Terberg Benschop News

Terberg Benschop with new Terberg RT tractor series

Monday, May 17th 2010

Terberg Benschop is proud to present a completely new Terberg RT tractor series, ahead of the launch to the public on the RORO exhibition in Bremen in May. This new series of the fifth generation complies with the need of strong, reliable and cost effective terminal RoRo tractors for operators around the world. Before the presentation already thirty new Terberg RT tractors have been sold.

Terberg Benschop wants to stay in the lead as producer of terminal- and Roro tractors and has designed a completely new series of tractors equipped with the latest technology, a new chassis and a new cab. With more models, the new RT series also gives the operator the possibility to fulfil their needs in detail. Terberg Benschop is able to surpass all expectations of operators with the new RT series, even of the operators who are already impressed by the high performance and quality of Terberg products. Customers keep telling us that the Terberg tractor is ahead of the competition. That has made the current model to a huge success since the start of production 12 years ago. The new technology and new possibilities in the enlarged range of models of the new RT series have everything to enlarge the strong position of Terberg Benschop. A status that has been built up steadily, since the start of production of the first Terberg terminal tractor in 1973. 

Goal
Terberg Benschop has decided to launch the new model to stay in the lead with the latest technology in the tractor itself and in the production. We were able to implement this new technology exactly in the right way and in the right positions on the tractor by starting from scratch. The latest technology also makes it possible to build the tractors in a modular concept to fulfil customer needs in the most cost effective way.Can-bus technology for instance allows us to implement a control system integrating all functions into a single system. The new RT is showing full operational and service data on one display panel. This makes tractor operations faster, safer and simpler. Can bus technology also imply an extensive tracing system to assist in service and maintenance, saving on downtime, effort and cost. 

Completely new design
Hardly any part of the tractors has been the same in comparison with the current model.That was the outcome of the long process  conceiving the new Terberg RT. Especially remarkable because the existing product is so successful. Before putting the first draws in the pro-E CAD system, our team of engineers have interviewed many customers and terminal operators who do not yet use Terberg tractors. We asked them what should be better and what should remain in the new tractor design. The customers asked for more safety, better ergonomics, easier service and less costs. With the gathered information we have tested new technologies in the current model and on test benches. With the outcome of these tests we were able to determine what is best. Only after we had done all that, we designed the new product, incorporating every recommendation in the most cost effective way. 

Extended range
The new series involve three models: the Terberg RT223, the RT283 and the new top model in the new series, the Terberg RT323 as a logical step to the Terberg RT382, the biggest model we introduced in 2003. The RT323 is perfectly filling the gap between the RT 283 and the RT382. Therefore, with the new perfect range of tractors, we now can offer the customer exactly the right tractor for every job. The RT223 and the RT283 are the successors of the RT222 and the RT282, well known as remarkable versatile 4x4 tractors for average use in RoRo terminal operations. The performance of the new RT323, also a 4x4, with an engine with 240kW (326 Hp) comes close to the impressive performance of the RT382 4x4 with an engine of 272 kW (365 Hp). The train weight of the new RT323, with a bigger engine and stronger driveline copes with the demand for stronger tractors with its train weight/lifting capacity of up to 230/35 tons. These figures are 375/45 tons for the even bigger RT 382, which for a while will not be renewed because of its right measurements (High 5th wheel) for certain applications.

New Cabin
For improved safety, better ergonomics and increased visibility the cabin of the new RT series is completely new designed. The attractive design offers more volume for the operator because the cabin has been enlarged considerably, offering high comfort level as a standard.·         The driver has 170 mm more interior width, 120 mm more interior length and 110 mm more interior height at his disposal. That results in a much more spacious and comfortable working environment.

• The interior of the new cabin is specially designed for easy access and an excellent overview. The eye catcher is the digital dashboard, informing both the driver and the service staff as easy as possible. To ensure maximum reliability, the dashboard is connected to the most important electric components through a double can-bus system.
• The steering console is adjustable, both vertically and horizontally, for the best working position of the driver. In addition the enlarged cabin results in a larger seat adjustment for all operators to find the perfect driving position.
• The 180 degree rotating driver console is completely redesigned for optimal ergonomics. The driver console unit is mounted eccentric on a rotating plate. During rotation of the driver console, the driver moves away from the side of the cabin to ensure sufficient space for the driver's feet.
  This so called Ergo-turn® system is unique and creates an ergonomic driver space under all circumstances. The system is proportionally controlled by rotating the steering wheel.  
  As the driver is positioned close to the window side of the tractor, a lot of damage will be prevented because of this Ergo-turn® positioning system while manoeuvring the trailers in the ships and in the narrow parking lots with trailers very close to each other. The new can-bus system results in a modest wiring loom to go through the rotating point of the swivelling device, to connect all the functions in the swivelling driving console to the tractor chassis.
• The visibility in the new cabin is optimised on all sides because the pillars have been designed to give the best viewing angle.
• For optimum safety the new cabin has a strong construction and is tested and approved according to the ROPS and FOPS regulations from the CE machine directive.
• Perfect protection of the cabin frame against corrosion is achieved by a painting system starting with a zinc coating. After a layer of a cataphorese primary coat, the final layer is applied electro statically.
• The new cabin is standard equipped with integrated noise isolation with dampening material both in the cabin floor and underneath the dashboard. The noise level is further lowered due to a viscous cooling fan on the engine and a big silencer in the exhaust system.

New chassis
For optimum strength, best access to service points and an extensive range of models in modular building, the new chassis is purposed build from steel plate instead of rectangular profiles.

• For high strength, tension-free welding and accurate measurements, the new chassis will be welded with a welding robot. The new robot with the latest technology will start producing the new chassis later this year.
• With the new chassis it is possible to equip the new Terberg RT’s with the most environmentally friendly engines, conform the Euromot 3B regulations for off road equipment.  (Mandatory in the years after 2010). Nevertheless the first engine has already been built in. The engines that we will build in, are using the SCR technology, with AdBlue as adjuvant to clean the exhaust gases in the exhaust system.
• The important development of the radiators on top of each other in stead of behind each other was not changed. In practice this solution has proven to be extremely effective. Even in the hottest climatical conditions, in combination with driving backwards, the driveline components are not overheating at all.

Total cost and driver
Designing the new tractor we kept clear in mind that the ergonomics for the driver should be perfect and that maintenance and repairs of the product during its entire lifetime should be as easy as possible. In the end the total cost of ownership is what is most important to our well organised customers. We are convinced with the new generation of Terberg RT tractors, we have succeeded in this task once again.

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