Truck
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A truck (North American and Australian English) or lorry (British English) is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction, with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle. Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment, such as in the case of refuse trucks, fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators, However, trucks have replaced horse-drawn freight wagons. The transition began with the invention of the internal combustion engine in the early 1900s, which revolutionized transportation by providing faster and more efficient means of moving goods. By the 1920s, trucks had largely supplanted horse-drawn wagons as the primary mode of freight transport, marking a significant evolution in the logistics industry. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a "straight truck" while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a "tractor".[1] Also, the road spreads the weight of the truck which means larger amounts can be carried than with trains on railroad tracks.
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Sizes of trucks
[change | change source]Ultra light
[change | change source]Often produced as variations of golf cars, with internal combustion or battery electric drive, these are used typically for off-highway use on estates, golf courses, and parks. While not suitable for highway use some variations may be licensed as slow speed vehicles for operation on streets, generally as a body variation of a neighborhood electric vehicle. A few manufactures produce specialized chassis for this type of vehicle, while Zap Motors markets a version of their Xebra electric tricycle (licensable in the U.S. as a motorcycle).
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Very light
[change | change source]Popular in Europe and Asia, many mini-trucks are factory redesigns of light automobiles, usually with monocoque bodies. Specialized designs with substantial frames such as the Italian Piaggio shown here are based upon Japanese designs (in this case by Daihatsu) and are popular for use in "old town" sections of European cities that often have very narrow alleyways.
Regardless of name, these small trucks serve a wide range of uses. In Japan, they are regulated under the Kei car laws, which allow vehicle owners a break in taxes for buying a smaller and less-powerful vehicle (currently, the engine is limited to 660 cc displacement). These vehicles are used as on-road utility vehicles in Japan. These Japanese-made mini-trucks that were manufactured for on-road use are competing with off-road ATVs in the United States, and import regulations require that these mini-trucks have a 25 mph (40 km/h) speed governor as they are classified as low-speed vehicles.[2] These vehicles have found uses in construction, large campuses (government, university, and industrial), agriculture, cattle ranches, amusement parks, and replacements for golf carts.[3]
Major mini-truck manufacturers and their brands include: Daihatsu Hijet, Honda Acty, Tata Ace, Mazda Scrum, Mitsubishi Minicab, Subaru Sambar, and Suzuki Carry.
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Light
[change | change source]Light trucks are car-sized (in the US, no more than 13,900 lb (6.3 t)) and are used by individuals and businesses alike. In the EU they may not weigh more than 3.5 t (7,700 lb) and are allowed to be driven with a driving licence for cars.
Pickup trucks, called utes in Australia and New Zealand, are common in North America and some regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, but not so in Europe, where this size of commercial vehicle is most often made as vans.
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Medium
[change | change source]Medium trucks are larger than light but smaller than heavy trucks. In the US, they are defined as weighing between 13,000 and 33,000 lb (5.9 and 15.0 t). For the UK and the EU the weight is between 3.5 and 7.5 t (7,700 and 16,500 lb). Local delivery and public service (dump trucks, garbage trucks and fire-fighting trucks) are normally around this size.
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Heavy
[change | change source]Heavy trucks are the largest on-road trucks, Class 8. These include vocational applications such as heavy dump trucks, concrete pump trucks, and refuse hauling, as well as ubiquitous long-haul 4x2 and 6×4 tractor units.[4]
Road damage and wear increase very rapidly with the axle weight. The number of steering axles and the suspension type also influence the amount of the road wear. In many countries with good roads a six-axle truck may have a maximum weight of 44 t (97,000 lb) or more.
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Off-road
[change | change source]Off-road trucks include standard, extra heavy-duty highway-legal trucks, typically outfitted with off-road features such as a front driving axle and special tires for applications such as logging and construction, and purpose-built off-road vehicles unconstrained by weight limits, such as the Liebherr T 282B mining truck.
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Maximum sizes by country
[change | change source]
Australia has complex regulations over weight and length, including axle spacing, type of axle/axle group, rear overhang, kingpin to rear of trailer, drawbar length, ground clearance, as well as height and width laws. These limits are some of the highest in the world, a B-double can weigh 62.5 t (61.5 long tons; 68.9 short tons) and be 25 m (82 ft) long, and road trains used in the outback can weigh 172 t (169.3 long tons; 189.6 short tons) and be 53.5 m (176 ft) long.[6][7]
The European Union also has complex regulations. The number and spacing of axles, steering, single or dual tires, and suspension type all affect maximum weights. Length of a truck, of a trailer, from axle to hitch point, kingpin to rear of trailer, and turning radius are all regulated. In additions, there are special rules for carrying containers, and countries can set their own rules for local traffic.[8]
The United States Federal Bridge Law deals with the relation between the gross weight of the truck, the number of axles, the weight on and the spacing between the axles that the truck can have on the Interstate highway system.[9] Each State determines the maximum permissible vehicle, combination, and axle weight on state and local roads.
| Country | Maximum with three axles | With one trailer | Maximum combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia[6][7] | 23 t (22.6 long tons; 25.4 short tons) | 12 m (39 ft) | 172 t (169.3 long tons; 189.6 short tons) 53.5 m (176 ft) |
| China[10] | 25 t (24.6 long tons; 27.6 short tons) 12 m (39 ft) | 49 t (48.2 long tons; 54.0 short tons) 16.5 m (54 ft) | 55 t (54.1 long tons; 60.6 short tons) 18.75 m (62 ft) |
| EU[8] | 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons) 12 m (39 ft) | 16.5 m (54 ft) | 44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) 18.75 m (62 ft) |
| Finland[11] | 28 t (27.6 long tons; 30.9 short tons) 13 m (43 ft) | 76 t (74.8 long tons; 83.8 short tons) 34.5 m (113 ft 2 in) | 76 t (74.8 long tons; 83.8 short tons) 34.5 m (113 ft) |
| Ireland[12] | 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons) 12 m (39 ft) | 30 t (29.5 long tons; 33.1 short tons) 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in) | 44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) 22 m (72 ft) |
| Sweden[13][14] | 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons) 24 m (79 ft) | 74 t (72.8 long tons; 81.6 short tons) 25.25 m (82 ft 10 in) | 74 t (72.8 long tons; 81.6 short tons) 34.5 m (113 ft) |
| UK[15] | 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons) 12 m (39 ft) | 44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) 16.5 m (54 ft) | 44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons) 18.75 m (62 ft) |
| USA[16][17] (Interstate) | 54,000 lb (24 t) 45 ft (13.7 m) | 80,000 lb (36 t) none | 80,000 lb (36 t) none |
Uniquely, the State of Michigan has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb (74 t), which is twice the U.S. federal limit.[18][19][20] A measure to change the law was defeated in the Michigan Senate in 2019.[21][22][23][24][25]
Body types
[change | change source]Box trucks or Dry vans ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making a closed cargo room. The rear has doors. Some have a side door.
Concrete mixers have a turning drum on back. Turning it one way mixes the concrete. Turning it the other way pushes the concrete out. The concrete goes down "chutes" (like large pipes with an open top). On most trucks the concrete comes out the back. Some new types have the concrete goes over the cab and down chutes in the front. Concrete is very heavy and hard to mix. Concrete mixers have to be very heavy duty.
Dump trucks ("tippers" in the UK) carry sand, gravel, and dirt. Most dump trucks have an open-top box bed with an opening "tail-gate" door on the back. The body lifts up at the front. The load falls out the tailgate and is "dumped" on the ground behind the truck.
Flatbed trucks have a flat body with no sides. There is a wall between the cab and the body. The load will not move forward and hit the cab. The truck can be loaded from the side or top. Nothing covers the load. Some trucks have sides that can be taken off or folded down. Many times the load is covered with tarps.
Garbage trucks pick up garbage and trash from homes and some businesses. Most were loaded from the rear. Now some load from the front or side. The same type of truck is often used for recycling.
Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have no bodies. They have a "fifth wheel" that carries weight. A semi-trailer has no front wheels. The front of the trailer goes on the fifth wheel. The semi-tractor carries weight from the trailer and pulls the trailer
Tank trucks ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry liquids or gases. They usually have a round tank that is long (a cylinder) lying on its side. There are many types of tanks because there are many liquids and gases. Most tankers are built for only one liquid.
Boom Truck is a truck with a hydraulic arm. The hydraulic arm on a boom truck is called the boom. This boom will reach out past the end of the vehicle, and it will grab the vehicles that need to be towed. The boom of the truck remains in a fixed position, which allows it to be a very stable option when it comes to towing.
Wreckers ("recovery lorries" in the UK and sometimes "tow trucks" in the US) are used to lift and tow broken cars and trucks as large as a semi-trailer truck. They usually have a boom with a cable. Cars are often carried on special flatbeds.
Box truck
Concrete mixer unloading
Flatbed
Rear loading garbage truck
Semi-tractors
Tank truck
Wrecker
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![Semi-tractors](/Using-https-simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M._Way_&_Son_Volvo_F10_"Lady_Caroline"_(A396_OBP),_HTC_2012_Devon_Coastal_Run_(2).jpg)
1. Semi-tractor
2. Semi-trailer
3. Engine compartment
4. Cab
5. Sleeper (not on all trucks)
6. Air dam (not on all trucks)
7. Fuel tanks
8. Fifth wheel coupling
9. Inside cargo space
10. Landing gear - legs for parking trailer
11. Tandem axles
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Glossary" (PDF). trucking.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ↑ "49CFR571". Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ↑ "お問い合わせ" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- ↑ "Chapter 3. HEAVY TRUCKS – Center for Transportation" (PDF) cta.ornl.gov 20 August 2015
- ↑ "An ALMA Antenna on the Move". ESO Picture of the Week. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- 1 2 "Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and loading) National Regulation Schedule 1 (NSW)". New South Wales Government. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- 1 2 "Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and loading) National Regulation Schedule 6 (NSW)". New South Wales Government. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- 1 2 "Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorized dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorized weights in international traffic". EUR-Lex. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ↑ "Freight Management and Operations: Bridge Formula Weights". US Department of Transportation. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
- ↑ Harborn, Mats; Feng, Feng; Xu, Tommy (2013). "Chinese Road Transport Mass and Dimensions Regulations – An Analysis of the Challenges Ahead". road-transport-technology.org. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ↑ "Asetus ajoneuvojen käytöstä tiellä". Finlex. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ↑ "Guidelines on Maximum Weights and Dimensions" (PDF). Ireland Road Safety Authority. February 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ↑ ""Legal loading" - Weight and dimension regulations for heavy vehicles" (PDF). Swedish Transport Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ↑ Andersson, Rutger (2 November 2023). "Längre kombinationer tillåts i Sverige från 1 december". Trailer (in Swedish). Albinsson & Sjöberg. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ "A Guide to Haulage & Courier Vehicle Types & Weights" (PDF). Returnloads.net. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ↑ "Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles". US Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
- ↑ "Compilation of Exixting State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws". US Department of Transportation. May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ↑ Egan, Paul (13 March 2018). "Does your body ache from hitting potholes? 5 reasons Michigan has lousy roads". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ↑ Anderson, Bill (17 August 2018). "Michigan's Road Spending: How do we stack up?". Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ↑ Haddad, Ken (22 February 2018). "Pothole questions: Why are Ohio's roads better than Michigan's roads? MDOT points to lack of funding compared to Ohio". Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ↑ Oosting, Jonathan (2 December 2014). "Michigan road funding: Proposal to cut truck weight limits fails in state Senate". MLive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ Chatti, K. (February 2009). "Effect of Michigan Multi-Axle Trucks on Pavement Distress" (PDF). Michigan DOT and Michigan State University, Final Report, Executive Summary, Project RC-1504. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2020.
- ↑ "Pavement Comparative Analysis Technical Report Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. 15 June 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ↑ Egan, Paul (19 April 2019). "Experts weigh in on how much Michigan's heavy trucks damage the state's roads". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- ↑ Egan, Paul (1 March 2019). "Fixing Michigan's crumbling roads: What about the heavy trucks?". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
Carroll, John; Davies, Peter (2015). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tractors and Trucks. Hermes House. pp. 282–301. ISBN 978-1-84309-689-4.
