2 posts tagged “axle”
16/07/07
Source: http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/news/european_axel_shortage_071607/
European transport firms are buying so many new trailers that the industry’s suppliers have run out of axles. All over Europe, finished trailers are sitting in rows, painted in their owners’ livery, waiting for this key part that fits between the suspension and the wheels.
Motorists might welcome fewer truck/trailer combinations on the road. However, there is a slight problem: 77% of goods transported in Western Europe travel by road, and most of that goes on a trailer pulled by a heavy truck.
Almost 200,000 new trailers will be sold in Western Europe as a whole in 2007, according to CLEAR’s latest forecast of the European market for heavy goods vehicle trailers..
Economic forecasts for GDP, and in particular, investment growth, have improved across Europe, creating more demand for transport. One important support factor is the inclusion of the new East European markets in the EU, which is giving a boost to international transport and vehicle demand. There is booming demand for used trailers in Eastern Europe, which has resulted in West European trailer fleets being replaced early, fueling orders for new vehicles.
According to Gary Beecroft, Managing Director of CLEAR, “It is easier to identify the countries not having a record sales year in 2007: they are Italy and the UK. Although sales in the next two years will be slightly lower, they will still be a very high levels.”
31/10/06
Source : http://www.fullyloaded.com.au/index.cfm?storyid=29046&cp=displaystory
Semi-trailers fitted with twin-steer axles could carry heavier loads under a proposal released by the National Transport Commission (NTC) for comment.
The reform promises significant safety and productivity gains for the logging, mining, container, waste and construction industries.
Current heavy vehicle mass regulations for semi-trailers are based on single-steer axles and cap gross weights at 42.5 tonnes.
The new proposal recognises the ability of twin-steer axles to carry higher weights safely, without causing significant road damage.
An 11 tonne twin-steer axle limit would lift the maximum weight of semi-trailers by 5 tonnes to 47.5 tonne.
The same vehicle could operate at 48.5 tonne under Concessional Mass Limits (previously 43.5 tonne) and 50.5 tonne at Higher Mass Limits (previously 45.5 tonne).
"An increase in weight for twin-steer semi-trailers will boost productivity, reduce the number of truck trips and lower freight costs," says NTC Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos.
"Twin-steer semi-trailers carrying logs and woodchip are already operating successfully at these weights in Tasmania."
The NTC say the truck has been assessed against world-leading Performance Based Standards (PBS) to provide road safety assurance.
Higher steer axle weights also provide an opportunity for operators to improve workplace safety by fitting truck-mounted cranes, rather than hire specialist equipment on-site or rely on manual loading.
"Climbing-up or jumping down from trucks accounts for around 70 percent of fall injuries. Truck-mounted cranes and lifters can reduce this safety risk without overloading the front axle," says Dimopoulos.
A marginal increase in road wear impacts are expected to be offset by existing higher registration costs for twin-steer prime-movers.
The proposal is expected to deliver a direct economic benefit of $12 million a year – much higher than reduced axle weight alternatives say the NTC.
VicRoads developed the initial proposal following requests by industry to review twin-steer axle semi-trailer gross mass limits. The work has been completed by the NTC.
Public consultation ends on 30 November, 2006.
