Lig htvveight tri-axle
Page 14
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A NEW AXLE aimed at allowing a only slightly more than a current Rubery Owen-Rockwell.
It is claimed that the axle, designated the 18,000 Series, will match exactly tyre capacity with axle capacity and provide a greater payload potential than any tri-axle on the road today.
ROR argues that the highest single operating cost for a trailer is the tyres, with a current tandem having eight.
The 18,000 series axle as part of the Tridem tri-axle bogie uses single rather than dual tyres which ROR claims will alone save 47kg (1041b).
The axle incorporates a new design of "close coupled" bearing which was developed via computer simulation in conjunction with four of Europe's largest bearing manufacturers.
The bearing is in effect a scaled-up version of the type used in the Ford Fiesta and allows ROR to use a very short spindle.
No adjustment is required for the bearing as it is claimed that all variations will be controlled by the bearing manufacturer.
The bearing is oil-filled and comes as a matched set.
ROR began the development programme to make an axle as light as possible using known technology, ie metal rather than a composite material has been retained for the beam.
The new hub is aluminium alloy, cast not forged, and has been designed to give the thickest flanges possible.
The axle beam is square section as it can be made lighter
than the round for the same strength.
High friction lined brakes with a width of 150mm (5.9in) are used for the 18,000 Series, giving a total lining width of 900mm (35.4in) for the three axles.
This compares with the total of 720mm (28.3in) for a current tandem bogie using 180mm (7in) wide brakes, assuming a drum diameter of 41 9mm (16.5in) for both types.
The 1 50mm brake single wheel axles have greater clearance around the drums, which ROR claims will reduce temperatures and thus reduce fade.
ROR hopes that the 18,000 Series will more than double maintenance intervals.
Although the new axle will be on show at the NEC in three weeks' time, production is not planned until later next year.