Jost to make coupling and uncoupling automatic

Coupling and uncoupling a trailer is still a lengthy and hazardous procedure, with the constant temptation to ‘short cut’ the correct method.

Accident statistics from around the world show that professional truck drivers suffer falls quite often. Simply getting in and out of the cab or climbing on and off the chassis can result in an accident.

As befits the global market leader in fifth wheel couplings and landing gear, Jost has come up with a way of reducing driver hazards and saving time.

Jost’s KKS automatic coupling system was launched at the IAA show and consists of a KKS 42 fifth-wheel coupling, Modul E-Drive electric landing gear, sensor coupling system, three-sensors, LubeTronic automatic lubrication system, KKS remote control and an ISO 13044-2-certified KKS connector.

The system is available now in Europe and is in the planning stage for release Down Under.

Jost Australia has plans to introduce KKS, but hasn’t yet provided us with an on-sale date. Corey Povey, Jost Australia’s head of sales, said that KKS is Europe-only at this point, “but is definitely on our radar”.

When uncoupling with KKS, the driver no longer needs to climb out from the cab, crank down the landing legs, climb behind the cab, unplug the coiled air and electrical cables and pull the fifth wheel pin-lock open.

The driver is guided through the coupling process with sensors providing live information on the KKS remote control during every step of the process.

The Modul E-Drive electric landing legs automatically deploy at the push of a button and the fifth wheel is unlocked remotely. Then, the coiled cables for air, electrics and ABS/EBS no longer need to be detached manually, because the KKS connectors on the fifth wheel and trailer detach the electrical and pneumatic connections.

For the coupling process, the driver raises the truck’s air suspension to bring the fifth wheel coupling plate into contact with the trailer skid plate, at which point the trailer’s KKS plate sensor indicates that both are touching.

Once this information is displayed on the KKS remote control, the truck is reversed until the king pin has securely engaged in the lock of the fifth wheel coupling and the mechanism closes.

The position of the king pin and the correct locking of the fifth wheel coupling are also monitored by sensors and displayed to the driver on the KKS remote control.

Together with the mechanical connection via the king pin, the KKS connector also automatically connects the air, electrics, ABS and EBS.

Using a KKS can cut the time required to pick up or drop a trailer by half, Jost claims, as there is no need to manually crank the landing gear, connect the supply lines or open the fifth wheel coupling. A standard pneumatic cylinder opens the fifth wheel coupling effortlessly, even when the truck-trailer is twisted.

Errors or damage caused during the coupling process are said to be eliminated almost completely, thanks to remote operation and monitoring through the KKS. As an example, the Modul E-Drive landing legs fully retract automatically.

Related reading:
How to adjust a Jost fifth wheel
How to couple and uncouple a semi trailer
Driver coaching drives profit

KKS makes the physically demanding tasks of the coupling process things of the past, as well as ensuring that this process is no longer made more hazardous by the weather or time of day.

The automatic coupling process means that the driver does not have to climb in and out of the cab as often, nor climb onto the catwalk – two factors that significantly reduce the potential for injury.

At the IAA, Joachim Dürr, CEO of Jost Werke AG, was enthusiastic about the KKS automatic coupling system.

“Innovative KKS provides our customers in the highly competitive logistics sector with clear benefits with regard to safety and efficiency,” he said.

Drivers also benefit, as using the KKS significantly reduces the risk of injury during the complex coupling process, while simultaneously making it more convenient.

“I am delighted that we are taking a big step towards highly automated, convenient and safe logistics solutions with this system and are making our contribution to autonomous driving as a supplier,” Joachim Dürr concluded.