The companyLigro Trading from Panheel (Netherlands) is specialized in the rental, import, export and sales of construction equipment. They have one of the largest Caterpillar fleets of the Netherlands. A large portion of this equipment is formed by the 350'er and 375'er excavators as well the 988F-II wheelloaders.

To transport these machines to their customers or to the garage, they have their own truck. It is a mighty bonneted Scania with a 14 liter V8 engine which delivers 530 hp. It has a Scania torque converter built in. The lowloader is built by Nooteboom and is equipped with a interdolly. Configuration: 2-bed-4.

On these pictures we see how the Scania came to the garage to deliver one of Ligro’s own 988F-II 's, equipped with a huge shovel(!!), for repairs. This shovel weighs about 45 tons. The tires of the shovel are hanging besides the bed of the lowloader to reduce the transportheight at about 4.2 meters.

Two aluminium ramps as well as two wooden planks are laying on the back of the trailer. These planks can be used to widen the bed of the trailer to its full width.

The livery of this truck is relatively simple but beautiful at the same time. A rarity in the heavy haulage scene!

Behind the cab there are two stainless steel exhaust pipes to complete the "look" of the truck.

The exhaust which is mounted below the dieseltank doesn't has a muffler!! This pipe can be opened by a valve which is mounted in the exhaust-system. A really "symphonic sound" can be heard when the valve is opened :-)

Further we find a extra dieseltank with built-in toolbox. The total fuel capacity of this truck is about 1100 liters. This is important because you don't fit under the roof of a gasstation anymore with heights above 4 meters.

A impressive combination !!!

The first thing that is done is putting the trailer in it's highest position. By doing this, a lot of room is created between the tires of the shovel and the ground.

After that all chains are loosened. The shovel is now resting with it's front-axle on large pieces of wood and with it's ballast on the backside of the trailer.

Now some big wooden blocks are being put under the rear tires of the shovel. After that, the entire trailer is lowered until it lays at the ground. The shovel is now standing with it's front-tires on the ground and with it's rear tires on wooden blocks. The wooden blocks under the front-axle can also be removed now.

The Interdolly is being pulled away so that the shovel now has all the room it needs to drive away.

The wooden blocks under the rear tires are meant to prevent contact between the rearside of the trailer and the ballast of the shovel during the driving.

After the unloading of the shovel the Interdolly and all the hoses are connected to the trailer again.

Empty and ready for the next heavy Caterpillar!!

On this page you find some more pictures of this tractor. These pictures where made early october 2003 at Ligro’s homebase in Panheel (NL).