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Trailers are an uncomplicated method to offer further payloads for any of the automobiles within the earlier sections, crewed or uncrewed, wheeled or tracked.
This submit will take a look at standard trailers first, after which study choices for a barely completely different strategy that sees tractor/trailer mixtures like we do with standard logistics i.e. a small prime mover with little or no carrying capability, however with the flexibility to tow a bigger and heavier trailer.
I may also take a look at extending this idea to the carriage of personnel!
Trailer Geometry
Conventional articulated automobiles aren’t typically thought-about for inside helicopter carriage for a number of causes, one among them being break-over angles.
The longer the trailer and the nearer to the interior peak of the plane, the extra potential for grounding on the ramp pivot level throughout loading and unloading, particularly for Merlin which has a steep ramp angle in comparison with Chinook.
Geometry turns into vital.
There are design approaches that may mitigate this however we’re within the realms of serious modification and bespoke designs. Trailers could be unhitched and loaded and unloaded manually however for bigger and heavier trailers, this may be unsafe and even impractical.
For instance this, a automobile that solves the issue, albeit on a bigger scale.
The Italian Aris Airlift International Service (AGC) approaches the break-over angle downside through the use of a gooseneck trailer with a hydraulically actuated coupling.
As could be seen from the diagram under, the payload is saved stage by elevating the coupling because the tractor unit exits the plane. When the tractor unit is off the ramp, however the trailer wheels will not be but on the ramp, the coupling is lowered and the automobile as a complete clears the plane.
Loading is similar however in reverse.
That is very intelligent engineering that additionally retains the load stage throughout loading and unloading, permits the load to maximise accessible house within the plane and negates the necessity for any loading tools.
A container dolly wheel and flat load mattress are additionally accessible.
Would we wish to repeat this on a smaller scale for helicopter transportable trailers, maybe not, but it surely reveals that the difficulty could be addressed.
Wheeled Trailers
The in-service Logic SMT 171/172 trailers are a well-developed design.
They’ve many options particularly for army use reminiscent of fold-down brackets for brief hole crossing ramps, fold-up hitch and mountings for a single stretcher.
Longer and better capability trailers might be used, single or twin axle, aluminium or MDPE physique, tipping or mounted, wheels inboard or out.
An identical trailer design can be utilized as a devoted stretcher service.
Though going considerably in opposition to the precept of every thing having a number of makes use of, the ATR Trailer from All Terrain Res-Q within the US does look efficient.
Flatbed trailers can be utilized to hold a wide range of small engineering plant, there are quite a few designs generally accessible off the shelf.
Tipping and hooklift (DROPS fashion) trailers may additionally be helpful and might be used for recovering unserviceable quads and rapidly dropping off shops, with out guide dealing with.
The MRZR trailer is succesful and suitable with quad ATVs
Bigger trailers can be pulled, and different third-party options are value .
Argo makes an amphibious trailer in two or four-axle variations, the latter having a capability of 635kg and the previous, 275kg.
The Supacat ATMP had an ingenious self-loading pallet trailer, principally used for artillery ammunition.
Though there are variations, the essential trailer had a hydraulic tipping mechanism and pallet forks. The motive force would tilt the trailer into the down place, reverse onto the pallet, tilt the trailer again up, and drive away.
The utmost payload for the ‘flipit’ trailer was 1,400kg and it is also transformed to hold three stretchers. Demountable nook posts is also used to type sides for unfastened masses, with ratchet straps used to safe the load, and a water carriage pack turned the trailer right into a water bowser.
Pallet bins might be used for unfastened objects.
This brings me to a different answer from the agricultural trade, particularly the half that issues itself with grapes and apples; orchard bins and trailers
Orchard bin trailers use tilting load beds, chain drives, and both PTO-driven hydraulic pumps or a hydraulic take-off from the tractor unit to energise chain drives and tilting mechanisms to rapidly load and unload the bins.
Orchard bins are pallet containers by one other title.
A easy bin trailer is proven under, the trailer is reversed onto the pallet, secured after which the automobile drives away.
Bigger pallet containers reminiscent of the two.16m x 1.0m, 1,120-litre Dolav ACE SL2160 are proven under.
Pallet containers can be found in numerous sizes, and with lids, drain plugs, dividers and in numerous colors (fortunately). Disposable liners are used to move liquids reminiscent of fruit syrups and chemical substances, but in addition gasoline and water. The US Military used an identical a number of years in the past for air despatch, known as the Lifeliner CUBE.
There are bigger and extra subtle orchard bin trailers.
One different is to exchange the rollers with forklift tines. Operation is akin to the ATMP trailer, it’s reversed onto a pallet after which the tines are hydraulically raised for transport.
Some have the next carry journey to allow them to even be used for stacking unstacking and carrying a couple of stage of pallet containers.
One other alternative is to revert to tilt beds and rollers however use a sequence drive to load and unload the pallet containers. The chain drives are typically hydraulically pushed, with the hydraulic feed both PTO pushed or direct from the tractor unit if accessible.
4 bin trailers are often roughly 7m lengthy, too lengthy for a Merlin and leaving solely a few meters for a tractor unit in a Chinook however through the use of a double stack of lowered peak pallet containers or just a bespoke plastic field, good packing density could be achieved.
Such a pallet trailer is arguably slightly lengthy for helicopter carriage however the factor about trailers is they’re easy, low cost, and simply customised by their producers.
It will be simple to specify a three-bin trailer utilizing the identical design, with the bins being 1.2m x 1.2m and any peak wanted, I don’t anticipate it will break the financial institution.
Again to defence
The LV-TEH Fight Help Platform from Latvia seems to be attention-grabbing.
Initially supposed as a 6×6 ATV towed mobility platform for weapons just like the 12.7mm HMG and 40mm GMG, they’ve developed the idea to incorporate a number of ‘modules’
All attention-grabbing.
Personnel Carrying Trailers
Along with these above is a personnel service model, outfitted with 4 seats.
A single Merlin might carry one among these trailers and a Can-Am 6×6 Outlander, 6 seats in whole and a flat load mattress with over 300kg of payload.
Though I’m not going to go so far as suggesting a golf trolley tag-along trailer, there are producers of ATVs and tractor-trailers designed for carrying individuals at low speeds, Entry Trailers within the UK for instance.
The smaller fashions are gentle and have bench seats for between 4 and 6 individuals. A removable ROPS might be fitted.
Bigger fashions are used for rescuing individuals from flooded areas, taking pictures sports activities, countryside excursions and property administration.
Rated at 3.5 tonnes they’re appropriate for UTV towing and fewer than 1.6m in width, with seating as much as 14 individuals, 3m physique size.
Bigger fashions for bigger automobiles…
There are quite a few different mixtures.
Each VSS and Protek within the UK make ROPS modules that might be fitted to a trailer to enhance security.
These could be for easy A to B strikes at comparatively low speeds and on comparatively good surfaces.
Pushed Axle Trailers
All of the trailers above have undriven axles, pushed axle fashions can enhance traction and mobility, particularly in poor floor circumstances.
Axles could be pushed immediately from a Energy Take Off (if the driving automobile has a PTO), through an onboard hydraulic pump, utilizing the towing automobile’s hydraulic provide (if it has hydraulics), and extra not too long ago, electrical drive.
An instance PTO-driven trailer is proven under.
An incredible article at this LINK describes how a PTO-driven trailer was used on the Land Rover Ahead Management automobiles.
The video under reveals a PTO forestry trailer from Proengil in Poland.
With an unloaded weight of roughly 1,500kg (with out crane), it has a payload of 8 tonnes. The crane would must be eliminated (it wouldn’t match) and the log stakes changed with an ordinary load mattress. 2.5 tonnes for the tractor, 1.5 tonnes for the trailer, leaving about 6 tonnes for payload if utilizing a Chinook, about 700 81mm mortar bombs of their packaging.
HM Trailers within the UK make a spread of comparable trailers, as do Pfanzelt. Black Bruin in Finland and BPW in Germany the driving automobile hydraulic system which offers the operator with rather more management for the Agro Drive, at a bigger scale.
As a part of a broader techniques strategy, this might be a helpful function (extra on engineering plant later)
Tracked and Ski Trailers
To enhance the tracked automobiles within the earlier a part of this collection, and to be used in deep snow, tracked and ski trailers can be utilized.
For skis, the only of choices is to only connect them to the wheels of the trailer, it is so simple as that, as this video from Iron Baltic reveals.
On snow, specialist ski trailers can considerably enhance load carriage.
Matched to their Sherpa designs, Alpina manufactures a trailer system known as the Transalp that may be figured with seating or a flat load mattress.
The upper energy fashions can simply tandem tow a number of models.
Tracked trailers could be pushed or undriven, each are typically used for bigger trailers however are nonetheless relevant.
The Sno Cat Two Observe Trailer is offered in two fashions. At slightly below 2m extensive and 4.3m lengthy, weighing 590kg, the Two Observe Gentle has a payload of 1,100 kg.
The PTO-driven tracked from Loglogic is proven within the picture under, with a weight of 1.3 tonnes, it may carry 2.5 tonnes.
With 600mm tracks, it’s too extensive, however exchange them with 400mm tracks (as per the producer’s choices checklist) and 100mm is faraway from both sides, bringing it inside limits.
It’s too lengthy to suit inside a Merlin however with a towing automobile of lower than 3m lengthy, it would slot in a Chinook.
Two Wheeled Tractors
Bear with me on this.
The strolling, or two-wheel tractor, is just not a standard sight within the UK however they’re fairly frequent elsewhere.
That is what 5.6 tonnes of rice seems to be like, an unimaginable payload for such a small unit, though I doubt it will likely be successful any velocity trials any time quickly and I anticipate a kerb would give it hassle.
That is the purpose of two-wheel tractors, they don’t seem to be quick, however they’re extremely low cost and constructed for shifting weights.
They’ve a Energy Take-off for implements and reversible handlebars to allow pushing or pulling., and the extra subtle fashions additionally embody choices for distant management and battery energy.
In our use case, each cubic metre counts and if we will use that engine and PTO for different issues, we’re maximising volumetric effectivity, nevertheless foolish one may really feel using one.
They are often purchased from a number of UK, US and European producers, one doesn’t must go too far to seek out them.
Instance producers embody Casarzo, Koeppl, Lampacrescia, Bertolina, BCS, Grillo, Ginko, Fast Tractors and Barbieri
Most velocity tends to be not more than 10-15kph, some can be found with zero-turn digital steering and in energy ranges between 8hp and 40hp, diesel or petrol.
Weights usually vary from 150kg to 250kg.
Under is an instance from BCS, their largest mannequin, the 570mm extensive 780 HY Stargate, as could be seen, the handlebars have a large diploma of articulation.
Smaller fashions can be found however I needed to make use of this for instance of how a quad bike different, while a lot slower, can present a wise choice when house is constrained.
Now clearly, mobility is just not good, and velocity definitely received’t be, however that is the character of buying and selling payload for velocity.
Not like quad bike ATV trailers, two-wheel tractors require a seat, however once more, there’s a variety of producers that may present an equally big selection of trailer choices, the one under prices 600 quid.
Due to their configuration when hooked up to a trailer, carriage density is just not good.
Not like quad bike ATVs, two-wheel tractors typically have a Energy Take Off (PTO) which implies a powered trailer (the one under is from Errepi ) can be utilized to create a 4×4 system.
Two-wheel tractors are hardly a press release of conflict, they’re sluggish and could be noisy, but when the low velocity and comedic visuals could be accepted, they’re an inexpensive method to shift a good quantity of package faster than on foot.
Compact Wheeled Tractors
ATV qualities are well-known, but when they’re getting used as a major mover (tractor unit) for a trailer, then it’s also value precise tractors.
If expanded trailer utilization have been acceptable, particularly for personnel carriage, the tractor unit might be one thing apart from an ATV. These ‘prime movers’ might be wheeled or tracked, however optimised for towing capability and permitting the usage of bigger trailers.
Antonio Cararro Protector 100
Orchard and winery tractors are a specialist automobile sort however their slim widths and low heights lend themselves properly to the interior carriage requirement.
The 40kph Antonio Cararro Protector 100 orchard tractor is an effective instance of this kind.
With a totally enclosed (and pressurised) cab, it’s 1.74m excessive and even with the widest excessive floatation tyres, just one.5m extensive, no issues for both Merlin or Chinook. It may well additionally use a folding roll bar which reduces the peak to 1.2m when stowed however it’s simply low sufficient with a totally weather-protected cab.
As a result of it’s a tractor, it has no payload of passenger capability itself however it’s extremely cellular, weighs lower than 2.5 tonnes and might function at speeds as much as 40kph.
It may well tow a big and heavy trailer, together with these with PTO or hydraulically pushed axles.
They are typically about 3.5m lengthy, leaving house in a Merlin for a comparatively quick trailer, however in a Chinook, for much longer.
Though pallets are much less probably for this software.
Extra standard compact small tractors are made by Pazagilla, John Deere, Farmtrac, Branson Tractors, Claas, Landini, LS Tractors, Zetor, Dangerous Boy, Star Tractors, Shibaura, New Holland, Tym, Kioti, Kubota, Captain, Massey Ferguson, Solis, Iseki, and BCS
Tracked Tractors
From the small to the massive, tracked tractors ship further traction in poor terrain.
Micro Tractors
There’s a group of tracked micro tractors and crawler models that may not have a lot utility for longer strikes however is perhaps helpful for manipulating trailers while loading and unloading helicopters, transferring small masses regionally, or crossover duties with among the engineering plant described later on this collection.
A small crawler observe unit like this from Agrrizeta in Italy.
Sure, it is a mower, but it surely has a PTO that can be utilized with a sit-on trailer.
Extra standard micro-tracked tractors reminiscent of this 1.8m lengthy instance from Mira in Italy would offer slightly extra consolation for the operator.
A bigger tracked sub-compact tractor than above is the Fort-IT Horizon
The Observe-O Cross-Nation is an electrically powered teleoperated tracked service with a flat high.
It has a run time of solely 2.5 hours however can carry 1,039kg on a flat floor, weighs 750kg, its size is 1.84m, width is 0.76m, and peak is 1.27m.
Carrying capability is spectacular.
With an applicable gooseneck or fifth wheel sort attachment, it is also used for short-distance trailer strikes.
This brings me to devoted trailer dollys, additionally used for transferring trailers quick distances and with management and security in thoughts, the sort of qualities wanted when loading and unloading helicopters.
That is the Trax Trailer Dolly.
As could be seen by the video, the trailer hitch sits over the centre of the automobile and could be electrically raised and lowered. It’s 1.2m lengthy, 0.74m extensive, and 0.35m excessive. It weighs 150kg however can transfer a 6-tonne trailer. It will must be fitted with a NATO customary hitch.
One of many points with lengthy trailers is the ramp break-over angle, a levelling service platform might be used if fitted with a towing meeting. The Movex carriers could be fitted with a 45-degree lifting machine that will allow the trailer coupling to stay stage because the service strikes down the helicopter ramp.
The Alma Levelling Crawlers are designed for transferring heavy masses in tight areas with levelling platforms that work as much as 40 levels.
Mattro Ziesel
The Mattro Ziesel was initially developed as an offroad wheelchair but it surely has been developed by some associate organisations to develop utilization in agriculture, such because the Aebi EC-170 which has a front-mounted PTO.
With a 60-degree facet slope, low floor stress, and a high velocity of 35kph, they’re extra cellular over excessive terrain than a quad bike ATV.
With a low centre of gravity, integral folding roll bar and four-point harness, they’re prone to be a lot safer than a quad bike ATV and there’s even a road-legal model.
Their towing means is equally spectacular, over 500kg.
The automobile is 1.32m lengthy (plus 77mm for the tow coupling) and 1.22m extensive, peak to the highest of the ROPS is 1.62m.
Like all electrical designs, battery life is a key limiting issue to employment, 3 hours for this one.
Hawe Mattro has developed a extra compact model as a base platform for UGV builders, together with Dhiel, as a part of the Built-in Modular Unmanned Floor System (IMUGS) demonstration.
Though it solely has three hours of endurance, and is thus not solely sensible, it’s shorter than a quad and might tow extra in additional demanding terrain.
Howe and Howe did make the diesel-powered Ripchair a number of years in the past but it surely appears not accessible or listed, which is a disgrace, that will have been attention-grabbing as a quad ATV alternative.
Nonetheless electrical, take a look at Motion Trackchair
Yanmar AC21
Am not 100% positive if Yanmar make these any longer however the diesel AC21 (and related fashions) was a succesful and compact machine
Weighing 830kg, it was 2.33m lengthy, 1.25m extensive, and 1.82m excessive to ROPS.
It has a rear-mounted PTO so might doubtlessly be used with among the PTO-driven trailers described above.
Loglogic Tooltrak
The Loglogic Tooltrak is a compact tracked tractor and power service
What makes the Tooltrak attention-grabbing is its quick size, 2.48m together with the entrance linkage. It has sufficient energy to tow a 105mm Gentle Gun and is brief sufficient that it and the gun might be carried inside a Merlin.
At 2.149m excessive, it will be too excessive for inside carriage until the cab was changed with a folding ROPS. It weights 1.3 tonnes and the width over the tracks is 1.64m
The RNLI use them for lifeboat launch and restoration.
Landini Trekker 3 Compact
The Trekker 3 is a typical slim crawler tractor designed for hill farming and the place low soil compaction is fascinating.
Its size is 3.05m, width is 1.28m and weighs 3.2 tonnes, not leaving a substantial amount of payload when flying inside a Merlin.
Chinook carriage could be extra wise, with a towed trailer taking on the accessible house and payload. With a slight modification to the trailer deck, the LogLogic PTO-driven tracked trailer above would nearly match.
Mach 4R
The quad-track Mach 4R has related dimensions to compact wheeled tractors however has a lot larger mobility.
Weight rises to three.2 tonnes, however the towing capability is larger than 10 tonnes (greater than the helicopter payload).
Efficiency on slopes and in gentle floor is great, and higher on-road than is perhaps imagined.
One plus a big loaded trailer would max out a Merlin payload however the distinction between one among these and a trailer and an ATV with a trailer is pulling energy in poor terrain and the flexibility to make use of outsized trailers, a plant or tipping trailer for instance.
A 105mm Gentle Gun (in travelling configuration) and Mach 4R would comfortably match inside a Chinook which might make for an attention-grabbing gun raid.
MTT
I wrote about this some time in the past, and assume it’s fairly an attention-grabbing and well-designed idea that sits someplace between a tracked utility automobile and a tractor unit, so in a bit of its personal on this submit.
The MTT-154 is an electrical all-terrain tracked ‘tug unit’ that can be utilized singly or related, and operated as a ride-on or through distant controls, used to push, pull or carry masses and trailers.
One of many extra attention-grabbing facets of the design is the flexibility to attach a number of models for a larger payload. They are often related inline (like a snake), facet by facet, or in a quad configuration.
The side-by-side configuration also can have a load mattress platform between them, not not like the Milrem Themis. The distinction between this and the Milrem unit is that the centre is just not mounted.
As a result of they’re solely slightly below 600mm extensive, three might simply be carried abreast in both Merlin or Chinook and since they’re solely 650mm excessive, three can be stacked.
At 2.25m lengthy, and triple-stacked, a Merlin might carry 18, maxing out the payload. One row, triple-stacked would depart a few tonnes of payload and sufficient house for a 4m lengthy trailer.
A Chinook might carry 27 models, with a few tonnes of payload margin, or mixtures that embody trailers.
When organized down the centre of the cargo space as a stack of three, on both helicopter, it will go away sufficient room for seated personnel on the seats, 6 in a Merlin and 9 in a Chinook.
The unit is a single-track machine, powered by lithium-ion battery packs. 1 battery offers as much as 4 hours (35km) of runtime, with three permitting as much as 12 hours of runtime or a 105km vary.
With three batteries fitted, a single unit weighs 290kg.
The system can be used to produce export energy for energy instruments or different battery charging.
Batteries could be rapidly swapped, and in contrast to the two-wheel tractor, can’t be heard from 3 weeks away, high velocity can also be a extra respectable 24kph.
A single unit can carry as much as 250kg on the load mattress and tow 1.4 tonnes on a flat floor, lowered to 450 kg in excessive terrain.
The video under reveals a double unit towing a ski trailer, the trailer might be used for seating or shops. This configuration could be snug for a Merlin.
No knowledge tables and cargo diagrams on this one however will take a look at the mixtures later within the collection.
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