GaryM
Veteran Member
Do you have to lift the front two sets of axles to make a tight turn, such as a corner in town? Or do the tires just slide? I know that the rear axles that lower on concrete trucks can caster for turns.
Chaining Down - Ratchet or Std binders?
- Thread starter BigEddy
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Gary_in_Indiana
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Ratchet for the reasons stated above and more.
RobS
Super Member
Nice looking rig Daryl /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Egon
Epic Contributor
5030 seems to have covered the topic very well.
I'm sure the retaing system is very dependant on the type of load being hauled.
Egon
I'm sure the retaing system is very dependant on the type of load being hauled.
Egon
5030
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Ron:
The axle spacing is 10' 1". Federal Bridge Law spacing states that you must have at least 10' between axles to obtain 20,000 pounds per axle. This is a little complicated, but in every state other than Michigan, the Federal Bridge Law applies. In Michigan, the only axles that must have at least 10' spacing centerline to centerline is the distance between the centerline of the rear drive axle and the lead axle on the trailer. In Michigan, every axle in any group is rated at 18,000 pounds no matter what the distance is. Problem is, almost every other state is 80,000# gross weight, that is, unless you are on an overweight permit. Then, the gross weight is what is stated on the permit and that weight is determined by tire width and not axle spacing. On a permit, the maximum allowable weight is 20,000# per axle, except the drive axles and steer axle. The steer axle is 13,000# and the drive axles are 34,000# as a group.
Now remember, the load must be placed on the trailer so as to have the axles in specification. If the axles are heavy, you get fined.
The best part of all of this is that most every state other than Michigan only recognize 5 axles. That means that I can put 80,000# cargo weight on the trailer but I must have my lift axles in the air, that is, unless my lift axles are not cab controlled (mine are). If the lift axles cannot be set from inside the cab (down pressure), then they can be down. Hauling 80,000# on 5 axles is like a snowball headed for hell. You don't have enough brakes to stop, even with an engine retarder. That's what happens when some whiz kid in state government comes up with a bright idea. Besides, it destroys the roads. The per-square-inch of static tire loading is extreme and that destroys the pavement.
And you thought that trucking was easy, right??
The axle spacing is 10' 1". Federal Bridge Law spacing states that you must have at least 10' between axles to obtain 20,000 pounds per axle. This is a little complicated, but in every state other than Michigan, the Federal Bridge Law applies. In Michigan, the only axles that must have at least 10' spacing centerline to centerline is the distance between the centerline of the rear drive axle and the lead axle on the trailer. In Michigan, every axle in any group is rated at 18,000 pounds no matter what the distance is. Problem is, almost every other state is 80,000# gross weight, that is, unless you are on an overweight permit. Then, the gross weight is what is stated on the permit and that weight is determined by tire width and not axle spacing. On a permit, the maximum allowable weight is 20,000# per axle, except the drive axles and steer axle. The steer axle is 13,000# and the drive axles are 34,000# as a group.
Now remember, the load must be placed on the trailer so as to have the axles in specification. If the axles are heavy, you get fined.
The best part of all of this is that most every state other than Michigan only recognize 5 axles. That means that I can put 80,000# cargo weight on the trailer but I must have my lift axles in the air, that is, unless my lift axles are not cab controlled (mine are). If the lift axles cannot be set from inside the cab (down pressure), then they can be down. Hauling 80,000# on 5 axles is like a snowball headed for hell. You don't have enough brakes to stop, even with an engine retarder. That's what happens when some whiz kid in state government comes up with a bright idea. Besides, it destroys the roads. The per-square-inch of static tire loading is extreme and that destroys the pavement.
And you thought that trucking was easy, right??
5030
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Gary:
The axles don't caster on concrete trucks, the actually are called steerable axles. They have a kingpin arrangement with a set of large springs attached so when the truck turns, the wheels follow the turning chassis.
That won't work on my unit. The chassis must not be articulated, that is, it must be a straight truck. I can lift my axles via air from in the cab as well as control the down pressure. The down pressure applies air to the air bags to put the weight on the axle. I have gages in the cab that tell me how much air is applied to the axle at any given time. The inside of the truck is like an airplane cockpit. I have a total of 20 gages that tell me everything from exhaust temperature to axle temperatures. The air controls for the axles are mounted on the floor, next to the seat.
If you did not relieve the air pressure on the down axles and went around a corner, you'd be looking at the front of the trailer real quick!!
The axles don't caster on concrete trucks, the actually are called steerable axles. They have a kingpin arrangement with a set of large springs attached so when the truck turns, the wheels follow the turning chassis.
That won't work on my unit. The chassis must not be articulated, that is, it must be a straight truck. I can lift my axles via air from in the cab as well as control the down pressure. The down pressure applies air to the air bags to put the weight on the axle. I have gages in the cab that tell me how much air is applied to the axle at any given time. The inside of the truck is like an airplane cockpit. I have a total of 20 gages that tell me everything from exhaust temperature to axle temperatures. The air controls for the axles are mounted on the floor, next to the seat.
If you did not relieve the air pressure on the down axles and went around a corner, you'd be looking at the front of the trailer real quick!!
5030
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Rob:
I like it. It's a company truck. At one time, I owned 4 units. My wife told me if I ever bought another, she'd hit me in the head with a frying pan. The upkeep on a rig like that is astronomical.
Example: Tires-$200.00 each, 10 gallons oil each change. 4 batteries, The cost of the unit is about 85K for the tractor and 50K for the trailer.
I like it. It's a company truck. At one time, I owned 4 units. My wife told me if I ever bought another, she'd hit me in the head with a frying pan. The upkeep on a rig like that is astronomical.
Example: Tires-$200.00 each, 10 gallons oil each change. 4 batteries, The cost of the unit is about 85K for the tractor and 50K for the trailer.
GaryM
Veteran Member
What you described for the concrete truck is what I meant. I've seen them when they go around a turn, then straighten themselves out. Neat trick.
Thanks for the explaination.
Thanks for the explaination.
Slamfire
Veteran Member
I've got one of the old over center binders. It was layin' in my Dad's shop after he died, and all the good stuff was already gone. It doesn't kick back after you've got it over the center, but I like to tie the handle down anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Old_Hickory
Platinum Member
Daryl,
Nice looking rig . /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Nice looking rig . /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif