Tunneling vehicle
- APPLICATION Tunneling vehicle
- TYPE Steering axle
- PAYLOAD 5 000 kg
- BRAKING Motor or drum brake
- SUSPENSION Leave springs
- STEERING Hydraulic cylinder
A bespoke axle for tunnel boring machine support vehicles
Paillard’s axle for tunnelling vehicles is designed to equip the service vehicles and trailers operating behind tunnel boring machines during major civil engineering projects: railway, road, metro and hydraulic tunnels. With a maximum load capacity of 5,000 kg, it is dimensioned for the transport of segments, lining materials, heavy equipment or personnel through narrow and demanding galleries.
Its robust construction allows it to withstand the specific constraints of underground environments: dust, humidity, continuous vibration and repeated passages over uneven or excavation-soiled surfaces. Part of our broader range of bespoke axles for construction and public works, this axle brings the same reliability standards to the specific challenges of tunnelling operations.
A hydraulic cylinder steering axle for precise tunnel manoeuvring
Operating inside a tunnel under construction demands absolute steering precision: manoeuvring spaces are reduced, lateral margins are minimal, and every positioning move must be fully controlled. Paillard’s steering axle, equipped with hydraulic cylinder steering, delivers the powerful assistance required for heavy loads.
This technology enables the operator to fine-tune the vehicle’s trajectory, perform U-turns in narrow sections and precisely align equipment relative to the tunnel boring machine or logistics convoys. A reliable solution, essential for securing the rotations between storage areas and the working face, where every metre matters and every manoeuvre must be safe.
Heavy-duty braking and suspension for demanding loads
To meet the constraints of underground construction sites, the axle features either an engine brake or a drum brake — a system particularly well suited to tunnel environments. The enclosed drum effectively protects the braking components against dust, water splashes and excavation mud, extending the system’s service life and reducing maintenance operations.
The leaf spring suspension complements this setup by evenly distributing heavy loads (up to 5,000 kg) and absorbing shocks caused by passages over degraded surfaces or areas covered with excavation debris. Together, these components guarantee vehicle stability and secure operations, even in the toughest tunnelling conditions.
Bespoke French engineering for tunnel boring operators
Each tunnelling project having its own constraints (tunnel gauge, type of equipment transported, convoy configuration), Paillard designs each axle as a bespoke solution based on your specifications. Our in-house design office analyses the key technical parameters with you: load capacity, dimensions, mounting interfaces, braking system and steering configuration.
Manufacturing is then carried out in our French workshops, with rigorous quality control at every stage — a guarantee of reliability and durability. A recognised expertise built over more than 100 years, dedicated to the leading players in underground works and heavy civil engineering.