Modern agriculture, contracting and biomass logistics face increasing transport demands:

• longer transport distances

• higher road speeds

• increasing fuel costs

• reduced labor availability

• stricter road regulations

• growing focus on sustainability and soil protection

To meet these challenges, Metsjö develops advanced transport platforms engineered for:

• high payload efficiency

• low operating costs

• reduced soil compaction

• long-distance agricultural transport

• safe high-speed road transport

• future-proof logistics operations

Metsjö offers EU type approved tractor trailers and hook lift trailers according to Regulation (EU) 167/2013, the European framework regulation governing agricultural and forestry vehicles.

The approvals cover both:

• 40 km/h

• 60 km/h

transport configurations and include:

• Category R3A

• Category R3B

• Category R4A

• Category R4B

depending on axle configuration, suspension system and operational specification.

This ensures:

• harmonized approval throughout the European Union

• simplified vehicle registration

• compatibility across European markets

• compliance for high-speed agricultural transport

• support for modern long-distance transport operations

Approval for 60 km/h agricultural trailers remains uncommon within the industry and positions Metsjö among a limited number of manufacturers offering high-speed agricultural transport solutions without compromising safety, durability or stability.

The EU type approval is available across Metsjö’s trailer platforms, including:

• MetaQ modular tipping trailers

• MetaFlex hook lift trailers

• MetaK push-off trailers

allowing operators to configure transport solutions according to local regulations, operational demands and tractor specifications.

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Built for safety at higher transport speeds

Operating agricultural trailers at higher road speeds requires more than stronger brakes. Stability, chassis geometry, suspension performance and intelligent braking systems become critical.

All EU-approved Metsjö trailers can be equipped with:

• ABS braking systems

• Load-sensing air brakes

• Trailer Safety Systems with RSS (Roll Stability Support)

• Side marker lights with integrated indicators

These systems improve:

• braking stability

• rollover resistance

• directional control

• road safety

• transport stability

• visibility in traffic

even under demanding operating conditions and high payload transport.

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Hydraulic suspension engineered for stability and efficiency

A key advantage of Metsjö trailers is the advanced hydraulic suspension system developed for:

• high-speed transport

• low soil compaction

• active weight transfer

• superior stability

• improved operator control

Unlike conventional suspension systems, Metsjö hydraulic suspension combines:

• laser aligned axles

• active weight distribution

• optimized chassis geometry

• high roll stability

This is especially important when transporting:

• high-volume forage bodies

• hook lift containers

• high center-of-gravity loads

• biomass and bulk materials

The hydraulic suspension system contributes to:

• improved transport stability

• lower rolling resistance

• reduced tyre wear

• improved tracking stability

• lower fuel consumption

• reduced soil impact

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MetaQ – Modular trailer platform with interchangeable bodies

The MetaQ series is an advanced modular tipping trailer platform approved for interchangeable bodies.

Unlike conventional agricultural tipping trailers, MetaQ allows operators to exchange bodies depending on transport application.

The same chassis can therefore be used for:

• forage transport

• grain transport

• dumper and gravel transport

• bale transport

• machinery transport

• biomass transport

• bulk logistics

Because the majority of the trailer cost is concentrated in the chassis, suspension system, braking systems and axle platform, the modular MetaQ concept creates a significant economic advantage.

Instead of investing in multiple complete trailers, operators can utilize one high-performance chassis platform across multiple seasonal applications.

This improves:

• annual utilization rate

• payload efficiency

• long-term profitability

• fleet flexibility

• resale value

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MetaQ specifications

MetaQ is available with body lengths from:

• 4 metres
  up to

• 9.5 metres

Transport capacities include:

• up to 55 m³ forage

• up to 40 m³ grain

• up to 25 m³ gravel or aggregates

MetaQ is available in:

• 3-axle configurations

• 4-axle configurations

with approved gross vehicle weights up to:

• 44 tonnes

The high transport capacity enables:

• fewer transport cycles

• lower fuel consumption per transported tonne

• improved operational efficiency during peak seasons

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MetaFlex – High-capacity hook lift trailers

The MetaFlex series is Metsjö’s range of EU type approved hook lift trailers engineered for:

• modular container transport

• low working height

• low tare weight

• high legal payload

• efficient long-distance transport

• contracting operations

• biomass logistics

• industrial bulk transport

All MetaFlex hook lift trailers are compatible with:

• European standard hook lift containers

Applications include:

• grain containers

• dumper containers

• biomass containers

• machinery transport platforms

• flatbeds

• recycling containers

• agricultural bulk transport

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MetaFlex models

Model	Axles	Container Length	Approx. Own Weight
MetaFlex 45	2 axle	4–4.5 m	approx. 2.3 tonnes
MetaFlex 40-60	2 axle	4–6 m	approx. 3.1 tonnes
MetaFlex 50-65	2 or 3 axle	5–6.5 m	approx. 4.3 tonnes
MetaFlex 60-75	3 or 4 axle	6–8 m	approx. 5.8 tonnes

MetaFlex trailers are approved for:

• gross vehicle weights up to 44 tonnes

The exceptionally low tare weight enables:

• very high legal payloads

• improved transport economy

• reduced fuel consumption

• optimized axle loads

• maximized payload within legal limits

All MetaFlex models can also be equipped with:

• steering axles - also autoamtic steering

• hydraulic steering systems - Cable, Radio or ISOBUS

• large flotation tyres

• high-capacity wheel configurations

This improves:

• maneuverability

• road stability

• soil protection

• rolling efficiency

• field performance

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MetaK – Push-off trailer for biomass and bulk transport

The MetaK series is Metsjö’s high-capacity push-off trailer platform developed for:

• maize transport

• silage transport

• biomass logistics

• bioenergy applications

• high-volume agricultural transport

MetaK uses a heavy-duty steel floor push-off system that reduces friction during unloading and enables stable discharge without extreme tipping angles.

Advantages include:

• safer unloading

• lower center of gravity during discharge

• improved unloading stability

• operation under low ceilings

• reliable unloading of wet or compact biomass

MetaK can transport up to:

• 60 cubic metres

and is controlled through:

• ISOBUS

• Load Sensing (LS) hydraulics

for efficient integration with modern tractor systems.

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Proven fuel efficiency and reduced soil compaction

Independent Swedish studies confirm significant operational benefits from Metsjö trailer technology.

Up to 25% lower fuel consumption

An independent study from the Swedish Agricultural Technology Institute (JTI) demonstrated that:

• MetaQ 75 consumes approximately 25% less fuel
  than conventional trailers with similar load capacity during mixed road and field operation.

The reduction in fuel consumption is achieved through:

• optimized chassis geometry

• laser aligned axles

• low rolling resistance

• active weight transfer

• reduced tyre wear

• low tare weight

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Approximately 50% lower soil compaction

A separate study conducted by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) on moist clay soil concluded that:

• a fully loaded MetaQ 75, despite carrying approximately twice the payload, generated around 50% lower soil compaction than conventional trailer solutions

The study also confirmed:

• MetaFlex and MetaQ generate similarly low soil impact

• the risk of subsoil compaction is very low or negligible

• adding a fourth axle can reduce soil compaction by more than 20%

• low-pressure flotation tyres alone have limited effect compared to advanced chassis engineering and weight distribution

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The engineering principles behind the results

These operational advantages are achieved through:

• improved weight distribution between wheels

• active weight transfer

• laser aligned axles

• large wheel configurations

• multiple axle solutions

• low tare weight

• optimized hydraulic suspension

• maximized transport capacity

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Certified Swedish engineering for modern European transport operations

All Metsjö trailers are engineered and manufactured in Sweden, with production located in Metsjö outside Linköping.

Metsjö is certified according to:

• ISO 9001 – Quality Management

• ISO 3834 – Certified welding quality requirements

• Environmentally certified production systems

These certifications support:

• high manufacturing quality

• long-term durability

• consistent production standards

• reliable lifecycle support

With decades of experience in agricultural transport engineering, Metsjö has developed a reputation for:

• robust structural design

• advanced hydraulic systems

• intelligent chassis engineering

• low operating costs

• long service life

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Why Metsjö?

Metsjö combines:

• low tare weight engineering

• high payload efficiency

• EU type approval

• advanced hydraulic suspension

• laser aligned axles

• intelligent braking systems

• modular transport concepts

• ISOBUS integration

• Swedish manufacturing quality

to create future-proof transport solutions optimized for:

• modern agriculture

• contracting operations

• biomass logistics

• industrial bulk transport

• long-distance agricultural transport

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FAQ

What is Regulation (EU) 167/2013?

Regulation (EU) 167/2013 is the European framework regulation governing the approval of agricultural and forestry vehicles, including tractor trailers and hook lift trailers.

What is the difference between R3 and R4 trailer categories?

R3 and R4 refer to different trailer weight classes and axle configurations within EU agricultural vehicle legislation.

Are Metsjö hook lift trailers compatible with European standard containers?

Yes. All MetaFlex hook lift trailers are designed for compatibility with European standard hook lift containers.

What are the benefits of hydraulic suspension on agricultural trailers?

Hydraulic suspension improves stability, active weight transfer, transport safety, rolling efficiency and reduces soil compaction and tyre wear.

Why is low tare weight important?

Low tare weight increases legal payload capacity, reduces fuel consumption and improves transport economy.

Can Metsjö agricultural trailers operate at 60 km/h?

Yes. Selected Metsjö trailer platforms are EU type approved for both 40 km/h and 60 km/h operation depending on specification and local regulations.

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References

1. Pettersson, O., & Lagnelöv, O. (2016). Energibesparande teknik för lantbrukets transportlogistik – en jämförelse mellan olika tekniker för traktorsläp. JTI.

2. Algerbo & Gilbertsson (2023). Nya transportlösningar för minskad markpåverkan. RISE, Agtech 2030.