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Wikipedia

Truck

A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction, with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle. Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment, such as in the case of refuse trucks, fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a "straight truck" while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a "tractor".[1]

Freightliner M2 dump truck
A Mack Titan road train in Australia

The majority of trucks currently in use are still powered by diesel engines, although small- to medium-size trucks with gasoline engines exist in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The market-share of electrically powered trucks is growing rapidly, expected to reach 7% globally by 2027, and electric motive force already predominates among both the largest and smallest trucks.[2] In the European Union, vehicles with a gross combination mass of up to 3.5 t (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons) are known as light commercial vehicles, and those over as large goods vehicles.

History

Steam wagons

 
A Sentinel steam wagon

Trucks and cars have a common ancestor: the steam-powered fardier Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built in 1769.[citation needed] However, steam wagons were not common until the mid-19th century. The roads of the time, built for horse and carriages, limited these vehicles to very short hauls, usually from a factory to the nearest railway station. The first semi-trailer appeared in 1881,[citation needed] towed by a steam tractor manufactured by De Dion-Bouton. Steam-powered wagons were sold in France and the United States until the eve of World War I, and 1935 in the United Kingdom, when a change in road tax rules made them uneconomic against the new diesel lorries.

Internal combustion

In 1895 Karl Benz designed and built the first internal combustion truck. Later that year some of Benz's trucks were modified to become busses by Netphener. A year later, in 1896, another internal combustion engine truck was built by Gottlieb Daimler, the Daimler Motor Lastwagen.[3] Other companies, such as Peugeot, Renault and Büssing, also built their own versions. The first truck in the United States was built by Autocar in 1899 and was available with 5 or 8 horsepower (4 or 6 kW) engines.[4] Trucks of the era mostly used two-cylinder engines and had a carrying capacity of 1.5 to 2 t (3,300 to 4,400 lb). After World War I, several advances were made: electric starters, and 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines.

Diesel engines

Although it had been invented in 1897, the diesel engine did not appear in production trucks until Benz introduced it in 1923.[5] The diesel engine was not common in trucks in Europe until the 1930s. In the United States, Autocar introduced diesel engines for heavy applications in the mid-1930s. Demand was high enough that Autocar launched the "DC" model (diesel conventional) in 1939. However, it took much longer for diesel engines to be broadly accepted in the US: gasoline engines were still in use on heavy trucks in the 1970s.[6][7]

Electric Motors

 
President Joe Biden test driving the Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pick up at Ford's Rouge Electric Vehicle Center

Electrically powered trucks predate internal combustion ones and have been continuously available since the mid-19th-century. In the 1920s Autocar Trucks was the first of the major truck manufacturers to offer a range of electric trucks for sale.[8] Electric trucks were successful for urban delivery roles and as specialized work vehicles like forklifts and pushback tugs. The higher energy density of liquid fuels soon led to the decline of electric-powered trucks in favor of, first, gasoline, and then diesel and CNG-fueled engines until battery technology advanced in the 2000s when new chemistries and higher-volume production broadened the range of applicability of electric propulsion to trucks in many more roles. Today, manufacturers are electrifying all trucks ahead of national regulatory requirements, with long-range over-the-road trucks being the most challenging.[9][10]

Etymology

Truck is used in American English, and is common in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa, while lorry is the equivalent in British English, and is the usual term in countries like Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and India.[original research?]

The first known usage of "truck" was in 1611 when it referred to the small strong wheels on ships' cannon carriages, and comes from "Trokhos" (Greek) = "wheel". In its extended usage, it came to refer to carts for carrying heavy loads, a meaning known since 1771. Its expanded application to "motor-powered load carrier" has been in usage since 1930, shortened from "motor truck", which dates back to 1901.[11][12]

"Lorry" has a more uncertain origin, but probably has its roots in the rail transport industry, where the word is known to have been used in 1838 to refer to a type of truck (a goods wagon as in British usage, not a bogie as in the American), specifically a large flat wagon. It might derive from the verb lurry (to carry or drag along, or to lug) which was in use as early as 1664, but that association is not definitive.[13] The expanded meaning of lorry, "self-propelled vehicle for carrying goods", has been in usage since 1911.[14][15]

International variance

 
A Japanese concrete mixer

In the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, "truck" is usually reserved for commercial vehicles larger than regular passenger cars, but includes large SUVs, pickups, and other vehicles with an open load bed. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the word "truck" is mostly reserved for larger vehicles. In Australia and New Zealand, a pickup truck is frequently called a ute (short for "utility" vehicle),[16] while in South Africa it is called a bakkie (Afrikaans: "small open container"). In the United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, and Hong Kong lorry is used instead of truck, but only for the medium and heavy types, while truck is used almost exclusively to refer to pickups.

Types by size

Ultra light

Often produced as variations of golf cars, with internal combustion or battery electric drive, these are used typically for off-highway use on estates, golf courses, and parks. While not suitable for highway use some variations may be licensed as slow speed vehicles for operation on streets, generally as a body variation of a neighborhood electric vehicle. A few manufactures produce specialized chassis for this type of vehicle, while Zap Motors markets a version of their Xebra electric tricycle (licensable in the U.S. as a motorcycle).

Very light

 
Tata Super Ace in Indonesia

Popular in Europe and Asia, many mini-trucks are factory redesigns of light automobiles, usually with monocoque bodies. Specialized designs with substantial frames such as the Italian Piaggio shown here are based upon Japanese designs (in this case by Daihatsu) and are popular for use in "old town" sections of European cities that often have very narrow alleyways.

Regardless of name, these small trucks serve a wide range of uses. In Japan, they are regulated under the Kei car laws, which allow vehicle owners a break in taxes for buying a smaller and less-powerful vehicle (currently, the engine is limited to 660 cc displacement). These vehicles are used as on-road utility vehicles in Japan. These Japanese-made mini trucks that were manufactured for on-road use are competing with off-road ATVs in the United States, and import regulations require that these mini trucks have a 25 mph (40 km/h) speed governor as they are classified as low-speed vehicles.[17] These vehicles have found uses in construction, large campuses (government, university, and industrial), agriculture, cattle ranches, amusement parks, and replacements for golf carts.[18]

 
SML truck on the road in Accra

Major mini truck manufacturers and their brands:

Light

Light trucks are car-sized (in the US, no more than 13,900 lb (6.3 t)) and are used by individuals and businesses alike. In the EU they may not weigh more than 3.5 t (7,700 lb) and are allowed to be driven with a driving licence for cars. Pickup trucks, called utes in Australia and New Zealand, are common in North America and some regions of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, but not so in Europe, where this size of commercial vehicle is most often made as vans.

Medium

 
Fuso Canter, 8th Generation in Taiwan

Medium trucks are larger than light but smaller than heavy trucks. In the US, they are defined as weighing between 13,000 and 33,000 lb (5.9 and 15.0 t). For the UK and the EU the weight is between 3.5 to 7.5 t (7,700 to 16,500 lb). Local delivery and public service (dump trucks, garbage trucks and fire-fighting trucks) are normally around this size.

Heavy

 
A cement mixer is an example of a Class 8 heavy truck.
 
Seddon Atkinson Stratos refuse compactor
 
In Pakistan the majority of trucks are colorful and decorated.

Heavy trucks are the largest on-road trucks, Class 8. These include vocational applications such as heavy dump trucks, concrete pump trucks, and refuse hauling, as well as ubiquitous long-haul 4x2 and 6×4 tractor units.[19]

Road damage and wear increase very rapidly with the axle weight. The number of steering axles and the suspension type also influence the amount of the road wear. In many countries with good roads a six-axle truck may have a maximum weight of 44 t (97,000 lb) or more.

Off-road

 
ALMA antenna transporters are 20 m (65+23 ft) long, 10 m (32+79 ft) wide, weigh 130 t (127.9 long tons; 143.3 short tons) and drive on 28 tires.[20]

Off-road trucks include standard, extra heavy-duty highway-legal trucks, typically outfitted with off-road features such as a front driving axle and special tires for applications such as logging and construction, and purpose-built off-road vehicles unconstrained by weight limits, such as the Liebherr T 282B mining truck.

Maximum sizes by country

Australia has complex regulations over weight and length, including axle spacing, type of axle/axle group, rear overhang, kingpin to rear of trailer, drawbar length, ground clearance, as well as height and width laws. These limits are some of the highest in the world, a B-double can weigh 62.5 t (61.5 long tons; 68.9 short tons) and be 25 m (82 ft) long, and road trains used in the outback can weigh 172 t (169.3 long tons; 189.6 short tons) and be 53.5 m (176 ft) long.[21][22]

The European Union also has complex regulations. The number and spacing of axles, steering, single or dual tires, and suspension type all affect maximum weights. Length of a truck, of a trailer, from axle to hitch point, kingpin to rear of trailer, and turning radius are all regulated. In additions, there are special rules for carrying containers, and countries can set their own rules for local traffic.[23]

The United States Federal Bridge Law deals with the relation between the gross weight of the truck, the number of axles, the weight on and the spacing between the axles that the truck can have on the Interstate highway system.[24] Each State determines the maximum permissible vehicle, combination, and axle weight on state and local roads.

Country Maximum
with three axles
With one trailer Maximum combination
Australia[21][22] 23 t (22.6 long tons; 25.4 short tons) 12 m (39 ft) 172 t (169.3 long tons; 189.6 short tons)
53.5 m (176 ft)
China[25] 25 t (24.6 long tons; 27.6 short tons)
12 m (39 ft)
49 t (48.2 long tons; 54.0 short tons)
16.5 m (54 ft)
55 t (54.1 long tons; 60.6 short tons)
18.75 m (62 ft)
EU[23] 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons)
12 m (39 ft)
16.5 m (54 ft) 44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons)
18.75 m (62 ft)
Finland[26] 28 t (27.6 long tons; 30.9 short tons)
13 m (43 ft)
76 t (74.8 long tons; 83.8 short tons)
34.5 m (113 ft 2 in)
76 t (74.8 long tons; 83.8 short tons)
34.5 m (113 ft)
Ireland[27] 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons)
12 m (39 ft)
30 t (29.5 long tons; 33.1 short tons)
16.5 m (54 ft 2 in)
44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons)
22 m (72 ft)
Sweden[28] 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons)
24 m (79 ft)
74 t (72.8 long tons; 81.6 short tons)
25.25 m (82 ft 10 in)
74 t (72.8 long tons; 81.6 short tons)
25.25 m (82.8 ft)
UK[29] 26 t (25.6 long tons; 28.7 short tons)
12 m (39 ft)
44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons)
16.5 m (54 ft)
44 t (43.3 long tons; 48.5 short tons)
18.75 m (62 ft)
USA[30][31]
(Interstate)
54,000 lb (24 t)
45 ft (13.7 m)
80,000 lb (36 t)
none
80,000 lb (36 t)
none

Uniquely, the State of Michigan has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb (74 t), which is twice the U.S. federal limit.[32][33][34] A measure to change the law was defeated in the Michigan Senate in 2019.[35][36][37][38][39]

Design

Almost all trucks share a common construction: they are made of a chassis, a cab, an area for placing cargo or equipment, axles, suspension and roadwheels, an engine and a drivetrain. Pneumatic, hydraulic, water, and electrical systems may also be present. Many also tow one or more trailers or semi-trailers.

Cab

 
A cabover truck
 
Streamlined conventional cab
 
Cab beside engine

The "cab", or "cabin" is an enclosed space where the driver is seated. A "sleeper" is a compartment attached to or integral with the cab where the driver can rest while not driving, sometimes seen in semi-trailer trucks.

There are several cab configurations:

  • "Cab over engine" (COE) or "flat nose"; where the driver is seated above the front axle and the engine. This design is almost ubiquitous in Europe, where overall truck lengths are strictly regulated, and is widely used in the rest of the world. They were common in North American heavy-duty trucks but lost prominence when permitted length was extended in the early 1980s. Nevertheless, this design is still popular in North America among medium- and light-duty trucks. To reach the engine, the whole cab tilts forward, earning this design the name of "tilt-cab". This type of cab is especially suited to the delivery conditions in Europe where many roads require the short turning radius afforded by the shorter wheelbase of the cab over engine layout.[40]
  • "Conventional" cabs seated the driver behind the engine, as in most passenger cars or pickup trucks. Many new cabs are very streamlined, with a sloped hood (bonnet) and other features to lower drag. Conventional cabs are the most common in North America, Australia, and China, and are known in the UK as "American cabs"[citation needed] and in the Netherlands as "torpedo cabs".
  • "Cab beside engine" designs are used for terminal tractors at shipping yards and for other specialist vehicles carrying long loads such as pipes. This type is often made by replacing the passenger side of a cab-over truck with an extended section of the load bed.

A further step from this is the side loading forklift that can be described as a specially fabricated vehicle with the same properties as a truck of this type, in addition to the ability to pick up its own load.

Engines and motors

 
Cummins ISB 6.7L medium-duty truck diesel engine

Most small trucks such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans or pickups, and even light medium-duty trucks in North America, China, and Russia use gasoline engines (petrol engines), but many diesel engined models are now being produced. Most of the heavier trucks use four-stroke diesel engines with a turbocharger and intercooler. Huge off-highway trucks use locomotive-type engines such as a V12 Detroit Diesel two stroke engine. A large proportion of refuse trucks in the United States employ CNG (compressed natural gas) engines for their low fuel cost and reduced carbon emissions.

A significant proportion of North American manufactured trucks use an engine built by the last remaining major independent engine manufacturer (Cummins) but most global OEMs such as Volvo Trucks and Daimler AG promote their own "captive" engines.[41]

In the European Union, all new truck engines must comply with Euro VI emission regulations.[42]

As of 2019 several alternative technologies are competing to displace the use of diesel engines in heavy trucks. CNG engines are widely used in the US refuse industry and in concrete mixers, among other short-range vocations, but range limitations have prevented their broader uptake in freight hauling applications. Heavy electric trucks and hydrogen-powered trucks are new to the market in 2021,[43][44] but major freight haulers are interested.[45][46] Although cars will be first the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles includes trucks.[47] According to The Economist magazine "Electric lorries will probably run on hydrogen, not batteries, which are too expensive."[48] Other researchers say that once faster chargers are available batteries will become competitive against diesel for all, except perhaps the heaviest, trucks.[49]

Drivetrain

 
A truck rear suspension and drive axles overview
 
Eaton Roadranger 18 speed "crash box" with automated gearshift

Small trucks use the same type of transmissions as almost all cars, having either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with synchromesh (synchronizers). Bigger trucks often use manual transmissions without synchronizers, saving bulk and weight, although synchromesh transmissions are used in larger trucks as well. Transmissions without synchronizers, known as "crash boxes", require double-clutching for each shift, (which can lead to repetitive motion injuries), or a technique known colloquially as "floating", a method of changing gears which doesn't use the clutch, except for starts and stops, due to the physical effort of double-clutching, especially with non-power-assisted clutches, faster shifts, and less clutch wear.

Double-clutching allows the driver to control the engine and transmission revolutions to synchronize so that a smooth shift can be made; for example, when upshifting, the accelerator pedal is released and the clutch pedal is depressed while the gear lever is moved into neutral, the clutch pedal is then released and quickly pushed down again while the gear lever is moved to the next higher gear. Finally, the clutch pedal is released and the accelerator pedal pushed down to obtain the required engine speed. Although this is a relatively fast movement, perhaps a second or so while the transmission is in neutral, it allows the engine speed to drop and synchronize engine and transmission revolutions relative to the road speed. Downshifting is performed in a similar fashion, except the engine speed is now required to increase (while the transmission is in neutral) just the right amount in order to achieve the synchronization for a smooth, non-collision gear change. "Skip changing" is also widely used; in principle, the operation is the same as double-clutching, but it requires neutral be held slightly longer than a single-gear change.

Common North American setups include 9, 10, 13, 15, and 18 speeds. Automatic and automated manual transmissions for heavy trucks are becoming more and more common, due to advances both in transmission and engine power. In Europe, 8, 10, 12, and 16 gears are common on larger trucks with a manual transmission, while conventional automatic or automated manual transmissions would have anything from 5 to 12 gears. Almost all heavy truck transmissions are of the "range and split" (double H shift pattern) type, where range change and so‑called half gears or splits are air operated and always preselected before the main gear selection.

Frame

 
A truck rear frame (chassis) section view
 
Pickup truck frame (right rear view)

A truck frame consists of two parallel boxed (tubular) or C‑shaped rails, or beams, held together by crossmembers. These frames are referred to as ladder frames due to their resemblance to a ladder if tipped on end. The rails consist of a tall vertical section (two if boxed) and two shorter horizontal flanges. The height of the vertical section provides opposition to vertical flex when weight is applied to the top of the frame (beam resistance). Though typically flat the whole length on heavy-duty trucks, the rails may sometimes be tapered or arched for clearance around the engine or over the axles. The holes in rails are used either for mounting vehicle components and running wires and hoses or measuring and adjusting the orientation of the rails at the factory or repair shop.

The frame is usually made of steel, but can be made (whole or in part) of aluminum for a lighter weight. A tow bar may be found attached at one or both ends, but heavy tractors almost always make use of a fifth wheel hitch.[citation needed]

Body types

Box trucks ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making an enclosed load space. The rear has doors for unloading; a side door is sometimes fitted.[50]

Chassis cab trucks have a fully-enclosed cab at the front, with bare chassis frame-rails behind, suitable for subsequent permanent attachment of a specialized payload, like a fire-truck or ambulance body.

Concrete mixers have a rotating drum on an inclined axis, rotating in one direction to mix, and in the other to discharge the concrete down chutes. Because of the weight and power requirements of the drum body and rough construction sites, mixers have to be very heavy duty.[51][52]

Dump trucks ("tippers" in the UK) transport loose material such as sand, gravel, or dirt for construction. A typical dump truck has an open-box bed, which is hinged at the rear and lifts at the front, allowing the material in the bed to be unloaded ("dumped") on the ground behind the truck.[53][54]

Flatbed trucks have an entirely flat, level platform body. This allows for quick and easy loading but has no protection for the load. Hanging or removable sides are sometimes fitted.[55]

Refrigerator trucks have insulated panels as walls and a roof and floor, used for transporting fresh and frozen cargo such as ice cream, food, vegetables, and prescription drugs. They are mostly equipped with double-wing rear doors, but a side door is sometimes fitted.

Refuse trucks have a specialized body for collecting and, often, compacting trash collected from municipal, commercial, and industrial sites. This application has the widest use of the cab-over configuration in North America, to provide better maneuverability in tight situations. They are also among the most severe-duty and highest GVWR trucks on public roads.

Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have a fifth wheel for towing a semi-trailer instead of a body.

Tank trucks ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry liquids or gases. They usually have a cylindrical tank lying horizontally on the chassis. Many variants exist due to the wide variety of liquids and gases that can be transported.[56]

Wreckers ("recovery lorries" in the UK) are used to recover and/or tow disabled vehicles. They are normally equipped with a boom with a cable; wheel/chassis lifts are becoming common on newer trucks.[57][58][59]

Sales and sales issues

Manufacturers

Truck market worldwide

Largest truck manufacturers in the world as of 2015.
Pos. Make Units
1 Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Unimog, Western Star, Fuso, BharatBenz) 506,663[60]
2 Navistar International 359,000[61]
3 Dongfeng 336,869[62]
4 Tata 317,780[63]
5 Volvo Group (Volvo, Mack, Renault, UD Nissan) 207,475[64]
6 Volkswagen Group (MAN, Scania, Caminhões e Ônibus) 179,035[65]
7 Hino 162,870[66]
8 Paccar (DAF, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Leyland) 154,700[67]
9 Iveco 140,200[68]

Driving

In many countries, driving a truck requires a special driving license. The requirements and limitations vary with each different jurisdiction.

Australia

 
Inside a Mack truck

In Australia, a truck driver's license is required for any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) exceeding 4.5 t (4.4 long tons; 5.0 short tons). The motor vehicles classes are further expanded as:

Combination
  • HC: Heavy Combination, a typical prime mover plus semi-trailer combination.
  • MC: Multi Combination, e.g., B Doubles/road trains
Rigid
  • LR: Light rigid: a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4.5 t (4.4 long tons; 5.0 short tons) but not more than 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons) GVM.
  • MR: Medium rigid: a rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons) GVM. Also includes vehicles in class LR.
  • HR: Heavy Rigid: a rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t (8.9 long tons; 9.9 short tons) GVM. Also includes articulated buses and vehicles in class MR.
Heavy vehicle transmission

There is also a heavy vehicle transmission condition for a license class HC, HR, or MC test passed in a vehicle fitted with an automatic or synchromesh transmission; a driver's license will be restricted to vehicles of that class fitted with a synchromesh or automatic transmission. To have the condition removed, a person needs to pass a practical driving test in a vehicle with non-synchromesh transmission (constant mesh or crash box).[69]

Europe

 
Inside a Mercedes-Benz truck

Driving licensing has been harmonized throughout the European Union and the EEA (and practically all European non-member states), so that common rules apply within Europe (see European driving licence). As an overview, to drive a vehicle weighing more than 7.5 t (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons) for commercial purposes requires a specialist license (the type varies depending on the use of the vehicle and number of seats). For licenses first acquired after 1997, that weight was reduced to 3.5 t (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons), not including trailers.[citation needed]

Since 2013, the C1 license category allows driving vehicles over 3.5 and up to 7.5 tonnes. The C license category allows driving vehicles over 3.5 tonnes with a trailer up to 750 kg, and the CE category allows driving category C vehicles with a trailer over 750 kg.

South Africa

To drive any vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3.5 t (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons), a code C1 drivers license is required. Furthermore, if the vehicle exceeds 16 t (15.7 long tons; 17.6 short tons) a code C license becomes necessary.

To drive any vehicle in South Africa towing a trailer with a GVM more than 7.5 t (7.4 long tons; 8.3 short tons), further restrictions apply and the driver must possess a license suitable for the GVM of the total combination as well as an articulated endorsement. This is indicated with the letter "E" prefixing the license code.

In addition, any vehicle designed to carry goods or passengers may only be driven by a driver possessing a Public Driver's Permit, (or PrDP) of the applicable type. This is an additional license that is added to the DL card of the operator and subject to annual renewal unlike the five-year renewal period of a normal license.

The requirements for obtaining the different classes are below.

  • "G": Required for the transport of general goods, requires a criminal record check and a fee on issuing and renewal.
  • "P": Required for the transport of paying passengers, requires a more stringent criminal record check, additionally the driver must be over the age of 21 at time of issue. A G class PrDP will be issued at the same time.
  • "D": Required for the transport of dangerous materials, requires all of the same checks as class P., and in addition the driver must be over 25 at time of issue.

United States

 
Inside a Navistar 9000

In the United States, a commercial driver's license is required to drive any type of commercial vehicle weighing 26,001 lb (11,794 kg) or more.[70] The federal government regulates how many hours a driver may be on the clock, how much rest and sleep time is required (e.g., 11 hours driving/14 hours on-duty followed by 10 hours off, with a maximum of 70 hours/8 days or 60 hours/7 days, 34 hours restart )[71] Violations are often subject to significant penalties. Instruments to track each driver's hours must sometimes be fitted. In 2006, the US trucking industry employed 1.8 million drivers of heavy trucks.[72]

There is a shortage of willing trained long-distance truck drivers.[73] Part of the reason for this is the economic fallout from deregulation of the trucking industry. Michael H. Belzer, associate professor, in the economics department at Wayne State University and co-author of Sweatshops on Wheels: Winners and Losers in Trucking Deregulation, argues that low pay, bad working conditions and unsafe conditions have been a direct result of deregulation.[74][75] The book cites poor working conditions and an unfair pay system as responsible for high annual employee turnover in the industry.[76][77]

In 2018, in the US, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes:

  • The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes is 4,862,
  • The number of large trucks involved in injury crashes is 112,000,
  • The number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes is 414,000.[78]

Environmental effects

 
Exhaust fumes from a small truck

Like cars, trucks contribute to air, noise, and water pollution.[79] Unlike cars, as of 2022, most trucks run on diesel, and diesel exhaust is especially dangerous for health.[80] Some countries have different vehicle emission standards for trucks and cars.[81][82]

NOx and particulates emitted by trucks are very dangerous to health,[83][84] causing thousands of early deaths annually in the US alone.[85] As older trucks are usually the worst,[86] many cities have banned 20th century trucks.[87] Air pollution also threatens professional truck drivers.[88]

Over a quarter of global transport CO2 emissions are from road freight,[89] in 2021 over 1700 million tonnes from medium and heavy trucks,[90] so many countries are further restricting truck CO2 emissions to help limit climate change.[91] Many environmental organizations favor laws and incentives to encourage the switch from road to rail, especially in Europe.[92] Several countries have pledged that 30% of sales of trucks and buses will be zero emission by 2030.[93]

With respect to noise pollution, trucks emit considerably higher sound levels at all speeds compared to typical cars; this contrast is particularly strong with heavy-duty trucks.[94] There are several aspects of truck operations that contribute to the overall sound that is emitted. Continuous sounds are those from tires rolling on the roadway and the constant hum of their diesel engines at highway speeds. Less frequent noises, but perhaps more noticeable, are things like the repeated sharp-pitched whistle of a turbocharger on acceleration, or the abrupt blare of an exhaust brake retarder when traversing a downgrade. There has been noise regulation put in place to help control where and when the use of engine braking retarders are allowed.[citation needed]

Operator health and safety

 
Truck cab filter housing using a contiguous series of pre-, HEPA, and charcoal panel filters

A truck cab is a hazard control that protects the truck operator from hazardous airborne pollutants.[citation needed] As an enclosure, it is an example of an engineering control. Enclosed operator cabs have been used on agriculture, mining, and construction vehicles for several decades. Most modern-day enclosed cabs have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for primarily maintaining a comfortable temperature and providing breathable air for their occupants. Various levels of filtration can be incorporated into the HVAC system to remove airborne pollutants such as dusts, diesel particulate matter (DPM), and other aerosols.[95]

Two key elements of an effective environmental enclosure are a good filtration system and an enclosure with good integrity (sealed isolation from the outside environment). It is recommended that a filtration system filter out at least 95% or greater of airborne respirable aerosols from the intake airflow, with an additional recirculation filtering component for the inside air. Good enclosure integrity is also needed to achieve positive pressure to prevent wind-driven aerosol penetration into the enclosure, as well as to minimize air leakage around the filtration system. Test methods and mathematical modeling of environmental enclosures are also beneficial for quantifying and optimizing filtration system designs, as well as maintaining optimum protection factor performance for enclosure occupants.[95]

Operations issues

Taxes

Commercial trucks in the US pay higher road use taxes on a state level than other road vehicles and are subject to extensive regulation.[96] A few reasons commercial trucks pay higher road use taxes: they are bigger and heavier than most other vehicles, and cause more wear and tear per hour on roadways; and trucks and their drivers are on the road for more hours per day. Rules on use taxes differ among jurisdictions.

Damage to pavement

The life of a pavement is measured by the number of passes of a vehicle axle. It may be evaluated using the Load Equivalency Factor,[97] which states that the damage by the pass of a vehicle axle is proportional to the 4th power of the weight, so a ten-ton axle consumes 10,000 times the life of the pavement as a one-ton axle. For that reason, loaded trucks cost the same as thousands of cars in pavement costs, and are subject to higher taxes and highway tolls.[36][37]

Commercial insurance

Primary liability insurance coverage protects the truck from damage or injuries to other people as a result of a truck accident. This truck insurance coverage is mandated by U.S. state and federal agencies, and proof of coverage is required to be sent to them. Interstate trucks in the U.S. are required to have a minimum of $75,000 in liability insurance. This includes motor carriers operating vehicles with a gross weight rating in excess of 10,000 lb (4.5 t) (which transport non-hazardous materials). All motor carriers operating vehicles transporting materials classified as hazardous, and which have a gross weight rating in excess of 10,000 lb (4.5 t) must have a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance. All motor carriers operating vehicles such as hopper-type cargo vehicles or tankers with a capacity in excess of 3,500 US gal (13,000 L) must have a minimum of $5,000,000 in liability insurance. Pricing is dependent on region, driving records, and history of the trucking operation.

Motor truck cargo insurance protects the transporter for his responsibility in the event of damaged or lost freight. The policy is purchased with a maximum load limit per vehicle. Cargo insurance coverage limits can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Pricing for this insurance is mainly dependent on the type of cargo being hauled.

Safety

Trucking accidents

 
Trucking accident

In 2002 and 2004, there were over 5,000 fatalities related to trucking accidents in the United States. The trucking industry has since made significant efforts in increasing safety regulations. In 2008, the industry had successfully lowered the fatality rate to just over 4,000 deaths, but trucking accidents are still an issue that causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Approximately 6,000 trucking accident fatalities occur annually in the United States. Fatalities are not the only issue caused by trucking accidents. Here are some of the environmental issues that arise with trucking accidents:

  • 14.4% of trucking accidents cause cargo to spill
  • 6.5% cause open flames

Following increased pressure from The Times "Cities Fit For Cycling" campaign and from other media in Spring 2012, warning signs are now displayed on the backs of many heavy goods vehicles (HGV). These signs are directed against a common type of accident that occurs when the large vehicle turns left at a junction: a cyclist trying to pass on the nearside can be crushed against the HGV's wheels, especially if the driver cannot see the cyclist. The signs, such as the winning design of the InTANDEM road safety competition launched in March 2012, advocate extra care when passing a large vehicle on the nearside.

HGV safety in the EU

In-vehicle speed limitation is required applying a 90 km/h limit to commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.[98]

Front, side, and rear underrun protection is required on commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.[98]

Trucks must be fitted with blind-spot mirrors that give drivers a wider field of vision than conventional mirrors.[99]

See also

References

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External links

  • Truck at Curlie
  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
  • Different sizes and classes of trucks in the UK
  • Hutchinson, Rollin W. Jr. (January 1912). "Motor Trucks – The New Freighters: Quicker and More Reliable Service, Cleaner and Less Congested Cities, Concrete Examples of Saving". The World's Work: A History of Our Time. XXIII: 268–187. Retrieved 10 July 2009.

truck, lorry, redirect, here, other, uses, disambiguation, lorry, disambiguation, truck, lorry, motor, vehicle, designed, transport, cargo, carry, specialized, payloads, perform, other, utilitarian, work, vary, greatly, size, power, configuration, vast, majori. Trucks and Lorry redirect here For other uses see Truck disambiguation and Lorry disambiguation A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo carry specialized payloads or perform other utilitarian work Trucks vary greatly in size power and configuration but the vast majority feature body on frame construction with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment such as in the case of refuse trucks fire trucks concrete mixers and suction excavators In American English a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a straight truck while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a tractor 1 Freightliner M2 dump truck A Mack Titan road train in Australia Liebherr T 282B hybrid electric mining truck A Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV battery electric truck The majority of trucks currently in use are still powered by diesel engines although small to medium size trucks with gasoline engines exist in the US Canada and Mexico The market share of electrically powered trucks is growing rapidly expected to reach 7 globally by 2027 and electric motive force already predominates among both the largest and smallest trucks 2 In the European Union vehicles with a gross combination mass of up to 3 5 t 3 4 long tons 3 9 short tons are known as light commercial vehicles and those over as large goods vehicles Contents 1 History 1 1 Steam wagons 1 2 Internal combustion 1 3 Diesel engines 1 4 Electric Motors 1 5 Etymology 1 6 International variance 2 Types by size 2 1 Ultra light 2 2 Very light 2 3 Light 2 4 Medium 2 5 Heavy 2 6 Off road 2 7 Maximum sizes by country 3 Design 3 1 Cab 3 2 Engines and motors 3 3 Drivetrain 3 4 Frame 3 5 Body types 4 Sales and sales issues 4 1 Manufacturers 4 2 Truck market worldwide 5 Driving 5 1 Australia 5 2 Europe 5 3 South Africa 5 4 United States 6 Environmental effects 7 Operator health and safety 8 Operations issues 8 1 Taxes 8 2 Damage to pavement 8 3 Commercial insurance 9 Safety 9 1 Trucking accidents 9 2 HGV safety in the EU 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksHistorySteam wagons A Sentinel steam wagon Main article Steam wagon Trucks and cars have a common ancestor the steam powered fardier Nicolas Joseph Cugnot built in 1769 citation needed However steam wagons were not common until the mid 19th century The roads of the time built for horse and carriages limited these vehicles to very short hauls usually from a factory to the nearest railway station The first semi trailer appeared in 1881 citation needed towed by a steam tractor manufactured by De Dion Bouton Steam powered wagons were sold in France and the United States until the eve of World War I and 1935 in the United Kingdom when a change in road tax rules made them uneconomic against the new diesel lorries Internal combustion Daimler Motor Lastwagen from 1898 In 1895 Karl Benz designed and built the first internal combustion truck Later that year some of Benz s trucks were modified to become busses by Netphener A year later in 1896 another internal combustion engine truck was built by Gottlieb Daimler the Daimler Motor Lastwagen 3 Other companies such as Peugeot Renault and Bussing also built their own versions The first truck in the United States was built by Autocar in 1899 and was available with 5 or 8 horsepower 4 or 6 kW engines 4 Trucks of the era mostly used two cylinder engines and had a carrying capacity of 1 5 to 2 t 3 300 to 4 400 lb After World War I several advances were made electric starters and 4 6 and 8 cylinder engines Diesel engines Although it had been invented in 1897 the diesel engine did not appear in production trucks until Benz introduced it in 1923 5 The diesel engine was not common in trucks in Europe until the 1930s In the United States Autocar introduced diesel engines for heavy applications in the mid 1930s Demand was high enough that Autocar launched the DC model diesel conventional in 1939 However it took much longer for diesel engines to be broadly accepted in the US gasoline engines were still in use on heavy trucks in the 1970s 6 7 Electric Motors Main article Electric truck President Joe Biden test driving the Ford F 150 Lightning all electric pick up at Ford s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center Electrically powered trucks predate internal combustion ones and have been continuously available since the mid 19th century In the 1920s Autocar Trucks was the first of the major truck manufacturers to offer a range of electric trucks for sale 8 Electric trucks were successful for urban delivery roles and as specialized work vehicles like forklifts and pushback tugs The higher energy density of liquid fuels soon led to the decline of electric powered trucks in favor of first gasoline and then diesel and CNG fueled engines until battery technology advanced in the 2000s when new chemistries and higher volume production broadened the range of applicability of electric propulsion to trucks in many more roles Today manufacturers are electrifying all trucks ahead of national regulatory requirements with long range over the road trucks being the most challenging 9 10 Etymology This section possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed February 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message Mannesmann Mulag truck at the Finlayson factory in Tampere Finland in 1921 Truck is used in American English and is common in Canada Australia New Zealand Pakistan and South Africa while lorry is the equivalent in British English and is the usual term in countries like Ireland Malaysia Singapore and India original research The first known usage of truck was in 1611 when it referred to the small strong wheels on ships cannon carriages and comes from Trokhos Greek wheel In its extended usage it came to refer to carts for carrying heavy loads a meaning known since 1771 Its expanded application to motor powered load carrier has been in usage since 1930 shortened from motor truck which dates back to 1901 11 12 Lorry has a more uncertain origin but probably has its roots in the rail transport industry where the word is known to have been used in 1838 to refer to a type of truck a goods wagon as in British usage not a bogie as in the American specifically a large flat wagon It might derive from the verb lurry to carry or drag along or to lug which was in use as early as 1664 but that association is not definitive 13 The expanded meaning of lorry self propelled vehicle for carrying goods has been in usage since 1911 14 15 International variance A Japanese concrete mixer Further information List of truck types In the United States Canada and the Philippines truck is usually reserved for commercial vehicles larger than regular passenger cars but includes large SUVs pickups and other vehicles with an open load bed In Australia New Zealand and South Africa the word truck is mostly reserved for larger vehicles In Australia and New Zealand a pickup truck is frequently called a ute short for utility vehicle 16 while in South Africa it is called a bakkie Afrikaans small open container In the United Kingdom India Malaysia Singapore Ireland and Hong Kong lorry is used instead of truck but only for the medium and heavy types while truck is used almost exclusively to refer to pickups Types by sizeSee also Truck classification and List of truck types Ultra light Might E Truck from Canadian Electric Vehicles Often produced as variations of golf cars with internal combustion or battery electric drive these are used typically for off highway use on estates golf courses and parks While not suitable for highway use some variations may be licensed as slow speed vehicles for operation on streets generally as a body variation of a neighborhood electric vehicle A few manufactures produce specialized chassis for this type of vehicle while Zap Motors markets a version of their Xebra electric tricycle licensable in the U S as a motorcycle Very light A Piaggio Porter Tata Super Ace in Indonesia Popular in Europe and Asia many mini trucks are factory redesigns of light automobiles usually with monocoque bodies Specialized designs with substantial frames such as the Italian Piaggio shown here are based upon Japanese designs in this case by Daihatsu and are popular for use in old town sections of European cities that often have very narrow alleyways Regardless of name these small trucks serve a wide range of uses In Japan they are regulated under the Kei car laws which allow vehicle owners a break in taxes for buying a smaller and less powerful vehicle currently the engine is limited to 660 cc displacement These vehicles are used as on road utility vehicles in Japan These Japanese made mini trucks that were manufactured for on road use are competing with off road ATVs in the United States and import regulations require that these mini trucks have a 25 mph 40 km h speed governor as they are classified as low speed vehicles 17 These vehicles have found uses in construction large campuses government university and industrial agriculture cattle ranches amusement parks and replacements for golf carts 18 SML truck on the road in Accra Major mini truck manufacturers and their brands Daihatsu Hijet Honda Acty Tata Ace Mazda Scrum Mitsubishi Minicab Subaru Sambar Suzuki Carry Light A Ford Ranger pickup truck Light trucks are car sized in the US no more than 13 900 lb 6 3 t and are used by individuals and businesses alike In the EU they may not weigh more than 3 5 t 7 700 lb and are allowed to be driven with a driving licence for cars Pickup trucks called utes in Australia and New Zealand are common in North America and some regions of Latin America Asia and Africa but not so in Europe where this size of commercial vehicle is most often made as vans Medium Fuso Canter 8th Generation in Taiwan Medium trucks are larger than light but smaller than heavy trucks In the US they are defined as weighing between 13 000 and 33 000 lb 5 9 and 15 0 t For the UK and the EU the weight is between 3 5 to 7 5 t 7 700 to 16 500 lb Local delivery and public service dump trucks garbage trucks and fire fighting trucks are normally around this size Heavy A cement mixer is an example of a Class 8 heavy truck Seddon Atkinson Stratos refuse compactor In Pakistan the majority of trucks are colorful and decorated Heavy trucks are the largest on road trucks Class 8 These include vocational applications such as heavy dump trucks concrete pump trucks and refuse hauling as well as ubiquitous long haul 4x2 and 6 4 tractor units 19 Road damage and wear increase very rapidly with the axle weight The number of steering axles and the suspension type also influence the amount of the road wear In many countries with good roads a six axle truck may have a maximum weight of 44 t 97 000 lb or more Off road ALMA antenna transporters are 20 m 65 2 3 ft long 10 m 32 7 9 ft wide weigh 130 t 127 9 long tons 143 3 short tons and drive on 28 tires 20 Off road trucks include standard extra heavy duty highway legal trucks typically outfitted with off road features such as a front driving axle and special tires for applications such as logging and construction and purpose built off road vehicles unconstrained by weight limits such as the Liebherr T 282B mining truck Maximum sizes by country Further information Road train Australia has complex regulations over weight and length including axle spacing type of axle axle group rear overhang kingpin to rear of trailer drawbar length ground clearance as well as height and width laws These limits are some of the highest in the world a B double can weigh 62 5 t 61 5 long tons 68 9 short tons and be 25 m 82 ft long and road trains used in the outback can weigh 172 t 169 3 long tons 189 6 short tons and be 53 5 m 176 ft long 21 22 The European Union also has complex regulations The number and spacing of axles steering single or dual tires and suspension type all affect maximum weights Length of a truck of a trailer from axle to hitch point kingpin to rear of trailer and turning radius are all regulated In additions there are special rules for carrying containers and countries can set their own rules for local traffic 23 The United States Federal Bridge Law deals with the relation between the gross weight of the truck the number of axles the weight on and the spacing between the axles that the truck can have on the Interstate highway system 24 Each State determines the maximum permissible vehicle combination and axle weight on state and local roads Country Maximumwith three axles With one trailer Maximum combinationAustralia 21 22 23 t 22 6 long tons 25 4 short tons 12 m 39 ft 172 t 169 3 long tons 189 6 short tons 53 5 m 176 ft China 25 25 t 24 6 long tons 27 6 short tons 12 m 39 ft 49 t 48 2 long tons 54 0 short tons 16 5 m 54 ft 55 t 54 1 long tons 60 6 short tons 18 75 m 62 ft EU 23 26 t 25 6 long tons 28 7 short tons 12 m 39 ft 16 5 m 54 ft 44 t 43 3 long tons 48 5 short tons 18 75 m 62 ft Finland 26 28 t 27 6 long tons 30 9 short tons 13 m 43 ft 76 t 74 8 long tons 83 8 short tons 34 5 m 113 ft 2 in 76 t 74 8 long tons 83 8 short tons 34 5 m 113 ft Ireland 27 26 t 25 6 long tons 28 7 short tons 12 m 39 ft 30 t 29 5 long tons 33 1 short tons 16 5 m 54 ft 2 in 44 t 43 3 long tons 48 5 short tons 22 m 72 ft Sweden 28 26 t 25 6 long tons 28 7 short tons 24 m 79 ft 74 t 72 8 long tons 81 6 short tons 25 25 m 82 ft 10 in 74 t 72 8 long tons 81 6 short tons 25 25 m 82 8 ft UK 29 26 t 25 6 long tons 28 7 short tons 12 m 39 ft 44 t 43 3 long tons 48 5 short tons 16 5 m 54 ft 44 t 43 3 long tons 48 5 short tons 18 75 m 62 ft USA 30 31 Interstate 54 000 lb 24 t 45 ft 13 7 m 80 000 lb 36 t none 80 000 lb 36 t noneUniquely the State of Michigan has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164 000 lb 74 t which is twice the U S federal limit 32 33 34 A measure to change the law was defeated in the Michigan Senate in 2019 35 36 37 38 39 DesignAlmost all trucks share a common construction they are made of a chassis a cab an area for placing cargo or equipment axles suspension and roadwheels an engine and a drivetrain Pneumatic hydraulic water and electrical systems may also be present Many also tow one or more trailers or semi trailers Cab A cabover truck Streamlined conventional cab Cab beside engine The cab or cabin is an enclosed space where the driver is seated A sleeper is a compartment attached to or integral with the cab where the driver can rest while not driving sometimes seen in semi trailer trucks There are several cab configurations Cab over engine COE or flat nose where the driver is seated above the front axle and the engine This design is almost ubiquitous in Europe where overall truck lengths are strictly regulated and is widely used in the rest of the world They were common in North American heavy duty trucks but lost prominence when permitted length was extended in the early 1980s Nevertheless this design is still popular in North America among medium and light duty trucks To reach the engine the whole cab tilts forward earning this design the name of tilt cab This type of cab is especially suited to the delivery conditions in Europe where many roads require the short turning radius afforded by the shorter wheelbase of the cab over engine layout 40 Conventional cabs seated the driver behind the engine as in most passenger cars or pickup trucks Many new cabs are very streamlined with a sloped hood bonnet and other features to lower drag Conventional cabs are the most common in North America Australia and China and are known in the UK as American cabs citation needed and in the Netherlands as torpedo cabs Cab beside engine designs are used for terminal tractors at shipping yards and for other specialist vehicles carrying long loads such as pipes This type is often made by replacing the passenger side of a cab over truck with an extended section of the load bed A further step from this is the side loading forklift that can be described as a specially fabricated vehicle with the same properties as a truck of this type in addition to the ability to pick up its own load Engines and motors Cummins ISB 6 7L medium duty truck diesel engine Most small trucks such as sport utility vehicles SUVs vans or pickups and even light medium duty trucks in North America China and Russia use gasoline engines petrol engines but many diesel engined models are now being produced Most of the heavier trucks use four stroke diesel engines with a turbocharger and intercooler Huge off highway trucks use locomotive type engines such as a V12 Detroit Diesel two stroke engine A large proportion of refuse trucks in the United States employ CNG compressed natural gas engines for their low fuel cost and reduced carbon emissions A significant proportion of North American manufactured trucks use an engine built by the last remaining major independent engine manufacturer Cummins but most global OEMs such as Volvo Trucks and Daimler AG promote their own captive engines 41 In the European Union all new truck engines must comply with Euro VI emission regulations 42 As of 2019 update several alternative technologies are competing to displace the use of diesel engines in heavy trucks CNG engines are widely used in the US refuse industry and in concrete mixers among other short range vocations but range limitations have prevented their broader uptake in freight hauling applications Heavy electric trucks and hydrogen powered trucks are new to the market in 2021 43 44 but major freight haulers are interested 45 46 Although cars will be first the phase out of fossil fuel vehicles includes trucks 47 According to The Economist magazine Electric lorries will probably run on hydrogen not batteries which are too expensive 48 Other researchers say that once faster chargers are available batteries will become competitive against diesel for all except perhaps the heaviest trucks 49 Drivetrain A truck rear suspension and drive axles overview Eaton Roadranger 18 speed crash box with automated gearshift Small trucks use the same type of transmissions as almost all cars having either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with synchromesh synchronizers Bigger trucks often use manual transmissions without synchronizers saving bulk and weight although synchromesh transmissions are used in larger trucks as well Transmissions without synchronizers known as crash boxes require double clutching for each shift which can lead to repetitive motion injuries or a technique known colloquially as floating a method of changing gears which doesn t use the clutch except for starts and stops due to the physical effort of double clutching especially with non power assisted clutches faster shifts and less clutch wear Double clutching allows the driver to control the engine and transmission revolutions to synchronize so that a smooth shift can be made for example when upshifting the accelerator pedal is released and the clutch pedal is depressed while the gear lever is moved into neutral the clutch pedal is then released and quickly pushed down again while the gear lever is moved to the next higher gear Finally the clutch pedal is released and the accelerator pedal pushed down to obtain the required engine speed Although this is a relatively fast movement perhaps a second or so while the transmission is in neutral it allows the engine speed to drop and synchronize engine and transmission revolutions relative to the road speed Downshifting is performed in a similar fashion except the engine speed is now required to increase while the transmission is in neutral just the right amount in order to achieve the synchronization for a smooth non collision gear change Skip changing is also widely used in principle the operation is the same as double clutching but it requires neutral be held slightly longer than a single gear change Common North American setups include 9 10 13 15 and 18 speeds Automatic and automated manual transmissions for heavy trucks are becoming more and more common due to advances both in transmission and engine power In Europe 8 10 12 and 16 gears are common on larger trucks with a manual transmission while conventional automatic or automated manual transmissions would have anything from 5 to 12 gears Almost all heavy truck transmissions are of the range and split double H shift pattern type where range change and so called half gears or splits are air operated and always preselected before the main gear selection Frame A truck rear frame chassis section view Pickup truck frame right rear view A truck frame consists of two parallel boxed tubular or C shaped rails or beams held together by crossmembers These frames are referred to as ladder frames due to their resemblance to a ladder if tipped on end The rails consist of a tall vertical section two if boxed and two shorter horizontal flanges The height of the vertical section provides opposition to vertical flex when weight is applied to the top of the frame beam resistance Though typically flat the whole length on heavy duty trucks the rails may sometimes be tapered or arched for clearance around the engine or over the axles The holes in rails are used either for mounting vehicle components and running wires and hoses or measuring and adjusting the orientation of the rails at the factory or repair shop The frame is usually made of steel but can be made whole or in part of aluminum for a lighter weight A tow bar may be found attached at one or both ends but heavy tractors almost always make use of a fifth wheel hitch citation needed Body types Box trucks tilts in the UK have walls and a roof making an enclosed load space The rear has doors for unloading a side door is sometimes fitted 50 Chassis cab trucks have a fully enclosed cab at the front with bare chassis frame rails behind suitable for subsequent permanent attachment of a specialized payload like a fire truck or ambulance body Concrete mixers have a rotating drum on an inclined axis rotating in one direction to mix and in the other to discharge the concrete down chutes Because of the weight and power requirements of the drum body and rough construction sites mixers have to be very heavy duty 51 52 Dump trucks tippers in the UK transport loose material such as sand gravel or dirt for construction A typical dump truck has an open box bed which is hinged at the rear and lifts at the front allowing the material in the bed to be unloaded dumped on the ground behind the truck 53 54 Flatbed trucks have an entirely flat level platform body This allows for quick and easy loading but has no protection for the load Hanging or removable sides are sometimes fitted 55 Refrigerator trucks have insulated panels as walls and a roof and floor used for transporting fresh and frozen cargo such as ice cream food vegetables and prescription drugs They are mostly equipped with double wing rear doors but a side door is sometimes fitted Refuse trucks have a specialized body for collecting and often compacting trash collected from municipal commercial and industrial sites This application has the widest use of the cab over configuration in North America to provide better maneuverability in tight situations They are also among the most severe duty and highest GVWR trucks on public roads Semi tractors artics in the UK have a fifth wheel for towing a semi trailer instead of a body Tank trucks tankers in the UK are designed to carry liquids or gases They usually have a cylindrical tank lying horizontally on the chassis Many variants exist due to the wide variety of liquids and gases that can be transported 56 Wreckers recovery lorries in the UK are used to recover and or tow disabled vehicles They are normally equipped with a boom with a cable wheel chassis lifts are becoming common on newer trucks 57 58 59 Sales and sales issuesManufacturers Main article List of truck manufacturers Truck market worldwide Largest truck manufacturers in the world as of 2015 Pos Make Units1 Daimler AG Mercedes Benz Freightliner Unimog Western Star Fuso BharatBenz 506 663 60 2 Navistar International 359 000 61 3 Dongfeng 336 869 62 4 Tata 317 780 63 5 Volvo Group Volvo Mack Renault UD Nissan 207 475 64 6 Volkswagen Group MAN Scania Caminhoes e Onibus 179 035 65 7 Hino 162 870 66 8 Paccar DAF Kenworth Peterbilt Leyland 154 700 67 9 Iveco 140 200 68 DrivingIn many countries driving a truck requires a special driving license The requirements and limitations vary with each different jurisdiction Australia Inside a Mack truck In Australia a truck driver s license is required for any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass GVM exceeding 4 5 t 4 4 long tons 5 0 short tons The motor vehicles classes are further expanded as CombinationHC Heavy Combination a typical prime mover plus semi trailer combination MC Multi Combination e g B Doubles road trainsRigidLR Light rigid a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4 5 t 4 4 long tons 5 0 short tons but not more than 8 t 7 9 long tons 8 8 short tons Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t 8 9 long tons 9 9 short tons GVM MR Medium rigid a rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8 t 7 9 long tons 8 8 short tons Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t 8 9 long tons 9 9 short tons GVM Also includes vehicles in class LR HR Heavy Rigid a rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 t 7 9 long tons 8 8 short tons Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 t 8 9 long tons 9 9 short tons GVM Also includes articulated buses and vehicles in class MR Heavy vehicle transmissionThere is also a heavy vehicle transmission condition for a license class HC HR or MC test passed in a vehicle fitted with an automatic or synchromesh transmission a driver s license will be restricted to vehicles of that class fitted with a synchromesh or automatic transmission To have the condition removed a person needs to pass a practical driving test in a vehicle with non synchromesh transmission constant mesh or crash box 69 Europe Inside a Mercedes Benz truck Driving licensing has been harmonized throughout the European Union and the EEA and practically all European non member states so that common rules apply within Europe see European driving licence As an overview to drive a vehicle weighing more than 7 5 t 7 4 long tons 8 3 short tons for commercial purposes requires a specialist license the type varies depending on the use of the vehicle and number of seats For licenses first acquired after 1997 that weight was reduced to 3 5 t 3 4 long tons 3 9 short tons not including trailers citation needed Since 2013 the C1 license category allows driving vehicles over 3 5 and up to 7 5 tonnes The C license category allows driving vehicles over 3 5 tonnes with a trailer up to 750 kg and the CE category allows driving category C vehicles with a trailer over 750 kg South Africa To drive any vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3 5 t 3 4 long tons 3 9 short tons a code C1 drivers license is required Furthermore if the vehicle exceeds 16 t 15 7 long tons 17 6 short tons a code C license becomes necessary To drive any vehicle in South Africa towing a trailer with a GVM more than 7 5 t 7 4 long tons 8 3 short tons further restrictions apply and the driver must possess a license suitable for the GVM of the total combination as well as an articulated endorsement This is indicated with the letter E prefixing the license code In addition any vehicle designed to carry goods or passengers may only be driven by a driver possessing a Public Driver s Permit or PrDP of the applicable type This is an additional license that is added to the DL card of the operator and subject to annual renewal unlike the five year renewal period of a normal license The requirements for obtaining the different classes are below G Required for the transport of general goods requires a criminal record check and a fee on issuing and renewal P Required for the transport of paying passengers requires a more stringent criminal record check additionally the driver must be over the age of 21 at time of issue A G class PrDP will be issued at the same time D Required for the transport of dangerous materials requires all of the same checks as class P and in addition the driver must be over 25 at time of issue United States Inside a Navistar 9000 In the United States a commercial driver s license is required to drive any type of commercial vehicle weighing 26 001 lb 11 794 kg or more 70 The federal government regulates how many hours a driver may be on the clock how much rest and sleep time is required e g 11 hours driving 14 hours on duty followed by 10 hours off with a maximum of 70 hours 8 days or 60 hours 7 days 34 hours restart 71 Violations are often subject to significant penalties Instruments to track each driver s hours must sometimes be fitted In 2006 the US trucking industry employed 1 8 million drivers of heavy trucks 72 There is a shortage of willing trained long distance truck drivers 73 Part of the reason for this is the economic fallout from deregulation of the trucking industry Michael H Belzer associate professor in the economics department at Wayne State University and co author of Sweatshops on Wheels Winners and Losers in Trucking Deregulation argues that low pay bad working conditions and unsafe conditions have been a direct result of deregulation 74 75 The book cites poor working conditions and an unfair pay system as responsible for high annual employee turnover in the industry 76 77 In 2018 in the US 5 096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes is 4 862 The number of large trucks involved in injury crashes is 112 000 The number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes is 414 000 78 Environmental effectsSee also Diesel exhaust and Environmental effects of transport Exhaust fumes from a small truck Like cars trucks contribute to air noise and water pollution 79 Unlike cars as of 2022 update most trucks run on diesel and diesel exhaust is especially dangerous for health 80 Some countries have different vehicle emission standards for trucks and cars 81 82 NOx and particulates emitted by trucks are very dangerous to health 83 84 causing thousands of early deaths annually in the US alone 85 As older trucks are usually the worst 86 many cities have banned 20th century trucks 87 Air pollution also threatens professional truck drivers 88 Over a quarter of global transport CO2 emissions are from road freight 89 in 2021 over 1700 million tonnes from medium and heavy trucks 90 so many countries are further restricting truck CO2 emissions to help limit climate change 91 Many environmental organizations favor laws and incentives to encourage the switch from road to rail especially in Europe 92 Several countries have pledged that 30 of sales of trucks and buses will be zero emission by 2030 93 With respect to noise pollution trucks emit considerably higher sound levels at all speeds compared to typical cars this contrast is particularly strong with heavy duty trucks 94 There are several aspects of truck operations that contribute to the overall sound that is emitted Continuous sounds are those from tires rolling on the roadway and the constant hum of their diesel engines at highway speeds Less frequent noises but perhaps more noticeable are things like the repeated sharp pitched whistle of a turbocharger on acceleration or the abrupt blare of an exhaust brake retarder when traversing a downgrade There has been noise regulation put in place to help control where and when the use of engine braking retarders are allowed citation needed Operator health and safety Truck cab filter housing using a contiguous series of pre HEPA and charcoal panel filters A truck cab is a hazard control that protects the truck operator from hazardous airborne pollutants citation needed As an enclosure it is an example of an engineering control Enclosed operator cabs have been used on agriculture mining and construction vehicles for several decades Most modern day enclosed cabs have heating ventilation and air conditioning HVAC systems for primarily maintaining a comfortable temperature and providing breathable air for their occupants Various levels of filtration can be incorporated into the HVAC system to remove airborne pollutants such as dusts diesel particulate matter DPM and other aerosols 95 Two key elements of an effective environmental enclosure are a good filtration system and an enclosure with good integrity sealed isolation from the outside environment It is recommended that a filtration system filter out at least 95 or greater of airborne respirable aerosols from the intake airflow with an additional recirculation filtering component for the inside air Good enclosure integrity is also needed to achieve positive pressure to prevent wind driven aerosol penetration into the enclosure as well as to minimize air leakage around the filtration system Test methods and mathematical modeling of environmental enclosures are also beneficial for quantifying and optimizing filtration system designs as well as maintaining optimum protection factor performance for enclosure occupants 95 Operations issuesTaxes Commercial trucks in the US pay higher road use taxes on a state level than other road vehicles and are subject to extensive regulation 96 A few reasons commercial trucks pay higher road use taxes they are bigger and heavier than most other vehicles and cause more wear and tear per hour on roadways and trucks and their drivers are on the road for more hours per day Rules on use taxes differ among jurisdictions Damage to pavement The life of a pavement is measured by the number of passes of a vehicle axle It may be evaluated using the Load Equivalency Factor 97 which states that the damage by the pass of a vehicle axle is proportional to the 4th power of the weight so a ten ton axle consumes 10 000 times the life of the pavement as a one ton axle For that reason loaded trucks cost the same as thousands of cars in pavement costs and are subject to higher taxes and highway tolls 36 37 Commercial insurance This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed November 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with US and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject You may improve this section discuss the issue on the talk page or create a new section as appropriate November 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Primary liability insurance coverage protects the truck from damage or injuries to other people as a result of a truck accident This truck insurance coverage is mandated by U S state and federal agencies and proof of coverage is required to be sent to them Interstate trucks in the U S are required to have a minimum of 75 000 in liability insurance This includes motor carriers operating vehicles with a gross weight rating in excess of 10 000 lb 4 5 t which transport non hazardous materials All motor carriers operating vehicles transporting materials classified as hazardous and which have a gross weight rating in excess of 10 000 lb 4 5 t must have a minimum of 1 000 000 in liability insurance All motor carriers operating vehicles such as hopper type cargo vehicles or tankers with a capacity in excess of 3 500 US gal 13 000 L must have a minimum of 5 000 000 in liability insurance Pricing is dependent on region driving records and history of the trucking operation Motor truck cargo insurance protects the transporter for his responsibility in the event of damaged or lost freight The policy is purchased with a maximum load limit per vehicle Cargo insurance coverage limits can range from 10 000 to 100 000 or more Pricing for this insurance is mainly dependent on the type of cargo being hauled SafetyTrucking accidents Trucking accident In 2002 and 2004 there were over 5 000 fatalities related to trucking accidents in the United States The trucking industry has since made significant efforts in increasing safety regulations In 2008 the industry had successfully lowered the fatality rate to just over 4 000 deaths but trucking accidents are still an issue that causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year Approximately 6 000 trucking accident fatalities occur annually in the United States Fatalities are not the only issue caused by trucking accidents Here are some of the environmental issues that arise with trucking accidents 14 4 of trucking accidents cause cargo to spill 6 5 cause open flamesFollowing increased pressure from The Times Cities Fit For Cycling campaign and from other media in Spring 2012 warning signs are now displayed on the backs of many heavy goods vehicles HGV These signs are directed against a common type of accident that occurs when the large vehicle turns left at a junction a cyclist trying to pass on the nearside can be crushed against the HGV s wheels especially if the driver cannot see the cyclist The signs such as the winning design of the InTANDEM road safety competition launched in March 2012 advocate extra care when passing a large vehicle on the nearside HGV safety in the EU In vehicle speed limitation is required applying a 90 km h limit to commercial vehicles over 3 5 tonnes 98 Front side and rear underrun protection is required on commercial vehicles over 3 5 tonnes 98 Trucks must be fitted with blind spot mirrors that give drivers a wider field of vision than conventional mirrors 99 See also Transport portal Cars portalAir brake Animal transporter Articulated hauler Autonomous truck Ballast tractor Campervan Cutaway van chassis Dekotora Japanese decorated trucks Food truck Glossary of the American trucking industry Great West Truck Show Hand truck Kei truck Haul truck Large goods vehicle List of military trucks List of pickup trucks List of trucks Logging truck Multi stop truck Roll off truck Tail lift Traffic congestion Truck art in South Asia Truck classification Truck hijacking Truck scale Truck stopReferences Glossary PDF www trucking org Archived from the original PDF on 29 November 2019 Retrieved 12 September 2019 Gies Erica 18 December 2017 Electric Trucks Begin Reporting for Duty Quietly and Without All the Fumes Inside Climate News Archived from the original on 13 June 2021 Retrieved 13 June 2021 Replacing fleets of medium and heavy duty trucks can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and make cities quieter and cleaner Because trucks need so much hauling power they have eluded 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to 30 percent cut in truck CO2 emissions Reuters 20 December 2018 Archived from the original on 18 April 2019 Retrieved 18 April 2019 How Government policy can realize rail freight s role in reducing carbon emissions FreightOnRail org uk Archived from the original on 20 August 2008 Retrieved 6 September 2008 Smorodin Amy 16 November 2022 A story of transition How Europe s faring in its move to zero emission trucks and buses International Council on Clean Transportation Retrieved 17 November 2022 C Michael Hogan 1973 Analysis of highway noise Water Air and Soil Pollution Springer Science Business Media 2 3 387 392 Bibcode 1973WASP 2 387H doi 10 1007 BF00159677 S2CID 109914430 Retrieved 12 February 2020 a b Organiscak J Cecala A Hall R June 2018 Design Testing and Modeling of Environmental Enclosures for Controlling Worker Exposure to Airborne Contaminants U S National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Archived from the original on 9 November 2018 Retrieved 9 November 2018 Trucking Industry Operating Taxes State of Georgia Archived from the original on 1 September 2006 Retrieved 18 August 2006 Road wear from heavy vehicles an overview NVF committee Vehicles and Transports August 2008 Archived from the original PDF on 18 August 2016 Retrieved 27 September 2016 a b Heavy goods vehicles Mobility and transport European Commission 17 October 2016 Archived from the original on 5 December 2020 Retrieved 19 June 2020 Blind spot mirrors Mobilita u Trasport European Commission 17 October 2016 Archived from the original on 19 July 2020 Retrieved 19 July 2020 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Truck Truck at Curlie Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Different sizes and classes of trucks in the UK Hutchinson Rollin W Jr January 1912 Motor Trucks The New Freighters Quicker and More Reliable Service Cleaner and Less Congested Cities Concrete Examples of Saving The World s Work A History of Our Time XXIII 268 187 Retrieved 10 July 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Truck amp oldid 1140594697, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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