Tanks Stand Out at Brazil Show

Jan. 1, 2000
CARGO tanks shared the spotlight at Fenatran 99, which was held November 8-12, 1999, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The truck show is the largest in South America

CARGO tanks shared the spotlight at Fenatran 99, which was held November 8-12, 1999, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The truck show is the largest in South America and is held every two years.

Fenatran 99 had exhibits from 184 companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Scania, International, General Motors, Fiat, Iveco, Volvo, and Ford. Among the US component manufacturers that were represented were Meritor, Syltone (Drum and Emco Wheaton), Betts Industries, Bayco, Truck-Lite, Cummins, and Eaton. Almost 29,000 members of the trucking industry from 15 countries attended the show. The next Fenatran will be October/November 2001 at the Anhembi exhibition center in Sao Paulo.

Trends evident during the show include growing use of B-trains in tanker operations. B-trains have enabled tank truck carriers and tank fleet operators in Brazil to significantly boost productivity, especially when hauling low-margin cargoes such as gasoline.

Two lengths of road trains are allowed. Trains that are no more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length can operate 24 hours a day under Brazil's transport regulations. Combinations from 19.8 meters to 30 meters (98 feet) are restricted to daylight hours. Payload for the 19.8-meter train is in excess of 45 tonnes (99,000 pounds), and the 30-meter train can carry 67 tonnes (147,700 pounds) of cargo.

In addition to the higher payload capacities, the B-trains are considered safer. More tires mean greater braking capabilities, says Marcos Guerra, commercial director of A Guerra,a manufacturer of petroleum tanks and other types of trailers.

The market for aluminum tank trailers is very much in its infancy in Brazil. However, two manufacturers are hoping to build interest with their latest offerings--Randon SA and Heil Trailer Internacional. Both had their products on display at Fenatran.

Carbon steel tank trailers dominate the petroleum hauling market in Brazil for a number of reasons. For instance, they are relatively low in cost to produce, and operators believe steel offers better damage resistance. Mechanics have years of experience with steel tanks, which means repairs can be made virtually anywhere in the country.

Aluminum is seen as a somewhat exotic material. Still, the manufacturers of aluminum tanks are working hard to change attitudes. They explain that aluminum tanks are durable enough to perform well over most of the roads found in Brazil. In addition, aluminum tanks have a lower tare weight, which means higher payloads. Finally, aluminum tanks present a better appearance than those built of carbon steel.

B-trains have become so popular that they outnumber some of the other trailer configurations that are being built by Randon SA, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. The three-compartment, carbon-steel tanks in this petroleum train have rear-mounted discharge outlets. Each tank can carry 22,000 liters (5,800 gallons) of product.

Constructed of carbon steel, this petroleum B-train has a combined tare weight of 12,600 kilograms (27,700 pounds). Each single-compartment tank can hold 22,000 liters (5,800 gallons). Note the overturn protection design around the domelid. Components include rear-mounted Vlados faucet valves, Vlados domelids, plastic hose tubes and fenders, Jost landing gear, and Michelin 295/80R22.5 tires. A Guerra SA Implementos, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul.

Wide-base single tires and air suspensions enable a higher payload, and this B-train consists of 46,000-liter (12,100-gallon) trailers. Each single-compartment, carbon steel tank is 16 meters (52 feet) long, 2.55 meters (100 inches) wide, and 3.1 meters (10.1 feet) high. The tanks have Jowei faucet valves and Pirelli 385/65R22.5 tires. Noma & Cia Ltda, Sarandi-Maringa, Parana.

Heil Trailer Internacional, Buenos Aires, Argentina, promoted itself as a supplier of advanced aluminum tank trailer technology to the Brazil market. This full-frame, double-taper trailer has a 6,470-kilogram (14,000-lb) tare weight and can carry 38,000 liters (10,000 gallons) of gasoline. The six-compartment tank has Civacon overfill protection and bottom-loading adapters. Other equipment includes Truck-Lite lighting and wiring, Meritor air suspension and axles, and Michelin 385/65R22.5 wide-base single tires.

Heil's 42,000-liter (11,000-gallon) frameless aluminum petroleum transport is designed to meet both the European ADR and US Department of Transportation DOT406 requirements. Notable features include a 2.4-meter (7.8-ft) axle spread. The six-compartment trailer has Civacon overfill protection and bottom-loading adapters, Holland landing gear, antilock braking, Spicer axles, Alcoa aluminum wheels, Vigin tire inflation system, and Continental tires.

Randon is encouraging Brazil's tank fleet operators to take a fresh look at aluminum petroleum transports by pointing out the potential for increased productivity. This 35,000-liter (9,000-gallon) trailer is 5,000 liters (1300 gallons) larger than a comparable carbon steel unit. Deliveries from the single-compartment tank can be made from either side through Vlados faucet valves. Among other components are an automatic chassis lube system, plastic hose tubes, Jost landing gear, air suspension, Alcoa aluminum wheels, and Michelin radial tires.

Very typical for petroleum hauling in Brazil is this six-compartment carbon steel unit from Noma. The 30,000-liter (7900-gallon) tank has an 8,200-kilogram (18,077-lb) tare weight and is configured for future conversion to bottom loading. Tank hardware includes Jowei faucet valves.

Truck-and-trailer combinations like this handle farm pickup of milk in Brazil. The truck tank holds 8,000 liters (2,100 gallons), and the pull trailer can carry 12,000 liters (3,100 gallons). Milk is transferred with a hydraulically powered Drum X140 vacuum pump. The stainless steel tanks were built by Lider in Murias, Minas Gerais. The Volkswagen 16.300 truck has a 291-hp Cummins 6CTAA engine, Eaton nine-speed transmission, and Meritor RS-23-155 drive axle with 4.10 ratio.

Juan Delgado with Syltone do Brasil, Campinas, Sao Paulo, stands beside the Drum X140 vacuum pump that is used on milk pickup trucks.

Saratoga Engineering is using this 27,000-liter (7,100-gallon) chemical trailer to haul phenolic resins. Built of 304 stainless steel, the tank is insulated with 100mm (four inches) of rock wool and is steam heated. Equipment includes Keystone primary and secondary butterfly valves, Pro Pneu tire inflation system, air suspension, Alcoa aluminum wheels, and wide-base single tires. Recrusul S/A, Sapucaia do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul.

With demand growing for bulk shipments of dry products such as plastics and flour, Recrusul's tipping units have become very popular. The 59-cubic-meter (2,000-cu-ft) trailers are constructed of aluminum and have a two-bar capability. It takes about an hour to unload most products. Equipment on this trailer includes an Hyva hoist and a Drum blower.

Related