At IAA Commercial Vehicles 2014, the JOST Group presented innovations and further technical developments, in addition to its diverse product programme with components and systems for trucks and trailers. This included presentation of the new, ultra-light JSK 34 fifth wheel coupling.
The other highlights of the presentation include JOST safety systems, including the series-production-ready, fully automated KKS II coupling system and the JOST SDR roof diffuser which reduces the air turbulences at the rear of the vehicles, which in turn reduces fuel consumption.
The JOST Group also presented hydraulic systems by Edbro for the first time at an IAA trade show. Edbro, part of JOST Group since November 2012, displayed the newly developed CS 17/18 Ultra series – the lightest front lifting cylinder in the class of tipping weights of up to 60 tonnes. JOST brands, including ROCKINGER with its towing hitches and TRIDEC with its trailer axle steering systems and single wheel suspensions, presented tried-and-tested products such as the RO*40 E towing hitch as well as the current developments such as the DL-S single wheel suspension for low-loaders at the JOST Group stand.
The new, ultra-light JSK 34 fifth wheel coupling is designed for two-inch king pins and a technically imposed load of 16 tonnes. It is ideally suited for all weight-sensitive transport such as tanker and silo. However, the new fifth wheel coupling is not only characterised by the reduced weight. With the JSK 34, JOST presented for the first time a new, particularly safe unlocking with one-handed operation of the security latch. Unlocking is easy and ensures an excellent visibility of the locking position at all times. Thus, the new one-handed operation of the security latch provides safety during coupling and decoupling.
JOST has equipped the JSK 34 with a newly developed hybrid bearing to increase driving comfort and service life while reducing the dynamic load on the vehicle’s frame at the same time. Here, a rubber shock absorber encompasses the central plastic bearing block. This way, the hybrid bearing combines the robustness and shock absorbing effect of a rubber bearing with the frame-friendly properties of a plastic bearing.
The JSK 34 can be equipped with the integrated JOST LubeTronic central lubrication system upon request. In addition, it is available with sensors, pneumatic unlocking as the SKS sensor coupling system, as well as in conjunction with the fully-automatic KKS coupling system.
Fully automated KKS II coupling system production begins
JOST is the first manufacturer to now offer a fully-automated coupling system for tractors, the KKS II Comfort Coupling System that complies with all legal requirements and which is fully compatible with vehicles without KKS II. The new system from JOST is a fully automatic driver assistance system that controls all functions of the coupling and decoupling process that have previously been performed manually. This also includes the first-ever automated interface for pneumatic and electric connections. Operation and remote display are located in the driver cabin for all functions. The advantages of KKS II are obvious: increased safety, easier handling and less time and effort.
An additional core of the fully automatic coupling system is the interface for compressed air and electricity (2x pneumatic brakes, 7x EBS electricity, 15x trailer lights). In addition, there are eight contacts provided, including for a data bus and power supply possibilities for future applications. At the trailer the outlet is housed below the fifth wheel coupling in the area of the wedge and is protected against dirt and splash water by an automatically opening flap.
Other safety systems offered by JOST for truck & trailer were also the focus of the JOST presentation. These included the sensor-controlled lock checking system Flashtronic and the SKS sensor coupling system. JOST fifth wheel couplings equipped with SKS have sensors to show the driver in his cab that the fifth wheel coupling has locked securely. The driver also has the option of unlocking the coupling pneumatically via a remote control, even when the tractor-trailer is twisted or in unfavourable space conditions. This means that SKS does not just make coupling and decoupling easier and safer, but also saves the driver from getting out of the cab unnecessarily, thus further improving safety at work.
The JOST LubeTronic 5Point is an integrated lubrication system for standard fifth wheel couplings from the JSK 37, 38 and 42 series that provides grease not only to the lock jaw but also to the fifth wheel coupling plate. An electronic control device supplies the grease in precise doses at regular intervals. This ensures that there is always enough, but not too much, grease on the fifth wheel plate and lockjaw. That saves grease and is environmentally friendly. The lubricant in the lubrication cartridge on the fifth wheel coupling will last for around 12 months. An easy-to-read LED display shows the level of the grease reserves at all times.
JOST provides the fully synthetic JOST high-performance lubricant both in cartridges for one-off filling and in a 30kg barrel, sufficient for 35 fillings. The special grease is temperature-resistant, adheres particularly well to all metal surfaces and is therefore ideally suited to the manual lubrication of all fifth wheel couplings. JOST specifies the use of the JOST high performance lubricant for refilling the LubeTronic 5Point.
Pro Tech Slider, JOST’s safe slider
With sliders, fifth wheel couplings can be easily and quickly moved on the vehicle frame, thus allowing the position of the fifth wheel coupling to be adjusted for different trailers. Sliders are mainly used in Great Britain and markets outside of Europe. Pro Tech Slider is a slider for standard fifth wheel couplings. JOST exhibited the Pro Tech Slider in connection with a fifth wheel coupling in pressed steel design: the JSK 36.
The Pro Tech Slider offers an enormous weight advantage of up to 55 kg in comparison to conventional sliders. Furthermore, it is especially safe, thanks to its self-locking mechanism. It is impossible for the blocking pieces to come loose, no matter the circumstances, which reliably prevents inadvertent sliding.
The JOST SDR roof diffuser is an aerodynamic airflow system which reduces the decelerating air turbulences at the rear of the vehicle. This effect is reflected by fuel savings of up to four per cent, depending on such factors as driving speed, tyres or route profile. Comprehensive field testing by vehicle manufacturers and transport companies confirm this.
The patented SDR roof diffuser directs the air flowing over the roof to the low-pressure zone behind the rear of the vehicle. This creates less air turbulence and thus lower air resistance. The roof diffuser also decreases CO2 emissions, thus protecting the environment. Less spray mist develops behind the vehicle on wet roads. The rear of the vehicle remains cleaner and the view for following vehicles is improved.
ROCKINGER multi-purpose safety-towing hitches
The traditional ROCKINGER brand offers commercial vehicle operators a wide range of towing hitches for different mounting points and for every type of use. Security is also given top priority with the towing hitches: the drawbar turn angle warning system specially developed by ROCKINGER, with its display in the driver’s cabin, offers reliable protection from shunting damage to couplings, drawbars and the rear of the vehicle.
RO*40 E, the newest coupling for highest demands, was on display at the JOST stand in 26. The slack-free coupling for 40 millimetre drawbar eyes has an intrinsic weight of 30 to 33 kg, which makes it especially lightweight. The proven ROCKINGER release level technology ensures that the bolt is triggered safely and precisely; the coupling is always ready to engage and the coupling and decoupling even with difficult drawbar eye angles is handled easily and trouble-free. The RO*40 E can also be equipped with a remote control as well as a dual-sensory-controlled display. The display in the driver’s cabin shows proper locking.
An additional highlight presented by ROCKINGER was the unique RO*430 comfort coupling. This towing hitch for 40 millimetre drawbar eyes is not only slack-free, it is also equipped with a rubber suspension and hydraulic shock absorbing which ensure that possible impact stress between the truck and trailer is absorbed by the coupling.
TRIDEC DL-S: Single-wheel suspension for low-loaders
TRIDEC, a specialist in trailer axle steering systems and suspensions within the JOST Group, presented a new development at the show – the DL-S single wheel suspension for low-loaders which allows higher capacity, larger installation spaces and improved driving properties. Thanks to the divided suspension, TRIDEC DL-S (Dual Lever Suspension) offers a permissible axle load of up to 12 tonnes per axle line. And its low intrinsic weight of only 675 kg makes it significantly lighter than comparable systems. The vehicle’s capacity can therefore be much higher than when using non-conventional axles. This also allows vehicle constructions with fewer axles per vehicle while providing greater capacity – a tremendous advantage particularly for multiple-axle low-loaders and extendible trailers.
TRIDEC DL-S uses delta suspension arms which are secured onto the vehicle frame by maintenance-free rubber bearings. Dual effect hydraulic cylinders with covered track rods control the suspension. The large range of travel of 200 mm lift and 100 mm lower, as well as the integrated stabilisation system provide the DL-S single wheel suspension with excellent driving properties and roll stability. In addition, the hydraulic suspension also provides the option of using a lift axle on one or multiple axles.
The new TRIDEC DL-S single wheel suspension for low-loaders is impressive not only for its high capacity, great agility and excellent driving properties, but also to its extremely low-maintenance construction: To this end, all bearings on the delta suspension arms and hydraulic cylinders are made of high-quality and low-maintenance materials.
Hydraulic steering for low-loaders
The HF-E hydraulically controlled trailer axle steering is especially used in low-loaders and semi low-loaders with up to seven steered axles. The steering movements of the pulling vehicle are transmitted to the hydraulic system through a steering wedge that is connected to the fifth wheel coupling; the system then transmits the steering movements to the first steered axle. All other steered axles are then steered by the steering rods from this axle.
The HF-E thus achieves steering angles of up to 45 degrees, depending on the model. This allows this innovative steering system to offer optimum manoeuvrability, stability and agility, even in particularly difficult applications. The wear and tear on the tires is also reduced significantly.
TRIDEC also offers mechanical and electronically controlled steering systems for trailers. The range of products also includes wheel suspension systems for double-deck and glass-transport trailers as well as hydraulic suspensions and oscillating axles.
TRIDEC systems can be found in all application areas, from single axle city trailers all the way to hydraulically steered transport platforms of up to 250 tonnes.
Edbro CS 17/18 Ultra
Edbro, a manufacturer of hydraulic lifting cylinders and hydraulic components for dump trucks, was represented for the first time at the JOST Group stand. Edbro has been part of the JOST Group since November 2012. At IAA, Edbro presented its further-developed hydraulic front lifting cylinders for dump trucks and tankers from the CS series.
The topic of payloads is a particularly sensitive one when it comes to bulk material transport. For this reason, Edbro focussed specifically on the reduction of intrinsic weight in its further development of the CS series. Thus, the company presented the new, even lighter CS 17/18 Ultra front mount cylinders for the first time at IAA in Hannover.
By using high-quality materials and state-of-the-art production technologies, Edbro engineers have succeeded in reducing the weight of the outer cylinder by 29 kg and the eye ended cylinder by up to 21 kg. Thus the new CS 17/18 Ultra are up to 100 kg lighter than comparable cylinders. Newly developed, low-friction bearings provide smooth lowering of the CS 17/18 Ultra possible, which in turn provides greater comfort and safety.
Thanks to the one-piece cylinder construction and increased stop contact faces, the Edbro CS series has succeeded in ensuring a very high tipping speed without sacrificing reliability, safety or fuel consumption – even after many years of service. The use of highest-quality materials and special production expertise, such as laser welding technology for the cylinders, also allows extremely high lifting forces with maximum load safety.
JOST take-over of Mercedes-Benz Trailer Axle Systems: Negotiations in progress
JOST Werke and Daimler are negotiating the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz Trailer Axle Systems by the JOST Group. The Neu-Isenburg-based company is planning to expand its broad product range for commercial vehicles by offering trailer axles. The acquisition of the company by the JOST Group is proposed to be completed in early 2015, subject to successful final negotiations and approval by the responsible anti-trust authorities. The employee representatives at the Daimler plant in Kassel, Germany, were included early on in the negotiations on issues concerning the affected employees who are kept up-to-date through various information events. Mercedes-Benz Trailer Axle Systems has been active in the production of axles for commercial vehicles for the European market since 1996. The JOST Group will further expand the business in future. Mercedes-Benz is known as a pioneer in the use of disc brakes in the commercial vehicles segment. Parallel to the first truck fully equipped with disc brakes, the Actros, Mercedes-Benz launched production of trailer axles equipped with disc brakes nearly 20 years ago. Today, Mercedes-Benz Trailer Axle Systems is one of Europe’s largest producers of trailer axles. |
