LETTER OF THE WEEK
Page 17
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Any takers for my improved trailer steering axle design?
READING SO MUCH of late about the growing interest in different axle steering systems for longer articulated trailers has encouraged me to revisit my original design with a view to improving its performance; simplifying its modus operandi; and perhaps making it more appealing to trailer manufacturers.
I believe I have made many advances to my original design, which was featured in CM, 17 October 1996.
This latest version is suitable for any articulated trailer up to 15.65m and meets all the necessary C&U and EC regulations relating to the inner and outer turning circle requirements. Rear corner out swing is limited to around 850mm.
My tri-axle coniguration uses positively steered forward and rearmost axles, plus a rigid centre axle, positioned 2m apart. Steering movement is relayed from the trailer kingpin via transfer rods within the trailer chassis.
The design’s main advantage is that it enables the t1:CMO011211D0003D6 28/11/11 08:2
trailer to be driven forward or reversed, without having to lock up the axles. Thus the driver can reverse steer with the same wheel movements as though the rig had a rigid tri-axle bogie. With the 2m trailer axle spacing and the wheels steering at 25', a rig will have an inner turning circle of 4.02m with a very driver-friendly 8.05m diameter. Steering at 35' gives an inner radius of 2.52m with a 5.05m diameter while the trailer’s outer rear corner sweeps a 6.07m radius and a 12.15m diameter. My design would obviously be a great advantage on any standard 13.6m trailer too.
I still believe that my latest trailer steer axle de sign has great potential. All I need is to ind an amPage 1 bitious trailer manufacturer to help me take it forward. Do I have any takers? George W Mitchell Newton on Derwent, York