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JOST
Page 40
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The Future The Comfort Coupling System (KKS) automated coupling system from German fifth-wheel manufacturer Jost is the Health & Safety Executive's answer to ultimate coupling safety (CM, 20 November 2008).
The system is susie-free: the driver controls coupling and uncoupling from the cab using buttons. The interface for the pneumatic and electrical connections is a box sitting below the jaws of the fifth wheel, and on the trailer the interface sits behind the kingpin.
In the cab, the driver has a display panel, which has audio and visual warnings. The only manual part is releasing the trailer brake.
The advantages are wide ranging, says Jose Alguera, Jost vice-president, including: reducing coupling/uncoupling time, minimising maintenance and external damage, improving safety, and encouraging pre-set closer coupling to reduce the gap between truck and trailer.
The core market, says Alguera, will be supermarket fleets with several trailer drops and pick-ups every shift. "It's easy for an engineer to make things complex, but simplicity aids robustness and reliability."