1983 – Scheuerle – Modern Day Containerised SPMT (2.3m wide)

 1989 – Goldhofer – 1st SPMT with electrically controlled steering (135°)

 Design Overview

 Structure
 Power Pack
 Hydraulic Systems
 Steering
 Suspension
 Drivetrain
 Electronic Control
 Structure

 Standard Wheel well

 Lateral Frame Construction

 Coupling for  High Webbed sectional main beam
additional trailers  Secondary beams form perimeter
 Multiple Load Fixing Points
 Power Pack

Main Components
Engine
Fuel Tank
Hydraulic Pumps
Hydraulic Reservoir
Electronic Control Unit

Power Pack (PFV 430/60-6) MAN 6-cylinder Diesel Engine

Power 316 kW
Dead weight 6.5 MT
Dimensions 3.75m x 3m x 0.850m
 Steering

 Ackerman Angle Theory

 Patented 1818
 Establish a common centre of rotation to minimise wheel scrub
 Steering

 Fixed Linkage control  Electro-hydraulic control

Directional Tow arm

Workhorse attachment
Common Heavy Haulage
Not usually Self Propelled
 135°Steering Angle
 Worm Gear drive
 Electromagnetic Valves
 Electronic positioning
 Steering

 SPMT Steering Systems

1) Front/Rear Axle Steering
2) Counter Steering
3) Carousel Steering
4) Crab Steering
5) Transverse Drive
6) Transverse Drive with Counter Steering
 Steering

 Counter Steering  Front/Rear Axle

Steering

 Carousel
 Steering

 Crab Steering  Transverse Drive

 Transverse Drive with Counter Steering

 Steering

Fixed Linkage Electro-hydraulic

control control

Front/Rear Axle Steering  

Counter Steering  
Carousel Steering 
Crab Steering 
Transverse Drive 
Transverse Drive with
Counter Steering 
 Drive

 Hydrostatic Drive Drivelines

Powered Wheelset
Hydrostatic Motor Unpowered Wheelset

 Capable of 35RPM (5km/h)

 1 in 2 axles driven on JRM units (standard 1 in 3)
 No interference with steering
 Limited only by Power Pack
 Suspension

 Hydraulic Suspension
 Shared Hydraulic fluid between Wheelsets

Full Extension – 1.5m Deck elevation

Hydraulic Piston

 Uniform Load Distribution

 0.5 metre Max Suspension Travel
 18MT load per wheel Set (36MT/line) Full Compression
1m Deck Elevation
 Suspension – Load Control

 Hydraulic System – 3 Point Setup (4 Line Trailer)

1
2
Independent Hydraulic Systems
(Up to 4 per controller)
3
4

CG in center of lift point boundary

 Manual Isolation Valves

 Setup for most stable load
 Suspension – Load Control

 Hydraulic System – 4 Point Setup (4 Line Trailer)

1
2

3
4

 3 Point System Preferred

 Suspension – Load Control

 Hydraulic System – 3 Point Setup (Combination)

1 2

Hydraulic Jumper Cable

4 3
 Electronic Control

 Goldhofer Controller
 Electronic Control

 Full Programmable interface – LCD display

 Able to connect any number of units to 1 controller
 Define each unit in space (x, y) & unit type
 Each setup can be saved
 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali

 Standardize on Goldhofer PST trailers
 Larger power pack option (316kW vs. 150kW)
 All with electronic steering control
Components Quantity Dimensions
6 line trailer (3 drive axles) 6nos. 3m x 9m
4 line trailer (2 drive axles) 4nos. 3m x 6m
Power packs with controller (316kW) 8nos. 3m x 3.75m

 Total of 52 Axles (payload approx. 1820MT)

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali

 Used as part of the flexible fabrication strategy
 Plate Shop / Pipe shop / Deck Shop
 Paint shop
 Erection area
 Loadout

 Trailer Frames are key

 Allow trailers to load and unload without crane support

 Standard SPMT setup:

 2x6 line, 2x8 line, 2x12 line – 6 independent units
 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali - Jacket

4nos Trailers. 8 lines each

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali – Deck Pancake

2nos. 18 line Trailers

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali - Deck

1nos. 12 line Trailer. 1nos, 16 line Trailer

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali – Piles & Conductors

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali – Tower Crane

Unique straddle frame solution

 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali – Boatlanding

Vertical Transport
 Uses within industry

 JRM – Jebel Ali – Miscellaneous

Load testing using cane Provide Skidding Access for

counterweights Out of sequence installation of
Switch Gear
 Uses within industry - Others

 ALE

Shell Pearl GTL, Ras Laffan – 1200MT – 48 Axle Lines

5kms from Port to Plant
 Uses within industry - Others

 Others

Dubai Metro Pedestrian Bridge – 800MT – 24 SPMT Axle Lines

 Uses within industry - Others

 Others - Berard

Trailer Load-outs
 Uses within industry - Others

 Others - ALE

Buzzard Field Development, UK – 11,300MT Deck – 320 SPMT Axle Lines

 Time Lapse

 Aramco ZULUF400 PDM Movement

THANK YOU

Questions