COLONIA Spezialfahrzeuge fleet-upgrade
Faymonville GigaMAX for Demanding Heavy Transport
With over 230 employees and more than 300 special vehicles, COLONIA Spezialfahrzeuge Gottfried Schönges GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading service providers for crane and heavy-duty logistics in the Rhineland, Germany. The family-run company has been planning and implementing complex lifting and transport projects for over 70 years – from inner-city operations to large-scale international contracts. We have been supporting COLONIA as a supplier since the founding of ES-GE, supporting our long-standing customer in fleet planning and the associated vehicle selection.
GigaMAX already on display at BAUMA
With the Faymonville GigaMAX, our most recent delivery, COLONIA has put another flexible solution into service to meet growing demands. Before the vehicle joined its fleet, the GigaMAX was on display at BAUMA as a representative exhibit. In Munich, the 1+3 lowbed combination attracted the attention of numerous visitors. Also because of this customer vehicle, interested parties were able to get an idea of our high-quality and broad portfolio at our booth. This would not have been possible without the close relationship between our two companies. Our thanks go to Frank Schönges, Managing Director of COLONIA. The fact that we were allowed to bring the vehicle to Munich as an exhibit was by no means a given!
GigaMAX with pendulum axles, ideal for any terrain
Equipped with four axle lines, this new addition to our customer’s fleet combines a pendulum axle line integrated into the gooseneck with three pendulum axle lines in the rear chassis. The axles and axle lines technically have a lifting range of approximately 600 mm. This feature enables optimal ground clearance combined with even load distribution, even on uneven terrain. This, along with the maximum steering angle of 60°, ensures that the GigaMAX is at home even in very demanding terrain. The installed axles also offer advantages in normal road traffic, as the vehicle can also be used in Germany with an axle load of 12 t. Thus, the GigaMAX offers a theoretical maximum possible gross weight of 70,700 kg, calculated from the fifth wheel load of 22,700 kg and the total axle loads of 48,000 kg.
Extendable and telescopic low-bed combination
The combination weighs approximately 22,520 kg. This results in a theoretical payload of up to approximately 48,180 kg. The load is carried by the approximately 2,750 mm wide loading area, which can be extended to a width of up to approximately 3,200 mm using folding extensions. Goods up to a length of 8,000 mm can be accommodated between the neck and the chassis. Thanks to telescopic supports, the loading area can also be extended lengthwise. The two outer beams allow for an increase of up to approximately 5,000 mm. A permanently mounted, 50 mm thick wooden floor is located between the supports. The loading area and chassis are connected by a mechanical bolt-and-tab coupling. This feature enables, for example, the replacement of the loading area or the installation of extension supports. To ensure the longevity of the vehicle, the chassis was completely blasted twice and then HRM metallized.
Rear chassis with excavator arm recess
The rear chassis features hydromechanically forced-steered pendulum axles, which are identical in design to the components installed on the gooseneck. Both the rear chassis axles and the gooseneck axle can be controlled using a radio remote control. A recess is located in the center of the chassis, providing space for an excavator arm, for example. Seven pairs of lashing rings on the rear chassis alone ensure the necessary safety during transport. Work lights and rotating beacons also contribute to safety.
We wish the COLONIA team safe journeys and lots of fun with the new GigaMAX!