Nooteboom Manoovr latest generation MULTI-PL Semi low-loaders ground-breaking innovation for abnormal road transport

The MANOOVR Multi-PL is the latest generation of Nooteboom semi low-loaders. Unique features are the ultra-low floor height and the high maximum permissible axle load. The combination of a floor height of 780mm with at least 12 tonnes per axle line throughout Europe – including the Netherlands – makes the MANOOVR exceptional. At the next BedrijfsautoRAI, taking place from 20 to 24 October in Amsterdam, the MANOOVR Multi-PL will be launched as a world first and is bound to be the centre of attention at the Nooteboom stand.

State-of-the-art technology

Han Rekers is the sales manager at Nooteboom. He was closely involved in the design of the MANOOVR. Han: “Starting point for the development was to give our customers the best possible specifications on all the key points. And we did just that. Due to its pendle axles the MANOOVR has a rated load capacity of 12 tonnes per axle line in the Netherlands. This is significantly more than semi-trailers with e.g. independent suspension can offer, which is usually no more than 9 tonnes per axle. With a floor height of 780mm we gained 70mm with the MANOOVR compared with our current Multi-PX. In the abnormal transport business, where every centimetre counts, this is a huge improvement. Nooteboom is currently the only manufacturer with a semi low-loader in their programme that has a steering angle of 70 degrees. Add to this a vertical travel of 500mm and we are simply the best in the market. I could go on: the tyres last so much longer, sometimes even 3 to 4x longer than on a semi-trailer with independent suspension. And the construction of our MANOOVR Multi-PL is above all simple and light, offering plenty of load capacity and very little maintenance costs.”

Maximum 500 mm suspension travel

Han Rekers: “We set our own course because in our opinion there are too many disadvantages attached to the independent suspension systems that are currently available. Excessive tyre wear, high maintenance costs and limited vertical travel: all these are drawbacks that we don’t have to worry about when it comes to our MANOOVR. The MANOOVR offers up to just over 50% more suspension travel than a semi low-loader with other types of suspension. With an extended multi-axle combination the suspension travel must compensate for bumps in the road surface. If the suspension travel is too limited a large part of the load will come to rest upon one single axle. Possible consequences: damage to the semi-trailer, the load or the road surface. The 500mm of the MANOOVR is more than sufficient to prevent this kind of damage. And a large amount of vertical travel is also essential for loading and unloading jacked-up loads.”

Up to 70 degrees steering angle

The MANOOVR Multi-PL generation proudly bears its name: up to 70 degrees steering angle makes manoeuvring a real treat. In order to ensure optimal steering behaviour – in extended or retracted position – the steering can simply be adjusted when extending. To adjust the steering it is no longer necessary for the driver to go underneath the trailer. The lock pin is now located above the floor. Changing the position of the lock pin determines which of the front axles will be steering with the tractor (when the trailer is retracted), will be rigid or indeed steering with the rear axles of the trailer. Simple but effective and the outcome is amazing: whether extended or retracted, the trailer will track the tractor perfectly and as a result tyre wear is kept to a minimum. If a Multidolly is used the Multi-PL also offers the option to hydraulically adapt the steering of the Multidolly in order to guarantee optimal steering behaviour in extended or retracted position. These adjustment options also reduce the road drag, which will save on fuel.

MANOOVR: designed for low maintenance costs

The MANOOVR technology was designed to ensure a long life and minimal maintenance costs. With fewer pivots in the steering and suspension the susceptibility for maintenance and wear is minimal. Every axle is mounted on the trailer by means of a tower bearing of a completely new design. This extremely clever construction keeps the trailer low, but it is also a strong and robust axle mounting.

Tyres: 300,000 km!

In abnormal transport the costs of replacing the tyres accounts for a large part of the total costs. With the MANOOVR the wheel stays in the same position whatever the situation. Whether the wheel is steering inwards or at a different ride height: the wheel is always perfectly aligned. Of course tyre wear depends on the usage, but with average use the tyres will last for at least 300,000 km. Taken over the total life of the semi-trailer, the tyre costs of the MANOOVR will often be lower by tens of thousands of Euros compared with a semi-trailer with independent suspension.

The progress is in the details

Many details on the MANOOVR Multi-PL have been renewed. For instance, the ratio between the fifth wheel load and the weight on the frontmost axles of the trailer can be adjusted hydraulically. A 30-tonne gooseneck goes steplessly from 18 tonnes for a 6×4 tractor to 30 tonnes for an 8×4 tractor at 12 tonnes per axle line on the frontmost axles. The adjustment operates via two vertical cylinders in the neck construction. Attention has also been paid to improve the ergonomics and safety. The controls are logical, simple and centrally located underneath the gooseneck. An important element for safety is the stability of the trailer, especially with loads that have a high centre of gravity. Normally, when driving, the trailer will be in the 3-point support position, which provides maximum compensation between the axles. At low speeds the 3-point support can be changed into 4-point support, which gives even more lateral stability when manoeuvring. This hydraulic control makes it much safer to manoeuvre with a heavy load that has a high centre of gravity.

Available with 3 to 10 axles

The MANOOVR Multi-PL generation is at the launch available with 3 to 10 axles. The load floor is single, double or triple extendible. The gooseneck is available in a 25-tonne or 30-tonne version and the MANOOVR Multi-PL is available in widths of 2,550mm or 2,750mm. In the future the MANOOVR technology will also be applied within the Nooteboom low-loader programme.

Facts and fables

There are some persistent preconceptions about pendle axles and independent suspension.

A list of the most important ones:

1. Semi-trailers with independent suspension have 12 tonnes per axle.

This is NOT TRUE. In some countries the maximum axle load is the same for pendle axles and independent suspension, but in a number of countries, including the Netherlands and France, there is a difference. In those countries the MANOOVR has 2 to 2.5 tonnes more load capacity per axle line.

2. Pendle axles keep tyre wear to an absolute minimum.

This is TRUE. The ride height does not affect the position of the wheels. The perfect alignment, suspension travel and steering angle of the pendle axle means tyre wear is much less than on a semi-trailer with independent suspension.

3. Pendle axles are expensive to maintain

This is NOT TRUE. The pendle axles and steering of the MANOOVR have up to 50 % fewer pivots for steering and suspension compared with semi-trailers with independent suspension. And what’s more, the pivot bushing is completely maintenance-free.

4. Semi low-loaders with pendle axles are heavier than those with independent suspension.

This is NOT TRUE. Mounting pendle axles with the unique MANOOVR technology makes it possible to install a very high central beam. This central beam can therefore be much lighter and still have the same strength c.q. torsional stiffness. This lightweight construction together with the simplicity of the pendle axle construction results in a very favourable dead weight of the MANOOVR Multi-PL, which is therefore definitely not heavier than a the semi low-loaders with independent suspension.