The silo trailer and pressure vessel service industry has its own technical language. This glossary explains the most commonly used terms — useful when speaking with a service provider, reviewing TDT documentation, or purchasing a used trailer.
A
ADR — Accord Dangereux Routier. European agreement governing the road transport of dangerous goods. Standard plastic granules are not ADR-classified; granules with flame retardants may be. Check section 14 of the material SDS sheet.
Aeration pad (fluidisation mat) — the fluidisation element in each chamber of a silo trailer tank. A fabric or PTFE membrane through which compressed air is forced to break up bulk material so it flows to the discharge nozzle. The most frequently replaced wear item on a silo trailer. More: spare parts.
Aeration / Fluidisation — the process of breaking bulk material into individual particles by forcing compressed air through aeration pads at the chamber base. The material becomes “fluid” and can be pushed through the discharge pipeline.
Atest (material certificate) — document confirming the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the material (plate steel, welding consumable) used to build or repair a pressure vessel tank. Required by TDT for welded pressure vessel repairs.
B
BT — designation of the Spitzer tank series (Behältertrailer). BT 40/55/65 indicates capacity in m³.
C
Camlock coupling — a quick-connect dry-break coupling widely used for hose connections on silo trailers. Available in aluminium, stainless steel, and brass. DN 50–150.
CMR — Convention relative au contrat de transport international de Marchandises par Route. The international road consignment note required for international road transport within the EU. One CMR = one vehicle, one load.
D
DN — Diamètre Nominale (Nominal Diameter). Standard designation for pipe and fitting internal diameters. Common silo trailer sizes: DN 80 (discharge hoses), DN 100/125 (outlet fittings), DN 150–200 (butterfly valves).
E
EBS (Electronic Braking System) — electronically controlled air braking system for trailers. Main control unit: Wabco TEBS G2/G3 (most common on European silo trailers) or Haldex EB+. EBS faults appear as amber/red warning lamps on the truck dashboard. More: EBS diagnostics.
EUT — Feldbinder EUT (Einheitlicher Universaltank). Universal aluminium silo trailer series by Feldbinder, designed for multiple bulk product categories including food-grade materials.
F
Feldbinder — Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke GmbH. Manufacturer of silo trailers and tankers in aluminium and stainless steel. Headquarters: Winsen/Luhe, Germany. Parts shop: feldbinder.pl.
FIBC — Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container. Flexible bulk bags (big-bags), capacity 500–1500 kg. Used interchangeably with “big-bag.”
Fluidisation → see Aeration.
K
Kassbohrer — manufacturer of bulk trailers and tankers. SCK (silo) and SKK series. Parts: spare parts / Kassbohrer.
P
PED — Pressure Equipment Directive. EU Directive 2014/68/EU governing pressure equipment requirements across the EU. Silo trailer tanks compliant with PED carry the CE mark.
Pressure test — tank integrity test at 1.3–1.5× working pressure. Conducted by a TDT inspector during TDT inspection every 6 years, or after a welded tank repair.
S
Safety valve — a spring-loaded valve that opens automatically when pressure exceeds the tank’s certified maximum. On silo trailers typically 2.5–4.0 bar. Must be tested at every TDT inspection. More: valves for silo trailers.
Silo trailer — a semi-trailer with a cylindrical pressure tank for transporting bulk materials (plastic granules, cement, gypsum, animal feed) discharged pneumatically. Also called “bulk powder tanker” or “cement tanker” (when used for cement). More: silo trailer service.
Spitzer — Spitzer Silo-Fahrzeugwerke GmbH. Largest manufacturer of cylindrical silo trailers (BT series). Headquarters: Freistadt, Austria. Parts shop: spitzer.pl.
T
TDT — Transportowy Dozór Techniczny (Transport Technical Inspection, Poland). Polish technical inspection authority for pressure vessels on road vehicles. TDT inspection is required every 2 years for silo trailers and every 3 years for most tankers. A vehicle without a valid TDT certificate cannot carry pressurised loads. Equivalent to TÜV in Germany. More: TDT inspections.
TEBS — Trailer Electronic Braking System. Wabco brand name for their trailer EBS control unit. TEBS G2 (2005–2012) and TEBS G3/G3+ (2012–present) are the two main generations on European silo trailers.
TIG welding — Tungsten Inert Gas. Welding process using a tungsten electrode in an inert gas shield. Used for aluminium and stainless steel pressure vessel repairs. Requires higher welder qualifications than MIG/MAG.
U
UDT — Urząd Dozoru Technicznego (Office of Technical Inspection, Poland). State authority for stationary pressure equipment: boilers, elevators, cranes, compressors. UDT does not cover silo trailers or transport tankers — those fall exclusively under TDT (Transportowy Dozór Techniczny).
W
WDT — Wojskowy Dozór Techniczny (Military Technical Inspection, Poland). Polish technical inspection authority for liquid tanker vehicles (fuel tankers, chemical tankers). The TDT equivalent for liquid tankers.
Technical questions: biuro@magnumchorula.pl · +48 602 716 551
Related: Silo trailer service · TDT inspections · Spare parts