Feldbinder TDT Inspection — Specialist Procedure
Feldbinder EUT and KIP trailers are pressurised stainless steel tanks subject to full TDT statutory inspection. Periodic inspection every two years is mandatory. Key differences from Spitzer:
- Stainless steel rather than aluminium → different NDT methods (PT/VT rather than MT)
- More stringent food-grade requirements applying to the majority of the fleet
- Post-weld passivation required after every weld repair (a critical procedure)
- Cleanliness certificate required for food-grade trailers
PHS Magnum holds the full range of competencies: ISO 9001:2015 certification, ISO 9606-1 certified welders, passivation equipment, Feldbinder technical documentation, and coordination with the regional TDT office in Katowice.
Scope of the Feldbinder TDT Inspection
Visual Inspection of the Tank
External:
- Condition of the protective coating (external stainless steel surface, paint on mountings)
- Mountings (fifth-wheel coupling, supports, tipping cylinder mountings for KIP models)
- Identification plates (Feldbinder markings, technical specifications, date of last inspection)
Internal (requires confined-space tank entry with a safety attendant):
- Internal surface (cleanliness, absence of corrosion, passivation condition)
- Internal welds (visual check, markings)
- Aeration pads (attachment, condition)
- Discharge spouts (attachment, internal corrosion)
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
For Feldbinder stainless steel tanks:
- PT (Penetrant Testing) — required method for austenitic (non-ferromagnetic) stainless steel
- VT (Visual Testing) — always applied, covering the entire tank
- RT (Radiography) — used selectively for the highest-responsibility welds (e.g. after plate section replacement)
PT procedure: penetrant is applied to the weld surface; after it is drawn into any cracks, a developer is applied and discontinuities become visible. Sensitivity: cracks from 0.05 mm.
Hydrostatic Pressure Test
- Tank filled with demineralised water (required for food-grade; industrial water is acceptable for general-purpose trailers)
- Test pressure: 1.5× working pressure (typically 0.45 MPa for a 0.3 MPa working pressure tank)
- Hold time: 10–30 minutes
- Visual inspection under pressure
- Pressure drop over time — monitored within acceptable limits
Pneumatic System Inspection
- Safety valves (calibration, functional test)
- Pressure gauges (accuracy)
- Filters and air dryers (where fitted)
- Pressure sensors
- Additional for KIP models: hydraulic tipping system inspection (hydraulic pressure test to 1.5× working pressure — typically up to 300 bar)
Food-Grade Specific Checks
- Surface roughness measurement (Ra) of the internal surface — requirement: Ra ≤ 0.8 µm
- Passivation test — potassium ferricyanide spot test (no reaction = passivation intact)
- Gasket certification check — FDA and EC 1935/2004 compliance
- Material certificates for all food-contact components
PHS Magnum Preparation Package
Step 1: Internal Wash
For food-grade trailers:
- Removal of material residues
- Hot-water wash (60–80°C) with food-grade detergent
- Demineralised water rinse
- Chemical disinfection where required (e.g. after sugar transport: peracetic acid)
- Blow-dry with filtered compressed air
For general-purpose trailers:
- Industrial water wash
- Rinse
- Blow-dry
Step 2: Internal Inspection with Documentation
Confined-space tank entry with a safety attendant (restricted atmosphere; gas levels measured prior to entry; external standby required).
Photographic documentation: 360° interior views, macro shots of welds, aeration pads, and discharge spouts.
Step 3: Minor Preventive Repairs
- Replacement of hatch seals (where wear is evident)
- Lubrication of hatch pins
- Safety valve calibration
- Replacement of inaccurate instruments (pressure gauges, sensors)
Step 4: Passivation (where weld repairs have been carried out)
Weld grinding → nitric acid treatment → demineralised water rinse → drying → documentation.
Step 5: Internal Pre-Test Hydrostatic Pressure Test
We conduct a test at 1.5× working pressure before the official inspection — eliminating the risk of a failed outcome on the day.
Step 6: Documentation Compilation
- Previous TDT inspection certificate
- Feldbinder technical data card (VIN, model, specifications, manufacturing date)
- Weld repair history with passivation protocols
- Material certificates (welding wire, FDA gaskets)
- Cleanliness certificates from previous inspections
Step 7: TDT Coordination
We schedule the TDT inspector from the Katowice office 7–14 days in advance. The inspector attends PHS Magnum’s workshop.
Timescales
Total process time (from trailer arrival to departure with a valid TDT certificate):
- Standard scenario: 2–3 working days
- With weld repairs required: 5–10 days
- With accident damage repairs: 10–20 days
Contact us for a quote tailored to your trailer’s condition.
Related
- Feldbinder service — periodic maintenance
- Stainless steel welding service
- Feldbinder EUT spare parts
- Feldbinder KIP spare parts
- Feldbinder Cement Tanker Parts — Spare parts for cement-duty EUT and KIP trailers.
- Feldbinder TDT inspection — procedure in detail
- Feldbinder cleanliness certificate
- Stainless steel — cleaning and passivation
- Feldbinder trailer repair

