IAA Commercial Vehicles 2010, 23 – 30.09.2010 – Hanover, Hall 27, Stand E31

High-performance, manoeuvrable and robust – KAMAG "TruckWiesel" on the road to success

At the IAA 2008, the Ulm-based heavy load and special vehicle manufacturer, KAMAG Transporttechnik GmbH & Co. KG, launched its new "TruckWiesel" terminal tractor as a serial product which also included road certification. After a period of only two years and in spite of the difficult economic conditions, the TruckWiesel has very successfully established itself on the market. The KAMAG terminal tractor already provides optimized logistic processes for numerous well-known companies in Germany and neighbouring countries. The high performing, hydrostatically-driven semi-trailer truck has been designed for the use in terminals and logistics yards and is entirely different from conventional special vehicles of this type because, with the TruckWiesel, KAMAG relies on the use of serial components in combination with the special KAMAG know-how.

For KAMAG, sustainability and protection of the environment are the focus of attention at this year´s IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover. For the first time, KAMAG is presenting the prototype of a terminal tractor with EURO 5 execution. The environmentally-friendly Euro-5 version of the TruckWiesel is currently undergoing customer testing and it is expected to begin series production in early 2012. The basis of the new Euro 5 TruckWiesel is formed by the trend-setting SCR diesel technology of the Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC® engine.

Compact construction for an 18-tonne 5th wheel load with double-action hydraulic cylinders for fast lowering.

TruckWiesel during the loading of a refrigerated semi-trailer with fridge unit at customer Kraftverkehr Nagel.

New Euro-5-Version of the TruckWiesel – prototype presented at this year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles.

KAMAG TruckWiesel in action at the Dachser logistics yard.

Cost-effectiveness as top priority
In its role as an efficient semi-trailer tractor for one-man operations, the TruckWiesel from KAMAG is equipped with a hydraulically liftable and lowerable fifth wheel for a fifth wheel load of up to 18 tonnes. In order to be able to transport the complete range of semi-trailers, a wide selection of fifth wheel coupling heights can be realized whereby the minimum fifth wheel height is 930 millimetres. The 690 mm fifth wheel lift ensures that semi-trailers with larger fifth wheel coupling heights can be accommodated and cranking of the landing gear is no longer required.

With a lifting speed of 50 millimetres per second, the TruckWiesel also raises completely unloaded semi-trailers very quickly into the driving position. Lowering the fifth wheel is just as fast thanks to the installation of double-action hydraulic cylinders. The driver has an optimal view of driving under and lifting of the semi-trailer due to the generously-sized rear wall window, and can operate the fifth wheel directly from his position in the cab.

Basis of the new terminal tractor from KAMAG is a robust heavy load chassis with a stable welded structure. The front axle, complete with disc brakes, originates from the ACTROS truck series from Daimler whilst the rear axle is a rigid differential type with external planetary gears and drum brakes. The 110 KW water-cooled diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz (115 kW with Euro 5) accelerates the tractor up to a maximum speed of 40 km/h. Due to the hydrostatic drive, it is possible to go from a stationary position to maximum speed without any shift jerking and without traction interruption. The maximum speed when reversing is likewise 40 km/h, the advantage of which is clearly noticeable during shunting operations. In addition, the change in direction can be carried out during driving which once again increases the rate of turnover, through wear-free hydraulic deceleration and the subsequent immediate change of direction. 

Investing in sustainability and environmental protection
Sustainability and protection of the environment are also the focus of attention at KAMAG regarding product developments and improvements. For the first time at this year´s IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover, KAMAG is presenting the prototype of a terminal tractor with EURO 5 execution. The environmentally-friendly Euro 5 version of the TruckWiesel is currently undergoing customer testing and it is expected to begin series production in early 2012. KAMAG engineers will be presenting the first terminal tractor which fully complies with the requirements of the Euro 5 standard. Customers therefore profit from all advantages due to fulfillment of the pollutant standard such as tax concessions as well as the "green sticker" which allows entering inner-city environmental zones. The basis of the new Euro 5 TruckWiesel is formed by the trend-setting SCR diesel technology of the Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC® engine.

Naturally, the more environmentally-friendly new TruckWiesel can also be licensed for use on public roads according to road traffic licensing regulations which is a crucial factor if, for example, a public road has to be used as part of the shunting operations.

High level of service friendliness as standard
The same idea which had already been realised for the development of the Wiesel lifting truck formed the premise for KAMAG´s new product, the TruckWiesel: using series production components with all their advantages as much as possible with regard to easy servicing. The well thought-out combination of serial production components together with elements of special vehicle construction provide the crucial advantages such as the highest level of functionality and reliability in daily operations. Not only do the vehicle´s safety features correspond to the very latest regulations but the service and spare parts supply have also been optimised through the KAMAG concept. The 24-month warranty is standard for the KAMAG TruckWiesel, and also underlines the quality of the new product from KAMAG which has been available for the international market since 2008 as an extremely cost-effective and interesting investment.

The success achieved over the past two years is confirmation of the TruckWiesel concept. Although the launch of this terminal tractor is in fact only two years ago, and despite the poor overall economic climate, many KAMAG TruckWiesels are in the meantime used by a wide range of well-known companies such as VW, Wacker-Chemie, Brandlog, Schenker, Dachser, Kraftverkehr Nagel, Schmitz Cargobull and DSV and many more.

Ergonomical and comfortable as a truck
The driver's cab also originates from the large-scale production of the Daimler ATEGO series. Through the lower position of the cab, the driver requires only one step to reach his seat. This has the big advantage that the effort needed for frequently getting in and out of the cab is kept to an absolute minimum, e.g. for releasing the semi-trailer brakes, opening the doors on the semi-trailer or placing the securing wedges. The cab has all the ergonomic advantages as found in a long-distance truck. The excellent seat position provides operating personnel with a fatigue-free working environment which thus leads to increased safety levels in daily operations. The proven joystick operating system used in the Wiesel is also utilised here. With additional equipment such as radio, air conditioning and auxiliary heating, driving comfort can be optimized even more. The light and air connections are accessed via a wide set of stairs on both sides which facilitates easier assembly of the feeder lines. This solution is superior to previous options both from an ergonomic as well as safety point of view as light and air lines had to be frequently crossed which in turn present a potential tripping hazard. The user-friendliness of the KAMAG TruckWiesel solution is highlighted when coupling refrigerated semi-trailers whose feeder lines are positioned underneath the cooling unit.

TruckWiesel – multi-functionality through additional equipment
A range of accessories makes the TruckWiesel the multi-functional high performance unit. For example, additional shunting couplings can be installed at the front or rear for moving trailers or central axle trailers. In order to increase the usability even more, the specialists at KAMAG have now extended the equipment options through the development of winter maintenance equipment along the lines of the Wiesel swap body lifting truck. For this, a hydraulically adjustable snow plough is fixed to the front of the driver’s cabin using a special attachment. For the operator, this means even more profitability in yard logistics and the investment into only one vehicle system. Operations, such as lifting, lowering and plough angle setting are effected hydraulically using a separate auxiliary drive system. Additional equipment such as central lubrication system, special cab canopy and protective bumper are likewise available.

TruckWiesel technical data

Come and get your own impression of the innovative strength of the companies of the TII Group and visit KAMAG as well as its sister companies in the TII Group, SCHEUERLE and NICOLAS, at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2010, Hall 27, Stand E31.

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