2 axle interlock

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by mitmaks, Mar 13, 2016.

  1. mitmaks

    mitmaks Road Train Member

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    So which axle does interlock engage, front one closer to cab or rear axle?
    I was told that your full time drive axle is front one and axle switch engages rear one.
    I saw people put chains only on front axle, wouldn't you want to put chains on front axle-closest to the cab?
     
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  3. 51.50

    51.50 Heavy Load Member

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    There are different designs. They are not all the same. On the last set I had the rear axle had full time drive and when you engaged the power divider, you were locking in the front axle.
     
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  4. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    Neither. Interaxle lock ties both axles together. Both axles are live with an open differential between them when unlocked.
     
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  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'd really like to know who keeps telling people the front axle is full time live and the rear one is only live when the inter axle is locked in. Its gotta be one of the biggest myths in trucking.

    OP, inter axle lock locks your front and rear drive axles together so they both split 50% of the power under all conditions. Axle locks lock the left and right sides together on each axle so that both sides are putting power to the ground.
     
  6. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Yup. If you understand how these things work it makes no sense to say you have one live axle.

    If you only have chains on one axle you have to use the power divider some times. You shouldn't be going very fast with chains anyway.
     
  7. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    The guys that are chaining one drive have tag axles.

    You can look and see if the driveline goes back to the rear to see if its live or tag. Its real easy to spot the difference.

    I've chained several super single tag axles in my time at Conway otr. Topped off with bleach and kitty litter xD
     
  8. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    A mechanic at Hunter Peterbilt, Jersey Shore, tried to tell me that. I told him he must be one of the new guys. He then told me.he was the axle expert. I walked away, shaking my head!
     
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  9. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    Although everybody refers to it as a "power divider", it's really called "inter-axle differential lock", and that should answer the question. There is a differential that puts power to both axles, just like a differential puts it to both wheels. Whichever of the four loses traction, that is the wheel that will get the power. In order to make sure that at least one wheel per axle will turn, you lock up the power divider, then if either axle has traction at both wheels, you'll move.
     
    WitchingHour Thanks this.
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