Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Western Star Trucks has designed a 40-ton dump truck that it says is a lower-cost alternative to traditional haul trucks. The extra-heavy-duty truck is based on a 6900XD with a commercial-style cab, and an off-road chassis with a standardized power train and an integrated dump box that cost less to buy, operate and maintain.
Aimed at quarry and dirt-haul operations with well-maintained haul roads, the three-axle 6900XD 40-ton dump can haul the same loads as 35- to 40-ton articulated and rigid dump trucks but uses about 35 percent less fuel. Fuel consumption of 7.13 gallons per hour has been recorded on hauls of more than 12 miles, the company said. The truck’s top speed is 43 mph.
The vehicle costs “considerably less” than a traditional haul truck because it is an uprated on/off-highway truck instead of a downsized “yellow iron” machine normally used in this payload range, The 6900XD’s engine, transmission, axles, wheels and tires are long-lasting and efficient, but replacement parts are less costly and easier to obtain. For example, its high-pressure 14R25 earthmoving tires are priced about 40 percent less than larger specialty tires needed by haul trucks.
The 6900XD’s 14-liter 475-horsepower Detroit Diesel Series 60 runs through a 6-speed Allison 4500 RDS automatic transmission. The Axletech tandem rear axles have planetary-gear reduction and are combined with a high-articulating Chalmers 800 mechanical suspension for a capacity of 110,000 pounds. A 28,000-pound non-driving front axle needs no drop boxes and transfer case, and its flat-leaf springs are simple and easy to maintain. Brakes are a simple and low-cost dry drum design that are effective but easier and cheaper to maintain than the wet discs used by haul trucks. A Jacobs Engine Brake is standard.
The severe-duty galvanized steel cab is air suspended and comes with a multi-adjustable air-ride seat, tilt-telescoping steering column, premium insulation, roomy dimensions, and other features to make the driver comfortable and productive. Complete gauges and waterproof marine-grade rocker switches are included. An exterior sun visor limits glare through the large two-piece windshield; the two-piece design limits the cost of replacing broken glass.
The dump box is made by J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers expressly for this truck model. J&J constructs it of Hardox 400 and 450 steel, with 5/16-inch sides and a 5/8-inch floor and 5/8-inch liner strips. Capacity is 24 cubic yards struck and 30 yards heaped; rated payload is 77,100 pounds, for a total laden vehicle weight of 138,000 pounds. The hoist mechanism includes a four-stage hydraulic cylinder that can tip the body in 25 seconds at 1,000 rpm and lower it in 18 seconds at the same engine speed.
A heated dump body is one of the features of an optional cold weather package, which also includes a block heater and ether starting system, -60F coolant, and a heated fuel-water separator. Other options range from an automatic chassis greasing system to carbon filters for the cab’s heating and air conditioning system.
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Monday, November 3rd, 2008
The trailer posses so many advantages as an auxiliary vehicle that it is coming into use rapidly, particularly in the central and far western states, where industry and commerce are less conservative than in the east. Those who have adopted equipment trailers find that they double their hauling capacity of their trucks, greatly reduce waiting time of trucks and drivers, and increase the earnings or cur down the ton-mile operating cost materially.
As an industry, the manufacture of trailers dates back only half a dozen years, but it has grown rapidly until today there are seventy-five or more trailer manufacturers in the country, and several are exporting to foreign countries.
Trailers are made in a wide variety of types and capacities for all sorts of purposes, ranging from the little pneumatic tired two-wheel trailer of 500 pounds capacity, to be attached behind runabouts and touring cars, to ten-ton and fifteen-ton trailers and semi-trailers, hauled by powerful tractors and motor trucks. These include car haulers, dump trailers, utility trailers, equipment trailers, gooseneck trailer etc. Size is one of the main considerations while looking for a trailer. The maximum towing capacity and maximum tongue weight of your tow vehicle are limiting factors.
By used trailers and car haulers, many hauling jobs can be done that would be impossible with trucks alone, as for example – the handling object too heavy, too big or too long to be loaded on the truck. Weights of ten to twenty tons and more are divided between truck and trailer so that neither is overloaded and the weight is distributed over six or eight wheels instead of being concentrated on four.
Tow trucks are expensive, especially if the distance is great. A utility trailer is a great way to haul vehicles and a good investment if you need to do so regularly. Packing equipment and loading it into a pickup truck bed can get old very quickly. A utility trailer will allow you to drive your equipment right up onto the trailer without the aid of ramps or two strong men. Utility trailers are great for hauling appliances, live stock and recreational vehicles.
Open utility trailers are well suited for many applications including small landscaping businesses that are just starting out and need a way to haul their landscape equipment. As their business grows and they decide to move up to an enclosed trailer, the open utility trailer will still be incredibly useful for hauling all sorts of material such as mulch, rock and plants.
The use of dump trailers has been gaining in popularity as one of the most cost effective means for handling tear-off removal. Licensing fees, insurance costs and maintenance expenses associated with a dump truck are astronomical in most parts of the country. The use of dump trailers is a more cost effective and more versatile method for handling tear-off debris.
Dump trailers can be utilized for other practical purposes as well. Use it to haul equipment and material to and from various job sites. Their crews bring job site debris back to the yard at the end of each day. When the trailer is full, they just hook it up to their truck and take it to the dump.
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