Wood is used in almost all industries, including construction. At logging sites, removal of cut tree trunks causes great difficulty. As you understand, wood for the needs of producers is not harvested in the nearest forest.
Usually these are hard-to-reach places with difficult terrain. A timber truck is usually used to remove logs. Considering that equipment has to work in difficult conditions, it must meet certain criteria.
In particular, to have a large load capacity, but at the same time not to lose cross-country ability and maneuverability. We will get acquainted with representatives of this category of special equipment in this article.
What is a timber semi-trailer?
The design is simple. A timber truck is a vehicle formed by a special trailer connected to a tractor. It is used for transporting wood. Transportation is carried out from logging sites to warehouses and processing enterprises.
The trawl has to travel both on unpaved forest roads and on public roads. The car has high cross-country ability and a specialized design.
Purpose
Timber semi-trailer.
Timber and log carriers are used to deliver long-length cargo. First of all, this is wood of varying degrees of processing: from freshly felled forest to logs and boards prepared for construction.
In rare cases, trailers are used to transport pipes, rolled metal, reinforced concrete poles, supports, etc.
Additional Information! Assortment is a concept that denotes the type of wood materials according to their basic properties. Criteria: wood type, log shape, degree of processing, size, humidity.
Varieties
The vehicles can be called timber semi-trailers. However, there are several subcategories.
Highlight:
- car trailers and road trains;
- timber transport, connected to a cargo tractor;
- a flatbed truck equipped with tie-downs to hold the scaffold.
Wood is also transported on special railway platforms. The method is suitable for long distance transportation.
Design Features
High-strength materials are used for the production of timber semi-trailers.
The design can be divided into 4 main parts:
- The cargo platform must be equipped with bunks. These are vertical supports that securely fix the logs. They are located symmetrically on both sides of the platform in a U-shape. Some models have sliding racks, which makes loading and unloading the forest easier. Together the platform and bunks are called a forest frame.
- The chassis and wheel axles are mounted taking into account the required strength and maneuverability of the vehicle. Depending on the operating conditions, various models are equipped with the functions of all-wheel drive, pair locking, winches, and air pressure control in the wheels.
- A log fastening system and a safety grid are mandatory elements. The latter is installed on the trailer on the cab side. Bundles of wood are securely tied with cables. Before transportation, the driver must check their tension.
- The hydraulic manipulator carries out loading and unloading operations without the use of additional equipment.
Advantages
A heavy truck loaded with logs often has to work in cold climates, on roads with no asphalt surface.
Advantages of a timber carrier.
Manufacturers of log carriers provide for this in the design in advance:
- High load capacity allows you to transport more wood.
- Improved cross-country ability allows a truck with such a semi-trailer to drive directly to the logging site.
- Transportation safety is ensured by thoughtful fasteners.
- The creation of road trains reduces the cost of flights.
Western special equipment
It is worth noting that European manufacturers also supply their products to the Russian market. Typically, this is equipment adapted to work in difficult climatic conditions, with high power ratings and low fuel consumption. Let's look at popular models of timber trucks from Europe.
Scania
This is a truck that came to us from Sweden. This type of equipment has excellent load capacity: up to 26 tons. In addition, the power plants that Scania is equipped with are at least two times superior to domestic engines.
It is worth noting that the equipment of this manufacturer is characterized by economical fuel consumption, a twelve-speed transmission, all-wheel drive and a comfortable cabin.
Scania
Sisu
This model came to us from Finland. It is worth noting that SISU is the only manufacturer of timber trucks in this country. The first modifications began to be delivered to the USSR in the early 80s. Interestingly, these “old men” are still in service.
The Sisu company produces timber trucks using engines and trailers from other manufacturers. The equipment is equipped with Caterpillar and Mercedes-Benz diesel engines. Some modifications of SISU timber trucks are equipped with nine axles, while the equipment does not lose its maneuverability.
SISU
Manufacturers
Log carriers and timber carriers are manufactured by domestic and foreign companies. Many have been represented in America, Europe and Russia for decades.
The following heavy duty trucks are in demand.
"Meusburger Nowtrak"
The Russian-German company produces log trucks on 2, 3, and 4-axle wheelbases. Unpretentious in operation, the trailers are made soundly and with high quality.
The two-axle model SH-249 transports up to 37 tons of timber with a length of 12.5 m. The design is equipped with additional fasteners. The carrying capacity of the SH-454 log trailer is 46 tons and the length is 15.5 m.
Detailed information is visible in the video:
"Russian Truck"
The Vologda company is an official dealer of trucks and trailers. Repairs, maintains equipment, installs additional equipment on vehicles.
The catalog includes log trucks, timber trucks KAMAZ and MAZ. Most machines are equipped with a manipulator. Semi-trailer with manipulator – hydraulic manipulator arm. With its help, loading and unloading occurs.
"Tonar"
Among the vehicles of the Russian enterprise is the Tonar-9445 semi-trailer-log transporter. The trawl's carrying capacity is 36.7 tons, which is up to 90 cubic meters of timber. The semi-trailer has air suspension.
Tonar-8980 is a sliding log carrier with spring-balance suspension with a lifting capacity of 32.5 tons.
"Tverstroymash"
The 99393W-L39 timber semi-trailer is reliable. It is efficient in operation. The three-axle trailer is capable of transporting up to 39 tons of cargo. The design has removable movable bunk stands. Suitable for transporting 2x6m and 3x4m assortments.
Additional options are provided: retractable supports, lifting rear bumper, tool box.
"Bobruiskagromash"
Timber carrier "Bobruiskagromash".
Manufactures trailers for agricultural purposes. PLT-11M has two wheel axles and is coupled to the tractor. Capable of carrying up to 11 tons of timber with a length of 2 to 6 meters.
"MAZ"
Log carriers are not semi-trailers, but vehicles on a common wheelbase. Many models, for example, MAZ-631228-1526 and MAZ-6312S9-1526, are used to create road trains. The machines are equipped with manipulators.
steelbear
The catalog of the Velikoluksky Experimental Machine-Building Plant has a wide range of semi-trailers. Log carriers are represented by models PT-24L, TR-36R, TR-41 and others.
The TR-36R has two wheel axles and a reinforced chassis. The length is 13.7 m, width – 2.55 m, load capacity 42 tons.
"Polytrans"
The Chelyabinsk plant produces several models of semi-trailers and log carriers. Among them is TSP 94171-0000014-01, with a lifting capacity of 39.7 tons on air suspension. The model is suitable for off-road driving.
Timber semi-trailer TSP 9417-0000056 with the highest load capacity of 44.3 tons. Has good road stability. Equipped with spring-balance suspension.
Detailed information is visible in the video:
JUKI
A company from Scandinavia has a V-31-TO-82 log trailer in its assortment. Three wheel axles, spring suspension, mechanical winch, and a lifting capacity of 30 tons ensure reliable operation.
Metsatek
A company from Latvia offers to add a semi-trailer to a timber truck on any chassis. Custom assembly can be ordered. The manufacturer takes into account the materials used, the wheelbase, and additional parameters.
Faymonville
The European group of companies has timber trucks represented by the TimberMAX model range. The structures are a biaxial sliding or single platform with air suspension. The models are equipped with a crane-manipulator.
During production, all customer preferences are taken into account individually.
Kassbohrer
Timber truck Kassbohrer.
Timber trucks from the German off-road brand. Vehicle stability on the roads.
Timber Truck models are capable of transporting up to 32 tons of timber. Equipped with a good braking system, air suspension, and security system.
Cimc
A large Chinese commercial company operates in the USA, Europe, Asia, covering more than 100 countries. The company's product range is extremely wide. Timber trailers are manufactured taking into account the region of sale. They differ in carrying capacity and equipment. Custom order is also possible.
Features of the timber carrier
The “core” of a timber truck is a cargo chassis and a special superstructure, which, as a rule, is installed during manufacture. Due to the specifics of the work, such a machine has high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, as well as differential locks.
The equipment is equipped with longitudinal mounts – horse supports; they are attached directly to the frame of the timber truck. The more such horsemen there are, the more securely the load is fixed.
As a rule, such a car is provided with protective covers that protect the frame from branches and other factors.
For comfort and economy, most machines are equipped with hydraulic manipulators, this allows loading and unloading operations to be performed without the involvement of other equipment.
Also, such vehicles are distinguished by a large fuel tank, this is simply necessary, because timber trucks have powerful engines, drive on difficult roads, and also, as a rule, over long distances.
Timber tractor semi-trailer
The designs differ from conventional trawls. The tractor logging semi-trailer is used directly at log sites. The structure is attached to agricultural machinery and transports freshly cut trees over short distances.
Thanks to the cross-country ability of the tractor, it can move both in forest areas and on asphalt roads. The disadvantage is the speed of movement - up to 60 km/h.
The semi-trailer "Belarus" PL-9 belongs to forestry equipment and is attached to a tractor. It transports assortment lengths of 1, 2, 4 and 6 m. Sometimes it is equipped with a hydraulic manipulator.
Detailed information is visible in the video:
What does a “timber transporter” do?
A timber carrier is a chassis with a specialized superstructure; it is a platform with spreaders and, as a rule, a crane, which is used for loading operations. The dissolution, in its essence, is nothing more than a hybrid of a trailer and a semi-trailer, and its purpose is to transport long cargo as part of a road train specialized for this purpose.
Road train-log transporter with a Volvo FH12 8x4.4 tractor
Log carrier with manipulator
The cargo transported by a timber carrier rests on special supports - “conics”. In order to transmit traction force, the dissolution is equipped with a drawbar. Sometimes the transported cargo itself, such as long tree trunks, can cope with this task.
Timber trucks are heavy trucks with high-power and high-volume engines. They have impressive load capacity and cross-country ability (all-wheel drive). First of all, this is determined by the location of the cargo; very often the roads to such places are not paved and, in fact, the equipment overcomes a real swamp.
There is also a special type of timber carrier - articulated (forwarders - skidders and harvesters - self-propelled chassis with a spacious cabin and manipulator). Such a timber truck is created on the basis of articulated tractors, which are distinguished by even greater maneuverability, but they will be slow on ordinary roads, where their speed will not be higher than 20-40 km/h.
Forwarder WFW Timberjack 1110D
Harvester-type forest harvester in operation
Where can I buy
Timber trailers are sold by official dealers in the regions. Manufacturers have a marketing department directly at the plant itself.
Used log trucks of American, European and Russian production are resold through websites and private advertisement publications.
You can buy a ready-made factory model or convert the trailer into a timber truck.
Many dealers offer timber trailers for lease. The purchase can also be made on credit.
