trailer world Issue One 2012

Optimum special transport does not always require many axles and huge horsepower.

Ausgabe Eins 2012 27 Knowledge Oats for fuel  Elephants were used in India even in ancient times as helpers in heavy work. Today they are still used in Asia especially in the forestry industry. The animals can work very well even in inac- cessible forest areas and they carry loads weighing tonnes. To do this, they use their trunks and tusks. Because hooves are gen- tler on the ground in contrast to large machines, horses are still used today in Europe in the for- estry industry. The four-legged friend also save energy: their fuel consists of oats and hay. Leg power and wheels “Chukudu” – this is the sound made by a wooden trolley used in Africa to transport loads, so this is also what it is called. The cycle rickshaw drivers in China also rely on wheels and leg power to carry seemingly impossible loads. Even in Europe, people are rediscovering such two or three-wheeled vehicles as a means of transport: they are used by courier and parcel services, which can avoid traffic jams and move quickly through the inner city, and can also deliver more than a courier rider in his rucksack. Hardy companions Mules and donkeys are patient companions when it comes to carrying baggage– whether with German moun- tain troops (far left) or after an earthquake in Pakistan, where they deliver relief supplies (left). The animals are easy to tame, very un- demanding and considered to be especially tough: heat and dryness hardly bother them, and they can get by much longer without food and water than a horse. Photos:FredrikvonErichsen/dpa,Lange/HelgaLade, epa/DiegoAzubek/dpa, epa/StephenMorrison/dpa,RobertHaas/dpa,MatthiasSchrader/dpa, epa/MusaFarman/dpa Unusual load-carriers

trailer world Issue One 2012

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