From 1964 to 2000, E. Flückiger AG used a low-deck trailer from SCHEUERLE for transporting construction machinery. The fully restored, robust low-bed vehicle is still on the road 56 years later, demonstrating just how durable and robust the vehicle technology 'Made in Pfedelbach' is.
In 1964, Fritz Flückiger, the then head of E. Flückiger AG (FLAG) based in Rothrist in the Swiss canton of Aargau, purchased a T3641L low-bed trailer from SCHEUERLE, now a subsidiary of the Transporter Industry International Group (TII Group) owned by the Otto Rettenmaier entrepreneurial family. At this particular time, FLAG specialised in the trading and recycling of scrap iron as well as earthwork operations. With the vehicle from the production facility in Pfedelbach, the Swiss transport company transported construction vehicles to a range of destinations. Right through to the year 2000, the low-bed trailer from SCHEUERLE reliably performed its job in the tough day-to-day business of the construction and waste disposal sector.
After an impressive 36 years, Heinrich “Heini” Flückiger – Fritz Flückiger's son had meanwhile taken over the running of FLAG – sent the robust vehicle into a well-earned retirement. However, the rationale was that the tried and tested transporter should not simply be written off. It is something very special that the trailer managed to survive so long in the tough business of transporting construction machinery. Heinrich Flückiger was very well aware of this too. “The low-bed trailer from SCHEUERLE is an extremely robust vehicle,” confirmed the director of E. Flückiger AG. Heinrich Flückiger therefore parked it in a secure area at the depot in Rothrist. For a long time, he dreamed of restoring the vehicle to its former glory. However, managing the company which has now grown to 85 employees has prevented the enterprising entrepreneur from tackling the restoration.
Heini Flückiger's two daughters knew of their father's great wish to have the trailer, tractor as well as the load restored. For his birthday at the beginning of the year, they – together with the FLAG employees – gave him a very special present. While Heini Flückinger was away enjoying an extended holiday, the daughters mobilised the specialists in the company's own workshop. Here, the trailer was finally completely overhauled whilst particular attention was paid to the details – 56 years, including 36 years in the demanding construction and waste disposal business, obviously will leave no commercial vehicle unscathed.
The highly motivated FLAG employees needed less than two months to strip down the vehicle and then restore it to virtually to the condition it was in when it was originally delivered. The relatively short time that was required is further evidence of the excellent intact basic structure of the SCHEUERLE trailer.
The refurbishment team also restored the tractor unit, a Saurer D330BN 4×4 which was built in 1981, as well as the contemporary load, a Link-Belt crawler excavator produced in 1966. Now the trailer, tractor and construction vehicle are ready for the next tour. Heini Flückinger plans to regularly attend events for veteran commercial vehicles in order to showcase his own historic vehicle combination. First on the list is the Weiach Historik – a meeting for historic construction machinery and dumper trucks on 23 and 24 May 2020.