The Next Evolution of the JOST KKS Automatic Coupling System: the KKS-U Connector
In April 2021 JOST introduced the revolutionary KKS automatic coupling system. It enables the driver to couple and uncouple the semi-trailer via remote control – automatically, safely and quickly. Climbing out of the cabin, cranking down the landing gear and manually connecting the spiral cable, air and brake connections are all a thing of the past. Now JOST presents the latest development of the KKS: the KKS-U Connector which is retrofittable to existing trailers that already are on the roads of this world.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230516005001/en/
The KKS-U Connector is easily retrofittable to trailers that are already in use. (Photo: JOST)
Coupling and uncoupling a trailer is still a lengthy, expensive and hazardous procedure. The truck driver has to be aware of many different things, each of which are time-consuming and pose a hazard to health and safety. As the global market leader for fifth wheel couplings and landing gears, JOST is providing a smart solution for the future of coupling with its KKS automatic coupling system. The KKS 42 fifth wheel coupling, Modul E-Drive electric landing gear, sensor coupling system, 3-sensors, LubeTronic automatic lubrication system, KKS remote control and the ISO 13044-2-certified KKS connector all combine to form an innovative system for the coupling process.
KKS-U Connector retrofittable to existing trailers
Until now the KKS was a solution for mixed fleets and new trailers. JOST has now further developed the system and is introducing the new KKS-U Connector to the market. Fitted to the underside of the trailer, the KKS-U Connector is an alternative installation variant and enables fleet operators to equip existing trailers easily with the KKS. It connects all the mechanical, electric, and air connections between the truck and trailer, eliminating the need for the standard vulnerable air, electrics and ABS/EBS spiral lines.
The KKS-U basically consists of three parts: the reliable future-proof and ISO 13044-2 compliant standard wedge, the steel spring and the cable box. The newly designed wedge has the familiar KKS connector installed inside. It is attached to the high-quality JOST king pin and rotates around it when cornering. The steel spring encases the supply lines for air, brake and electric safely and reliably. The supply lines are safely stowed in the KKS cable box and are fed into the steel spring when cornering.
“The KKS-U Connector is a unique solution for all trailers that are already in operation. Due to a particularly straightforward installation, they can be effortlessly equipped with the KKS system. No modifications to the trailer chassis are necessary”, said Andreas Jakubin, Product Manager KKS. “Thus, the KKS-U contributes to further savings in time and expenses as well as avoidance of accidents.”
Advantages of the KKS: more efficiency and safety for truck drivers
Using the KKS automatic coupling system can cut the time required to change a trailer by up to 50 percent, as there is no need to manually crank the landing gear, connect the supply lines or open the fifth wheel coupling. The KKS significantly reduces the total costs for each circuit, with savings of up to 50 percent possible during the coupling and uncoupling process. It is particularly well suited for transport companies which perform coupling processes often and drive short distances, such as those in on-site transport, as the time saved here really pays off financially. Another application is the transport of goods where safety plays a key role, such as hazardous goods, as the sensor monitoring guarantees a high level of security against trailer losses and incorrect coupling. The KKS is also an ideal solution for transport between production sites and logistics facilities. Errors or damage caused during the coupling process are eliminated completely thanks to monitoring through the KKS remote control. For example, the Modul E-Drive landing gear is always fully retracted automatically. Moreover, the KKS reduces the probability of trailer losses due to erroneous operation, damage and occupational accidents to virtually zero.
Furthermore, the KKS makes all the physically demanding tasks of the coupling process a thing of the past, as well as ensuring that this process is no longer dependent on the weather or time of day and significantly reducing stress. A standard pneumatic cylinder opens the fifth wheel coupling effortlessly, even when the tractor-trailer is twisted. The automatic coupling process means that the driver does not have to climb in and out of the cab as often, nor climb onto the catwalk between truck and semi-trailer – two factors that significantly reduce the potential for injury. These benefits mean the KKS opens new possibilities for a more diverse driver pool; as such, JOST is providing an answer to demographic change and the lack of specialist workers.
More information on the KKS and KKS-U Connector online at: kks-futurenow.com
About JOST:
JOST is a world-leading producer and supplier of safety-critical systems for the commercial vehicle industry. Under the umbrella brand of JOST, the comprehensive range of products is broken down into systems for applications on the road and in agriculture:
The JOST brand includes fifth wheel couplings, landing gears, ball bearing turntables, king pins and container locks as well as components for alternating systems. Truck and trailer axles are also sold under the JOST brand. The tradition-steeped ROCKINGER brand comprises the core components of towing hitches, drawbar eyes and drawbars for transporters and trucks. TRIDEC offers steering systems and axle suspensions for trailers.
ROCKINGER products are also used in agricultural applications. Quicke has been part of the JOST family since February 2020 and specialises in agricultural front loaders and equipment.
JOST currently employs over 3,600 staff worldwide and has sales and production sites in over 20 countries and on all five continents. JOST has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Further information on JOST can be found here: www.jost-world.com
Press images can be found here: https://www.jost-world.com/en/corporate/mediacenter/press-releases.html
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230516005001/en/
Contact information
Christin Zindritsch
Manager Marketing Communications
christin.zindritsch@jost-world.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
BitGo Secures OCC Approval to Convert to Federally Chartered National Trust Bank13.12.2025 03:10:00 EET | Press release
BitGo Holdings, Inc. (“BitGo”), the digital asset infrastructure company, today announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) approved its application to convert BitGo Trust Company, Inc., a South Dakota-chartered trust company, to a national bank named BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association (N.A.). With today’s OCC approval of its conversion, BitGo’s Trust Company subsidiary is now operating as BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association (N.A.). BitGo Bank & Trust, N.A. will operate under a single, uniform federal supervisory regime, enabling it to deliver the clarity, governance, and regulatory certainty institutions expect from a federally regulated fiduciary. This approval reinforces BitGo’s position as an institutional foundation for the modern financial system, combining bank-level oversight with the security, compliance, and scalability that define BitGo’s infrastructure. Under the national bank charter, and subject to applicable law and OCC requirements, B
FIA, Formula 1 Group and All 11 Race Teams Officially Sign the Ninth Concorde Agreement, Securing Strength and Stability for the Sport in Pivotal Five-Year Agreement12.12.2025 18:10:00 EET | Press release
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, and Formula 1 Group, the Commercial Rights Holder, have today announced the signing of the Concorde Governance Agreement, a crucial contract defining the regulatory framework and governance terms of the FIA Formula One World Championship until 2030. This follows the announcement in March that the 2026 Commercial Concorde Agreement had been signed by all the teams and Formula 1 Group. Together, these agreements constitute the ninth Concorde Agreement, representing a major step forward in the professionalisation and global development of the sport. First introduced in 1981, the Concorde Agreements are designed to promote sporting fairness, technological innovation and operational excellence, and align all key stakeholders around a shared vision for structured governance and continued growth of the sport. Each iteration of the Concorde Agr
Anabranch Capital Management, LP supports relisting of SmartCraft ASA to Nasdaq Stockholm12.12.2025 17:26:00 EET | Press release
Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement by SmartCraft ASA ("SmartCraft" or the "Company") on 1 December 2025 regarding the contemplated relisting of SmartCraft from Euronext Oslo Børs to Nasdaq Stockholm (the "Relisting") and the announcement of a cross-border merger to effect the Relisting. Funds managed by Anabranch Capital Management, LP (“Anabranch”) intend to vote in favour of the merger plan resolved by the boards of SmartCraft and its Swedish wholly owned subsidiary, SmartCraft Group AB (publ), to effect the Relisting at the Company's extraordinary general meeting planned for January 2025 (the "EGM"). Anabranch intends to vote with all Anabranch shares held at the Record Date for the EGM in favour of the relisting effected by the merger plan. Funds managed by Anabranch currently hold approximately 15.9 million shares in SmartCraft. Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the authors and Anabranch Capital Management, LP as of the date referenced and are subject
Mohammed Ben Sulayem Re-Elected as President of the FIA12.12.2025 16:49:00 EET | Press release
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, today confirms that Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been re-elected as President of the FIA, following the election of his Presidential List by the General Assembly in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251212213181/en/ President Mohammed Ben Sulayem now begins his second four-year term, having overseen a period of significant renewal and stabilisation for the organisation since his initial election in 2021. Over the past four years, the FIA has undergone a wide-ranging transformation, improving governance, operations and restoring the financial health of the federation. These changes have strengthened the FIA’s position as the world’s governing body for motorsport and the leading authority on safe, sustainable, and affordable mobility.
Capcom’s All-new IP PRAGMATA to Launch on April 24, 2026!12.12.2025 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Capcom Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:9697) today announced that sci-fi action-adventure game PRAGMATA, a completely new IP, is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251212791950/en/ PRAGMATA Key Art PRAGMATA is a new type of sci-fi action-adventure game mixing puzzle and action elements. In the game, which takes place on the moon in a near-future world, the spacesuit-clad Hugh and android girl Diana cooperate while fighting their way back to Earth. By bringing the title to Nintendo Switch™ 2 in addition to PlayStation®5 system, Xbox Series X|S and PC, Capcom looks to further advance its multi-platform strategy and expand its user base. Moreover, a playable demo of the game will be released first on PC starting today, December 12, to further convey the appeal of the title. The company hopes that players look forward to PRAGMATA, which has already garnered acclaim for its playable demos at
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom