Remmers Transport takes Scania R660 into service as 10×4

Special transport specialist Remmers from Muntendam recently took delivery of a new Scania 660R V8 as a 10×4*6 with a steered trailing axle. On the truck is a 165 ton/m Palfinger. Behind the heavy transport tractor can be coupled both a trailer or low loader

The heavy all-round air-suspended five-axle truck forms the basis of a special combination. "It is not usual to choose a V8 as a power source in combination with a heavy cab crane," Director Remmers says of the company's newest acquisition. "This is because with the heavy V8 engine, the exhaust section is larger than with a six-cylinder. This leaves little room for what in our case is an extensive hydraulic system with two PTOs. But Palfinger succeeded anyway, and so we now have exactly everything we want: a Scania with a powerful V8, the new G33 gearbox and the latest retarder combined with a sturdy crane with which we can do our work. The driver will be satisfied."

Remmers special transport has long worked for a large number of regular customers, many of whom are in the mechanical engineering industry. "Actually, we work in the wake of their work. They sell the machines and we take care of the logistics, the installation of the machines and sometimes the dismantling of old machines from a production hall. Often we are on a site for several days. For example, to install a complete fleet of machines in an otherwise empty hall. This can be anywhere in Europe so our people are often away from home for a few days."

0That partly explains the fondness for Scania. "In recent years we have really only been buying Scania's and preferably with a V8 engine. Our people are professionals. They deserve a nice car with lots of comfort. And a little power under the floor helps too." That Remmers chose a five-axle truck also has a very specific reason. "Cabin cranes of this kind are also often put on a four-axle truck because it naturally runs shorter anyway. But then the saucer is relatively far back on the chassis and you don't have the optimal pressure on your axles. That's why we opted for 10×4 with a liftable and steered tag axle. Then you come out nicer with the weight distribution. And because three of the five axles are steered, the turning circle is not too bad for me."

The Palfinger crane can extend seven times and combined with a jib that extends seven times, it has a 36-meter reach. "That's quite a distance so you have to be able to level it properly. For optimal stability of the crane, we therefore had a fifth outrigger leg mounted in front of the cab. That way we can also work in front over the cabin if necessary. This is sometimes easy because we do a relatively large amount of horizontal lifting."

The truck will run a lot with a trailer. "But it will also fit a flatbed trailer behind it and there will be another ballast box that can be attached to the fifth wheel." Remmers bought the vehicle as a replacement for a Scania with a 155-ton/m crane. "We drove that for three years longer than planned. Just because it was still very good and we had enough work for it. And it proves the quality of the brand. But after 13 years our driver gets a new one. He can try it out right away because his first big trip will be to Ireland."

Not that Remmers expects many surprises there. "After all these years, our driver knows exactly what he is doing and has also had his input in the design and construction of the vehicle. For example, we made all the toolboxes ourselves. Exactly the way he wanted them. That's important, because they contain everything we need during a job and craning. And that's most of the work because the truck itself won't drive more than about 70-80 thousand kilometers a year. Of course, the engine does run almost continuously if you count the crane hours. Because that's the nice thing about this work: no day is the same. We therefore have no turnover in personnel at all."