“As hubs, brakes, air lines and suspension components age, the need for inspection and maintenance increases. Trailers sitting idle due to current slower demand also need maintenance to keep them at-the-ready. Otherwise, when the economy accelerates, poor maintenance could impede competitive performance at a point of maximum opportunity,” says Stertil-Koni Technical Sales Manager Peter Bowers.
“This product can be essential to safely lifting trailers when independent of the tractor. And that happens all the time,” Bowers adds.
The majority of trailers are serviced and inspected outside — detached from the cab. Further, in contrast to the more straightforward requirement of lifting a full rig, which can be accomplished with a range of options including mobile column lifts, axle engaging scissor lifts, platform lifts or in-ground piston lifts, lifting a trailer on its own presents a number of unique structural demands, the company says.
The Stertil-Koni Kingpin Crossbeam, supported by two mobile column lifts, engages directly with a trailer’s kingpin coupling, while two, rearmost mobile column lifts directly raise the trailer’s wheels. The result, the company says, is a safe, ergonomically sound, simple, synchronized three-point lift of an otherwise ungainly trailer when independent of the tractor.
Stertil-Koni also has other crossbeams that can be used in conjunction with mobile column lifts for vehicles with low ground clearance, including buses and extra heavy military vehicles.
“The Kingpin Cross Beam Adapter can be an essential accessory for trailer fleets and one that easily broadens the applications for Stertil-Koni’s award-winning mobile column lifts,” says Dr. Jean DellAmore, Stertil-Koni president.
