Truck and Trailer Equipment – Attaching a Semi Trailer to a Road Tractor
Truck and Trailer Equipment - Attaching a Semi Trailer to a Road Tractor
How is a road tractor connected to a semi-trailer? The attachment between the tractor and the trailer is made by two connecting devices. One is the "fifth wheel" that is mounted on the rear frame of the road tractor. The other is called the "kingpin", which is located on the front end of the truck trailer.
What is a Fifth-Wheel?
Originally, a fifth wheel was a steering mechanism resembling a wheel that enabled the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate when making turns. Around 1910, John C. Endebrock invented a device for coupling trailers to motor vehicles. In its initial use, trailers were towed by Ford Model "T" passenger cars. This coupling scheme required three men to hook to and unhook the trailer from the automobile. In 1918, Endebrock designed a new coupling devise that allowed a single driver to easily connect the tractor and the trailer. The new fifth wheel design used a jaw with a spring locking device mounted on the fifth wheel plate that was attached to the tractor frame.
Today, the fifth wheel serves as a coupling device that attaches a road tractor to a semi-trailer. A fifth wheel is a heavy metal disc with a "V" shaped slot. It is attached horizontally to the chassis above the rear axles of the road tractor. The "V" slot is located at the rear and it contains a locking device. The fifth wheel mechanism used to connect tractors and trailers today is very similar to Endebrock's design from the early twentieth century.
What is a Kingpin?
A kingpin is a heavy metal cylindrical pin that is located underneath the front end of the trailer. The kingpin is the mechanism on the trailer that locks it to a road tractor. It is typically positioned between 18" to 48" from the trailer nose. A greased metal grid plate surrounds the kingpin. This grid plate allows the fifth wheel to slide underneath the trailer. When the tractor is backed into the nose of a trailer, the fifth wheel pivots and slides underneath the trailer's grid plate. The fifth wheel then locks onto the trailer's king pin.
When coupled to the kingpin, the fifth wheel enables the semi trailer to rotate at the point where the fifth wheel and kingpin are joined. The rotating attachment allows the tractor-trailer combination to make turns and provides stability and maneuverability on the road. When the load is delivered, the driver disconnects the tractor from the trailer by rolling down the trailer's dolly legs. He then pulls a lever to disengage the fifth wheel locking mechanism and drives the tractor away from the trailer.
For more information about semi-trailers, see American Trailer Exchange
Greg Pratt has enjoyed a 33-year career in the semi-trailer sales and leasing business. He developed and managed a 20,000 unit trailer leasing company; managed a multi-branch trailer marketing firm; and, successfully liquidated trailer lease portfolios for investment firms, banks and equipment leasing companies. He founded American Trailer Exchange in 1992. Greg is considered by many in the trucking and equipment finance industries to be an expert in his field. He is often consulted for equipment valuations and industry market trends.
Greg has an M.B.A degree from Roosevelt University-Chicago, and a B.S. degree from Ball State University.
Greg lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with his wife and five children. He has lead worship bands, and plays the trumpet. He has taught courses on conflict resolution, leadership training and team building. He enjoys playing basketball and running in 5K and 10K races.
For more business information visit: www.amtrex.net
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09 Carriage Cameo 37RE3 Fifth Wheel RV
The 37RE3 is the latest addition to the Cameo family. It features a rear entertainment center, but still has large rear windows like a rear living room floor plan. All hardware has been updated to stainless steel to match the rest of the coach. Carriage now has hardwood cabinet stiles, no more wrapped wood. The TV actually raises out of the counter top with the flip of a switch. The kitchen is very large with an island. New to 2009 is the edged redesigned Corian. The bathroom is fully enclosed for extra privacy. There is an abundance of storage in the bedroom.
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The Borrowings to Lubricate the Wheels of Your Economic Machine
There are many borrowings belonging to the category of commercial lendings in the UK. In fact the sector has showed immense growth to diversify in to numerous fields. So presently there are many sub-categories of the parent loan like secured, real estate, construction, business, bridging, credit commercial, commercial secured, refinance, equity and vehicle commercial borrowings.
Even though there are enough incentives in the UK financial market to cater to the increasing fund demands, but of late there are some disappointing turns in the market which can have a sort of negative impact on the commercial borrowers. The Bank of England, through a 0.25% increase in the interest rate, has squeezed the credit position. Due to this measure the the price of taking loans has hit a six year high. During the past one month the base rate has been raised for the fifth time.
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There are low rate secured loans to provide easy, cheap and hassle-free borrowings to those who can provide a security against the funds availed. Such borrowings are considered risk-free by the lenders because the risk of default is minimized due to the piece of collateral. The credit taker is also on the tenterhooks to comply with the repayment plan because the mortgage always weighs heavily on his/her conscience.
There is a vast source of online commercial loans facilitators which provides expert guidance to the clients regarding the best loan plans and schemes available in the field. Through the secured category of borrowings one can very easily raise up to £100000 for funds required in the fields of service, manufacturing, trading or retail industries. One can avail the amounts up to 85% value of the mortgage equity. Through a fast track method one can very easily get funds with repayment terms ranging between 5-25 years.
Author Bio: For more tips on Loans for you and your family. Amenda Dorothy works as a business writer for Ask4loan. To find small personal loans UK, commercial business loans, fast cash personal loans UK visit Ask4loan.
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