The portfolio exhibited at the Las Vegas show met with a highly positive response from customers. The ‘P12 Plus’ and the STZ- P9, proved to be of particular interest, providing flexibility for a wide range of applications. In the 12-axle version, the semitrailer has a maximum payload of up to 127t at an axle load of 12t. Its hydraulic steering has been optimised for traveling on public roads, making it an all-rounder for the long distance high-ways of North America. “Thanks to its multiple variants and flexible configuration options, freight forwarders can now operate with a single vehicle to transport a variety of special and everyday loads in the various States,” says Jerry Rothwell, director of Sales, North America. 

The STZ-VL three axle lowboy semitrailer with an additional flip axle also attracted keen interest. For the North American market especially, the additional flip axle is a key consideration. It increases the vehicle’s flexibility and payload and enables it to operate across interstate lines with changes in regulations.

Another point of interest was Goldhofer’s ‘Addrive’ with the FTV 850 blade carrier. The vehicle combines the advantages of a towed heavy duty module with those of a self-propelled module. With its large tractive force, it supports the tractor unit up to a speed of 50km/h. The driven axles are then disengaged automatically and can be re-engaged at lower speeds while driving. The Addrive 2.0 is also a time and cost saving solution when switching from the support function on a public highway to working as a purely self-propelled vehicle for the final off road section of the route.

As a buyer of the blade carrier, the company Mountain Crane took the opportunity to mount a sawn off wind turbine blade for demonstration purposes. This made the unit a real crowd puller as the FTV 850 is designed for maximum safety and stability for wind turbine transports. The new design concept makes light work of difficult routes and minimises the need to make changes to the roadside infrastructure. Narrow passages in built-up areas, forests and winding roads are said to present no problems to this manoeuvrable combination.