Fifth wheel specialist Fontaine recently launched the 170SF Heavy Duty 2-inch Sliding Fifth Wheel for the commercial market.
The new fifth wheel is designed for 80-tonne (88-ton) applications, which allows for a heavier payload without the need to specify costly super-heavy duty sliders, the company said.
This mounting option utilizes the Fontaine 170CL Heavy Duty 2-inch Cast Fifth Wheel, with heights from 148-257 millimeters (plus 40 mm height for the slider), and standard DIN 6 mounting brackets.
The slider is certified to ECE R 55-01 (the international regulation for fifth wheels), tested to 25T imposed load (U) and 170kN D-value, and is suitable for most 60T-100T gross combination weight 2-inch kingpin applications (D-value calculation permitting). The mechanism release is available in manual or air-operated configurations.
The system can be complimented by Fontaine’s Green Eye sensor kit, comprising an extended handle, sensor and a single LED light that indicates when the fifth wheel is correctly closed, and that the driver has carried out his checks by fitting the safety clip.
Also available is the patented TechLock system, specifically designed to reduce miscoupling. Its jaw height sensor will not allow the fifth wheel to close if the kingpin enters at the incorrect height or position.
“Our profiled protective forging safeguards the TechLock mechanism from damage due to high-coupling errors,” the company said. “Plus, the 360-degree kingpin surface contact extends the life of the kingpin and fifth wheel mechanism.”