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Sept 10, 2005 11:55:51 GMT
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mercmad
Posted a lot
Flush Hard,it's a long way to McDonalds.
Posts: 1,740
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Sept 10, 2005 12:21:33 GMT
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Last Edit: Sept 10, 2005 12:22:11 GMT by mercmad
Many years ago I changed my driving style to cope with rising fuel prices; I have now reached the stage where I am contemplating keeping my eyes shut in order to lower wind resistance.
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Sept 10, 2005 12:27:42 GMT
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they are all ready-built ...
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Sept 10, 2005 14:51:35 GMT
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mercmad
Posted a lot
Flush Hard,it's a long way to McDonalds.
Posts: 1,740
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Sept 11, 2005 8:47:59 GMT
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Last Edit: Sept 11, 2005 8:49:57 GMT by mercmad
Many years ago I changed my driving style to cope with rising fuel prices; I have now reached the stage where I am contemplating keeping my eyes shut in order to lower wind resistance.
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Sept 11, 2005 17:02:26 GMT
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I didn't know that.
that is very un-volvo like, did they sort the issue in the end?
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Sept 11, 2005 17:53:39 GMT
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On the F12 Globetrotter? I've never heard of that, I wonder if only Australian spec ones had that problem, they're quite well regarded in the UK, although most of the drivers I knew who had tri axle artic versions had them with the lift axle in the middle as opposed to being on the back axle, that could be the reason for the problem not showing up, certainly I knew of a few F12s who were subjected to some pretty shocking strain on bad roads and up and down mountain roads every day in the highlands, and I've never heard of that problem, must be something to do with the specific models that were mainly used in Australia. The later, more aerodynamic FH12s are known for their reliability too, the only thing is that the air-dryers for the air brakes do have to be kept in good condition and serviced regularly, otherwise you end up with seized valves in the brake systems, in the Scottish climate in any case, but otherwise they're dead reliable.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Sept 11, 2005 17:56:27 GMT
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i'm not in tune with 'truck talk' - tri axel artic version, is that three axels on the tractor or the trailer?
and whats the deal with artic tractors that have the axels lifted off the floor, how does this help?
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Sept 11, 2005 18:26:08 GMT
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Yes that's the lorry itself, the tractor rather than the trailer. You get trailers with three axles, but it's the unit I'm talking about. The reason for a lift axle is so that you can lift a set of wheels off the ground when you're not carrying a trailer or the trailer is unloaded. You do that to reduce tyre wear mainly, and for extra traction for the drive axle when you're running light, then when you're loaded you just stick it back down again and you have the benefits of an extra axle.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Sept 11, 2005 19:21:56 GMT
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so if you have a trailer on, you want all the possible axels? if your unloaded, you want the minimum? how are the axels lifted ?
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Sept 11, 2005 19:48:15 GMT
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Normally hydraulics as far as I know. Basically, yes, with a three axled artic, if you're not carrying anything then you're better off with two axles, so you lift one, but if you're carrying any load on the trailer then all the wheels should be on the ground. Sometimes the lift axle is used for other purposes while it's down too, I've seen a few artics with "pusher" axles installed, meaning that at the touch of a switch the lift axle can briefly be used as a second drive axle, giving you 6x4 power instead of 6x2, but that can't be sustained for long. You also sometimes get lift axles that steer in addition to the normal steering front axle, for improved cornering when the lift axle's down, in a similar way to a "Chinese six" rigid, i.e. a lorry with six wheels where there are two front axles, both of which steer, and one back axle which is powered.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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