Buzzer:
David just out of interest a couple months ago my son and I went to Sweden on a factory visit courtesy of Scania, during that visit we had a test drive afternoon with a line up of what they had to offer and when it came to the truck below when it was my turn to drive I asked does it cut the corners, it was on a test track with all vehicles going in the same direction but there were some nasty drop offs on the corners. The instructor assured me it would follow and had less cut in than an artic, grossing at 60tons it is by no means as heavy as in Oz but a nice experience none the less & it was surprisingly easy to drive and it followed beautifully, Buzzer
My thoughts exactly, John, if you think about it (and I did) as a wagon (or a semi-trailer) turns left the tail swings right briefly, which leads the dolly of the drag to the right giving the rear bogies a wider turn. With a B-train, let’s say a double for simplicity, it is effectively 2 artics therefore no benefit from the initial outward swing of the dolly.
If that is accepted I have always wondered what is the point of an A-train. There must be an advantage otherwise they wouldn’t exist, perhaps it is something to do with weight allowances. I await the answer from the Southern Hemisphere.
They really go for longer trailers in Sweden don’t they? In France too some years ago. When I first started with Gauthier he had several longer drags with those very heavy duty telescopic drawbars which closed up when in a straight line, to keep within the overal length limits, but pushed apart by means of a frame high up which was activated when it came into contact with the wagon body for corners. They appear to have disappeared and Paul Gauthier may have explained why when we were chatting last year but he got all technical with me in rapid French so I may have missed the reason. After many years (after I left) he had operated ‘caravan type’ centre axle drawbars but then I saw that he had gone back to what they call traditionelles here, A-Frame drags. He has 3 of them at the moment, all 3 axle ones.
One reason I was in some demand when I worked there was because he had surprisingly few accomplished drawbar drivers. Enough for the fleet requirements but they were stumped on Saturdays if one needed to be put on a dock when the driver was not working.
Good evening/morning (delete as appropriate) David. B trains came into existence here in the late 80s, the concept being pinched from Canada. The first operators were fuel companies, as they were the only people with enough money and political clout to make it happen. The first B doubles were tri-axle A with a bogie B. We owner drivers and small operators never thought the concept would have spread past the fuel sector. To us a bogie trailer would have been an infleexible, restrictive white elephant, when used as a single, losing three and a half ton payload, along with the third axle. Initially B doubles were operated under permit, on very limited routes.
As with all things transport, incremental creep, eventually allowed general use of the concept with the B now having three axles. The name was changed from B train to B double, so as not to scare the ignorant into believing that behemoth trucks were going to drive up their suburban streets and mingle with them on their daily commute. Most car drivers still don’t notice how many trailers a truck is towing.
Initially a B double had to display LONG VEHICLE signage front and rear, now the sign only has to be on the back of the rear trailer.
Two or three years ago (it may be more, time goes so quickly these days) some road trains were given more access to major coastal towns and cities. Repeating the introduction of B doubles method, a shorter overall length is required, forcing the use of very much shorter dollies, and another name change to A doubles. These combinations also have to display LONG VEHICLE signage at the rear only. I’m not sure if it still applies, but it was the ridiculous situation whereby an A double had to display ROAD TRAIN signage, front and rear whilst operating on a Type 1 route (double road train), then change the signs to LONG VEHICLE on the approved (B double) route.
The A doubles are still operating under PBS (Performance Based Scheme) permit, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re granted general access to the approved B double routes.
Tri-axle dollies are becoming more prevalent, along with quad-axle trailers, amongst the bigger operators, they also will become the norm eventually.
It’s all becoming so complex that the big operators have to employ a compliance officer to stay abreast of all the rules and regulations, a task that is impossible for an owner driver.
Most owner drivers subcontract to the majors, either full time or regularly. Each time trucks get larger or heavier, the majors see it as an opportunity to reduce the pallet/tonne rate, ensuring they gain the financial benefits rather than the operator.
As for preference to various configurations, it’s very much a horses for courses. For me in a previous role, instead of three A trailers, I would have preferred an AB-AB configuration as it would have saved me a trip between the break up pad and fuel terminal. My preference would have delivered pretty much the same result, had it been legal then.
Maneuverability is not much of a concern on approved routes, they don’t generally go through suburbs or CBDs.
Great picture Eddie, This DAF vehicle is the longest rigid chassis I have ever seen.
The Tartan bodywork is very impressive. I buy the Walkers biscuits at Sainsburys.
Star down under.:
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Where did these blokes find the energy for the alleged extra curricula activities, for which they are so often associated?
By drinking milk I guess! There was an ad campaign “drinka pinta milka day” when I was a kid. I did and it did me nothing but good. I used to get free milk at school too. I particularly liked the taste of sterilised milk. That was in the tall bottles on the front of the float in the pic. And I still drink about a litre of milk a day now.
Just come across James Dean Art no not that one, this chap is from ■■■■■■■ and a brilliant artist, this is some of his work(with his permission). He draws for living and can be found on ebay(greetings cards etc) alternatively google James Dean Art.
Oily
oiltreader:
Just come across James Dean Art no not that one, this chap is from ■■■■■■■ and a brilliant artist, this is some of his work(with his permission). He draws for living and can be found on ebay(greetings cards etc) alternatively google James Dean Art.
Oily
Hi Oily,
Thanks for sharing those drawings.Outstanding artwork.
Regards Andrew.
