Skip to main content

4500 Series HD

The 4500 Series HD boasts a powerful American-made motor, a durable all-metal gearbox, and a reliable magnetic brake. Its heavy-duty extruded aluminum torsion arms feature patented flexible elbows, ensuring smooth operation over loads while maintaining strength.

Universal Fit & Optimized Performance

Designed for all trailer makes and models, the 4500 Series HD delivers optimal torque, preventing damage to your tarp system. Its magnetic brake requires no electrical power, eliminating wiring issues. A patented pivoting motor mount absorbs roll tube misalignment, reducing system strain.

Industry-Leading Durability

Strongest Arms Available – Backed by a lifetime warranty
Easy Installation – Preassembled with a reinforced mounting bracket (no backer plate needed in most cases)
Low-Friction Rear Arm Bracket – Prevents wear for long-lasting use
Inset Arms for Clearance Light Visibility

Enhanced Protection & Smart Features

  • Reinforced Rubber Boot – Shields the flex-joint from road and field debris
  • Gate Flex™ Option – Adapts to side- and top-mount hinges for tailgate compatibility
  • Bolt-On Motor Shroud – Ensures easy maintenance and added protection

Built for strength, efficiency, and longevity, the 4500 Series HD sets the standard for durable, high-performance tarp systems.

Built for Every Job – Versatile Trailer Applications

The 4500 Series HD is engineered to perform across a wide range of trailer types and hauling conditions. Whether you’re running grain from the field to the elevator, moving aggregate on a construction site, or managing waste and recycling loads, this system delivers consistent, trouble-free coverage every time.

Grain Trailers
For grain haulers, the 4500 Series HD is the go-to electric tarp system. It fits the majority of vertical and sloped grain trailers on the market and handles the demands of daily operations during harvest season and beyond. The double-arm configuration provides maximum stability over fully loaded trailers, while single-arm setups are available for lighter applications or specific trailer configurations.

End Dump Trailers
When hauling gravel, sand, scrap, or demolition debris, the 4500 Series HD’s heavy-duty extruded aluminum arms and reinforced flex elbows handle the bumps and shifting loads that come with end dump work. The Gate Flex™ option accommodates both side-mount and top-mount tailgate hinges, so the system works with your trailer, not against it.

Transfer & Refuse Trailers
For waste, recycling, and transfer trailer operators, reliable coverage means staying compliant and keeping loads contained. The 4500 Series HD’s spiral spring return mechanism ensures smooth, consistent tarp deployment and retraction, even after thousands of cycles. The sealed control box and corrosion-resistant components hold up in the harsh environments that come with waste hauling.

Grain Carts
The 4500 Series HD also works as an application on existing Shur-Lok® systems on grain carts. A 4-spiral torsion spring system and heavy-duty front cable return provide smooth, consistent tarp tension in the field. The exclusive dual-pivoting Durabuilt™ motor mount absorbs roll tube misalignment, keeping stress off the motor and arms even on uneven terrain.

Under the Hood – Technical Details
Every component in the 4500 Series HD is purpose-built for reliability in demanding conditions. Here’s a closer look at the engineering behind the system.

American-Made Direct-Drive Motor
The 12-volt motor at the heart of the 4500 Series HD is built in the USA with an all-metal gearbox and high-efficiency planetary gear reduction. This direct-drive design eliminates the chain-driven reduction systems found in lesser motors, resulting in more reliable, lower-maintenance performance. The motor is tuned to deliver optimal torque—not maximum torque, because excessive force can actually damage tarp systems over time.

Magnetic Braking System
The magnetic brake operates through matched polarities, meaning there are no moving parts to wear out or fail. Because it requires zero electrical energy to actuate, there are no wiring connections that can corrode or misfire. This is a significant advantage over electrically actuated brakes, especially in wet, dusty, or corrosive environments.
Dual-Pivot Motor Mount
The patented dual-pivot motor mounting bracket offers freedom of movement on two independent axes. This means it automatically accommodates bent roll tubes or uneven tarp rolls without transmitting stress to the motor or arm assemblies. It’s a small engineering detail that prevents big repair bills down the road.

HD Extruded Aluminum Torsion Arms
The front and rear torsion arms are constructed from high-strength extruded aluminum, making them the strongest arms available in the industry, and they’re backed by a lifetime warranty against breakage. The patented flex elbows allow the arms to move smoothly over uneven loads, while reinforced rubber boots protect the flex joints from road and field debris.
Sealed Control Box
The trailer-mounted control box features fully sealed control switches that protect internal components from moisture, dust, and grime. The sealed design also prevents debris buildup between the buttons, a common issue with older control boxes that can cause switches to stick or become unresponsive.

Wireless Operation – ShurLink™ Remote System
The 4500 Series HD pairs with the ShurLink™ wireless system, giving you hands-free control of your tarp from 100 feet away or more. Built on advanced industrial Bluetooth technology, ShurLink delivers greater reliability and range than previous wireless systems. Two remote options are available to match your operation’s needs.

Choose Your Remote

Feature

ShurLink EZR™

ShurLink PRO™

Device Connections

Up to 5

Up to 30

Battery

Standard

Rechargeable Li-Po (USB-C)

Display

No

1.7” daylight-visible color screen

Position Feedback

No

Yes (encoder applications)

End Stop / Mid Stop

No

Set end stops + 2 mid stops

Express Mode

Yes

Yes

Phone App Compatible

Yes

Yes

Two-Way Communication

No

Yes

Both remotes support Shur-Co’s Express Mode, which allows single-touch operation—press the button once and the tarp opens or closes on its own, without the need to hold the button down. A companion phone app (iOS and Android) adds further customization and configuration options. The ShurLink system uses a single communication platform, so you can mix and match EZR remotes, PRO remotes, and the phone app across your entire fleet.

SMARTwire™ Sealed Harness

The patented SMARTwire™ harness simplifies the electrical side of installation. Pre-sealed connections with molded rubber connectors, automotive-grade silicone seals, and precision- machined brass pins eliminate the need for any wire stripping or crimping. Dual 6-gauge wire ensures strong, reliable power delivery. SMARTwire also supports easy expansion for additional accessories like electric hopper openers and LED work lights.

Fast, Straightforward Installation

Getting the 4500 Series HD on your trailer is simpler than you might expect. The system is designed to minimize installation time and keep you moving.

Preassembled Arm Assemblies: Front and rear arm assemblies arrive preassembled, cutting down on labor and eliminating guesswork.
Universal HD Mounting Bracket: The heavy-duty mounting bracket is designed to accommodate most trailer makes and models without modification. Its bolt-hole pattern matches common rivet and rib spacing, and backer plates are not required for most installations.
Sloped Trailer Compatibility: A dedicated bracket option is available for sloped-wall trailer designs.
Plug-and-Play Wiring: All electrical components and wiring needed for installation are included in the kit. The SMARTwire™ sealed harness connects with simple lock-pin connectors, no crimping or stripping required.
• Complete Kit: The standard kit includes double arms, motor, mounting hardware, sealed control box, SMARTwire harness, and your choice of ShurLink wireless remote. Tarp, roll tube, and fixed tube are ordered separately to ensure the right fit for your trailer.

Complete Your Setup – Pair with Electric Hopper Openers

For the ultimate in trailer automation, the 4500 Series HD pairs seamlessly with Shur-Co’s ProTrap® and AutoTrap™ electric hopper openers. Together, they give you full wireless control of your tarp and hopper doors from the cab or anywhere around the trailer.

The AutoTrap™ is a compact, high-clearance hopper opener that’s nearly 40% lighter than the ProTrap® while delivering comparable performance. It features a one-bolt manual changeover for emergency operation and a universal mounting bracket that fits 1-inch, 7/8-inch, and 3/4-inch crank shafts. Both systems run on the same ShurLink™ wireless platform, so you can control everything with a single remote.

Ask us about bundled 4500 HD + hopper opener configurations when you request your quote.