Swinging axles in German trailer design
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• An unusual low-loading trailer design has been developed in Germany by Fahrzeugbahn Langendorf of Waltrop which features automatically extendable swinging half-axles at the rear to permit quick loading.
There are nine models in the range extending in payload from 5 to 18 tons. Well length can be 1211 1 lin. (4m), 14ft 8in. (4.5m) or 1611 2in. (5m), according to requirements, or longer wells can be provided to order if required.
The front running gear is a dolly unit consisting of a single twin-tyred axle on which is superimposed a turntable. This fits under the swanneck of the trailer. The rear axle arrangement has the advantage, says Lange ndorf, of permitting quick loading and unloading at the rear. A turnbuckle locks the independent axles of the four wheels together in the running position. For loading or unloading, the turnbuckle is unlocked and the vehicle gently reversed. As it does so the two centre wheels drop back and both they and the outside wheels swing out sideways through 90deg so that the rear loading area is fully accessible. At the same time, loading ramps, geared to the frame attached to the half-axles, lower automatically. The ramps may be mounted on the rear or at the sides as required. The wheels can be swung out in approximately one minute.
When the vehicle is required to move off the swinging half-axles automatically return to the direction of travel as the motive unit drives forward; they are then locked by turnbuckle.
The axles have taper roller bearings and the air brake system acts on all wheels. There are additionally two hand brakes which can act on the rear wheels as required. Suspension is by semi-elliptic leaf springs. Both main chassis and swanneck construction are of U-section steel electrically welded.
Although the design obviates the need to remove the rear wheels, it is such that they can be removed individually in the usual fashion appropriate to "knock-outs" in places where space is restricted.