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Tridem Drive Tractors:Research & Operational
Experience
TridemTridem Drive Tractors: Drive Tractors:Research & OperationalResearch & Operational
Experience Experience
Forest Engineering ResearchInstitute of Canada - Vancouver, BCForest Engineering ResearchForest Engineering ResearchInstitute of Canada - Vancouver, BCInstitute of Canada - Vancouver, BC
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FERIC’s Tridem ResearchFERIC’sFERIC’s TridemTridem Research Research
• Started in 1990• Initially undertaken to address
mobility challenges• Steering / vehicle dynamics• 20+ reports• Configurations with tridem drive
now approved - BC(8) Alberta(9)
•• Started in 1990Started in 1990•• Initially undertaken to addressInitially undertaken to address
mobility challengesmobility challenges•• Steering / vehicle dynamicsSteering / vehicle dynamics•• 20+ reports20+ reports•• Configurations with Configurations with tridemtridem drive drive
now approved - BC(8) Alberta(9)now approved - BC(8) Alberta(9)
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Evolution of Western CanadianLog Truck Configurations
Evolution of Western CanadianLog Truck Configurations
1960s1960s 1980s1980s
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Available to IndustryAvailable to Industry
Tridem Drive55% Traction Improvement
Tridem Drive55% Traction Improvement
Regulatory ApprovalRegulatory Approval
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Preliminary SteeringTesting: Alberta
Preliminary SteeringPreliminary SteeringTesting: AlbertaTesting: Alberta
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Development of SteeringPerformance Measure:
Lateral Friction Utilization (LFU)
Development of SteeringDevelopment of SteeringPerformance Measure:Performance Measure:
Lateral Friction Utilization (LFU)Lateral Friction Utilization (LFU)
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Vertical Load on Steering TiresVertical Load on Steering TiresVertical Load on Steering Tiresxxx <<< 0.80.80.8
coef of adhesioncoefcoef of adhesion of adhesion
Lateral Friction UtilizationLateral Friction UtilizationLateral Friction Utilization
111Side Force at Steering TiresSide Force at Steering TiresSide Force at Steering Tires
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Sensitivity AnalysisTridem tractor / tridem pole trailer
Sensitivity AnalysisSensitivity AnalysisTridemTridem tractor / tractor / tridemtridem pole trailer pole trailer
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
Parameter Variation (%)
Cha
nge
in L
FU (%
)
Drive group load Trailer group load Steering axle load Drive group spread
Tractor wheelbase Trailer group spread Interaxle spacing Hitch offset
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Influence of tractor wheelbase on steering axleload
Influence of tractor wheelbase on steering axleInfluence of tractor wheelbase on steering axleloadload
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
7500
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9Tractor wheelbase (m)
Rec
omm
ende
d st
eerin
g ax
le lo
ad (k
g)
BC - Pole trailers BC - Semi-trailers Alberta - Pole trailers Alberta - Semi-trailers
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Influence of drive group spread on steering axleload
Influence of drive group spread on steering axleInfluence of drive group spread on steering axleloadload
5500
6075
5200
5300
5400
5500
5600
5700
5800
5900
6000
6100
6200
2.74 3.02
Drive group spread (m)
Rec
omm
ende
d st
eerin
g ax
le lo
ad (k
g)
Tridem Tractor/ Tandem Pole TrailerTrailer group load 17 000 kgDrive group load 23 000 kgTractor wheelbase 6.6 m
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Lateral friction utilization of selectedconfigurations
Lateral friction utilization of selectedLateral friction utilization of selectedconfigurationsconfigurations
0.6390.690
0.785
0.714
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
B-train (5500 kg steers) B-train (5000 kg steers) Tridem tractor/ tridemsemi-trailer (7300 steers)
Tridem tractor/ tandempole trailer (7300 steers)
Late
ral F
rictio
n U
tiliz
atio
n
Performance Standard < 0.80
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Steering testsconducted by
B.C. Gov’t
Steering testsconducted by
B.C. Gov’t
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VehicleDynamicAnalyses
VehicleDynamicAnalyses
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25
30
35
40
45
0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
SRT (g)
Payl
oad
(tonn
es)
5 Axle TRI/TRI TAJ QUAD DDOG TA/JP/TR
Static Rollover ThresholdStatic Rollover ThresholdStatic Rollover Threshold
Better
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25
30
35
40
45
1.70 1.80 1.90 2.00 2.10 2.20 2.30
RWA
Payl
oad
(tonn
es)
5 Axle TRI/TRI TAJ QUAD DDOG TA/JP/TR
Rearward AmplificationRearward AmplificationRearward Amplification
Better
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25
30
35
40
45
0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65
LTR
Payl
oad
(tonn
es)
5 Axle TRI/TRI TAJ QUAD DDOG TA/JP/TR
Load Transfer RatioLoad Transfer RatioLoad Transfer Ratio
Better
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B-Train trials begin in Alberta: 1995 / 96B-Train trials begin in Alberta: 1995 / 96B-Train trials begin in Alberta: 1995 / 96
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Use with pole trailers approvedin Alberta - 1996
Use with pole trailers approvedUse with pole trailers approvedin Alberta - 1996in Alberta - 1996
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Use with pole trailers approvedin BC – October 1997
Use with pole trailers approvedin BC – October 1997
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Verification of5th wheel
offset limits
Verification of5th wheel
offset limits