Minnkota Power Cooperative Looks to Felling Trailers for Transformer Transportation Solution
SAUK CENTRE, Minn. — Minnkota Power Cooperative recruited Felling Trailers to replace an antiquated mechanical detachable gooseneck semi-trailer.
Minnkota Power Cooperative is an electric generation and transmission company headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota that needed to replace an antiquated mechanical detachable gooseneck semi-trailer for their fleet. Fleet Supervisor Keith Millette looked to Felling Trailers to fill this need. The detachable gooseneck is primarily for hauling transformers weighing 85k to 100k but is also be a multipurpose unit, transporting payloaders and forklifts as needed.
Millette worked with Felling Trailers' sale representative Laurie Engle to configure the trailer build. The result was an XF-110-3 HDG-L (low) 55-ton hydraulic detach built to spec, equipped with booster/stinger to compensate for the needed load transfer when hauling transformers.
The features most important to Millette were the hydraulic detachable gooseneck (vs. the mechanical), the low deck design (19.5" loaded, 6" ground clearance) and the ability to build the trailer to our specifications. A hydraulic gooseneck is safer to use as the neck can be raised to allow the truck fifth wheel to attach without having to pick up the main deck in the process as you would with a mechanical gooseneck. Other advantages of the hydraulic vs. mechanical gooseneck include a quicker detach/attach of the gooseneck in rough, uneven or wet terrain, and the hydraulic gooseneck can be raised or lowered to change the front deck height for ground clearance or overhead obstructions. The XF-110-3 HDG-L has a full-load capacity in 12' with a 13' hydraulic detachable gooseneck, 108" swing clearance with a two-position kingpin at 96" and 108". Main deck length of 18' (full 2" white oak on outer bays and center of the deck) with a 45º approx. full height trunnion approach with ¼" tread plate cover over the center of the trunnion and approach paired with a one-piece full-length wheel covers, and 20K load bearing. Additional features were incorporated for operator safety and ease of use, such as strobe light/flasher kit safety lighting and a self-contained 11-13 HP hydraulic system with an electric start. Minnkota Power Cooperative's fleet consists of 106 trailers, with approximately 60 of them from Felling Trailers.
"We have been a Felling (Trailers) customer for 20 years," said Keith Millette. "We choose Felling Trailers because they are well built and hold up to the rugged use needed for our company's line of work. When we do our annual trailer inspections year after year, Felling requires the least amount of repairs compared to other trailer manufacturers we use."
For more information, please visit www.felling.com.
About Minnkota Power Cooperative
Minnkota Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D. Formed in 1940, Minnkota provides wholesale electric energy to 11 member-owner distribution cooperatives located in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. These members serve nearly 137,000 consumer accounts in a 34,500 square-mile area, including many of the region's homes, farms, schools, and businesses. Minnkota is committed to delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electricity.
About Felling Trailers, Inc.
Felling Trailers is a family-owned and operated Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central Minnesota. Started in 1974, Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 325,000 square feet. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest Industry-leading design techniques, and its experienced metal craftspeople use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers' conceptual trailer needs into a tangible product. Felling has been providing innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for over 45 years. Felling Trailers' current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. Felling Trailers, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certified company, WBENC-Certified WBE company, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Source: Felling Trailers Press Release
