Less parasitic drag leads to increased fuel efficiency along with more available engine horsepower to move freight down the road instead of simply moving parts. Obtaining the maximum allowed legal weight may require trial and error with the distribution of the load, axle position, and fifthwheel location. 0000001655 00000 n Rear axles also have the ability to be lifted when needed to facilitate backing. Coolant can break down and become less effective over time. A 6x2 tractor is also approximately 400 lbs. Transporting your load in one go is both labor and time saving and positively reflected on your bottom line. Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company. 306 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 309 /H [ 1224 431 ] /L 633590 /E 69124 /N 9 /T 627351 >> endobj xref 306 19 0000000016 00000 n Join 55,000 construction professionals who get helpful insights and important news delivered straight to their inbox with the, By providing your email, you agree to our. (Or connect a gooseneck trailer to a fifth-wheel hitch with a kingpin coupler.). Not monitoring the coolant could result in corrosion and/or sludge, which can impact proper function of the cooling system. The 8x4 equipped tractor typically has a steering axle followed by a liftable pusher axle and then two more axles which are driven. If your specialized cargo needs a 9-axle flatbed trailer Heavy Haul Transporting can certainly accommodate your cargo, as well as any needed trailer configuration. These trailer loads can weigh up to 75 tons. Fleet Equipments detailed editorial focused squarely on the equipment makes it an excellent resource for every fleet. What I found was that by watching the ground in the same way you would for height or width of the area to be navigated, most problems were adverted. To help heavy haulers manage load distribution and vehicle weight, they need to know a few key items about their vehicle and its load: Using the above information, you can make an educated decision as to whether your vehicle and load meets the size and weight requirements. The positive factor will certainly be reflected in your shipping costs bottom line when using the correct equipment. As one of the nations leading heavy haulers, HHT is the best choice. In the case of a bus their cargo is humans, so you can rest assured there is not a safety drawback to a 6x2 tag axle. It's easy to blame the DPF, but what's causing the aftertreatment problem? With only half the number of drive wheels, a 62 truck does not have the same amount of traction as a 64. Get construction news and insights, plus project tips and equipment reviews delivered straight to your inbox. They must be kept elevated, significantly lowering how much a driver can carry across state lines. As a general rule, avoid placing the heaviest part of the load towards the front of the trailer and instead try to position the load near the middle of the trailer. 0000001979 00000 n Trucks with 64 configurations also have higher resale values because theyre suitable to more applications, particularly vocational jobs. A Division of Flatbed Hauling Quotes, Inc. 2 Axle Extendable-Heavy Haul Transporters, 4 Axle Step Deck Extendable-Heavy Haul Transporters, 13 Axle Climate Control Trailer-Heavy Haul Transporters, 13 Axle Step Deck-Heavy Haul Transporters, Steerable Dolly Trailer-HeavyHaul Transporting, Dual Lane 200 Ton-Heavy Haul Transporting, 5 Axle Climate Control-Heavy Haul Transporters, Heavy Haul Companies Steerable Dolly Trailer. Using the drive axle to make tires for the tag axle and trailer. compared to a 64 system. That could change, however, if more fleets move to 62 tractors. Given the weight of your vehicle, the load, and the amount of weight the equipment can handle, a heavy hauler can have an idea of how to configure the load. State axle requirements. When it comes to lift axles, state laws and overall weight capacities may vary, so interstate operators need to understand regulations in their surrounding areas. I discovered that once the truck was moving, the 6x2 tag axle configuration did not try to kick out from under you because the back tag axle tires were simply rolling along without power being directed to them. Let us take this one step further because the aviation industry also employs liftable axle technology. Of course, the loss of traction can be offset by load shifting techniques that increase weight on drive axles at low speeds and through traction control and automated load transfer systems. While that may translate to lower tolls and costs, they also have lower maximum operating weights. So why doesnt heavy haul use three drive axles (tridem) in their world?

0000006071 00000 n The driver could try and reposition the load to move more weight from the rear trailer axles to the drive axles. Check each states requirements when planning the route. For instance, if the front of the trailer is too heavy, slide the axles forward. Tri-axle configurations are smaller and more lightweight. That can shorten tire life, at least until drivers are trained in gentler takeoffs.

All rights reserved. The 8x4 axle configuration is very common in heavy haul application where there is a need for additional axles to be able to transport heavier loads. Learn more about tri-axle configurations and why theyre used. On a side note it is worth noting that the bus/coach market almost exclusively employs the 6x2 axle arrangement. The first advantage to a 6x2 tractor is less parasitic drag due to the elimination of a power divider, intermediate drive shaft and differential assembly. 0000006048 00000 n The most common tri-axle configuration includes a tandem axle with an air-lifted third axle. Flat bed and step deck trailers are frequently equipped with spread tandem axles or triaxle (or more) sets to help manage weight distribution. Attend this webinar to learn about: Fleet Equipment covers all the latest industry news and in-depth features related to trucks, tractors and trailers, including detailed information on the latest equipment components. Also, many truckers are more comfortable with the 64 configuration, which could be a factor in driver recruitment and retention. As with any profession, knowing the terms is necessary to have a productive conversation. When a load is very heavy or dense, it is difficult to know exactly where to position it on the trailer. You will save in cumulative labor, fuel, and assembly time by shipping your heavy haul trucking cargo in one piece vs. piecemeal. When a heavy haul tractor is empty, or it is transporting a load that does not require the extra carrying capacity, they simply raise the axle off the ground. The reason this axle is called a liftable pusher is due to its location ahead of the drive axles. Another benefit of this strategy was it kept fresh tires on my drive axle which needed to have the most traction. Its easy to blame the DPF, but whats causing the aftertreatment problem? Learn how operations leaders are digitizing to improve business resilience in our new report. On a 6x2 tag axle equipped tractor there are three axles first there is the steer axle followed by a drive axle and finally a non-driven axle that many refer to as a dead axle. 0000006150 00000 n The North American Council for Freight Efficiency, which endorses 62 axles, estimates that specing a 62 axle configuration could result in a fuel mileage increase of up to 2.5%. Having tandem drive axles pushing four drive wheels makes it easier for them to accomplish their jobs, while also improving handling and overall performance. These add-ons can boost productivity for your compact to large construction equipment. Quad-axle vehicles usually have two-powered and two-unpowered axles. Specing one over the other comes down to decisions about applications, driving surfaces and weather conditions, fuel efficiency, load weights, driver preference and more. If the commodity hauled exceeds the axle group weight limit, then an overweight permit is required. Benefits of the OPTIMAAX/Freightliner system are as follows: In my opinion, the idea off lifting axles off the ground when not needed is just good old-fashioned common sense. Adjusting the fifthwheel moves more weight per location move than when the trailer axle is moved. Consult the cargo securement requirements in your jurisdiction. Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company. Increased fuel economy, with lighter loads, by lifting the pusher axle when it is not needed to support the load. Keep in mind this is only on the driven axle. The solutions that I found for managing the tire wear issues on a 6x2 tractor are: Now let us address the traction deficit. Privacy Statement, Legal Notices and Terms. OPTIMAAX also eliminates the worry of overloading a steer axle by automatically lowering the pusher axle when needed. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year. Copyright Daimler Trucks North America LLC. When discussing axle weights, refer to the axles by the terms listed below. Heavy hauling drivers are often the best trained and safest in the industry. When you add the axle group limits you get a total of 80,000 lbs, which is the standard max gross weight a tractor trailer can be without an overweight permit. Heavy Haul Transportings specialized 9 axel trailers can comfortably handle a seventy-five-ton capacity using a three-axle jeep combined with 3 axels on the drop deck. In trucking, tri-axles are commonly used for local hauling and construction work. In the aviation world the landing gear is lifted for the same reason it would be lifted with a tractor equipped with the OPTIMAAX/Freightliner 6x2 liftable pusher axle system which is, reduced parasitic drag. The reduction of the trailers needed to ship many pieces of equipment using concise logistics can be as much as $5,000 to $10,000 per trailer load. Usually, the load weight is on the paperwork. To place more weight on the steers, move the fifthwheel toward them; to remove weight from the steers, slide the fifthwheel back. Anyone who has been directed by Trucking Agents to sign up through 'Create Account'. Coolant needs to be monitored and tested because mechanical and/or chemical reactions can take place hindering the performance of the coolant. 0000001224 00000 n Here is a short list of possible operations which can benefit from the OPTIMAAX/Freightliner 6x2 liftable pusher axle configuration. The upside of the lack of traction was better handling in slippery conditions. Whether it is work to life or seriousness to having fun, remember to always keep things in balance. 0000002209 00000 n A shipment would require an overweight permit even if only one axle group exceeds the axle group limit and the gross shipping weight does not exceed the 80,000 lbs.