The steering geometry of a utility vehicle is a complex system. Castor, steering kinematics, toe-in, camber, and kingpin inclination ensure that the wheels always remain under control. Depending on the application area, a truck may roll on more or fewer axles. These do not only have to carry the load of the truck. They are …
Continue reading “Steering Geometry of a Utility Vehicle: Chassis”
The fuel consumption of trucks is determined by many factors. One of them is selection of the correct tires. “Green” tires guarantee low fuel consumption. This was the result of a recent study. The correct tire can reduce diesel consumption by up to 8.5 percent. This may help a hauler to save several million € …
Truck tires are like shoes. They need new soles when they are too worn. And as with shoes, it is often cheaper to go a shoemaker than to a shoe shop. Retreads can save as much as a third of the purchasing price—not exactly negligible in a sector where every cent counts. welt.de reported that …
Perfect maneuvering into a parking space and seeing the pedestrians—good all-round visibility makes the life of truck drivers easier. The Road Traffic Ordinance requires sufficient visibility under all operating conditions. How is the visibility in the truck? Curved Right and Left Rearview Mirrors Compulsory for Trucks 7.5 Tons and Over Right and left rearview mirrors …
Continue reading “Mirrors: Direct and Indirect Visibility in Trucks”
Securing loads in trucks is a frequently recurring issue. How is it done right? What could be the consequences for the driver and the owner of a vehicle for securing load inappropriately? The possible consequences are demonstrated by the following court decision: damage to a following passenger car due to stone chipping, for example, must …
Utility vehicle maintenance was fundamentally changed by electronic systems. Service technicians still know engines, brake systems, transmissions or hydraulic systems, but they are now trained mechatronics technicians and no longer “just” mechanics. The job title is derived from the field of mechatronics, a combination of mechanics, electrics, and electronics, supplemented by control and information technology. …
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The Fiat Scudo with the Euro-5 exhaust standard was launched in 2012. The conversion from Euro 4 to Euro-5 brought some changes to the smallest and the largest engine. The medium-strength engine – the 120 Multijet – was replaced by a follow-up model, the 130 Multijet. A test conducted by trans aktuell magazine in 2012 …
lastauto omnibus magazine arranged a comparison test between the Volvo FM 410 and the Volvo FH 500 in 2011. The technical differences between the Swedish siblings are rather marginal. They have the same chassis, the same drive technology apart from the displacement of 658 vs. 780 cubic inches (10.8 vs. 12.8 liters) and almost the …
Continue reading “Family Quarrel: Volvo FM 410 versus FH 500”
Electric transporters, such as the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell, are always judged on two issues: range and payload. In a test conducted by trans aktuell magazine in 2012, the transporter achieved a range of 100 kilometers per battery charge and a payload between 1540 and 1650 lbs. (700 and 750 kg), depending on the weight of …
Which transmission is best for the Actros in off-road terrain? A twelve-speed transmission by Powershift or the standard 16-speed automatic transmission? We have tested both versions. The Powershift family offers a twelve-speed transmission with a maximum input torque of 2433 lb-ft (3300 Nm) for the Actros. This is also sufficient for hard off-road missions. However, …
