One valve type for a multi-brand fleet
PHS Magnum has been servicing silo trailer fleets of various manufacturers — not a single brand — since 1990. In practice this means that tanks by Spitzer, Feldbinder, Kässbohrer and other European makers meet in one workshop, often within the same fleet. The Type ZR (Type 500) segmented ball valve is exactly the kind of component that connects these brands: it is not a part belonging to one trailer manufacturer, but a valve design widely used in the air systems of silo trailers for bulk materials.
It is worth clearing up a common misunderstanding right away. The designation “Spitzer Type” or “Type ZR (Type 500)” refers to the construction of the valve, not a vehicle series. The Spitzer trailer brand has its own tank series (SF/SK) — that is a separate matter. The segmented design is simply a valve engineering solution that has become an industry standard, and we select it for fleets regardless of who built the silo trailers.
Technical specification
The Type ZR (Type 500) segmented design is a lightweight aluminium air ball valve, engineered with serviceability via repair kits in mind.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Design type | segmented, Type ZR (Type 500), aka Spitzer Type |
| Body material | aluminium |
| Handle material | aluminium |
| Working pressure | 16 bar |
| Operating temperature range | -25°C to 90°C |
| Standard sizes | 1 1/2", 2" |
| Standard seals | PTFE, NBR |
| Seals (direct supply) | Viton |
| Ball material (direct supply) | brass |
| Additional sizes (direct supply) | e.g. 2 1/2" |
| Sister design | Prokosch |
| Repair kits | yes, complete |
The 1 1/2" and 2" sizes with PTFE or NBR seals are available as standard. Direct supply adds larger diameters (e.g. 2 1/2"), Viton seals for demanding media and a brass ball for non-typical applications. Whatever the configuration, we offer a complete repair kit for every variant, and our catalogue also carries the sister design by Prokosch — useful where a fleet mixes valve gear of different origins.
Seal selection is key here. PTFE (Teflon) gives low turning resistance and reliable closure in typical air systems, NBR works as a universal standard seal, and Viton is chosen where the medium or operating temperature is more demanding. The aluminium body and handle keep the valve’s own weight low — important on extensive pneumatic lines with many such shut-off points. The 16 bar working pressure and the -25°C to 90°C temperature range define the limits of safe operation; when ordering, please state the connection size, the seal type and whether you need the valve alone or a set with a repair kit.
Compatibility with silo trailer brands
Because selection is driven by the size and parameters of the pressure line (16 bar, -25°C to 90°C) rather than the tank manufacturer, we match the same segmented valve type to many brands:
- Spitzer (SF/SK series) — air systems of SF non-tipping and SK tipping aluminium silo trailers. The designation “Spitzer Type” comes precisely from the segmented design typical of this brand.
- Feldbinder (EUT/KIP) — horizontal non-tipping EUT tanks and tipping KIP pressure silos, where lightweight aluminium valve gear reduces the vehicle’s tare weight.
- Kässbohrer (K.SSK/K.SSL) — silo trailers for bulk materials with compressed-air lines of similar operating parameters.
- Other European manufacturers — selected by connection size and the pressure parameters of the installation point in question.
For mixed fleets this is a real advantage: one valve type (plus the Prokosch sister design) allows part of the valve gear to be standardised across the whole fleet, regardless of the original valve supplier. We service mixed fleets without tying selection to a single brand — what counts is what actually fits the installation.
Chorula warehouse
We keep standard-size Type ZR segmented valves and repair kits in stock at the PHS Magnum warehouse in Chorula near Opole, 4 km from the A4 motorway. Holding valves and repair kits together means that rebuilding a valve does not require waiting for a separate seal delivery — the technician picks the full set off the shelf.
Other configurations — larger sizes (e.g. 2 1/2"), Viton seals, the brass ball and the Prokosch sister design — are fulfilled via direct supply. Logistics cover:
- Poland — courier shipping
- EU — delivery to European Union countries (including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic)
- Collection in person — Chorula warehouse near Opole
Specialist portals
For single-brand fleets we run dedicated brand portals with a narrower, brand-specific catalogue of parts and configurations:
- Spitzer — Type ZR segmented valves for the SF/SK series: spitzer.pl/czesci-zamienne/zawory-kulowe-segmentowe/
- Feldbinder — Type ZR segmented valves for EUT/KIP: feldbinder.pl/czesci-zamienne/zawory-kulowe-segmentowe/
The full range of service work for silo trailers of all brands: magnumchorula.pl/serwis/.
Related categories
- PTFE ball valves — air ball valves with PTFE seals
- Prokosch product ball valves — aluminium product ball valves Type Prokosch (Type 420) and ZR
- Ball seals — ball seals for ball valves on silo trailers of various brands
- Full catalogue: /en/czesci-zamienne/
Author: Aleksy Pasternak — Managing Partner at PHS Magnum, 20 years in the industry, internal auditor ISO 9001:2015 (DEKRA).
