YORK TRUCK Equipment has converted a Scania LB111 for Colas
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(Scotland) of Hamilton to a 6x2 by adding a trailing axle.
This axle is well known on rigids, but York says it is the first to be installed on a tractive unit in Britain where it uprates the gvw from 16 to 22.5 tonnes when fitted with single wheels.
York claims that the conversion offers advantages over a rear-steer configuration, including fewer moving parts and better ride characteristics.
Designed with rocker beams tied into the existing drive-axle springs via H-shackles, braking torque reaction is balanced out to prevent load transfer and axle hop.
The complete trailing-axle conversion, including chassis lengthening and flitching, has added 1,100kg (22cwt) to the original kerb weight, which York claims is some 150kg (3cwt) lighter than a rear-steer conversion.
Colas is now using the Scania at 38 tonnes gcw to deliver 22,700 litres (5,000gal) loads of bituminous emulsion for road making.