Spedition Kübler has completed the transportation of a 500-tonne, 50-meter-long submarine using 30 Scheuerle InterCombi axle lines. The impressive operation took place in Germany, with the submarine being transported from the natural harbor at Speyer to the Technik Museum, located four kilometers away. The expertise of Kübler and the exceptional capabilities of the Scheuerle InterCombi modules were crucial in making this feat possible.
During the initial attempt, the push-pull vehicle combination faced a slight setback when it encountered difficulty entering the Technik Museum Speyer grounds due to a fire alarm pillar obstructing the designated route by mere centimeters. The combination, measuring over 70 meters in length, had to reverse out. The main challenge of this heavy transport was the length of the load. The weight of the 485-tonne U17 submarine and the nearly 100 tonnes of the Scheuerle InterCombi axle lines required the distribution of weight across 30 axle lines to ensure a safe road load of only 2.48 tonnes per wheel, minimizing the impact on the road surface.
After being transported to the natural harbor of Speyer, the U17 submarine, a 54-meter-long Class 206 A submarine, was ferried across a nature reserve forest floor, which necessitated special protection measures. The complete vehicle combination, including a tractor unit and a pusher machine, spanned almost 70 meters in length. Additional towing and pushing vehicles were occasionally required to safeguard the road surface from the immense traction, resulting in an overall vehicle combination length of approximately 90 meters.
The second attempt proved successful as the transport combination smoothly entered the Technik Museum. Within minutes, the transporter and the U17 submarine, on loan from the military technology study collection of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, were positioned on the open-air site of the museum, awaiting restoration. The achievement was met with enthusiastic applause from numerous onlookers.
Frieder Saam, a professional driver and transport manager at Spedition Kübler, expressed satisfaction at the safe delivery of the load, emphasizing the five years of planning that went into this extraordinary transport. Saam highlighted the importance of not only expertise and driving skills but also the right transport equipment. The 30 InterCombi axle lines from TII Scheuerle, known for their high quality and robustness, played a vital role in the operation.
The Scheuerle InterCombi series, characterized by its solidity and versatility, perfectly suited the requirements of the transport. With a modular platform vehicle that has a width of 3 meters, the InterCombi series can accommodate a wide range of transport assignments. Its low platform height and wide support base make it suitable for loads with high centers of gravity, as demonstrated in the U17 transport. InterCombi modules can be configured as trailer combinations, tractor-trailer combinations, or self-propelled transporters, enabling the realization of even the heaviest transports on public roads.
Despite encountering bottlenecks and obstacles along the four-kilometer route, including a close call at an intersection in the industrial area, the InterCombi performed flawlessly. The highly maneuverable InterCombi, with a maximum steering angle of +/- 60 degrees, safely navigated the vehicle combination around bends. The hydraulically supported pendulum axles with a total axle compensation of 650 millimeters allowed the load to overcome roadway obstacles and negotiate inclined grassed areas, ensuring a smooth journey.
Loading the U17 onto the InterCombi modules the day before the transport went smoothly. After being anchored in the Kiel Fjord and crossing the North Sea on an ocean-going floating pontoon, the submarine arrived at the shore-connected pontoon, where it was hydraulically raised to a height of 1.4 meters using eight hydraulic cylinders. This allowed the 30 axle lines to be positioned underneath.
In 2024, the U17 will make its return journey to the Technik Museum Sinsheim, located 40 kilometers away, once again using TII Scheuerle transport equipment. Kübler’s heavy-haulage professionals will ensure the safe transportation of this maritime museum exhibit, delighting onlookers once more.
