10 years of the DOLL panther

The DOLL panther® celebrated its world premiere at the bauma trade fair in 2010. After this unveiling came a success story which is still continuing to this very day. To commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the panther® series, DOLL Fahrzeugbau GmbH is launching a varied programme of activities. The starting point will be an online campaign, before a new product innovation is launched in the summer, marking another chapter in the panther®’s history. The slogan for the world premiere in Munich back in 2010 was “DOLL panther®, the revolution in chassis technology” – and nothing has changed today. From the very first design drawings, the focus was on a durable, low-maintenance axle construction combined with high payloads, low loading heights and the best possible ride characteristics. It’s a concept that has well and truly won customers over – today, there are more than 6500 panther® axles in use.

Since then, DOLL panther® chassis with split 12-ton axles with hydraulic suspension and steering, as well as independent wheel suspension have been at the very core of the semi-trailers and low-bed trailers. With upper and lower linkages, the construction corresponds to that of a double wishbone axle, whereby the wheels are mounted on a wheel hub in a familiar twin layout. In addition to the excellent handling with low tyre wear, exceptionally stable road holding and 315 mm stroke, there’s another advantage that cannot be underestimated: as with a steering knuckle axle, the twin tyres can easily be changed from the outside thanks to the jack function or the option to lift the axle without additional tools.

CAN-bus-based DOLL tronic® control concept

DOLL® is not just all about the hardware – it’s also a leading innovator when it comes to software. The panther® chassis are therefore now equipped with the DOLL tronic® control concept as standard. DOLL® was the first company in the heavy-load market to launch a control concept in this form. The concept enables all the trailer functions to be controlled via separate keypads at the rear and on the gooseneck or using wireless operation. Feedback on the wireless remote control display enables drivers to monitor many aspects of the vehicle and its operation from any position. Loading and unloading can be completed more quickly and drivers do not have to get in and out of the vehicle as often. The computer-assisted control concept, which is based on CAN bus, also supports permanent monitoring of all positions. Driving levels can even be adjusted during travel. There is also an integrated “spirit level function” for a consistent driving level on terrain that slopes away steeply to the side.

On top of DOLL tronic®, DOLL® has also developed the EEP (position-independent electronic track adjustment) assistance system, living up to its reputation as a leading innovator once again. By comparing the ramp angle between the truck and trailer, the system, which is exclusive to DOLL®, determines the correct steering angle of the chassis axles and sets this to ensure correct directional stability – automatically and regardless of the trailer’s position. Having to straighten up the truck after every steering operation is therefore a thing of past.

The DOLL connect® trailer management system is based on the DOLL tronic® sensor system as well. DOLL connect® records all available vehicle data, such as axle load, tyre pressure, driving level and steering position. The system also sends error messages to the central lubrication system and monitors the position of ramps, lateral displacement and the main frame lock. All information is clearly shown on the radio remote control display.

All of the innovative yet tried-and-tested control and sensor components ensure maximum ease of use, a high degree of driving and functional safety and extremely low maintenance costs. Last but not least – quality speaks for itself. DOLL® offers a five-year warranty for all panther® chassis components (upper and lower linkages, bearings and cylinder supports) and frame components.

An overview of panther® technology

  • Chassis with split axles and independent wheel suspension; axle load: 12 t
  • Hydraulic suspension with separate hydraulic circuits
  • Hydraulic positive steering system for all axles, up to 55° steering angle
  • 850 mm basic driving height with 315 mm total stroke (-70/+245 mm)
  • Lowest loading height with 70 mm spring deflection: 780 mm
  • Infinitely adjustable ride driving levels, left and right side independent of one another (“spirit level function”)
  • Operation of all trailer functions via keypads on gooseneck and rear running gear
  • Up to four driving heights can be programmed via the DOLL tronic® and can be controlled via radio
  • remote control during the journey
  • Large track width and small rolling lever arm
  • Zero lateral tilt when turning into bends regardless of driving height and steering angle
  • Reduced dead weight thanks to large frame cross-sections
  • Single, double, triple or even quadruple telescopic
  • Numerous configurations, different goosenecks, superstructures, extensions and load beds, from continuous platform vehicles right through to extremely low low-bed vehicles that can be driven over
  • Optional lift function for every axle

Highlights from 10 years of the panther®

  • January 2009: The panther® was born. During a development assignment for a type of independent wheel suspension, the characteristic axle technology started to take shape.
  • December 2009: Start of the initial test runs. The prototype was a 2-axle low-bed that was put through its paces by Spedition Gutmann GmbH & Co. KG.
  • April 2010: Premiere at the bauma trade fair in Munich. The demo vehicle – a 7-axle semi trailer – met with huge interest.
  • June 2010: The model debuted in Munich went to Hegmann Transit GmbH & Co. In the years that followed, the company ordered ten further panther®s.
  • November 2010: The first panther® was exported. Norwegian company Proven Transport AS commissioned a 3-axle semi trailer.
  • May 2011: The first panther® special vehicles arrived in France. Transports Chevrier SA used 6-axle semi trailers to transport railway wagons, trams and locomotives.
  • September 2012: For the IAA trade fair, DOLL® assembled the panther® PLUS package with a five-year warranty on all chassis components.
  • November 2012: The panther® reported for military service. The German army bought eight 3-axle semi trailers for its various logistical applications.
  • October 2014: A computer-based CAN bus system replaced electrical pressure switches and menu-based radio – DOLL tronic® with keypads and radio remote control was born.
  • January 2015: The largest panther® to date. Austrian company Felbermayr Holding GmbH commissioned a 10-axle semi trailer. This was followed by another in the same year for Thomas Scheder Schwertransporte GmbH. These trailers, which were capable of holding huge loads weighing over 100 tons, are still considered to a major milestone.
  • September 2018: Premiere of the DOLL connect® trailer management system. The system is also based on the DOLL tronic® sensor system.
  • April 2019: The panther® received the EEP system (position-independent electronic track adjustment). After loading and unloading, the track of the trailer is automatically adjusted without having to pull the truck straight ahead first.
  • October 2019: Yet more evidence of the DOLL® quality. After numerous military orders since 2013, a huge order of over 40 semi trailers was submitted in 2019.
  • Summer 2020: DOLL® starts a new chapter in the panther®’s story. To be continued ...

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