THE STARTING point was a demanding aerospace application in which sensitive aircraft structures weighing up to 40 tonnes had to be moved safely. The solution had to protect components, enable precise transfers, cover different areas of operation and integrate reliably into existing processes. As such, it serves as an example of the requirements found in industries with large-format loads.

The vehicle combines electric drive technology with a coordinated chassis, steering and lifting concept. The SFX heavy-duty platform combines a steer-lift drive system, automatic height levelling and 360-degree multidirectional all-wheel steering. This allows transport frames to be picked up, manoeuvred and positioned with control and precision.

At almost 17 metres long and nearly 3.5 metres wide, the SFX 40-SO moves loads of up to 40 tonnes. Despite these dimensions, the vehicle delivers precise and consistent handling. Steering, lifting function and automatic level compensation guide sensitive loads reliably. The variable travel height supports driving underneath loads, lifting and positioning. During travel, hydraulic axle compensation offsets uneven ground; when lifting and at a standstill, the support system ensures smooth load handling.

The load capacity is 40 tonnes. Based on the scalable SFX platform, capacities from 10 to 150 tonnes can be realised.

Safe operation indoors and outdoors

A key aspect of the application is transport along real plant routes. Components have to be moved between production areas, storage areas and transfer points. Changing surfaces, transitions, gradients and weather conditions must not compromise load guidance or process safety.

For this reason, the SFX 40-SO was designed for combined indoor and outdoor use. The platform combines a robust industrial design, protected components and a chassis that compensates for uneven ground. Corrosion-protected components and a coordinated thermal management system support operation on concrete, asphalt or paving. This allows the transport process to continue in a controlled manner beyond defined indoor areas.

Electric performance with high availability

Electrification was also considered in line with the application profile. An electric heavy-duty solution has to reduce local emissions, remain reliably available, provide sufficient range and fit into synchronised production processes.

In a range test, the SFX 40-SO travelled 12 kilometres under high load and still had more than 40 per cent battery capacity remaining afterwards. At the same time, the electric drive reduces local emissions, including CO₂, particulate matter and noise.

Another key requirement for the HUBTEX solution was high machine availability during operation. The SFX 40-SO platform therefore combines assistance systems with a redundant energy and control architecture. Depending on the infrastructure, semi-automatic lane guidance systems can use LiDAR laser sensor technology or camera-based guidance. They support positioning processes, make manoeuvring easier and guide heavy loads to transfer points in a controlled manner.

The SFX 40-SO demonstrates how customer-specific special-purpose engineering at HUBTEX takes shape: the solution does not start with an individual technical feature, but with the real transport process. The result is a coordinated overall system comprising load guidance, component protection, operating environment, electrification and availability.