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Auto lift-up • axle for

26th March 1971, Page 42
26th March 1971
Page 42
Page 42, 26th March 1971 — Auto lift-up • axle for
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trailers:•

35 pc tyre wear saving claimed

• Two articulated outfits with tandembogie semi-trailers, equipped with an automatically operated lift-up axle, are being operated by Richardsons Transport (Coventry) Ltd, Coventry. And it is estimated that the lift-up system provides a fuel saving of up to +mpg as well as an overall saving in the wear of the semitrailer tyres of up to 35 per cent. The system is known as the Tan-e-co and is produced by the Tandem Economy Company, Martindale Road, Exhall Industrial Estate, Bedworth, Coventry.

It is fitted to the front bogie axle of two Taskers semi-trailers which have gross ratings of 25+ tons and 27 tons. When the weight on the bogie is reduced to less than the legal maximum load on one axle, or to a predetermined load, the system automatically raises the front axle some 2in. off the ground. And when the load is increased the axle is automatically released. The weight of the lift-up system is 1÷/2cwt.

A stack of Schnorr Belville-type spring washers is centrally located in the system and is part of a lever-and-cam mechanism. As can be seen from the diagrammatic sketches of the spring pack and one of the two interconnected mechanisms in the axle-raised and axle-lowered positions, an arm at each end of the axle is linked to an adjustable rod (A) that is pivotally mounted at its rear end on an arm (B) integral with the chassis. A shackle (C) is pivoted to the chassis above the axle and to a sleeve on the bottom end of the spring guide shaft (D) which is pivoted at its upper end to an upward-extending chassis bracket.

The nose end of the shackle below the front shackle pivot is fitted with an angled cam (E) which is held in contact with the shaft of the axle-arm pivot by the force of the spring pack. It is the action of this cam acting under high pressure (provided by the spring pack) that is all important in the functioning of the system.

In the normal running position with the vehicle laden, the sloping outer face of the cam is in contact with the shaft and the vertical component of the pressure it exerts on the shaft provides a limited lifting force. While this does not prevent normal movement of the axle in the running position, it acts as a damper.

If the vehicle has been running laden and the load on the bogie is substantially reduced, the chassis is raised by the road springs, and in the case of the front axlethe restraining action of the cam is such that the axle is lifted a short distance from the ground. This restraining action would not be sufficient to hold the axle in a raised position for running and the ground clearance would be too small. But when the vehicle is driven on the road, the action of the rocking beam tends to raise the axle to a higher position. Eventually the shaft moves over the nose of the cam on to the upper near horizontal face and the spring force further elevates the axle and holds it in the fully raised position.

This holding action is not:, however, adequate to retain the axle if a load is placed on the bogie in excess of the

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Locations: Coventry

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