Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 16 to 30 of 41
-
13th Nov 2017, 02:19 AM #16
it's not without reason that the yanks refer to these things as a "truck".
Where I'm living I don't think I've even seen vehicles like an Isuzu "tradies" light truck -- that segment is filled by what we would think of as a "big ute" .regards from Canmore
ian
-
13th Nov 2017, 07:48 AM #17
I've seen a few large utes around, but I don't recall seeing one set up and used by a tradie. Do these tradies big utes have tub backs? All the tradies I know of have tray backs. In fact most utes around here have tray backs, being a rural area. I have a virtually brand new tub from a Hilux in my paddock because my step son bought a Hilux almost brand new and fitted a custom built tray. Do the yanks even have a tray back version?
The yanks call all "utes" trucks regardless of size. They have always had a penchant for big ones tho. Some of the old ones look just like a real truck with a tub on the back. Motor size? Adam Booth has a huge (6L ?) motor in his car. I don't know why they need such motors.
Another thing about load capacity. America is big on their trucking industry, but they must be the only country in the world that still rely almost entirely on 18 wheelers. I have watched a number of "road trip" videos etc and I keep a watch for Tri-axles. I have seen one or 2, but many hundreds of doubles. Maybe their heavier freight is carried by rail.
Dean
-
13th Nov 2017, 09:06 AM #18Pink 10EE owner
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
- Location
- near Rockhampton
- Posts
- 6,218
They do not need tri axles for general trailers as their per tyre road loading is higher. What they carry on eight wheels, in Australia you need twelve.
In saying that they have some really weird laws when it comes to trucks and loadings. Every state is different and their states are tiny.Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.
-
13th Nov 2017, 02:49 PM #19
-
13th Nov 2017, 05:58 PM #20
I haven't looked at what the legal axle loadings are here in Canada, but the axle combinations I see on my daily drive are:
your standard 3 axle tipper.
Tri-drive matched with either twin or single steer -- usually concrete transit mixers or some form of vacuum truck.
twin drive single steer towing two or three axle pig trailers.
twin drive semis with either 40' (12 m) or 53' (16 m) trailers mostly with twin axles, though about 1 in 20 trailers would be a tri-axle
there's a reasonable number of B-Doubles, many of which have twin axles under the trailers, though I suppose around 1 in 5 have a tri under the first trailer. It's very common to see these running on a single axle when empty.
the FedEx line haul truck uses a twin axle rigid towing a two axle dog.
Compared to Aus, a disproportionate number of the low loaders are fitted with load sharing axles front and rear.
most of the trucks, which we would call utes have tubs, though many of the cockies have tray top "trucks". It's a bit freaky the first time you pass a tray top "ute" loaded up with 3 round hay bales, towing a trailer with another 12 bales. The combination looks to be 3.7 m wide.
You also wondered why the "utes" have such large engines, up to 6.7 litres.
One reason is towing. I've followed a "ute" towing what looked like a 40' van on a 5th wheel coupling up a long 7% grade and we were both doing 120 km/h.regards from Canmore
ian
-
16th Dec 2018, 11:56 AM #21
I have seem small ringfeder couplings attached to trucks and utes on the standard 50mm square connection.
Does anyone know where these can be purchased as I may convert my trailers to that style of tow coupling .
They are easier to connect and safer than ball types for towing.
Michael
-
16th Dec 2018, 11:42 PM #22Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge S Aust.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 5,959
Hi Mike, have seen the type you're refering to also. The closest I could find was this one, it has a 25mm pin, it requires a plate to be welded onto the 50mm RHS, so that it can be bolted on.
http://www.bpwtranspec.com.au/wp-con...ical_specs.pdf
Hope this helps.
Kryn
-
5th Jan 2019, 08:20 PM #23Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge S Aust.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 5,959
Having had discussions with a few people that hire Bobcats and Excavators about this new law. Everyone has commented that the whole thing is still held together with a 16mm pin, which anyone would think would be the weakest link!!!!!
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
-
7th Jan 2019, 11:26 AM #24Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
Totally agree. I did however have the thought that perhaps we are looking in the wrong place when pondering the reasons for this rule. Maybe it is not fear of a towball failure that has driven this,but concerns for the coupling on the trailer. If we look at the standard 50mm coupling, there isn't all that much preventing the coupling parting company in the vertical direction. One locking pin with a relatively thin shank is all that hold the coupling and ball together. Given the heavier suspension in larger vehicles, greater forces would be applied in the vertical plane, particularly in the case of a fairly neutrally loaded trailer and that locking mechanism may well be the most likely area to fail.
-
7th Jan 2019, 11:46 PM #25Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge S Aust.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 5,959
You have raised a good point.
I can accept the changes of rules etc. if they gave a reason for the changes, ie. multiple fatality because a coupling broke etc.
Can't really ever remembering a coupling letting go, have seen a complete towbar assembly come off a vehicle, and the tongue shear off 2 X 5/8" bolts, but never a coupling. Have also seen a 50mm coupling on the old cast 1 7/8"? ball, that was in the early days '60s
Must have a look for a 70mm coupling at work to compare with a 50mm one.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
-
8th Jan 2019, 04:49 AM #26
Could it be that fitting a 70 mm coupling requires a heavier towbar assembly and better connections between the towbar and trailer than is required when using 50 mm fittings?
regards from Canmore
ian
-
8th Jan 2019, 09:55 PM #27Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- May 2011
- Location
- Murray Bridge S Aust.
- Age
- 71
- Posts
- 5,959
On a truck at work, the hitch is still only 50mm square, but cast. The towbar itself, is from memory, 100mm RHS with 10mm plate on the sides, with the 100mm cut into plate, while the receiver itself is welded underneath.
KrynTo grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
-
8th Jan 2019, 10:20 PM #28Pink 10EE owner
- Join Date
- Aug 2008
- Location
- near Rockhampton
- Posts
- 6,218
Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.
-
9th Jan 2019, 01:46 AM #29Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
It is mostly ignored from my observations - until there is an accident or until the NHVR are having a slow day.
Still yet to see a 50mm towball fail.
I find it interesting that the bolts supplied with a well known name brand 4.5 tonne rated towbar kit are only Grade 5 equivalent, yet they worry about the 50mm ball held in by only a 16mm mild steel pin.
-
29th Jan 2019, 05:15 PM #30New Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2011
- Location
- Brisbane, Queensland
- Posts
- 4
I'm intimately familiar with this topic. Contrary to the OP in this thread, this isn't actually a new towball rating, rather it is pointing out what has always been contained in the standards but widely ignored.
The heavier the towing vehicle, the greater the forces it is able to impart into the coupling.
The ATM ratings on couplings were created to simplify rating selection on light vehicles for a non-technical audience and used assumptions for the mass of the towing vehicle to calculate the permissible trailer mass for a given 'D-value' of the coupling design. When you use these couplings on a heavier drawing vehicle, these assumptions cease to be valid and the coupling is outside of its original design specification.
Similar Threads
-
heavy load
By morrisman in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERYReplies: 3Last Post: 24th Oct 2017, 02:51 PM -
Single phase Vs 3 phase motor ratings.
By KBs PensNmore in forum ELECTRICALSReplies: 56Last Post: 17th Sep 2017, 05:37 AM -
folder ratings question
By kelack in forum METALWORK GENERALReplies: 4Last Post: 6th Dec 2014, 08:17 PM -
Trailer part ratings which way round?
By Wombat2 in forum TRAILERS & OTHER FABRICATED STUFFReplies: 1Last Post: 21st Sep 2012, 11:17 AM