Irish-based manufacturer Smyth trailers has just completed the first four-axle trailer in the company’s 23-year history. The trailer was custom-fabricated at the company’s facility in Garyhill, Co Carlow, for a customer in Denmark to haul grain and was sold by Danish importer Tipvogn Salg.

The trailer is based on the company’s popular Fieldmaster range but has been narrowed by 5in to the customers’ specification of 2.54m wide while also being most noticeably extended to 9m. This gives the trailer a payload capacity of 35 cubic metres or 35t of grain

The body is manufactured from high-yield steel and is fitted at the front with a catwalk for easy and safe access to the payload as well as a hydraulically controlled tailboard at the rear.

Connecting the trailer to the tractor is a 360° swivel hitch for added safety. An optional hydraulic jack leg was also specified for greater flexibility and improved ground clearance as opposed to the traditional drawbar mounted option.

The body is tipped by two high-capacity hydraulic cylinders which are chrome plated to reduce seal wear and increase reliability. All of which is fitted on to a high-strength chassis manufactured from 250x150mm box section steel in conjunction with 100x150mm box section steel floor runners.

Underneath, the chassis is fitted with Smyth’s own heavy-duty spring suspension which is 102mm wide by 51mm thick. Smyth says the heavy-duty suspension vastly reduces flex in the spring, increasing stability. The manufacturer also states that this design is capable of handling greater weights than the traditional system. From maintenance perspective the suspension can be greased on all pivot points via a centralised system.

The most noticeable feature on this trailer is the four high-speed (105km/h) commercial axles which are fitted with 420x180mm brake shoes. The front and rear axles are equipped with passive steering systems for manoeuvrability and to reduce tyre scrubbing. This would be expected on a trailer of this length and load capacity. These axles can be hydraulically locked in the straight position to effectively turn off the steering system, for example when reversing. The trailer is booted with 600/55/22.5 low ground pressure tyres to reduce soil compaction and increase the trailer’s weight carrying capability. Completing the package, a single-leaf parabolic spring is fitted to the drawbar to take the bounce out for operator comfort and reduced hitch wear on the towing vehicle.

All Fieldmaster trailers are fitted as standard with full LED lighting which consists of double LED taillights at the rear, with single LED taillights fitted to the top of the hydraulic door option. Amber LED side lights and white LED front marker lights complete the package. Optional LED reversing lights which consist of two lights fitted to the rear and one each side up front can be added to the trailer for ease of use in the dark. These lights are engaged automatically when the body is raised once the parking lights are switched on. For safety, a warning LED strobe light is fitted to the rear along with reflective markings on each side and the rear.

The trailer is finished in-house by firstly shot blasting, which is followed by priming and a two-pack polyurethane paint, which is baked on. For added safety, all trailers come with a safety prop for working under the raised body and hose burst valves fitted to the hydraulic rams.

The trailer is priced at €37,000 plus VAT, and the overall length is just under 9m.