SAF XL-FW484 User Manual

Owners Manual

FW33 and XA-331 LowLube
Series Fifth Wheels

• Installation

• Operation

• Maintenance Procedures

• Comprehensive Warranty

XL-FW484 Rev E

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

You must read and understand all of the safety procedures presented in this manual
before starting any work on the SAF-HOLLAND product.

NOTE: In the United States, work shop safety requirements are defined by federal
and/or state Occupational Safety and Health Act or equivalent laws in other
countries. This manual is written based on the assumption that OSHA or other
applicable employee safety regulations are followed by the location where work is
performed.

Proper tools must be used to perform the maintenance and repair procedures
described in this manual. Many of these procedures require special tools.

Throughout this manual, you will notice the terms “NOTE”, “IMPORTANT”,
“CAUTION”, and “WARNING” followed by important product information. So that
you may better understand the manual, those terms are as follows:

NOTE: Includes additional information to enable accurate and easy performance

of procedure.

IMPORTANT: Includes additional information that if not followed could lead

to hindered product performance.

Used without the safety alert symbol, indicates a potentially
hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in property
damage.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.

Fifth Wheel Design and Intended Use

1. For pulling trailers with standard SAE kingpins which are in good condition and
securely mounted or locked in position in the trailer.

2. For on-highway hauling applications.

3. Within the capacities stated in SAF-HOLLAND literature.

4. As recommended in SAF-HOLLAND literature (available from www.safholland.us).

Holland Fifth Wheels are NOT Designed or Intended For

1. Use with non-SAE kingpins, such as kingpins which are bent, improper size or

dimensions, not secured to maintain SAE configuration, or which are installed in
warped trailer bolster plates.

2. Tow-away operations which damage or interfere with the proper operation of the
fifth wheel.

3. The attachment of lifting devices.

4. The transport of loads in excess of rated capacity.

5. Off-highway applications and use.

6. Applications other than recommended.

2 SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. XL-FW484 Rev E

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Installation

General Recommendations

1. Every user and installer using SAF-HOLLAND products either recommended or not recommended by SAF­HOLLAND, must thoroughly satisfy himself that the installation procedure used is appropriate for the vehicle,
product and application.

2. Consult the SAF-HOLLAND literature for fifth wheel capacities and applications.

3. Consult the tractor manufacturer’s body builder’s book and the latest SAE and D.O.T. standards for additional
installation methods. SAF-HOLLAND recommends the
installation procedures.

4. Determine the proper fifth wheel position, or, in the case of a sliding fifth wheel, the range of proper
positions. Proper positioning of the fifth wheel is important for weight distribution, swing clearance and
handling characteristics. See SAE J701a for proper placement, as well as the tractor manufacturer’s body
builder’s book.

5. Use only new Grade 8, 5/8˝ minimum diameter bolts and new Grade “C” locknuts in all mounting holes.

6. Bolt holes can be 1/32˝ larger in diameter than the bolt fastener. Bolts must be adequately tightened using
charted torque ranges in foot-pounds for the recommended Grade 8, 5/8˝ diameter bolts. Larger diameter
Grade 8 bolts and coated fasteners may be used.

7. The bolts attaching the fifth wheel mounting angles to the truck frame require hardened steel washers under
both the bolt and under the locknut, unless flanged head bolts or flanged head locknuts are employed.

8. A minimum of 5 bolts are required to attach each stationary mounting angle and a minimum of 6 bolts are
required to attach a sliding fifth wheel frame rail, and the distance between bolts must not exceed 8˝, except
when cutouts are required in the mounting angles. When attaching an outboard angle to the fifth wheel
slide plate, all mounting holes are to be used on each side.

9. Whenever a cutout is made on the mounting angle, such as required to bypass spring hangers, a 1˝ minimum
radius should be used and bolts should be placed within 1-1⁄2˝, but not closer than 1˝ of the cut, fore and aft.

10. The mounting angle should have a minimum thickness as shown in
specification ASTM A 36.

11. When initially positioning the fifth wheel
for frame holes, the full length of the fifth
wheel or slider mounting angles should seat
flush on the top and side surface of the
truck-tractor frame rails where channel-type
rails are employed. There should not be a
gap over the top of the truck frame rails.
The base of the fifth wheel assembly and
of the mounting angle members should
seat flush on the top of the frame rail to
prevent flexing and to give uniform weight
distribution. It is also recommended to
chamfer or smooth sharp edges and corners
of mounting materials wherever contact is made with the tractor frame.

12. If the fifth wheel is to be mounted using a mounting plate (bracket with mounting base), refer to TABLE 1 for
minimum plate thickness recommendations.

Do not use U-bolts in fifth wheel installations. Use only new Grade 8, 5/8˝ minimum

may result in structural failure of the installation with a potential loss of the fifth wheel assembly,
mounting structure, and/or trailer and could result in death or serious injury.

13. Trailer pick-up ramps are recommended at the rear of the truck-tractor frame.

14. When mounting to aluminum frames, follow the tractor manufacturer’s recommendations. SAF-HOLLAND
has available a stationary mounting angle intended for use with aluminum frames. Contact SAF-HOLLAND or
distributors of Holland brand products for availability.

15. Review, in addition, the specific information on the following pages for each type of fifth wheel mounting, as
well as

diameter bolts and new Grade C lock nuts in all mounting holes. Failure to do so

“Inspection and Lubrication Prior to Use”

T.M.C. Recommended Maintenance Practice 603B

TABLE 1

and should be steel

for

TABLE 1

Minimum Minimum
Fifth Wheel Mounting Angle Mounting Plate
Vertical Capacity Thickness Thickness

12,000 lbs. 1/4˝ 1/4˝
20,000 lbs. 5/16˝ 1/4˝
40,000/45,000 lbs. 5/16˝ 5/16˝
50,000/55,000 lbs. 3/8˝ 3/8˝
62,500/70,000 lbs. 1/2˝ 1/2˝
100,000 lbs. 3/4˝ 3/4˝
165,000 lbs. 3/4˝ 1˝

on page 8 of this publication.

XL-FW484 Rev E SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. 3

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS c on ti nu ed

18.00˝ MIN.

36.00˝ MIN.

1.00˝ MIN.

DOUBLE PASS MIN.

BOTH ENDS

8.00˝ MAX. TYP.

(50.8mm)

2.00˝

(203.2mm)

1/4˝

BOTH SIDES

8.00

˝

(203.2mm)

(203.2mm)

8.00

˝

(203.2mm)

8.00˝

(914.4mm)

2.00˝

(50.8mm)

1/2˝

(457.2 mm)

NOTE: The full length of the fifth wheel mounting angle should seat flush on the

truck frame to prevent flexing of mounting angle and to give uniform
weight distribution along truck frame rail.

Stationary Fifth Wheel Installation

Prior to proceeding with the installation
of the stationary fifth wheel assembly,
carefully review the “General Safety
Information” section on page 2.

Bracket with Mounting Angle

(see Figure 1A, 1B, and 1C):

1. Holland brackets with mounting
angle are provided with the bracket
welded in the center of a 36˝ long
angle with a 4˝ minimum horizontal
and 3-1/2˝ minimum vertical leg
size, and to a specific tractor frame
width. Verify that the bracket and
tractor frame width are the same.

2. In addition to the information
given in “Installation: General
Recommendations” on page 3,
follow the recommendations in
FIGURE 1.

Bracket for Angle Mounting

(see Figure 1A, 1B, and 1C):

1. Holland brackets for angle
mounting are intended to be
welded to mounting angles at the
time of installation.

2. See “Installation: General
Recommendations” on page 3, for
angle thickness and material (use
4˝ minimum horizontal and 3-1/2˝
minimum vertical leg size). The
recommended length of each mounting angle is 36˝. It is recommended that each
angle extend a minimum length of 18˝ forward of the fifth wheel pivot point, and
not less than 12˝ to the rear. If angles shorter than 36˝ are required, the special
recommendations of the tractor manufacturer should be obtained.

3. In addition to the information given in “Installation: General Recommendations,”
follow the recommendations given in FIGURES 1A, 1B, and 1C. The following
sequence is suggested for both fabricated and cast brackets:

A. Securely position the mounting angle to the tractor frame.
B. Bolt the angles to the tractor as shown in FIGURES 1A and 1B.
C. Position the brackets on the angles and verify the correct spacing to mount

the fifth wheel.

D. For fabricated brackets (a welded asssembly), weld the bracket to the mounting

angle with 1/4˝ fillet welds on both sides, and 1/2˝ groove welds on both ends,
as shown in FIGURES 1A and 1B. The welds should be continuous around the
bracket and joined at the corners.

E. For cast brackets (single piece), weld with 5/16˝ fillet weld, as shown in

FIGURE 1C. The welds must be continuous around the bracket ends.

4 SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. XL-FW484 Rev E

FIGURE 1A (End View)

FIGURE 1B (Side View)

FIGURE 1C

(Cast Brackets Only)
WELDING DETAILS

Both ends
continuous

5/8˝ diameter Grade 8 bolts
minimum size, tightening torque
to bolt manufacturer charts

Hardened steel washers or flanged
lock nuts (5/8˝ diameter Grade "C"
lock nuts).

HDN. STEEL WASHERS

5/16˝

TRUCK FRAME RAIL

1/4˝ - 1/2˝

in 4 places

5/16˝

GAP

3

See Table 1
for minimum
mounting
angle
thickness

Both sides
center of
bracket

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

CENTER

BOLT

Attach bracket and mounting plate as shown.
Use center bolt of sufficient length to bolt through
bracket, mounting plate and mounting angle.

continued

Stationary Fifth Wheel Installation continued

Bracket with Mounting Base

(See Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C):

1. Holland brackets with mounting
base are intended for installation
on either corrugated or flat
mounting plates.

2. In addition to the information
given in “Installation: General
Recommendations,” on page 3,
follow the recommendations in
FIGURES 2A, 2B, and 2C.

3. See “Installation: General
Recommendations” on page 3
for angle thickness and material.
The mounting angle should be 1˝
longer than the mounting plate,
and be 36˝ minimum length.
Use 3˝ minimum horizontal and
3-1/2˝ minimum vertical leg size.
Longer horizontal legs may be
required with narrow frame widths.

Attach the outboard angle to
tractor frame with hardware
listed in Figure 1A. Attach
mounting plate to angle
with same number of bolts
(in addition to attachment to
fifth wheel support bracket).

Attach the outboard angle to
tractor frame with hardware
listed in Figure 1A. Attach
mounting plate to angle
with same number of bolts
(in addition to attachment to
fifth wheel support bracket).

FIFTH WHEEL
SUPPORT BRACKET

FIGURE 2A

FIFTH WHEEL
SUPPORT BRACKET

FIGURE 2B

FLAT MOUNTING
PLATE (See Table 1 for
minimum thickness)

INBOARD ANGLE
SPACER

TRACTOR FRAME

CORRUGATED
MOUNTING PLATE
(See Table 1 for
minimum thickness)

TRACTOR FRAME

FIGURE 2C

XL-FW484 Rev E SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. 5

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

3/8˝

TYP

continued

Sliding Fifth Wheel Installation - ILS Slider

Prior to proceeding with the installation of the sliding fifth wheel assembly,
carefully review the “General Safety Information” section on page 2.

Inboard Angle Mounting

(See Figures 3 and 4):

1. Angles must be installed on the
sliding fifth wheel base plate
plate to facilitate mounting.
See “Installation: General
Recommendations,” on page 3,
for angle thickness and material.

TYP

2. Use a mounting angle which is at
least 2˝ longer than the slide base,
36˝ minimum length, and 3-1/2˝
minimum vertical leg size. For
horizontal leg size, see TABLE 2.
The fifth wheel top may be
removed from the base plate
for ease of handling.

3. Position the angles on the slide
plate for the required frame width.
Be sure to keep the plate centered
left to right, and front to rear on
the mounting angles.

4. Weld as shown in FIGURE 3.
Outside welds to have a 3/8˝ fillet
weld placed either on or between

TABLE 2

Frame Width Angle
Dimension Horizontal
(Inches) Leg Size (Inches)

33-1/4˝ - 33-1/2˝ 3˝
33-5/8˝ - 34-1/2˝ 3-1/2˝
34-5/8˝ - 35˝ 4˝

the tabs, depending on frame
width. Inside welds to be 3/8˝ fillet skip weld alternating with the outside welds so
that they are staggered along the angle. Also weld the fifth wheel base plate to the
top of the angle at the ends of the plate as shown in FIGURE 3.

3/8˝

SKIP ALTERNATELY WITH
OUTSIDE WELDS

INSIDE WELD

WIDE FRAME - WELD
"BETWEEN" TABS

3/8˝

FIGURE 3

NARROW FRAME ­WELD "ON" TABS

3/8˝

5. Attach the slider plate and mounting angles to the tractor using recommendations
in “Installation: General Recommendations,” on page 3 and in FIGURE 4.

6. Reassemble the fifth wheel top plate to the slider base plate, if it was removed
previously.

3.5˝
(88.9 mm) MIN

4.00˝

(101.6 mm)

max.

5/8˝ min. 6 bolts
equally spaced; hardened
steel washers

OUTBOARD = SAME AS SLIDER LENGTH

INBOARD = SLIDER LENGTH + 2.0˝

CENTER LINE OF
TRACTOR REAR
AXLE(S) OR
BOGIE

6 SAF-HOLLAND, Inc. XL-FW484 Rev E

1.00˝
(25.4 mm) MIN

.