Ensuring Safe Wood Hauling

Alucar tests its products according to national vehicle regulations and Traficom’s cargo body regulations. The products have been granted certificates and conformity assurances, which testify to both reliability and responsibility.

In 2021, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, introduced new, stricter cargo body regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to promote safety in timber transportation by securing the load as effectively as possible in all situations. The risk of inadequately secured loads could, for example, be individual logs coming loose during transport or an entire bundle coming loose during emergency braking.

Authorities’ requirements have further developed Alucar’s testing processes and, consequently, its products. Alucar’s role as a manufacturer is to test product categories such as headboards, stakes, load tensioners, and subframe attachments to ensure they meet durability standards. Side protection guards are also tested according to other vehicle legislation requirements.

– For example, load tensioners must always have a certain tension force in relation to the payload of the timber truck. The force of our tensioners is tested, and the products are marked with an LC value (Lashing Capacity). The LC value must be clearly visible on the tensioner itself, says Alucar’s product development engineer, Jarkko Kytölä.

Based on test results, Alucar has reinforced its products as necessary to meet regulatory requirements. Test reports are always produced based on factual testing, and there are several approved methods for conducting the tests. In destructive testing, the product is stressed with such force that it breaks – through this, the exact strength value is obtained. The tensioners are tested in their entirety, and durability is determined based on the weakest point. In the testing of bunks, it is the stakes and how much their tops bend outward under a certain force that is tested.

– There are several methods for testing headboards. For example, a certain force can be applied to the board to determine the maximum compressive force with which it returns to its original position. The subframe attachments, on the other hand, do not require strength or load tests, but we need to demonstrate that we have followed the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Based on this, a mounting certificate for the cargo body is signed, says Leif Finne, Alucar’s product manager.

In product development, Alucar has always focused on durability and lightness. The latest regulatory requirements have raised the bar even higher, and Alucar has deliberately responded to the challenge. Leif and Jarkko are proud of the products, which not only meet all requirements but also promote safety in timber transportation. Through skillful planning, there has been no need to compromise on weight.

– Product development is a continuous optimization process to minimize product weight and maximize payload. With the right parameters, we seek the golden mean that is the most durable, lightest, and safest for the customer, Leif says.

Alucar’s Certificates

Alucar’s operations and production are guided by numerous certification systems. These are evidence of product safety, reliability, and durability. The regulations vary from country to country, and by applying these, Alucar demonstrates its responsibility as a bodybuilder.

Cargo Body Regulation: Traficom’s regulation on cargo bodies and cargo securing.
EN 12642: The headboard must withstand at least 50% of the load weight according to the XL standard requirements.
E-type Approval: Alucar uses components approved by the authorities that meet the technical requirements placed on them. The E-rules are managed by the UN agency UNECE.
CoP (Conformity of Production): Production conformity is audited by expert companies authorized by Traficom.
CE Marking (Machinery Directive): According to international safety regulations, machines and equipment should have CE marking, and there should also be appropriate documentation about the products.
ISO 9001: Quality Management System, audited by a certification body.
ISO 14001: Environmental Management, audited by a certification body.