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News
Telescopic tower on hook lift trailer – compact design, high stability and smooth container exchange
The telescopic tower is one of the most important technical features of Metsjö's MetaFlex series. Metsjö has a very long telescopic stroke on its tower compared to many competitors. It enables efficient weight transfer to the tractor, a low shifting angle and short, agile rigs – without compromising lift capacity or payload.
| Model | Telescopic length |
|---|---|
| MetaFlex 40–60 | 1,050 mm |
| MetaFlex 50–65 | 1,150 mm |
| MetaFlex 60–75 | 1,500 mm |
What does the telescopic tower do?
During transport, the telescopic tower actively shifts the weight distribution – transferring more load to the tractor's rear axle for improved traction and stability. During the container exchange itself, the shifting angle is reduced, lowering the risk of materials with a low angle of repose sliding off.
The result is a trailer that feels compact and responsive – whether driven on the road, through mud or across uneven terrain.
- Low shifting angle – cargo stays in place
- Active weight transfer to the tractor's rear axle
- Short overall length relative to container size
- Compatible with long containers and high loads
- Improved turning radius and manoeuvrability
- High stability on soft ground and in off-road conditions
Telescopic tower vs folding tower
Many truck-based hook lift systems use folding towers with a hydraulic cylinder – a design that demands high initial force at the start of the exchange cycle. Metsjö's telescopic geometry eliminates this problem by delivering consistent, high force throughout the entire movement.
| Property | Metsjö – telescopic tower | Conventional – folding tower |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange force | Even throughout the full movement | High initial force required at start |
| Dead weight | Low – high payload capacity | Typically heavier construction |
| Operation | Compact, straightforward for the operator | More demanding for the operator |
| Extreme tipping angle | Possible with combined folding mast | Yes, standard feature |
When is a folding tower the right choice?
In specialist applications – such as transporting potatoes, sugar beets or grain with large tyres – combining a telescopic and folding tower can achieve an extremely low shifting angle. This is particularly valuable when large tyres (for example 710/50 R26.5) raise the chassis height and increase the risk of bulk materials sliding rearward during the exchange.
Applications
The telescopic tower is built to meet the demands of professional tractor-drawn container handling. It is used across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Biomass transport
- Forestry
- Grain and root crop haulage
- Civil contracting
- Off-road operation on uneven ground
Built for the tractor – not the truck
MetaFlex is not a truck-based solution adapted for tractor use. The entire system – tower, hydraulics and frame – has been designed from the ground up around the tractor's hydraulics, working methods and operating environments. The telescopic tower is the core of that philosophy: low dead weight, high payload and control even in the most demanding conditions.