SAF-Holland was born from the merging of two mature heavyweights in the manufacturing space.
Otto Sauer Achsenfabrik (SAF) was founded in 1881, the venture of a German blacksmith family which produced the first steel axles for agricultural vehicles.
Meanwhile, Holland was established in 1910 as the Safety Release Clevis Company in the USA, specialising in safety couplings between horses and ploughs.
Over time, these two entities outgrew their initial value propositions, turning into manufacturing powerhouses for their respective markets.
Both parties acquired various firms and product lines under their respective belts, before joining forces as SAF-Holland in 2006.
Together, SAF-Holland is responsible for the supply and manufacturing of countless trailer and chassis components, providing equipment solutions to a wide array of customers.
Among the prized products the company’s manufacturing repertoire offers is the fifth wheel, which is now synonymous in a range of heavy commercial applications.
Over 50 years ago, SAF-Holland developed the first fifth wheel for terminal tractors.
The company over the intervening decades has refined this product, creating designs which have included a myriad of features and capabilities for the right customers.
The ‘TUG’ fifth wheel is built for the use of specialty vehicles – TUGs – which are responsible for the towing of large trailers around lots.
TUG fifth wheels with air cylinders are now being utilised by many fleets including Woolworths and Linfox to move trailers around their own yards.
These devices integrate classic equipment designs with new additions that cater directly to customer feedback, according to Nemanja Miletic, Product, Engineering and Technical Manager of SAF-Holland Australia.
“Holland ‘TUG’ fifth wheels are an old design and have been proven in service for many years,” he says.
“They have been a standard spec for some manufacturers for decades. However, based on customers’ feedback, there is always room for improvement.”
This process of improvement, involving clear communications with the company’s engineering team, re-working and rigorous testing, ensures that the product is of top quality and all customers are satisfied.
These same needs of customers have helped prompt SAF-Holland to vary its TUG fifth wheel designs, some of which are built with the intention of broad use.
For example, one of SAF-Holland’s TUG fifth wheel models, the XA351TT1, is built as a universal tug wheel for all vehicles. It is the biggest seller in the product line, used by various large truck fleets.
Meanwhile, some are built for more exacting purposes.
The FW3510TR model, for instance, is used for specific Terberg vehicles exclusive to Australia.
These are just some of the many TUG fifth wheel models in SAF-Holland’s extensive product line, with the newest iteration being the XA351TT1.
As the most recent model, this fifth wheel has been built with a new range of features which enable it to carry much larger loads.
“The XA351TT1 includes a higher strength from its improved top plate design,” Nemanja says.
“The updated top plate also includes a higher strength steel alloy compared to its predecessor. Also, the yoke shaft spring has a retainer for easier and quicker replacement — the yoke does not ‘stick out’ anymore.”
The XA351TT1’s capabilities extend beyond these. Built with a weight capacity of 36 tonnes, a strategically enhanced rib structure and an integrated automatic secondary lock – as well as many other features – this TUG fifth wheel is built to combine safety with efficiency when towing trailers.
“The crucial functions for this TUG fifth wheel are safety, reliability, durability and easy maintenance,” Nemanja says.
“Its new and improved air cylinder design also dramatically increases the service life to ensure a safe and reliable coupling process.”
According to Nemanja, drivers using the XA351TT1 fifth wheel appreciate its robustness, reliability, and the simplicity of coupling and uncoupling.
The device’s jaws are built to allow for anywhere between 100 and 200 opening and closings for multiple trailer movements daily.
Though it is one of many devices manufactured by SAF-Holland, the XA351TT1, and its TUG fifth wheel predecessors, remain vital products to the transport industry, enabling the safe and smooth movement of trailers in their own lots so that they can take on the roads in the best possible shape.
