The efficiency and safety of semi-trailer operations depend heavily on the landing gear that stabilises trailers when uncoupled from tractors. Prime Transport Solutions systems have contributed to the evolution of trailer support in South Africa, offering practical pneumatic options that improve efficiency and safety for operators in the local logistics sector. By incorporating automated technologies, fleets can address operational challenges while supporting workforce wellbeing.

As South African logistics and distribution networks continue to grow, with heavier cargo and tighter delivery schedules, traditional manual landing gear systems are increasingly under pressure. Pneumatic support systems provide a modern solution that aligns with regulatory safety standards and operational demands in warehouses, ports, and regional transport hubs.

History of Trailer Support Systems

Trailer support systems, or landing legs, have developed from simple hand-cranked designs to advanced pneumatic systems. Early mechanical legs relied entirely on manual effort, using long handles and gearboxes to lift or lower trailers. These systems met the requirements of their time but became increasingly inadequate as trailer weights and operational demands increased.

Mechanical innovations such as geared linkages improved efficiency and load capacity, allowing drivers to operate heavier trailers with less effort. The shift to pneumatic systems marked a significant leap. Pneumatic trailer support systems can now raise or lower trailer legs in a matter of seconds, reducing physical strain and deployment time. Market reports indicate the trailer landing gear market in Southern Africa is growing steadily, driven by logistics modernisation and safety requirements.

Limitations of Traditional Manual Legs

Manual trailer legs have served fleets for decades, but the operational and safety challenges they present are becoming increasingly evident. The physical effort required and the time needed to deploy and retract legs can negatively impact efficiency and workforce wellbeing.

The limitations of manual systems have prompted fleets to consider safer, faster alternatives that maintain operational efficiency under demanding conditions.

  • Manual legs require repetitive motion and substantial upper-limb effort, contributing to musculoskeletal strain among operators.
  • Deployment times are significantly longer, causing delays during loading and unloading at busy distribution centres.
  • Multiple mechanical components increase the likelihood of failure or equipment damage.
  • Performance can be inconsistent depending on maintenance, lubrication, and operator technique.
  • Uneven or unpaved surfaces, common in regional depots and rural delivery areas, can exacerbate operational difficulty.

Despite these challenges, manual legs remain in use in some fleets due to cost constraints or older equipment. However, their limitations highlight the importance of transitioning to systems that meet current operational and safety expectations.

Upgrading to pneumatic or semi-automated systems can mitigate these risks, providing consistent performance regardless of environmental or operator variables.

Safety Benefits of Pneumatic Supports

Safety is a primary concern for fleet operators, and pneumatic landing gear systems offer substantial improvements over manual solutions. By removing manual cranking from the equation, these systems reduce the risk of injuries and repetitive strain disorders.

Prime Transport Solutions pneumatic systems operate via push-button controls, eliminating repetitive manual effort while maintaining quick deployment times.

  • Push-button operation reduces upper-limb strain and repetitive stress injuries.
  • Faster deployment keeps operators clear of moving components, lowering accident risk.
  • Fewer moving parts minimise the likelihood of mechanical failure.
  • Simplified mechanisms reduce maintenance-related incidents and errors.
  • Ergonomically designed systems improve operator comfort and overall workplace wellbeing.

Operators in South Africa have reported fewer injuries and increased confidence when using pneumatic systems, which also helps meet local occupational health and safety regulations.

Integrating these systems can significantly reduce workplace injuries and support operational efficiency, particularly in high-volume logistics hubs such as Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

Time and Operational Efficiency

Operational efficiency is a major driver behind the transition to pneumatic landing‑leg systems. A study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that traditional manual trailer‑landing‑gear operation often requires approximately 10 minutes of work (including repeated cranking) to fully raise or lower the legs, under high‑torque conditions. The same document states automated pneumatic systems can complete the operation in about 10 seconds. 

For a South African fleet operating, say, 40 drop/hook cycles per day, the difference adds up fast. At 10 minutes manual per cycle, that’s roughly 400 minutes (6.67 hours) of time spent just deploying legs per day. By contrast, a 10‑second pneumatic deployment per cycle amounts to about 6.7 minutes. That offers a potential time saving of roughly 6 hours per day in idle‑leg‑deployment time alone. Over a year (assuming 250 working days) that could equate to nearly 1 500 hours of time saved.

In practical terms, fewer minutes spent manually lowering/raising landing legs means faster trailer turnover in yard operations, less engine idling, fewer bottlenecks at regional distribution centres or ports such as Durban or Cape Town, and better asset utilisation. For South African logistics operations facing tight delivery windows and high labour costs, this kind of efficiency gain can translate into a measurable improvement in throughput and cost‑per‑load.

Load Capacity Improvements

The growing weight of modern trailers and cargo in South Africa demands higher load-bearing capabilities from landing gear systems. Pneumatic systems are engineered to consistently support heavy loads while maintaining operational reliability.

Prime Transport Solutions pneumatic systems support practical weight loads suitable for contemporary logistics operations.

  • Rated for 25 tonnes per leg, supporting heavy cargo typical of industrial and retail supply chains.
  • Reliable performance regardless of operator skill or environmental conditions.
  • Reduced risk of collapse or equipment damage during loading and unloading.
  • Supports dynamic weight shifts, common during partial loading scenarios.
  • Adaptable to various trailer types and operational environments.

By adopting pneumatic legs, operators improve safety and efficiency while minimising potential delays or equipment damage associated with heavier cargo.

Maintenance and Reliability

Pneumatic trailer support systems offer clear maintenance advantages over traditional manual landing legs. Manual legs have numerous moving parts, such as gears, screw threads, and crank handles, all of which require regular inspection, lubrication, and repair. Studies indicate that maintenance on manual legs can cost between R900 and R1 800 per session, and components were linked to around 20% of trailer drop incidents over a seven-year period, highlighting both safety and cost concerns.

Pneumatic systems are simpler, with fewer wear-points and easier servicing. Testing has shown these systems can complete over 30 000 cycles without significant wear, requiring minimal lubrication or cleaning. This reliability is particularly important in South African conditions, including coastal environments with high humidity and salt exposure, and dusty inland terminals, where traditional mechanical components are prone to corrosion and premature failure.

For fleets operating in South Africa, the reduced maintenance requirements translate into measurable savings. For example, routine servicing of 100 trailers with manual legs might cost approximately R2 000 per trailer per year, whereas pneumatic systems could lower this by 25 to 30%. Combined with reduced downtime and fewer failure-related incidents, pneumatic supports improve overall fleet efficiency and operational reliability.

Dhollandia SA Services and Expertise

Dhollandia SA is the authorised dealer for Prime Transport Solutions in South Africa, offering a comprehensive range of pneumatic trailer supports. Their PTS pneumatic legs are engineered to eliminate upper-limb strain through push-button operation, provide a static load rating of 25 tonnes per leg, and deploy in just five seconds, delivering time and operational efficiencies in busy logistics operations.

The PTS50 system is designed using CAD modelling and Finite Element Analysis, addressing common operational challenges. It operates via the trailer’s air supply, providing safe static support without requiring the legs to raise or lower the trailer.

With over 20 years of combined expertise, Dhollandia SA provides national service, maintenance, and 24-hour breakdown support. They stock complementary industrial vehicle components and support other brands, ensuring South African operators have reliable solutions for all operational needs. Their focus on responsive, knowledgeable customer service sets a benchmark in service delivery.

Case Studies and Expert Insights

Across South African logistics operations, fleets adopting pneumatic landing gear have observed measurable improvements in both safety and efficiency. In high-traffic regional depots, pneumatic systems reduced trailer leg deployment time from an average of three minutes to under ten seconds. This has contributed to a 15–20% increase in daily trailer turnover, demonstrating tangible operational benefits. Operators also reported a noticeable reduction in musculoskeletal strain from repetitive cranking.

In another scenario, a fleet operating between port terminals and inland distribution centres experienced fewer equipment failures and reduced downtime after switching to pneumatic systems. The reliability of air-powered supports allowed trailers to maintain stability with heavier cargo loads, even on uneven or unpaved surfaces common in South Africa’s regional logistics routes.

Key observed benefits include:

  • Reduction in workplace injuries associated with manual landing leg operation.
  • Faster loading and unloading, improving daily delivery capacity.
  • Consistent performance across different environmental conditions, including coastal humidity and inland dust.
  • Lower maintenance frequency compared to traditional mechanical systems.
  • Enhanced operator confidence and reduced fatigue.

Experts in occupational health and logistics note that these benefits align with South Africa’s evolving workplace safety regulations. Fleet managers increasingly prioritise ergonomic and efficiency considerations, recognising that pneumatic landing gear contributes to long-term operational sustainability and employee wellbeing.

Key Considerations for Adopting Pneumatic Support Systems

Transitioning to pneumatic landing gear systems requires careful planning. Fleets must evaluate compatibility, operational benefits, and maintenance requirements before upgrading.

Prime Transport Solutions provides systems designed to integrate seamlessly with existing trailers and tractors, supporting operational objectives while maintaining safety and efficiency.

  • Evaluate initial investment versus long-term operational savings.
  • Assess trailer and tractor air system compatibility.
  • Ensure availability of maintenance support and spare parts.
  • Provide operator training and integrate systems into safety procedures.
  • Consider lifecycle, residual value, and potential integration with fleet telematics.
  • Evaluate impact on overall fleet efficiency and productivity.
  • Plan for potential upgrades or future technology integration.

Adopting these systems requires a holistic view of fleet operations, but the benefits in safety, efficiency, and reliability are substantial.

Fleets that carefully plan and implement pneumatic systems experience measurable improvements in performance and employee wellbeing.

The Future of Trailer Support in South Africa

The evolution from manual to pneumatic trailer support systems represents a major advance in safety, efficiency, and reliability. Prime Transport Solutions systems offer practical benefits by reducing operator strain, shortening deployment times, supporting heavier loads, and lowering maintenance requirements, particularly in the South African logistics context.

For fleets looking to improve operations, pneumatic landing gear is a practical investment. We at Dhollandia SA are ready to provide guidance and support to integrate these systems safely and effectively into local operations. Contact us to learn more about how these solutions can enhance trailer safety and operational efficiency.