For now, the small parking lot is still quiet. The sun slowly rises above the distant hills. Next to the green strip, a special transporter with a loaded transformer waits for its onward journey. It is the first mission for the new CombiMAX, recently delivered to the French company Wack.
An exciting premiere that began a few days earlier in Italy. The roughly 750-kilometer route from Trento through the Mont Blanc tunnel into France went according to plan. Driver Loïc, company manager Pierre Wack, and his team are pleased. But the job is not done yet. The substation in Ludres is only a few kilometers away. A croissant for energy, one last check of the load securing—then it’s time to take the wheel. The clock is ticking.
The combination shows its strengths
“We want to set off before rush hour gets heavier,” says Pierre Wack, setting the pace. The transformer measures 6.41 meters long, 3.85 meters wide, and 4.06 meters high. It is being transported on a 3 + 5-axle CombiMAX combination, fitted with a flatbed designed for heavy and compact goods thanks to its high point load capacity. “The CombiMAX is just incredibly versatile,” Wack highlights as the vehicle’s big advantage.
By now, the red rig has become a real eye-catcher. Curious passers-by and drivers stop to watch. Roundabouts, inclines, underpasses, and tight bends—the route to the unloading site is demanding. But the CombiMAX’s pendle axles, with their large stroke and high steering angle, come into their own. “The combination can be steered safely and precisely, which makes our work much easier,” reports Pierre Wack from his first positive experiences. From the cab, driver Loïc works closely with Wack in the escort vehicle. Radio, hand signals, and eye contact ensure that every section of the route is handled safely.
The company Wack has a long and trusting history with the Faymonville brand. As Pierre Wack recalls: “We were among Faymonville’s first customers. Back in 1994, we took delivery of our first vehicle. Since then, more and more special trailers followed, from low loaders to telescopic semi-trailers and now to modular combinations like the CombiMAX.”
From transport to installation
Finally on site, the real precision work begins. The transformer must be positioned exactly where it belongs. Wack offers this complete package of transport and installation, which customers naturally appreciate. The vehicle combination is maneuvered to the foundation with centimeter accuracy. A crane cannot be used here due to the overhead high-voltage lines. “The responsiveness of the CombiMAX when approaching is particularly important,” adds Wack. “Every movement can be perfectly controlled. This allows us to position ourselves exactly where the transformer has to be, even in the tightest spaces.”
The subsequent installation is carried out sideways using jacking elements. At the end of the day, this premiere project with the CombiMAX can be marked as successfully completed. But there is no rest for the new combination: tomorrow the next assignment begins, this time heading to Portugal. Looking ahead, Pierre Wack says: “Our schedule for the CombiMAX is packed with projects—there’s plenty of work waiting.”
Publication: 09/2025