4-axle tractor

[RobertN]

I saw a 4-axle big rig/tractor today; the first I have ever seen. Just got a quick glimpse; I think it was a Freightliner.

Looked different with three axles on the back. It did not have a trailer. And did not get a picture...

Imagine those are not very common; I have never noticed one before.

 

[zlock24]

these are called tridems (like tandems but with 3 rear axels instead of 2) they are common in heavy-haul and used a lot in logging and construction, they arent really used for interstate travel for normal loads, these are the trucks that are hauling 100 tons loads or in massive logging operations. So if you see a giant cat excavator on a 4 axle lowboy trailer, its probably being towed by one of these deisel thirsty monsters

 

[whodat526]

That is just whats called a 3rd axle it can be raised when not hauling much weight most commonly found on heavy haul trucks and dump trucks

 

[flusher]

These beasts are made by Oshkosh

 

[Duffster]

I saw a 4-axle big rig/tractor today; the first I have ever seen. Just got a quick glimpse; I think it was a Freightliner.

Looked different with three axles on the back. It did not have a trailer. And did not get a picture...

Imagine those are not very common; I have never noticed one before.

They are not as common as quads (4 axles in the back) but still fairly common.

 

[Duffster]

These beasts are made by Oshkosh

View attachment 240247

They build them with up to 7 axles.

They are built NE of here and we see a lot of them go by here being delivered.

 

[JasG]

They are not as common as quads (4 axles in the back) but still fairly common.

Are you sure your not thinking of a straight truck with a dump or mixer body or that would be getting a body? These would be very common to have 4 axles in the back. I don't think a quad axle truck with a 5th wheel is made. They usually go to what is called a jeep. Where you have several axles on a small trailer with a 5th wheel then the load trailer.

Don't know if these links will work but here are some very heavy haul set-ups for anyone interested. These are very uncommon and require all kinds of special permits to use. They do look cool to me anyway.

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Here are some heavy haul web sites with info.

D & G Heavy Haul pictures

http://www.craneserviceinc.com/Heavy-Hauling-Trucking.php


http://www.atswes.com/equipment.html

 

[RobertN]

The rig I saw had three drive axle. It was definitely a tractor; it had the 5th wheel.

I have seen the dumps with three rear axles, where one could be lowered depending on weight requirements.

The links JasG provided remind me of when they pulled the generators from the Ill fated Rancho Seco Nuke plan outside of Sacramento. They were transported on one of those very large, numerous axle articulated rigs. Went from the closed nuke plant, to India I believe. I can't remember if they towed them to Port of Sacramento or Port of Stockton to be loaded on a ship.

 

[JasG]

The rig I saw had three drive axle. It was definitely a tractor; it had the 5th wheel.

I have seen the dumps with three rear axles, where one could be lowered depending on weight requirements.

The links JasG provided remind me of when they pulled the generators from the Ill fated Rancho Seco Nuke plan outside of Sacramento. They were transported on one of those very large, numerous axle articulated rigs. Went from the closed nuke plant, to India I believe. I can't remember if they towed them to Port of Sacramento or Port of Stockton to be loaded on a ship.

Many of these 3rd and 4th axles aren't powered and in may states now they require them to steer. This is suppose to reduce road wear so many have single tires. Although many trucks now are going to super single tires that has 1 very wide tire in place of dual wheels on the rear tandems. The tires cost about the same as a set of duals, but they save on weight and fuel.

What can suck for guys that live near a state border if they have like a dump truck or straight body. Each state has different load laws and axle spreads. When you get into these trucks I have seen all kinds of different axle spreads. Some attach a set of arms on the very rear of a truck. Then when lowered are about 8' behind the truck. One guy around here has a very long dump truck. The tandem is about midway on the dump body with a lift axle on the very back. looks funny, but he can turn very short with it. Always needs to be sure his axle is down when he dumps or it could stand up on end.

Here are a couple of pages that show the lift or drop axles.
Lift Axles

New Axle and Suspension Products Announcments at Watson & Chalin

Super dump truck with trailing axle.
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Truck Bodies & Equipment International Inc. (TBEI) Company and Product Info from ForConstructionPros.com

I went ro Asia a few years ago and double front steering axles was very common.

Ditzj.de - OAF 42.464 - Sohler

 

[Willl]

Imagine those are not very common; I have never noticed one before.

Quite common.

First time out of the house in a while ?