Spitzer Silo Trailer Accident Repair Poland – TIG Welding EN 1090

Spitzer silo trailer repair – accident and structural work

A Spitzer silo trailer is built to last 20–30 years. Over that service life it may sustain collision damage on a loading dock, a dent during manoeuvring, weld cracking from fatigue, or a full rollover in a road accident. The good news: aluminium is an excellent repair material. A properly executed repair restores full structural integrity without reducing the trailer’s service value.

PHS Magnum has been repairing Spitzer silo trailers for over 30 years from our facility in Chorula, 4 km from the A4 motorway and 180 km from the German border. ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Aluminium tank repairs

Spitzer tanks are manufactured from EN AW-5083 aluminium alloy (Al-Mg 4.5 Mn series) — lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and fully reweldable when the correct filler and procedure are used.

Dents and deformations

Dents that do not breach a weld can be straightened mechanically using hydraulic presses, slide hammers, and shrinking discs. At weld zones, controlled localised heating followed by mechanical straightening restores original geometry. We always verify with a straight-edge template against the original Spitzer panel profile.

Weld cracks and tears

A weld crack on a pressure vessel is a mandatory out-of-service condition. Our repair sequence:

1. Dye penetrant (PT) inspection to map the full crack extent — cracks often propagate beyond the visible surface fracture
2. Grinding to bright clean metal, removing all contaminated and heat-affected material
3. TIG welding (GTAW) with ER5183 or ER5356 filler wire matched to the EN AW-5083 base alloy
4. Post-weld PT inspection of the repaired zone
5. Pressure test at 1.5 × MOP (typically 3 bar), held for 30 minutes
6. Extraordinary TDT inspection — we prepare and hand over the full repair documentation

Section replacement

For extensive damage we cut out the destroyed section and insert a new panel. Material: EN AW-5083 aluminium sheet to the same thickness as the original. Circumferential butt welds are made full-penetration TIG, with NDT (PT and UT where required) on every joint. Weld quality meets EN ISO 5817 Class B and EN 1090 execution class EXC2.

Chassis and running gear repairs

Accident damage rarely stops at the tank. We also handle:

• Frame straightening — main longitudinal and cross-members in structural steel S355
• Weld repairs to steel frame — MIG/MAG process, post-weld visual and MT inspection
• Axle replacement — SAF INTRA disc axles and BPW ECO Plus drum and disc axles, full wheel-end replacement
• Wheel bearing replacement — SAF and BPW original bearing kits
• Pneumatic suspension repair — bellows, shock absorbers, height valves, lift-axle cylinders
• King-pin and fifth-wheel wear check — replacement if beyond tolerance

EBS / ABS electronic brake systems

Modern Spitzer trailers run WABCO or Haldex EBS (Electronic Braking System) with integrated ABS. After any accident involving the axles or brake circuit:

• Fault code readout (WABCO TEBS diagnostic tool)
• Modulator and sensor replacement if damaged
• ABS sensor gap adjustment
• Full brake performance check to EU 2015/68 standards
• EBS parameter recalibration and function test

Painting and cosmetic renovation

Aluminium exposed to alkaline bulk materials (cement, lime) develops surface corrosion that accelerates if the original anodising or paint is breached.

Our refinishing process:

1. Degreasing and mechanical sanding (80–120 grit)
2. Optional bead blasting for severe oxidation
3. Epoxy aluminium primer (2K, minimum 40 µm DFT)
4. Polyurethane or acrylic topcoat (minimum 80 µm DFT)
5. Available in all RAL solid colours
6. Reflective lettering, company logos and ADR markings available

Why repair in Poland?

Our service facility is 180 km from the German border, directly on the A4 motorway corridor. For operators based in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, bringing a trailer to us for repair typically costs significantly less than equivalent work at a DE or AT bodyshop — without any compromise on documentation, weld certification or TDT compliance.

Call +48 602 716 551 or email biuro@magnumchorula.pl to request a repair assessment. We provide written estimates.