An articulated truck is a vehicle that is most commonly used in construction work. Articulated trucks are used to haul heavy loads, sometimes over difficult terrain, and they can be considered a type of tractor-trailer unit. There are simple articulated trucks that haul goods, as well as articulated dump trucks that are also loaders.
The main feature of an articulated truck that puts it in a separate driving class is its drive system. The drive system is based on the number of wheels on the axles used to pull the truck. The most common system is the 6 x 6 system, in which the truck has six wheels on three axles and all are used when driving the truck.
Another system used is the 6 x 4 drive, in which only the rear four wheels are used when driving. The original drive system in articulated trucks is the famous 4 x 4 drive. This was designed for trucks that drive over the roughest terrain on the planet. The 4 x 4 drive system helps the truck maneuver over terrain that could be a potential problem for the goods being carried.
An articulated truck can be used to carry all kinds of goods. The 4 x 4 drive system, for instance, is most often used for loads such as flammable liquid. An articulated truck also has the ability to carry loads of up to 40 tons in weight. This is why it is so popular in the construction industry, in which heavy materials are used.
One of the problems of the articulated truck is found with the rear trailer. Because of its coupling system, the trailer works independently from the driving cab. A skilled driver needs to keep a watchful eye on the trailer using side view mirrors. Because of the independence of the trailer, the driver has no sense of the trailer's motion. There are now video cameras that can be installed in the trailer to allow drivers to be aware of the trailer’s movement.
The articulated truck is one of the most versatile hauling vehicles in the world. Because of its versatility and mobility, it is used in a variety of industries, not just construction. Think of the large logging companies that transport huge numbers of trees; this would not be possible without the articulated truck. The military has a huge fleet of various types of articulated trucks, some of which are specially armored. You even have the articulated truck to thank for your garbage collection once a week.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-articulated-truck.htm
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Articulated Trucks: The ATVs of Construction
The off-highway articulated truck, a cross between a tractor-trailer and an articulated loader, is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment ever invented. The secret of an AT is in the coupling and drive systems. The coupling system allows the power and drive sections to move independently of the load section. An oscillating ring attaches the two sections together and allows the two units to move in a rolling motion around its centerline. The second part of this joint is the pivot, which allows the truck to steer (yaw) like an articulated wheel loader and bend (pitch) over obstacles.
The versatility would be lost on rough ground without a good drive system. Most ATs have 6x6 drive (six wheels, all driven) capability on three axles, although there are 6x4 (six wheel, rear four driven) on three units available as well. Additionally, there are rare, more compact 4x4 units for very difficult terrain.
The AT’s performance over rough ground means a pretty unstoppable unit considering its ability to haul payloads up to 40 tons and 13 high clearance.
In the Operator’s Seat
As tough as they are, ATs are comfortable machines to operate. Because of the operating circumstances, rough-terrain operators tend to get jostled about in the cab. Newer equipment, such as Caterpillar’s 730, boasts cabin arrangements easily rivaling an upscale passenger car’s driver position, cup holder included.
The same versatility that makes the AT such a great performer is also its weakness under the hand of an unskilled operator. Because the unit’s rear portion is designed to pivot behind the cab, the back half of the AT will overturn, leaving the cab upright, if it backs onto a significant cross slope.
Operators have little or no feel for the motion of the unit’s back half because it operates independently of the cab. The unit’s side-view mirrors inform operators of what the rear portion is doing. An alternative is mounting a rear video-vision system. A small video camera on the rear of the unit is coupled to an in-cab screen, allowing the operator good rearward visibility for all hazards.
Multiple Personalities
The AT’s versatility has not gone unnoticed. Because of its range of movement and operating ability in difficult terrain, end users ranging from loggers to the armed forces have investigated the articulated truck for adaptability.
Volvo adapted its AT for military use. The A25C 6x6 Multi Purpose Vehicle is designed with a military grade drop-side flat deck in place of the conventional dump box. The unit also has an articulated crane mounted at the end of the box to facilitate unloading. Another version of the A25C is the 6x6, load-handling-system-equipped AT with armored cab and engine cover. This unit has a tilt-and-load hydraulic ramp system allowing it to drop containerized equipment or pallets in the field.
Hammar Maskin AB of Sweden has a version of the A25 with a side-unloading Hammar SL 20 BH container crane system, allowing off-road placement of containers. In this logistics role, the AT can deploy munitions and supplies or command centers and first-aid stations on almost any terrain.
Domestic applications include liquids hauling. In this application, a high-capacity tank replaces the dump box. These units are used in cleaning/water-spray applications, as fuel haulers to remote sites and as agricultural product-delivery systems and hydroseeders.
The tanker-on-AT combination is emerging as an important market since legislation increasingly is being passed to control dust on mining and construction sites.
As the AT evolves into an ever-increasing number of vocations, look for flat-bed options from manufacturers as well as special log-hauler, stake-and-rack bodies for forestry applications. At the same time, the vehicle will become a mainstay for sensitive environmental locations where low ground pressure is prescribed. Look for high-floatation tire options in this vocation as well as a track system for the tandem rear drive, converting the vehicle into an articulated half-track.
http://www.transportandconstruction.co.za/articles/article10.htm
The versatility would be lost on rough ground without a good drive system. Most ATs have 6x6 drive (six wheels, all driven) capability on three axles, although there are 6x4 (six wheel, rear four driven) on three units available as well. Additionally, there are rare, more compact 4x4 units for very difficult terrain.
The AT’s performance over rough ground means a pretty unstoppable unit considering its ability to haul payloads up to 40 tons and 13 high clearance.
In the Operator’s Seat
As tough as they are, ATs are comfortable machines to operate. Because of the operating circumstances, rough-terrain operators tend to get jostled about in the cab. Newer equipment, such as Caterpillar’s 730, boasts cabin arrangements easily rivaling an upscale passenger car’s driver position, cup holder included.
The same versatility that makes the AT such a great performer is also its weakness under the hand of an unskilled operator. Because the unit’s rear portion is designed to pivot behind the cab, the back half of the AT will overturn, leaving the cab upright, if it backs onto a significant cross slope.
Operators have little or no feel for the motion of the unit’s back half because it operates independently of the cab. The unit’s side-view mirrors inform operators of what the rear portion is doing. An alternative is mounting a rear video-vision system. A small video camera on the rear of the unit is coupled to an in-cab screen, allowing the operator good rearward visibility for all hazards.
Multiple Personalities
The AT’s versatility has not gone unnoticed. Because of its range of movement and operating ability in difficult terrain, end users ranging from loggers to the armed forces have investigated the articulated truck for adaptability.
Volvo adapted its AT for military use. The A25C 6x6 Multi Purpose Vehicle is designed with a military grade drop-side flat deck in place of the conventional dump box. The unit also has an articulated crane mounted at the end of the box to facilitate unloading. Another version of the A25C is the 6x6, load-handling-system-equipped AT with armored cab and engine cover. This unit has a tilt-and-load hydraulic ramp system allowing it to drop containerized equipment or pallets in the field.
Hammar Maskin AB of Sweden has a version of the A25 with a side-unloading Hammar SL 20 BH container crane system, allowing off-road placement of containers. In this logistics role, the AT can deploy munitions and supplies or command centers and first-aid stations on almost any terrain.
Domestic applications include liquids hauling. In this application, a high-capacity tank replaces the dump box. These units are used in cleaning/water-spray applications, as fuel haulers to remote sites and as agricultural product-delivery systems and hydroseeders.
The tanker-on-AT combination is emerging as an important market since legislation increasingly is being passed to control dust on mining and construction sites.
As the AT evolves into an ever-increasing number of vocations, look for flat-bed options from manufacturers as well as special log-hauler, stake-and-rack bodies for forestry applications. At the same time, the vehicle will become a mainstay for sensitive environmental locations where low ground pressure is prescribed. Look for high-floatation tire options in this vocation as well as a track system for the tandem rear drive, converting the vehicle into an articulated half-track.
http://www.transportandconstruction.co.za/articles/article10.htm
Articulated enters joint LED development agreement with Grote
Articulated Technologies has established a joint development agreement with Grote Industries to manufacture robust LED-based lighting for vehicles.
Articulated Technologies and Grote Industries are to embark on a series of technical development programs using Articulated's patent-pending manufacturing processes for building flat, flexible LED lighting.
In particular, Articulated has developed a process for fabricating LED-based light sheets by embedding a grid of LED chips between sheets of laminated conductive substrates (see Articulated Light-Sheet provides flexible lighting).
These processes will be used to design and manufacture LED-based lighting products that will be supplied by Grote.
The development program is expected to involve a 12-month time period to identify and implement cost-efficient manufacturing approaches.
Bill Grote, Chairman and CEO of Grote Industries said, “Grote is constantly seeking new leading edge technologies to deliver quality products to our customers. Articulated Technologies’ LED manufacturing solutions demonstrate great promise which both companies expect to prove during this development program.”
“We are delighted to be working with such a leading lighting company in the transportation industry," said John Daniels, chairman and founder of Articulated Technologies. "The Grote product line is well known around the world for quality and durability."
Articulated Technologies, based in Higganum, CT, creates and develops patented and proprietary low-cost manufacturing technologies related to LEDs and OLEDs. Its business model is to generate revenue from licensing and royalty enhancements of its patented technologies from leading manufacturers in core industries for LED products.
Grote Industries of Madison, Indiana,is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of vehicle safety systems, serving automotive, truck, tractor, aviation and marine sectors, and its products include LED and reflective accessories. The company has manufacturing facilities in Madison, IN, Toronto and Waterloo, Canada, and Monterrey, Mexico.
http://ledsmagazine.com/articles/news/3/5/12/1
Articulated Technologies and Grote Industries are to embark on a series of technical development programs using Articulated's patent-pending manufacturing processes for building flat, flexible LED lighting.
In particular, Articulated has developed a process for fabricating LED-based light sheets by embedding a grid of LED chips between sheets of laminated conductive substrates (see Articulated Light-Sheet provides flexible lighting).
These processes will be used to design and manufacture LED-based lighting products that will be supplied by Grote.
The development program is expected to involve a 12-month time period to identify and implement cost-efficient manufacturing approaches.
Bill Grote, Chairman and CEO of Grote Industries said, “Grote is constantly seeking new leading edge technologies to deliver quality products to our customers. Articulated Technologies’ LED manufacturing solutions demonstrate great promise which both companies expect to prove during this development program.”
“We are delighted to be working with such a leading lighting company in the transportation industry," said John Daniels, chairman and founder of Articulated Technologies. "The Grote product line is well known around the world for quality and durability."
Articulated Technologies, based in Higganum, CT, creates and develops patented and proprietary low-cost manufacturing technologies related to LEDs and OLEDs. Its business model is to generate revenue from licensing and royalty enhancements of its patented technologies from leading manufacturers in core industries for LED products.
Grote Industries of Madison, Indiana,is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of vehicle safety systems, serving automotive, truck, tractor, aviation and marine sectors, and its products include LED and reflective accessories. The company has manufacturing facilities in Madison, IN, Toronto and Waterloo, Canada, and Monterrey, Mexico.
http://ledsmagazine.com/articles/news/3/5/12/1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
