In brief
Spitzer vs Feldbinder — both brands are market leaders in the DACH region and Poland, with decades of presence. Spitzer: aluminium tank, cylindrical chambers, aeration pads, wide service network, the largest choice of pads and fittings. Feldbinder: 316L stainless steel option for foodstuffs (EUT series), trapezoidal chambers, bottom aeration. Spitzer parts are available faster; the Feldbinder EUT requires components with material certificates. PHS Magnum has serviced both brands for over 30 years — with a stock of pads and fittings for Spitzer and Feldbinder on site.
Spitzer or Feldbinder — this question comes up with every purchase of a new silo trailer. On the DACH and Polish markets both brands have been present for decades, have strong service networks and loyal hauliers. But there are real differences between them that affect operating costs and the specifics of servicing.
This is not a marketing text for either brand. These are the observations of a mechanic who has serviced both for over 30 years.
Basic design differences
| Feature | Spitzer | Feldbinder |
|---|---|---|
| Tank material (standard) | Aluminium | Aluminium or stainless steel |
| Chamber configuration | 3 or 4 cylindrical chambers | 4 trapezoidal or cylindrical chambers |
| Aeration system | Fabric pads, top aeration | Fabric pads, bottom aeration |
| Typical volume | approx. 23–89 m³ (SF and SK series) | 31–60 m³ (EUT/KIP) |
| Working pressure | 2.0–3.0 bar | 2.0–3.5 bar |
| Certificates | PED, ADR where applicable | PED, ADR where applicable |
Spitzer — strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: Spitzer is the dominant brand on the Polish bulk material transport market. This has practical consequences: spare parts for Spitzer are available from many suppliers, not just from the manufacturer. An aeration pad for a Spitzer silo trailer can be obtained in Poland within 24 hours. Feldbinder (EUT/KIP) often requires a longer lead time.
The cylindrical chamber design is mechanically simple — few components, easy diagnostics. Welding an aluminium Spitzer tank does not require the specialised knowledge needed for the Feldbinder profile.
Weaknesses: With intensive transport of abrasive binders and lime, Spitzer’s aluminium tanks corrode faster than Feldbinder’s stainless steel. The top aeration system (air pumped in from the top, material pushed out through the bottom) is less effective with poorly fluidising blast-furnace binders than Feldbinder’s bottom aeration.
Feldbinder — strengths and weaknesses
Strengths: The Feldbinder in the 304L/316L stainless steel version (special EUT builds for food and chemicals) has a much longer tank service life with aggressive materials. When transporting quicklime or fly ash — stainless steel lasts twice as long as Spitzer’s aluminium under equivalent conditions.
Feldbinder’s bottom aeration is more effective for low-flowability powders — less residue in the tank, lower risk of caking during longer standstills.
Weaknesses: Prices of new Feldbinder trailers are higher than Spitzer at comparable specifications. The service network in Poland is smaller — apart from a few specialists such as PHS Magnum, a repair away from base can be difficult. Parts ordered to specification take longer to arrive.
Service costs in practice
Based on our experience with both brands:
Spitzer:
- Cost of replacing a full set of pads (silo trailer ~60 m³): lower than Feldbinder — ask for a quote
- Replacement time: 6–8 hours
- Availability of spare parts: good, 1–2 suppliers in Poland
- TDT inspection: standard preparation time 2–5 days
Feldbinder (EUT/KIP):
- Cost of replacing pads (4 chambers): higher than Spitzer — ask for a quote
- Replacement time: 8–12 hours (harder access due to the chamber configuration)
- Availability of spare parts: weaker, often a 48–72h order
- TDT inspection: stainless steel tanks require less intervention before the inspection
Which to choose — practical guidelines
Choose Spitzer if:
- You mainly transport plastic granulate and dry powdery materials
- Availability of service and parts in Poland is a priority
- The fleet must be unified in terms of driver and mechanic training
- Purchase cost matters
Choose Feldbinder if:
- You transport chemically aggressive materials (quicklime, fly ash)
- You have a contract with requirements for food-grade or chemical materials (special EUT builds in stainless steel)
- You operate on the DACH market where the Feldbinder network is dense
- You plan long-term tank operation of 15+ years
Service for both brands at PHS Magnum
We service Spitzer and Feldbinder at the same level — we run dedicated parts shops (spitzer.pl, feldbinder.pl) and have mechanics experienced in both designs.
Questions: +48 602 716 551 · biuro@magnumchorula.pl
Related: Silo trailer service and repair · Original parts · TDT inspections · Most common silo trailer faults · Mobile service A4
