SAF-HOLLAND tests axles and safety systems at minus 40°C.

Commercial vehicle parts supplier SAF-HOLLAND put mechanical and digital truck and trailer components through a radical cold test. On the COLMIS proving ground in northern Sweden, new and updated developments as well as the SAF TRAKr electric trailer axis, the HOLLAND Automated Coupling (SHAC), the automatic SAF TIRE PILOT I.Q. tire-inflating system, the HALDEX EB+ 4.0 electronic trailer braking system and other safety-related components were put through their paces in extreme conditions.

Snow, ice, dirt, moisture, slippery surfaces and low temperatures: Commercial vehicles are often exposed to a range of environmental influences during everyday use. Even in extreme conditions, drivers and fleet operators must be able to rely on their vehicles being roadworthy and safe at all times. To test crucial components during operation, SAF-HOLLAND exposed a truck to extreme conditions. “The influence of challenging weather can have a massive influence on product robustness, functionality and the interaction of coordinated mechanical parts, electronic components and sensor systems,” explains Sebastian Quick, Vice President of Research and Development at SAF-HOLLAND. “Systems developed at the factory ‘under laboratory conditions’ often behave very differently in practical tests due to propulsive forces, roll movements, heavy loads and other influences. In winter conditions, correct functioning of axles and brakes is particularly crucial for avoiding failures and accidents.”

Cold test in Sweden

The proving ground in northern Sweden – with frozen lakes and terrain covered in ice and snow, and temperatures down to minus 40 °C – does not go easy on drivers or vehicles. The truck mastered the challenging maneuvers at the proving ground, covering over 3,000 km in a total of 40 hours.

Convincing even in extreme conditions

All tests were completed successfully with positive results. Sebastian Quick was also very pleased with the findings: “We are an international company. Our chassis-related modules and systems are used worldwide, in very different conditions. Safety and accident prevention are our top priority during product development. The findings from the cold test will directly influence the development and continuous improvement of our products.” Quick also highlighted the good cooperation within the group of companies: “During projects like these, we benefit from the positive synergy effects in the group of companies. That drives joint research and results in optimally coordinated products.”

Safe even in extreme conditions – these systems defied the cold and more

The cold test focused in particular on new and improved developments as well as on safety-related systems from SAF-HOLLAND. These include, among others:

SAF TRAKr: The electric axle converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electrical energy, for example during braking or thrust phases, to generate electricity for auxiliary consuming units such as heating and cooling systems or tail lifts.

SAF TIRE PILOT I.Q.: The digital tire pressure assistant monitors the pressure in trailer tires. If too much pressure is lost, the system automatically tops up the tire and sends a notification to the driver in the cab.

HOLLAND Automated Coupling SHAC: The HOLLAND Automated Coupling System is based on a fully automatic, sensor-based process that brings the tractor unit and the trailer together. The fifth wheel coupling opens and closes automatically, the supply lines are connected independently and the landing gear is extended and retracted fully automatically. Drivers and freight forwarders benefit from automated coupling in a number of ways: the process is safer – the risk of injury to the driver is reduced and the risk of damage to the trailer is also lower.

HALDEX EB+ 4.0: The electronic trailer braking system has a modular design and can be individually configured. It serves as a platform for different product families: EBS, ABS with roll-over control and as a conventional ABS for trailers.

HALDEX ILAS-E: The lift axle valves provide electrically controlled lifting and lowering of one or several lifting axles for air suspension systems.

HALDEX TEM Safe Parking (Trailer Emergency Module): The system automatically activates the parking brake to provide more safety during hitching and unhitching of trailers, preventing uncontrolled movements and minimizing vehicle damage and accidents.