using a lift axle?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ubart, Apr 29, 2008.
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If I drop the trailer it's a single. It's a truck and trailer. That means the tractor has a cargo tank permanently mounted to the frame. It's what we call a super tanker because I have 4 axles on the truck pulling a 4 axle trailer. There's no fifth wheel but the truck pivots in 2 places instead of 1 like a semi. Sometimes people look at the truck and think it's a set of doubles because they see 2 tanks but it's not. Doubles you can drop and end up with a tractor, I'll always have a tank right behind my head.
I have run a load to a station with just the truck and no trailer. The drop axle was down and there's absolutely no difference with or without the trailer. I hope this helped.
Sorry guys for this mix-up.FlaSwampRat Thanks this. -
I remember seeing those units out west. It's weird to me that you can turn without any problems while the tag axle is down.
Another weird thing to me is why you received an infraction on that first comment where you quoted me.
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Yes, you are correct. All of the oil in the road rises up, which causes ice like conditions. Most people can't drive in the rain anywhere. lol It not like a lot of places where it can rain or drizzle for a week. If it rains more than an a half hour it's a monsoon.lol -
If I did something wrong ok. But it sure would be nice to know what you can post and what you can not post. And it would also be nice to see a message longer than just a couple of seconds. I'm all for following the rules.FlaSwampRat Thanks this. -
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Lift Axles are definitely an area more light needs to be directed.
Each manufacturer has different types of lift axles set at varying heights.
Then there's no makrings on the lift axle to let you know key info.
In Canada they're going to steerable lift axles for this reason.
Like a trailer, a lift axle should be identified and a document description of capacity weight and type along with what PSI values that explain weight at axle.
That's for axles installed by a manufacturer.
People hanging their own axle on may not even have their height or axle position installed correctly then they wonder why they're axle is slow to rise or lower. It may have a reduced weight or be putting too much weight on the frame.
The size of the plumbing and the valve are also important variables.
The reason the DOT/MOT want the switch outside of the cab is to catch people who forget or don't use their lift axles to save fuel or add traction to their drives.
They want you to have four way flashers so if your dropping as you approach the scales they know.
Fines are revenue. Revenue is an attaboy! The problem is, slip seating with different trailers means you don't get into a routine of remembering to raise and lower when you should.
The switch should be in the cab for safety reasons and the inspectors at the scales know this.
Forget fining people, if a driver can avoid an accident having access to an extra axle - especially one with brakes, it should not be on the side of the trailer.
As for the original post of how to use a lift axle - usually your air settings are at a box close to the axle.
Raise your air to 120 psi - charge your trailer and leave tractor park on so you have brakes to truck.
You may have a switch that says lift axle you have to press just to send air to the axle, it may be a smaller black version of your air brake valve buttons. Push raises, pull drops on most vehicles. Play around while parked until you find out. They're all plumbed differently.
As for setting your air - the box on side of trailer has round air guage with a lever. You push a brass button if there is one and move lever. One direction will increase air, one will return to zero.
If you have black plastic knobs, the turn nob activates and the push button adds and removes air.
With guage set from 20,000 to 60,000.
I used to think psi equaled pounds on axle but have learned different drop axles have different heights when raised and lowered and the settings are factory specific to axle you have.
Why we need more info.
Why the scales want steerable axles because they can't tell you either. -
When i run trucks w/ drop axles if it's off road i lift for better traction. Never back up w/ a drop axle down. Most are auto lift from the tranny. Any slick conditions i lift. Here we have controls in cab. We have 4 & 5 axle tractors & the same w/ trailers.
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I've never had one which lifted automatically when I went into reverse.. we always had to do it ourselves, but we could have those valves in the cab in North Carolina.
And yes, I always lifted them when I was off-road, as well.
There'll be times when you might forget to lower them, then realize it somewhere down the road - do NOT lower them while the vehicle is in motion.
By the way, it's a pusher if it's in front of the drive axles, and a tag if it's behind.
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