A Turkish haulage operator is currently transporting a huge armine absorber unit across the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan on its way to a flue gas desulfurization plant located in the town of Eloten. As a long-standing customer of SCHEUERLE, Member to Cargo Equipment Experts CEE network, the operator is thereby relying on the robust InterCombi platform trailer. Plant operator "T'rkmengas" is the largest gas supply company in Central Asia.

Since November 2010, the haulage contractor from Turkey has been transporting armine absorber units at regular intervals from Turkmenbashi, a port on the Caspian Sea, to Eloten - a journey of about 1,300 km. Around 80% (approx. 1,000 km) of the route travels over rough desert dunes. The Karakum Desert occupies about 70% of Turkmenistan and covers an area of over 350,000 km'. They are using SCHEUERLE InterCombi platform trailers with 24 axle lines for this very demanding assignment. An additional 12 axle lines InterCombi SL ("split type") are laterally coupled. As the "split type" can be divided longitudinally, this means - in connection with the standard InterCombi platform trailer - the transportation unit can also be extended laterally. This so-called "3-file" combination provides improved stability if the centre of gravity of the load is higher.

The approx. 600 t load is being pulled and pushed by 3 Mercedes 8x4 2MB 3850 6x6 WSK truck tractors. The total combination is over 40 m long, 7.5 m wide and almost 7 m high. For handling such dimensions, a number of precautions had to be taken. All bridges which were to be crossed on route have been fitted with special bridge crossing systems. In addition, obstacles such as electricity pylons and road signs have to be continually removed and then re-positioned. As a result, a single delivery takes an average of 60 days. Furthermore, asphalted roads had to be specially built for these transportations for the remaining 300 km of the route.

Regardless whether it is unevenness on the roads or the extreme temperatures experienced in the desert - InterCombi platform trailers have been designed to deal with the challenge of both long-distance transport on the road and special operating conditions. The modular design provides an extensive selection of transportation solutions which are based on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8-axle platform trailers. These can be coupled both longitudinally and laterally. With a 36 t technical axle load, the InterCombi is suitable for the safe transport of heavy loads and offers sufficient reserves through the robust construction of the frame, also with extreme loads. As an extension of the InterCombi series, the InterCombi PB (Power Booster) is available which is equipped with activatable drive axles and, if required, is driven likewise by a activatable PowerPack Unit (PPU), e.g. for gradients - without the use of an additional tractor.