Explain to the dunce please - lifting axles.

[iva cosworth]

Looked today,the mileage is ONLY 188000 Kms which is only4000 more than my little truck which is much newer

[GC8]

pja said:

Most six wheel rigids will have a lift axle unless they are double drive (6x4) and they tend to be tankers or tippers etc

Pja

My only real experience is with double drive 6x4s, but are you sure that all other six wheel chassis will have a lift axle?

[s p a c e m a n]

iva cosworth said:

Looked today,the mileage is ONLY 188000 Kms which is only4000 more than my little truck which is much newer

Thats its second time around

[All that jazz]

GC8 said:

pja said:

Most six wheel rigids will have a lift axle unless they are double drive (6x4) and they tend to be tankers or tippers etc

Pja

My only real experience is with double drive 6x4s, but are you sure that all other six wheel chassis will have a lift axle?

He didn't say "all", he said "most" and he's right. Most general distribution 26 tonners these days have a lift axle. I used to drive a 26 tonner for a print firm that had twin rear bogies exactly like the DAF pictured above and the rear axle on that lifted up. I couldn't tell you if the axle was also driven though - I reckon it was probably a 6x2. What I can tell you is that you have some serious tail swing when you have the axle raised.

[Humper]

Mines a 6 wheeler, single rear wheel lift axle, fully on 26 tons. Though as I have a 9t front axle that may explain it. And I could tell you about tailswing!!!
Being a DAF im guessing its a big round switch the op is talking about? If so its the difflock.

[iva cosworth]

Humper said:

Being a DAF im guessing its a big round switch the op is talking about? If so its the difflock.

The "4WD" switch is a normal rectangular dash switch on the [now] 57 plate truck pictured.

[Upatdawn]

the cost of fitting a lift axle is quickly recouped by the lower road tax.....

[iva cosworth]

That truck ^^^ also carries 2 dart tags.

1 for wheels up

1 for wheels down.

Although the toll collectors sometimes get it wrong and driver doesn't bother to

stop and inform them their huge ££ mistake

[s p a c e m a n]

They don't do that anymore as far as I am aware, we used to be able to run solo through the tunnel at the reduced rate but now they charge us top whack whether we have a trailer or not

[T1pper]

My Scania 124 6X2 rigid has a rear lift axle with twin whels on it also has a difflock on the drive axle.

Lift axle up gives better manovrability but more tailswing and saves on tyre wear lift axle tyres have lasted nearly twice as long as the drives.

It is also much more ecomonical with the axle lifted because less rolling resistance with fewer tyres on the road also it does not scuff when turning sharply on a hot day with the axle down it will move the tarmac, must be a big saving on fuel when raised.

Off roading it is lift axle raised without doubt max pressure on traction wheels is a mast and diff lock engaged

However with the axle raised I do miss the extra axle braking!

Never seen a double drive setup with a lift but who knows??

[martin mrt]

The truck that IVACosworth has posted I can almost bet a months wages will be a 6x2 with twin wheels on the lift axle.

A 6x4 with a lift axle I have yet to see on a mainstream vehicle, the costs and complexity just wouldn't make it worthwhile.

Personal preference is a tag lift tractor unit, the extra manoeuvrability, and traction far outweigh the harder ride and increased swing with the axle up, over a midlift tractor.