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Pacton is no stranger to the PreZero fleet – the company works with many trailers and semi-trailer chassis from the Ommen-based manufacturer. Their most recent purchase from Pacton comprises four three-axle drawbar trailers, to be used for safely and efficiently transporting skips. ‘Standardisation of trailers is essential for the country-wide interchangeability of our fleet. Our main challenge is the wide variety of waste containers in circulation, and we transport every shape and size. Because the equipment has to last for 20 years, we have high standards for the finish on the trailers. And with Pacton, we know we’re in good hands,’ says fleet manager Richard Bierhuizen.
The impressive, modern PreZero fleet includes roughly 230 trailers and 625 trucks, including a large number of increasingly electric-powered waste compactor trucks. This fleet is distributed across more than 50 PreZero locations in the Netherlands, with four regional locations managing the transport scheduling. The central fleet management is located at the company’s headquarters in Arnhem, and is responsible for managing repairs, maintenance and the replacement/expansion of the vehicle fleet.
Bierhuizen: ‘Standardisation is incredibly valuable for the efficient management of such a large fleet. Not so much with respect to the brand, but mainly in terms of functionality, and therefore the specifications for sizes, weights, materials/parts used and cargo securing systems. Essentially, every PreZero truck or trailer is interchangeable throughout the Netherlands, and this is also reflected in our most recent purchase. Two of the four Pacton drawbar trailers are 11.95 metres long, and the other two are 7.5 metres long. We opt for a short trailer in busy urban surroundings, and a longer version for use over greater distances. Aside from the length, the trailers are exactly the same.’
Height adjustment
PreZero purchased four Floor three-axle drawbar trailers of the FLA-10-18 (AXD.328.LS) type. The long version is suitable for transporting three skips, while the shorter trailers can carry two of these containers.
The front axle load is 10 tonnes, and the rear axle load is 18 tonnes. The turntable has a 13-tonne double-row slewing bearing. The lower A-frame is equipped with pneumatic height adjustment by means of an air bellows. The SAF Modul air suspension with disc brakes features height adjustment that enables the chassis to be lowered for the transfer of a skip. The front axle of the tandem assembly is a lifting axle, automatically controlled through the EBS system. The double pneumatic trailers come with Goodyear tyres and are equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
There are aluminium air reservoirs, lightweight rope hooks all around, two stanchion pockets at the front and rear, Groeneveld Triplus single-point lubrication, a stainless steel box, and a galvanised curtain box in the wheelbase, on the left and right. For the purpose of securing the skips, there are four certified Lifting Plus consoles with certified chains for each skip. Six spaces recessed into the floor are used for storing the chains.
Bierhuizen: ‘The challenging situation in our industry is that there are many different types of containers in circulation. Skip sizes are not standardised in the Netherlands, which means companies order containers of all different sizes according to their needs. We have to transport all those containers using one standardised trailer. This means we have to carefully consider matters such as securing options, dimensions and floors, as well as ergonomics and work safety. With this in mind, we have opted for a safe and ergonomically friendly securing system with spindles and chains, as well as for height adjustment with a chassis height of 1.04 metres in transfer position and 1.11 metres while on the road.’
Reuse and recycling
PreZero believes in ‘Zero Waste’, and in a society that discards less and reuses more. PreZero is part of the Schwarz Group (along with Lidl, Kaufland, and Schwarz Produktion), a European food retail company. Across 10 countries, more than 30,000 colleagues work on ‘closing cycles’. For example, PreZero helps companies and organisations by providing sustainable waste collection. Accordingly, encouraging reuse and recycling and the conservation of resources is a focus of attention. PreZero has already developed numerous sustainable solutions together with many municipalities, companies, hospitals and schools. The modern fleet is an established asset for their business practice. For PreZero, Pacton is ‘a solution-oriented trailer manufacturer that explores design and construction options,’ says Bierhuizen. ‘Pacton Trailers builds exactly what PreZero needs. In particular, we believe the quality of the Pacton trailers and trailer chassis is very high with respect to the choice of materials, strength, robustness, and the attractive and sound finish. The corrosion protection is excellent, which is essential for us since we will be using these trailers for 20 years. ‘Investing in a good and solid product adds value, and Pacton is certainly a good example of that.’