Holland, MI – December 8, 2003 – The Holland Group, Inc., a global leader in fifth wheel products and technologies, announces an extension of its highly regarded fifth wheel family of products. The new Holland FW17 Series fifth wheel is designed, developed, and tested using the same engineering traditions as the versatile Holland FW35 Series and the lightweight FW8 Series fifth wheels.
The FW17 shares the legacy of other Holland fifth wheel products in its design, development and validation. Cast steel construction has proven to be the optimum combination of durability and low weight for fifth wheel applications. The cast steel technology for fifth wheel application has evolved from a Holland foundry that was designed and equipped to specialize in the production of fifth wheel castings. This focus on fifth wheel castings has resulted in advancements in molding technologies and patent pending casting designs that allow the optimum placement of materials resulting in an extremely durable product, while minimizing the rib and skirt thickness for optimum weight reduction. The result is the lightest fifth wheel top plate in North America and a fifth wheel assembly that is up to 16% lighter than competitive assemblies.
In addition to the advancements in casting technology, the FW17 incorporates a uniquely designed release mechanism and adjustment system. The release mechanism is designed for the FW17 to reduce the force required to release the fifth wheel locks, while still assuring a reliable and safe couple. This is particularly important in minimizing the potential for driver and technician injury that can result from high release effort.
The lock system for the FW17 is adapted from another member of Holland’s fifth wheel family and was selected for its proven durability, reliability, and cost effectiveness. This lock system has been enhanced by patent pending technology covering the lock adjustment system. This advancement makes the adjustment system simple and readily accessible to minimize the labor required to adjust the system.
In addition to these innovative designs, the FW17 incorporates a number of popular features from other products in the Holland fifth wheel family. The FW17 is designed to fit on all current Holland mounting systems so it incorporates the same on-highway sliding and stationary mounting flexibility as other Holland products. It also means that the FW17 can be configured as a complete fifth wheel assembly with a mounting system, or as a top plate for replacement of previous Holland in-service units. The FW17 is also standard with an easy-grip drop handle to protect the handle from being damaged during a missed couple. Low maintenance features like NoLube pocket liners, grease grooves cast in the fifth wheel surface, and durable forged and heat treated lock sets are carried over from the FW35 and FW8. Given that safety is always the number one criteria for any Holland fifth wheel design, the FW17 also includes features like an automatic secondary lock, high couple protection and a visual indicator that confirms that the locks are safely closed.
The FW17 is recommended for up to 95,000 GCW, 5-axle on-highway applications, and is rated for up to a 50,000 lb vertical load. While no formal standard for determining fifth wheel ratings exists in North America, the legacy set by the FW35 and FW8 model fifth wheels required that the FW17 undergo the same specialized testing criteria that have established the Holland name as the world’s foremost fifth wheel supplier. In all the FW17 endured over 19 different test requirements covering every aspect of the durability and reliability that Holland customers have come to expect from Holland products in North America and the rest of the world. These tests included static and dynamic evaluations of vertical capacity, coupling capability, coupling endurance, individual component testing, multi-axis fatigue tests based on world standards as well as unique in-house requirements for the North American market, accelerated durability testing on a test track and extensive field evaluations. The value of these demanding requirements is evident in the development of a lightweight, durable and reliable fifth wheel without compromising performance and customer satisfaction.
In addition to design and test, the FW17 shares the legacy of Holland field support and Holland’s commitment to total customer satisfaction.
The FW17 is the newest member of the Holland fifth wheel family. The FW17 is the lightest fifth wheel in North America, with the lowest release effort and reduced maintenance features - building on the demonstrated tradition of all Holland fifth wheel products and supported by a proven distribution network.
The Holland FW17 fifth wheel......lightweight, quality, reliability, durability, performance, and cost all in one package.