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Self-Propelled Trailer [Model 80 T]

The self-propelled trailer is a specialized platform designed for the transportation of vessels positioned on keel blocks. The design integrates an onboard hydraulic power unit, a steering system, and a keel block lifting system. This integration allows for precision maneuvering under load and ensures reliable vessel lifting during transport preparation.

The Model 80 T trailer is engineered to transport vessels weighing up to 80 tonnes. Even load distribution across four wheel-hub units (4 wheels per unit) guarantees platform stability and reliability. The hydraulic motor system provides sufficient power for moving maximum loads, while the auto-leveling function ensures smooth and stable transportation under all conditions.

Configuration

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Self-Propelled Trailer 80T 3D Model Longitudinal Beams

Longitudinal beams

(highlighted in blue)

Longitudinal are box-section welded girders that perform three key functions: supporting the vessel’s keel blocks and transferring the load to the ground via the wheel units. Mounted on the longitudinal beams are the wheel-hub assemblies, steering cylinders, lighting signals, and actuator control equipment. This integration ensures structural integrity and the stable operation of all systems during transport.

Wheel units

(highlighted in grey and black)

The undercarriage design features four wheel units, each equipped with four wheels fitted with solid rubber tires on steel rims. Driven units with hydraulic motors are mounted at the rear, while steered/trailing units are at the front. Each unit is coupled to a hydraulic cylinder system that steers all four wheels synchronously. Independent control of the front and rear units ensures high maneuverability of the trailer during vessel transport.

Self-Propelled Trailer 80T 3D Model Wheels Units
Self-Propelled Trailer 80T 3D Model Power Pack

Power pack

(highlighted in blue)

The power pack unites the main beams into a single structure and serves as a platform for all the trailer’s power and control systems. Key components are mounted on a welded main frame: a 147 kW diesel engine, a hydraulic power unit, an oil cooler, batteries, and control cabinets for both the engine and the trailer. The robust assembly and protective housing ensure the stable operation of all systems regardless of weather conditions.

Tie bar

(highlighted in blue)

The removable tie bar ensures the secure fixing of the longitudinal beams, preventing them from spreading while the trailer is in motion. Thanks to its lightweight welded design made of square tubing and plate elements, the beam is easily carried by hand and quickly installed into its operating position.

Self-Propelled Trailer 80T 3D Model Tie Bar

Standard configuration and options

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Standard configuration:

  • U-shaped welded frame
  • Wheel units with lifting cylinders
  • Wheel assemblies
  • Diesel-driven hydraulic power unit (HPU)
  • Hydraulic system
  • Electrical system
  • Fixed control panel
  • Radio remote control
  • Protective rain cover for HPU
  • Visual and audible alarms

Optional:

  • Explosion-proof (Ex) design
  • Custom paint color
  • Universal keel block

Documentation:

The following documentation provided with the unit:

DocumentQuantity
Product Data Sheet1
Installation Manual1
Operating Manual1
Spare Parts and Tools List1

3D simulation

About

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Giant on Wheels: How the Trailer Transports 80-Tonne Vessels

Imagine a vessel that has just been launched or, conversely, hauled out of the water for repairs. How do you move this multi-tonne behemoth across the shipyard when it is resting on keel blocks—specialized supports? Use a standard tractor? It simply won’t fit underneath. This is where a remarkable machine comes into play: the shipyard trailer. This is not just a trailer, but a sophisticated engineering structure capable of not only carrying an 80-tonne load but also “diving” underneath it independently.

Why It Is More Complex Than It Seems

The main challenge in transporting vessels is their shape and weight. A boat or yacht does not sit on flat asphalt like a car; they are set on specialized keel blocks with complex geometries. To pick up such a load, the trailer must be more than just a platform—it is a U-shaped structure that straddles the keel block from both sides. At the same time, the entire system must be incredibly robust to withstand 80 tonnes, yet maneuverable enough to navigate confined shipyard spaces at speeds not exceeding 1 km/h.

What It Is Made Of

The entire structure resembles a giant construction set. The trailer’s foundation consists of three massive sections bolted together. Two of these are long steel beams (main beams) over 17 meters in length. Fabricated from high-strength steel, they bear the entire load, serving as the direct support for the vessel’s keel blocks.

Powerful wheel units are mounted on each main beam—eight wheels per side, totaling 16 wheels. Notably, half of these are drive wheels; they don’t just roll but propel the entire machine forward, powered by hydraulic motors concealed within the wheel assemblies. The third part of the structure is the power pack—the true heart and brain of the machine. It houses a 147 kW diesel engine (approximately 200 hp), the hydraulic power unit, fuel tank, batteries, and control cabinets. All these components integrate to form a single, synchronized mechanism.

How It Manages to Be So Flexible

To enable the trailer to position itself precisely under the keel blocks, engineers had to solve two problems: how to change the direction of travel and how to keep the platform level, given that shipyard surfaces are never perfectly flat.

To control direction, all wheels on the trailer are steerable. Furthermore, the front wheels are controlled independently from the rear, allowing the machine to turn almost on the spot, mimicking the movement of tracked equipment. The steering angle can reach up to 35 degrees.

The second challenge is addressed through hydraulics. Each wheel unit is not rigidly fixed to the frame but connected via a powerful hydraulic cylinder. These cylinders can raise or lower each corner of the platform independently. Tilt sensors (inclinometers) constantly monitor the frame’s position; if the trailer encounters an uneven surface, the automation immediately extends the necessary cylinders to keep the load strictly horizontal. The maximum cylinder stroke is 250 mm—sufficient to compensate for significant irregularities and to lift the keel block to begin transport.

How to Control It

There are two ways to operate this giant. The first is via a fixed control panel located directly on the power pack housing. It features all the necessary buttons, joysticks, and a touchscreen display that shows the system status. However, remote operation is far more convenient.

The second method is using a radio remote control, which looks like a professional, heavy-duty version of a remote for a model car. It includes an emergency stop button, a joystick for movement and front-wheel steering, and dedicated toggle switches for rear-wheel control. This allows the operator to walk alongside the trailer and observe all obstacles, which is critical during such complex operations.

Safety Features

Given that a 25-tonne trailer carries loads several times its own weight, safety is a top priority. It features several wheel-lock modes, and an audible and visual alarm activates automatically during movement to warn those nearby. An “Emergency Stop” button on the remote instantly halts all mechanisms. Should the engine stall or the hydraulics fail, a manual pump is provided to release brake pressure, allowing another tractor to tow the unit for repair.

This trailer is a prime example of how mechanics, hydraulics, and electronics merge into a single entity capable of performing tasks impossible for humans, making complex shipyard operations fast and safe.

Dimensions

Self-Propelled Trailer Model 80 T Dimensions Front View
Self-Propelled Trailer Model 80 T Dimensions Side View

Technical specifications

ParameterValue
Dimensions:
– Height, m
– Width, m
– Length, m

1,4 m
5,64 m
17,13 m
Minimum support surface height, m1,23 m
Maximum trailer frame lifting height, m0,25 m
Frame horizontal levelingAutomatic
Travel speed, km/h, max1 km/h
Gradeability, %, max3 %
Total number of wheels16
Number of drive wheels8
Front and rear steeringIndependent
Front and rear wheel steering angle, °±35°
Control methodRadio remote control + stationary control panel on the trailer frame
Operating temperature, °C-10°…+35°
Storage temperature, °C-25°…+45°
Power unit typeDiesel engine
Power unit output, kW, max147 kW
Actuator drive typeHydraulic
Weight, kg, max25000 kg

General requirements and standards

  • The equipment complies with the «General Provisions for Technical Supervision» of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and is supplied with a Type Approval Certificate.
  • The equipment complies with the requirements of the Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport.

Regulatory compliance

The equipment complies with the following requirements:

  • General Regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS);
  • Technical Regulation on the Safety of Maritime Transport (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 620 dated August 12, 2010);
  • SP 2.5.3650-20 (Sanitary and Epidemiological Requirements for Transport);
  • Other applicable requirements of Russian legislation, including sanitary and veterinary regulations, occupational health and safety requirements, and industrial safety requirements;
  • The equipment also complies with all amendments and supplements in force as of the vessel’s keel-laying date (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719);
  • Supervision of installation and commissioning services;
  • Confirmation of industrial product manufacturing within the territory of the Russian Federation (Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 719 dated July 17, 2015).