Projects: Critical Turn Negotiation at Shiradi Ghat, Karnataka

Recently i received a project update

Cargo particulars: Weight 131 Tons, Length 67Mtrs, Width 4Mtrs

Place: Shiradi Ghat, Karnataka, India

Project Manager: Mr. Ram Mani Shukla

Transport Company: Premier Transport Limited, Mumbai

The major challenge of this project was to negotiate this 'S' turn 

The task was done on 10 Axles (6+4 Axle configuration), separated by a 9 Mtrs Pipe Structure. Though this is not an ideal combination due to its asymmetric nature, the project executors had little freedom of choice. The turn was sharp which required fewer axle lines. In this case, to comply with the authorities the minimum hydraulic axles required was 10Axles which meant an arrangement of 5+5 Axles but again this was difficult to achieve (Partly technically and also non availability of odd configured axle modules). So, a 6+4 configuration was finalized.

Notification Update

Applications for Gazette Notification for registration of Hydraulic Modular Trailers have now started progressive movement in the state of Haryana. I will post the new requirements for new applications within 2-3days.

Demand Surge for Hydraulic Modular Trailers Part-2

A few years back the Chinese tried to enter the market but had failed to get any fruitful results. This was partially attributed to the Chinese reputation for substandard quality and as a result any technical glitch or accident on these trailers spread like wildfire.

Today, the market in India for Modular Trailers is dominated by an indigenous alternative OEMs named TRATEC, which is closely competed by VMT.

As in my previous blog I stated that with strict regulations coming implemented soon, local unorganised trailer manufacturers are cropping up everywhere.

Let me make a visual comparison between a European modular trailer and trailer made by a trying to be in the league trailer manufacturer (in hindi behti ganga me haath dhone waley trolla).

 KAMAG K25 Series (Double File Config)

 Goldhofer THP Series (Single File Config)

 TRATEC HB Series (Indian), single module of 4 Axle Line Trailer

Now a behti ganga / or a trying to be modular trailer from a trying to shift from a regular trailer manufacturer to Special Trailer Manufacturer.

 

Chances are due to high demand the worst quality trailers will also find customers and sell 100s.  The result will be bad, since, the low prices will ensure lower rental and rapid usage of these, which will lead to accidents and damaged roads. As a result, the purpose of the regulations against above 49T on normal trailers will be defeated.

The government has to sit up and take notice and regulate the manufacturing of these vehicles due to their immense importance in building an economy.

Like other vehicles where ARAI has to certify there road worthiness, institutes should be earmarked to check the quality of these Special Hydraulic Modular Trailers.

Demand Surge for Hydraulic Modular Trailers

As the states have started to tighten their noose on overloading and levying huge fines spearheaded by Bihar! surprise surprise....

Two states have ordered that Transportation above 49Tons has to be done on Hydraulic Modular Trailers and the speculations are ripe that other states will follow suit. This has resulted in mad rush for these Hydraulic Trailers. Situation is do intense that existing domestic manufactures are booked for atleast 6 months!

This demand surge has resulted in customers searching for alternatives. Transporters with mixed transport equipments comprising of Mechanical and Hydraulic Trailers are now replacing the former with the later. Transporters only operating with a big fleet of Mechanical Trailers to transport ODC are eagerly seeking to replace their fleet.

Infrastructure projects are at a boom e.g. about 290 Thermal Power projects (Including Coal, Natural Gas and Biomass) were announced out of which 9 are Ultra Mega Thermal Power Projects. No body can wait for 6-8Months...

The result... atop notch European manufacturers like the TII group with KAMAG, NICOLAS & SCHEUERLE and GOLDHOFER are aggressively entering India. The Europeans even showcased their products at recently concluded bCIndia 2011 Exhibition.

Goldhofer has introduced their MI series allegedly specially developed with India in mind (with less features)

also... the unorganised mechanical trailer manufacturing sector is now foraying into this new phenomenon

to be continued......

Notification Update

Haryana is returning all the applications of Hydraulic Modular Trailer (about 50 cases) back.


The Principal Secretary Transport has objected to the design approved by a 125year Maharashtra Motor Vehicles approved institute VJTI. The honorable Principal Secretary objected to the integrity of the institute and has recommended ARAI for design approval. ARAI as i have stated in my earlier blog that ARAI along with other agencies mentioned in CMVR rule 126 deals with prototype testing of Motor Vehicles other than trailers.


They tell this to us after keeping the applications for fermentation for more than two months!!


Update: 24th May 2011: Applications in Haryana has started moving.

Notification Update

The babus are at it again….

The movement of Applications from the Transport Department Haryana Govt. to the MORTH, Central Govt. has been stalled. The reason… they have suddenly realized that as per CMVR every trailer has to be prototype tested by designated testing agencies.

It frustrates me when such learned people raise such reckless objections.
RULE  126 of CMVR : Prototype of every motor vehicle to be subject to test- “on and from the date of commencement of Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 1993, every manufacturer or importer of motor vehicles other than trailers and semi-trailers shall submit the prototype of the vehicle to be manufactured or imported by him for test by the…..”

Clearly it’s mentioned that trailers are not subject to prototype testing!

This is nothing new, every time there is a organizational shakeup, newly appointed heads have no clue about such special cases. They do not realize that such delays cost not only the transporter but also the nation heavily.

But, slowly and painfully things are moving forward. People are now getting to at least identify the Hydraulic Modular Trailers.

What pains me more is the trailer industry is highly neglected in India. It is perceived in India that an uneducated skilled mechanic can manufacture a “TROLLA” (Slang for trailer in Hindi). Trailers even don’t feature in Market research data of widely followed databases such as SIAM data among others. What would anybody do with a Tractor / Puller without a trailer?  May be this sector is largely unorganized.

Trailer Registration Part-2

Hydraulic Axles are more widely used in Modular Trailers. More popularly known as “Hydraulic Modular Trailers” or “Hydraulic Axles”, in India.

Though hydraulically suspended axles can be used in any kind of trailer, modular trailers are built upon this suspension phenomenon.

Modular trailers are basically modules of Trailer Chassis which can be joined longitudinally (Back-to-Back) or laterally(Side ways). Theoretically there is no limit to the vastness of the combination, provided the supporting machineries are available. This amazing portability means that any form of cargo can be transported on this trailer.

Here also lies the legal problem. Our law didn’t foresee that commercial vehicles can be joined together to aid movements of cargo. Or for that matter, any cargo can go beyond 35tons!

Under the rules the Central government of India can only make exceptions to the rules it has made. Phewh!

The registration process of these kinds of vehicles which exceed the legal 2.6Mtr width mark or per axle GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight = Payload+TrailerWeight) limit is long.

The movement of the application of the customer is something like given below.

Customer -> State -> Center -> Gazette Notification -> Customer -> State -> RTO -> Registration  

Few states I know of who entertain such applications are Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

The applications have to be accompanied by a technical test report of design from an institute recognized by the State.

This whole process takes about 4 months. If you would like to know more about registration of hydraulic modular trailers, drop me an email heavytransportindia@gmail.com