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Solutrans champions the energy transition

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, EMMANUEL MACRON, BIENNIAL TRADE FAIR SOLUTRANS 2021 WAS HELD LAST MONTH AT LYON EUREXPO.

Road transportation as we know it is changing. There is a revolution of sorts in how industry is harnessing energy to improve operational efficiency as well as minimise carbon footprints. Sweeping legislation on these matters across Europe has accelerated thought leadership and empowered innovators to address these challenges head-on. Right now, there are regulations in place to reduce harmful emissions as well as pressure on vehicle makers to consider hybrid concepts to transition away from diesel including hydrogen, biofeul and electric batteries. At this year’s Solutrans, Goldhofer showcased a new friction-steered semi low loader »STEPSTAR« and a force-steered »MPA« 4 (1+3) semi-trailer designed specifically for the French market. What the two have in common is an impressive range of applications for transporting heavy loads, so that haulage companies can use them for a wide variety of transportation operations. “Handling as much work as possible with a minimum number of vehicles is the recipe for success with smart fleets,” said Goldhofer Regional Sales Manager, Romuald Espinasse. “So, we are delighted to be able to present these products to our customers.” The self-steering, three- to five-axle »STEPSTAR« semi low loaders offer a combination of low deadweight and high payload. They also feature a well designed loading area and full system for secure lashing. In combination with the loadable »MEGA« gooseneck, total rig length can be utilised to the full, even when transporting high loads. The loading area itself is fitted with the hard-wearing flooring TRAFFIDECK GO co-developed by Goldhofer. This not only saves weight compared with wood or rubber flooring but, with a thickness of just 8mm, it is also extremely thin and has a very high coefficient of friction for optimum load securing. The additional anti-slip sanding provides enhanced safety in all weather conditions. For heavy haul companies one of the major drawcards of the »STEPSTAR« is its outstanding flexibility. The extra long and wide excavator arm recess is open to the rear. It is designed to take even very long and large excavator arms such as those used in the demolition business. This greatly increases the vehicle’s range of applications. It also comes with Goldhofer’s new generation of ramps, which have a very low ramp angle and are easy to mount and remove, so they can also be used with other »STEPSTAR« lowloaders in the fleet. “The »STEPSTAR« series meets our customers’ expectations in terms of quality and intelligent details at a competitive price,” said Espinasse. “The vehicles can be used for permit-free transportation throughout Europe with payloads of up to 26.3 tonnes and a gross rig length within the 16.5m limit.” Specially designed for the French market, the »MPA« 4 (1+3) low loader semi-trailer makes light work of a wide range of heavy haul operations. With a low loading height of only 785mm, the robust and durable »MPA« 4 is the ideal solution for transporting high loads such as construction machinery, plant components and crane segments.

The latest Goldhofer semi low loader spec’d for applications in France.