Load support: how to choose and use the landing gear

For those who work with heavy loads and in severe environmental conditions, it is very important to ensure that the equipment used offers complete resistance and safety.

The use of landing gear to support loads facilitates adaptation to different heights, reduces the physical effort of the operator, optimizes production and guarantees the safety and quality of the entire process of supporting and moving loads.

See how the landing gear works

The landing gear is a steel tube of square or round section that slides telescopically into a tube of a slightly larger size, through the action of an external crank, which acts directly on a screw of suitable dimensions.

This equipment has a robust structure that rests on the floor at the bottom. It is generally used on single axle trailers and is installed in the front, in the raised part of the tiller, so as not to create an obstacle when at rest and during the cornering phases.

The landing gear is used in almost all towed equipment for suspension and support of small loads, such as agricultural trailers, planters, sprayers, trailers, and trailers in general.

It allows the detachment and disposal of these machines at rest, in addition to facilitating their resumption. Easy to operate, these devices enable precise and individual adjustment and perfect leveling, even in rough terrain.

See how to choose landing gear

Load-bearing equipment must be chosen according to weight lifting needs and working conditions. They must contain easily understandable information about their functions and specify the supported load limit.

The landing gear are available on the market in different models and dimensions and can also be manufactured according to customer specifications and needs.

This equipment must be used on trailers with reduced capacity, between 1,500 to 7,500 kg. Otherwise, the operator’s physical effort during the detachment phase would be very high, and it would be difficult to adapt the trailer to different heights in the resumption phase.

For larger machines, mechanical lifting devices equipped with angle reducers must be used, so that the movement in the screw is transmitted through an angle reducer, which significantly reduces the operator’s efforts. In this way, it is also possible to highlight trailers of up to 28 tons of cargo.

Discover the Robustec line of landing gear

Developed for the most different applications, the Robustec landing gear have two activation speeds – high, to bring the shoe closer to the ground, and low, used to suspend the load.

These equipments offer three options of actuation – lateral, superior, and articulated -, giving more practicality and comfort in handling the operator. They are designed and produced to ensure high quality and robustness to withstand work in severe conditions.

Robustec landing gear are capable of supporting 1500 kg, 3000 kg, and 7500 kg. The first two allow lifting up to 250 mm, 4 mm around the crank, while the 7500 kg landing gear has a lifting capacity of 370 mm and 4.4 mm around the crank.

The finishing of the pieces is done in powder epoxy painting and electrolytic zinc plating, which ensures greater protection during exposure to aggressive environments. In addition, this equipment complies with technical requirements and meets customer needs.

Lift weights up to 28 tons

For those who work with heavy trailers and in severe conditions, Robustec lifting devices guarantee safety, stability, and robustness. They are used in agricultural and road trailers, planters, distributors, sprayers, agricultural implements, trailers, and industrial equipment.

Suitable for semi-trailers with mechanical suspension, the lifting devices are equipped with an extender and a T-shoe, which supports tilting in the direction of travel. With a capacity of 24T, they weigh approximately 80 kg.

Lifting devices with extenders and T-shoes, which support tilting in the direction of travel, are indicated for use on semi-trailers with mechanical suspension. With a capacity of 28T, they weigh between 80 kg and 86 kg.

And lifting devices with extenders and S-shoes, which compensate for forward and backward inclinations, are suitable for air-suspended semi-trailers. With a capacity of 28T, it has an approximate weight of 107 kg.

Lifting devices without an extender and with a T-shoe, which support tilting in the direction of travel, are indicated for use on semi-trailers with mechanical suspension. They have a capacity of 24T and an approximate weight of 77 Kg.

And there are also the lifting apparatus with extender and with S shoe, which compensates for forward and backward inclinations, which are indicated for semi-trailers with air suspension. With a capacity of 12T and a static load of 25T, it offers a slow working advance with a load (slow idle) of 1.0 mm per turn on the crank and fast advance with foot approach to the ground (high gear) of 10.6 mm per back on the crank. Its weight is about 55 Kg.

Robustec lifting devices have two drive speeds – high, to bring the shoe closer to the ground, and low, used to suspend the load. High speed is used to bring the shoe closer to the ground, and low speed, lighter and slower, should be used to suspend the load.

Developed for the most different applications, Robustec lifting devices are interchangeable with national and imported models, ensuring flexibility and agility. With self-lubricating bushings and bearings, they enable smooth, noise-free operation.

These products have an ultra-resistant finish for greater durability. They are first subjected to a severe cleaning process, after which phosphorization and an anti-corrosion epoxy base are applied, and finally, they receive epoxy finish paint.

With a body developed in structural steel, with high carbon content and high-strength laminated spindle, and tempered gears, these products offer excellent resistance and longer life.

Pay attention to safety recommendations

The operation of attaching and detaching towed equipment involves risks, even when it is at rest. Therefore, it is necessary to be judicious when choosing the place where the detachment will be carried out to avoid undue movements or falls. The identified surface must be horizontal and with regular paving.

Before removing the trailer coupling pin, check that the parking brake device has been inserted correctly.

If the trailer needs to be parked on a slope, it is essential also to arrange it perpendicular to the main wheels.

As we have seen, the landing gear are the simple equipment to use and capable of offering total security to the operations, as long as the appropriate conditions are observed for each use and the safety recommendations.