Genuine added value
As light as always, more robust than ever
In its new aluminium box-shaped trough for the S.KI AK LIGHT tipper trailer, Schmitz Cargobull is combining its tried-and-tested lightweight construction with a more durable design.
The requirements for the enhanced version of the aluminium box-shaped trough were clear: it needed to be more durable, have a longer service life and be easier to maintain, but with the same low unladen weight. Another fundamental factor during development was that the entire range had to remain available, from the construction site trough versions with 23 m³ to 42 m³ to the high-volume designs for the agricultural industry with 44 m³ to 60 m³. “We are even going to gradually expand the modular design further. We will begin the transition by focusing on our most in-demand variants before gradually expanding our range, introducing new construction heights and floor variants that have not been offered before,” points out Kristin Hobert, Product Manager for Construction and Agricultural Vehicles.
In the high-volume design, the aluminium box-shaped trough is still available with a volume of up to 60 m³.
Key reinforcements at high-wear points
One significant point on the revised trough design is the reinforced upper lip with wider contact surfaces for the sliding tarpaulin. Both changes mean that the upper lip itself, along with the sliders on the tarpaulin, wears at a much slower rate. Or to put it another way: the service life of the trough and tarpaulin is increased, in turn decreasing the amount of maintenance required. Furthermore, the standardised sliding tarpaulin components for the various aluminium and steel troughs improve the spare parts supply.
“We have also made some enhancements to the floor area. The lower lip profile now features a stepped top section where the floor profile sits, providing significantly improved support from underneath,” adds Hobert. All in all: much better structural stability and wear resistance, even under heavy loads.
In the aluminium box-shaped trough for construction vehicles, the same broad spectrum remains available, with four construction lengths and volumes from 23 m³ to 42 m³.
Regarding the lower lip and side wall profile, another key change here is the removal of the old, recessed grooves with rubber buffers from the lower lip. This reduces the surface area prone to wear and corrosion, while also making the trough easier to clean. To increase durability even more, the contour marking can now be bonded directly onto the lower lip all the way round without any impact points. The side wall design features new, wider and slimmer profiles, which are also more robust thanks to their intelligent design. Two built-in wear grooves in the floor provide a visual guide for when maintenance is required, making it easier for users to monitor the condition.
Schmitz Cargobull has also revised the rear area. “We have integrated reinforcements as standard, making the rear more stable and enabling impacts to be cushioned better, for example, when the hinged dropside closes. And yet all the revisions have no impact on the weight, retaining the same low unladen weight that users are so familiar with,” explains Hobert.
By removing the recessed grooves and rubber bumpers, the smooth outer wall offers less surface area prone to wear and corrosion.
Full product variety with a number of options
The varied product range remains based on four construction lengths from 7.2 m to 10.5 m, including pallet-width troughs. There are also no changes when it comes to accessories: the trailer’s rear can be fitted with an external pendulum tailgate (with an optional slider), a combi-door with pendulum and door function, or a pendulum tailgate with chute. Speaking of sliders, the trough versions designed for agricultural use have been optimised by Schmitz Cargobull's tipper specialists in Gotha, particularly when it comes to leak-tightness. Meanwhile, the focus for the construction site version was on creating a design that is easy to clean.
Of course, the updated tipper trailers are also equipped with new rear lights as standard.
The trough itself is also available with plastic cladding, and the folding underride guard can be operated manually with a spring mechanism, or pneumatically. When it comes to covers, customers can choose between a classic roller tarpaulin or an electric sliding tarpaulin. In addition to other assist systems, we recommend the factory-calibrated on-board weighing system, which reliably displays the loading weight on a tablet or smartphone in seconds.
The trailer’s rear has been reinforced, increasing stability and improving the service life.
The floor profile sits on the lower profile, providing better support from underneath. The two recessed wear grooves are also new.
To sum up, Hobert says: “With our revised aluminium box-shaped troughs, we offer our customers genuine added value when it comes to ease of servicing and maintenance, stability, durability, robust design, and economic efficiency – all while offering the same level of variability in the modular design system.”
The reinforced upper lip has a wider contact surface, which reduces wear on the sliders on an optional sliding tarpaulin.
