Q I wish to know the formula for the
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loading capacity of a given vehicle, when the tyre size, chassis and wheelbase, kerb weight and the plated weights are known.
Could you tell me where I can obtain more details of the plated weights of vehicles?
AAll you need to know is the maximum
plated axle weights and the maximum gross plated weight of the vehicle. From the maximum gross plated weight you deduct the kerb weight. i.e. that of the vehicle in road-going trim including the driver.
Example: 10 tons gross plated weight 4 tons kerb weight 6 tons payload capacity.
Every vehicle carrying an MoT Plating and Testing Certificate will be plated with axle weights sufficient to accommodpte the gross plated weight when uniformly laden. Only where these two or mere figures added together come to the gross plated figure is the load distribution critical, and only then is there special need to ensure even distribution of the load. In all cases where the addition of the plated axle weights exceeds the gross plated weight there is a quite considerable margin for uneven loading.
Your reference to tyre size, general construction of the vehicle and its wheelbase, will all be taken account of when the machine is plated. The MoT Standard Lists which are obtainable from HM Stationery Office, show clearly the axle and gross plated weights of every make of vehicle excluding some special conversions for which the information about how, and for what weights these will be plated can be obtained by contacting the Goods Vehicle Centre. Ministry of Transport, Welcombe House, 91/92 The Strand, Swansea. Glamorgan.