| Photo of the month – August 2025 |
[German version] |
Solid concrete in a rust-corroded mixer!
Figure 1 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 2 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
A three-axle concrete mixer truck with dried concrete in the mixing drum was on its way from France to Africa via the Netherlands. For the Dutch transport operator, everything started out looking like a perfectly normal journey. But then in Belgium, just a few hours into the trip, the operation came within inches of disaster.
Even though, at first glance, the load appeared to be secured satisfactorily, the lowloader shed the approximately 15-tonne mixing drum at the Cheratte (B) motorway intersection (E40 motorway linking Brussels and Aachen in the direction of the E25 from Liège to Maastricht).
Figure 3 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
It was a miracle that no vehicles were traveling in the other lane at that precise moment.
This is how the truck carrying the mixing drum was secured:
Figure 4 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
The search for the causes:
Figure 5 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 5 clearly shows that the truck was still relatively well secured on the lowloader. The concrete drum fell to the left from the vehicle and was unable to withstand the lateral acceleration generated in this right-hand bend.
Figure 6 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 6 gives us some initial clues as to why the mixing drum was able to escape. The support block has been ripped off to the left.
Figure 7 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 7 shows the hardened concrete in the mixing drum. Together, the drum and the concrete weighed approximately 15 tonnes.
Figure 8 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 9 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 10 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Another reason can be seen in Figures 9 and 10: A number of bolt connections were missing in the supporting frame. One of the torn-off bolts was found lying close to the motorway.
Figure 11 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
However, it is Figure 11 that shows us what was probably the real reason: Massive rusting meant that the frame could no longer withstand the loads to which it was subjected. The result was that the mixing drum was ripped away from the vehicle.
Figure 12 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Figure 13 -[KLSK- Raymond Lausberg]
Conclusion:
A conscientiously conducted inspection prior to departure, in particular in view of the visibly recognizable poor condition (massive rusting) of the supporting frame and support block, could have prevented the loss of this load
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