Girder Carrier Trailer, also known as a beam transport semi-trailer, is a specialized piece of equipment within the heavy transport trailer sector designed specifically for transporting large, heavy beam-type cargo. It also constitutes an important category within Special Semi-Trailers. With its unique structural design and robust performance, it plays an irreplaceable role in specialized transport scenarios such as bridge construction and the installation of large industrial facilities.
As a member of the Special Semi-Trailer family, the Girder Carrier Trailer differs significantly from standard heavy transport trailers. Standard heavy transport trailers prioritize versatility, capable of handling diverse heavy cargo types. However, they lack sufficient stability, safety, and adaptability when transporting beams with their unique shapes and weights. In contrast, the Girder Carrier Trailer undergoes deep optimization for beam transport. Features include a low-center-of-gravity U-shaped load-bearing frame structure that secures beams in a “cradle-like” configuration, significantly reducing lateral tilt risks during transit. Additionally, it features adjustable load width (typically 2.8m-6.8m) and length (with the longest load deck reaching 26m), allowing precise customization to different girder dimensions. This ensures the cargo fits snugly within the transport frame, preventing shifting and movement.
I. Key Dimensions and Self-Weight: Flexible Adaptation to Diverse Transportation Scenarios
(1) Overall Dimensions
Customizable Foundation: Dimensions can be flexibly adjusted based on axle configuration to meet varying road clearance and cargo transport requirements.
Standard 4+4 Axle Configuration: Features a split-body design with front vehicle dimensions of 7.7m × 2.8m × 1.3m and rear vehicle dimensions of 5.5m × 2.8m × 1.3m, balancing maneuverability and load stability.
Load Deck Length: Extends up to 26m, effortlessly accommodating long-span beams, large steel structures, and other oversized cargo without disassembly, enhancing transport efficiency.
(2) Load Width
Adjustable range: 2.8m–6.8m. Precisely adapts to beam cross-sections (e.g., rectangular beams, T-beams, box girders), snugly conforming to cargo contours to prevent shifting during transit. Suitable for diverse bridge construction and industrial equipment transport scenarios.
(3) Self-Weight
Basic Model (4-axle): Self-weight 8.2 tons. Balances foundation load capacity with optimized weight control, enhancing load efficiency per unit weight. Suitable for medium-to-lightweight beam transport.
Reinforced Model (4+4 Axles): 16-ton curb weight. Features a reinforced structural design to enhance overall load-bearing capacity, meeting the demands of transporting heavy-duty box girders, large steel structures, and other oversized cargo. Optimizes load-to-weight ratio while balancing economy and practicality.
(4) Minimum Turning Radius
4-Axle Model: Minimum turning radius of 48m. Equipped with a hydraulic power steering system, significantly improving maneuverability in confined spaces (e.g., construction sites, mountain roads), reducing turning difficulty, and minimizing spatial requirements for surrounding environments.
II. Power and Control Systems: Robust Stability, User-Friendly Operation
(I) Engine
Power Range: The base model features a 132kW (180 horsepower) engine, while the enhanced version upgrades to 330 horsepower. Operating at a stable 2200 rpm, power output flexibly adapts to cargo loads ranging from 100 tons to 400 tons+, ensuring robust performance under heavy loads for long-distance, complex terrain transportation.
Adaptability: Whether cruising at constant speeds on flat highways or climbing mountainous inclines, it delivers sustained, stable power support, preventing transport delays caused by insufficient power.
(II) Transmission System
Transmission Configuration: Features a customized 5/8-speed gearbox from Shanxi Fast Gear, specifically engineered for the load characteristics and operational demands of Girder Carrier Trailers. It delivers smooth shifting, high transmission efficiency, and minimized power loss.
Speed Range: Supports stepless speed adjustment from 0.3 to 55 km/h. The low-speed range (0.3-5 km/h) is ideal for precise positioning and cargo loading/unloading at construction sites; High-speed mode (40-55 km/h) meets long-distance highway transport demands, enhancing overall transportation efficiency.
Bidirectional Driving: Consistent speed in both forward and reverse directions eliminates frequent mode switching. Simplifies turning and reversing in confined spaces, reducing operational complexity.
(3) Operation Methods
Standard Manual Control: Precise control via the cab console with clear operational logic, suitable for routine tasks by experienced operators.
Optional Wireless Remote Control: Equipped with professional wireless remote control devices offering up to 50m control range. Operators can monitor transport status in real-time from a safe perimeter around the cargo, enabling remote precision operation—particularly advantageous in complex loading/unloading scenarios (e.g., elevated beam erection sites)—enhancing operational safety and accuracy.
III. Safety and Load-Carrying Systems: Multi-Layered Protection, Rugged Durability
(1) Braking System
Core Configuration: Dual-circuit pneumatic brakes + automatic air brake cutoff. The dual-circuit design ensures normal operation even if one circuit fails, preventing brake failure. The automatic air brake cutoff activates when the vehicle stops and the engine shuts off, preventing rollback and enhancing parking safety.
Optional ABS Anti-lock Braking System: Further optimizes braking performance. Effectively prevents wheel lockup during emergency braking (e.g., sudden road hazards, downhill sections), reduces stopping distance, and improves driving stability. Significantly lowers accident risks, especially on complex road surfaces like wet, slippery, or icy conditions.
Braking Distance: At 50 km/h, emergency braking distance ≤15m, far exceeding industry averages, providing robust transport safety assurance.
(II) Suspension System
Base Configuration: Multi-leaf steel spring suspension. Simple and reliable structure with high load capacity and low maintenance costs, suitable for conventional highway transport and medium/light-duty applications.
Reinforced Configuration: Hydraulic independent suspension delivers superior shock absorption and adjustability, with a vertical lift range of up to 1.5m. This enables flexible adaptation to uneven surfaces (e.g., temporary construction access roads, mountainous bumpy terrain), minimizing cargo damage from road vibrations while maintaining vehicle stability.
(III) Load-Bearing Structure
Material Selection: Longitudinal beams utilize HG70 high-strength steel with tensile strength exceeding 700MPa, delivering outstanding load-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance. This construction withstands prolonged heavy loads, pressure, and impact while preventing structural deformation or fracture.
Dimensions: Web thickness ranges from 8-10mm, while upper/lower flanges measure 16-20mm. This scientifically calibrated dimension ratio ensures structural strength while rationally controlling self-weight, achieving a balance between lightweight design and high strength.
Welding Standards: Adherence to Grade 2 non-destructive testing standards ensures rigorous inspection of all welded joints. This guarantees welding quality, eliminates structural safety hazards caused by welding defects, and extends equipment service life.
IV. Core Design Features: Targeted Optimization for Enhanced Transport Value
(1) Modularity and Customization Compatibility
Flexible Axle Group Configuration: The number of axle groups can be expanded from 2+2 to 6+6 axles based on load requirements without replacing the entire equipment. Simply adding or removing axle modules adjusts the load capacity. For example, transporting 300-ton box girders allows rapid upgrading from a base 4+4 axle configuration to 5+5 axles, significantly reducing equipment investment costs and improving utilization rates.
Precision Dimensioning: The length and width of the load deck can be customized to match girder dimensions (e.g., lengths 10-25m, widths 2-6m). It can even be disassembled for transport to overcome road width restrictions (e.g., disassembling the deck for transport in batches under 3m width limits in certain regions, then reassembling at the destination), eliminating geographical transport limitations.
(2) Low Center of Gravity and High Stability Design
U-Shaped Load-Bearing Frame Structure: The innovative U-shaped load-bearing frame employs a “cradling” method to secure beams, positioning the cargo's center of gravity closer to the chassis. This reduces the load center height by 30% compared to conventional flatbed trailers, effectively minimizing rollover risks during transit and enhancing overall stability.
Hydraulic Tilt Compensation System: Equipped with an advanced hydraulic tilt compensation system that continuously monitors road inclines (longitudinal/transverse slopes). By adjusting suspension height, it automatically compensates for tilt angles, ensuring cargo remains level on slopes of 3%-7% longitudinal/ and cross slopes, preventing stress damage to the beams caused by inclination. It also mitigates passage risks in height-restricted scenarios like tunnels and low-clearance bridges (the low center of gravity design reduces overall equipment height, facilitating clearance through height-restricted areas).
(3) Efficient Loading/Unloading and Operational Adaptability
“One-Step Beam Feeding” Operation: Eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment like gantry cranes, the system directly transfers beams to erection equipment (e.g., girder erectors) via its integrated hydraulic system upon reaching the construction site. This achieves integrated “transportation-loading/unloading-erection” operations, significantly reducing equipment investment and operational steps. It is particularly suited for continuous transport requirements in long-distance (＞1km) bridge construction, enhancing construction efficiency.
Multi-dimensional securing assurance: Adapted for diverse cargo characteristics like precast beams and steel structures, the system features adjustable anti-slip pads (high-strength rubber with friction coefficient ≥0.8) to prevent cargo movement during transport. Multiple tie-down points with adjustable spacing accommodate varying cargo lengths. When used with high-strength lashing straps, this ensures secure cargo loading, preventing displacement and collision damage.
