The transport of cross-laminated timber can be an enormous challenge for man and machine: high payloads, long loads, and bulky elements. What was hard to imagine in the past, is now doable thanks to highly functional truck trailers with heavy-duty low beds for CLT which make the handling of cross-laminated timber much easier for load-lifting operators, drivers and carpenters. The massive, multi-layer CLT elements require particularly flexible transport solutions which can be adapted to the different and often considerable lengths of the loads. Whatever the payload is, it is also important to optimize the maneuverability and handling characteristics of the low loader so as to be able to maneuver the trailers on the ever more narrow construction sites also in the future.
The 24 t low bed: an innovation
The X-SWPU370 low bed has a working load limit of 24 tons © Auwärter
“In the recent past, there were no interchangeable beds which could keep up with the increasing payloads of carpentries. Now, Auwärter’s new 24 ton low bed generation offers everything which is necessary for storing CLT ready to be transported, for a safe transport and an individual load-securing”, says Raffael Auwärter. With a working load limit of 24 tons, the X-SWPU370 low bed, which is up to 9 meters long, is one of the most powerful and functional interchangeable beds available for modern structural timber transport.
Flexibility with all dimensions
The X-SW370 trailer for CLT can be loaded with 14.5 meter long elements © Auwärter
With its low overall height and wide deep bed design, the X-SW370 is the ideal solution for the upright or horizontal transport of up to 14.5 meter long cross-laminated timber elements. Even 20 meter long rafters can be easily transported thanks to the telescopic draw bar which can be extended by up to three meters. The X-SW370’s payload is 30 tons. “In close collaboration with carpenters and timber house builders, we have developed an extremely light, strong and maneuverable low loader. Today, the X-SW370 represents a benchmark in the transport of cross-laminated timber”, explains Raffael Auwärter.
Despite the transport length and payload, the X-SW remains extremely moveable. The semitrailer’s exceptional maneuverability and comfortable handling are its best features which are possible thanks to its particularly low center of mass and the ETS steering system. The latter offers a maximum in maneuverability, especially in narrow areas of construction sites and in curves with a small radius.
Depending on the specific requirements, the basic version of the tele-semitrailer can be extended at any time with low-bed and flatbed swap-body platforms for payloads of 24 tons to become a swap-body system.
Safety first
With or without an interchangeable bed: Safety is guaranteed even with big loads © Auwärter
The bigger the load, the more demanding the load securing requirements. Thanks to transport stanchions (X stakes), load-securing rings, loading aids and an innovative fall protection system, customers can secure the CLT panels quickly and efficiently, no matter whether they use interchangeable beds or not.
Horizontal or upright? Upright
Thanks to the upright transport, the prescribed maximum width is not exceeded and thus a special transport, which comes with additional costs, can be avoided © Auwärter
Many carpentries still transport CLT horizontally, as there were hardly any suitable loading systems for an upright transport so far. When transported horizontally, the elements often exceed the prescribed maximum width of 2.55 meters and therefore have to be declared, in line with the applicable regulations of the respective country, as a special transport which comes with additional costs. In comparison, an upright transport offers clear advantages: bigger transport volumes thanks to the maximum height of 4 meters, easier handling during loading and less damage due to the impact of pressure, such as creep deformation. Contrary to horizontal transport, the order in which elements are to be assembled does not need to be taken into account any longer. The cross-laminated timber elements can be safely unloaded directly from the truck by using cranes with suitable lifting anchors and can then be mounted.
Special transports and the additional costs
For the open transport of elements, dimensions of more than 16.5 meters in length and 2.55 meters in width have to be declared as a special transport which comes with additional costs. In the closed transport of elements, one always has to comply with a maximum load width of 2.45 meters. As to the maximum transport height, there is a clear limit of 4 meters as well. In this context, Auwärter refers to the applicable regulations of the respective country as well as loading guidelines, such as those of Binderholz.
