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A truck is a large vehicle used for transporting bulk goods, troops, materials, or equipment. Smaller varieties may be mechically similar to some automobiles (coachwork types: coupe, convertible, fastback, hatchback, limousine, sedan car, crossover SUV, station wagon, minivan, van, and pickup truck), The word "truck" comes from the Greek "trochos", meaning "wheel." In North America, the big wheels of wagons were called trucks. When the gas-oil engine driven trucks came into fashion, these were called "motor trucks." Lorry is a term from the UK, but is only used for the medium and heavy types (see below), i.e. a van, a pickup truck or a Jeep would never be regarded as a "lorry." Also, the road spreads the weight of the truck which means larger amounts can be carried than with trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered, monorail, or light rail) and railroad tracks which they offered great mobilities as well as faster fixed-wing aircrafts.

In most countries, a different driver's license is required to drive any type of truck greater than 3.5 tonnes.


Sizes of trucks[]

Light trucks[]

Light trucks, such as Suzuki Carry Truck, Hino Dutro, Hyundai Mighty, Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, Toyota Dyna, Prince Homer, Mitsubishi Delica Truck, Chevrolet/GMC W-Series, JMC Kaiyun/Shunda/Carrying/Potente, CNJ Ruichi, CNJ Fortune, Dayun CGC1047PB33E3, Nissan Atlas, Dina Hustler, Dongfeng Badly, Dongfeng Star, Dongfeng Captain, Might-E Truck, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana Cutaway, Ford Econoline Cutaway, Ford Transit Cutaway, Barkas B1000 FR, VW Crafter LKW, Avia A15, Alfa Romeo A15, SML Super, UAZ Cargo, VW LT LKW, UAZ-3303, SNVI truck M120, Silant 3.3 TD, Hino series (145, 165, 185, etc.), BharatBenz 914, UD Trucks series (1400 1800HD, 1800CS, etc.), Mahindra Jeeto, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cutaway, Foton Aumark TX, Tata Ace, Subaru Sambar Truck, Dodge Kary Van, Dongfeng Gold Fighter, Dongfeng Palawan, Isuzu Fargo Truck, Honda TN360, Chevrolet Silverado 4500/5500/6500HD/International CV, GAZ-3302, Foton Ollin TX, Foton Aumark FL, Kia Bongo, Nissan NT500, Avia D, GMC W4 Forward, Kurogane Baby Truck, Honda T360, Mazda Scrum Truck, Tata 407, Piaggio Porter, Nissan Clipper Truck, Ford F-450/F-550 (chassis cab only), Chevrolet 4500 HD, 5500 HD, 6500 HD/XD LCF, Hyundai Porter, Tata LPT 613, Honda Acty, Mitsubishi Minicab, Mazda Titan, and Isuzu Elf are trucks the size of cars. They are used by individuals and also companies. In the United States, a truck is a light truck if it weighs less than 6,300 kg (13,000 lb). Light trucks are only a little heavier than vans, utes, panel vans, panel trucks, canopy express trucks, minivans, SUVs or pickup trucks, but require a special driver's license.

Medium trucks[]

Medium trucks, such as Chevrolet Kodiak, DAF LF, Dodge LCF series, Dongfeng KR, Ford Cargo, Freightliner Business Class M2, Ford LCF, International CF600, Ford F-650, GMC Topkick, GAZ-3307, GMC W6/W7 Forward, Hino Ranger, Hino 600, Hyundai HD120/HD210, Hyundai Mega Truck, Hyundai Pavise, International TerraStar, Isuzu Forward, Isuzu H-Series, Iveco EuroCargo, International DuraStar, Mercedes-Benz Atego, Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter, Mercedes-Benz Antos, MAN TGL, MAN TGM, Nissan Atleon, Nissan NT500, Nissan Diesel Condor, Kenworth T-170/T-270/T-370, Kenworth T-180/T-280/T-380, Peterbilt 337, Petebilt 537, Renault Midlum, Renault Trucks D, Scania L series, Scania P series, Sterling Acterra, Volvo FL, Volvo FE, ZIL-4331, and ZIL-5301 are heavier than light trucks but lighter than heavy trucks. In the US, they are defined as weighing between Template:Cvt. For the UK and the EU the weight is between Template:Cvt. Local delivery and public service (dump trucks, garbage trucks and fire-fighting trucks) are normally around this size than a heavy-duty pickup truck, such as Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, Dodge Ram 2500/3500, and Ford F-250/F-350/F-450 Super Duty or full-size van, such as the Ford Econoline, Dodge A-Series/B-Series/Ram Vans, Nissan Trade, Nissan Interstar, Nissan NV400, JAC Sunray, Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz T2, Mercedes-Benz Vario, Volkswagen LT, Citroën Jumper, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, LDV Maxus, Peugeot Boxer, Tempo Matador, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, GAZ GAZelle, Chevrolet Greenbrier, GAZelle-NEXT, Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, Nissan NV, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes-Benz TN, Maxus V90, Opel Movano, Dodge Sprinter, Foton Toano, Renault Master, Volkswagen Crafter, Hyundai H350, Iveco Daily, and Chevrolet G-Series vans.

Heavy trucks[]

Heavy trucks are the heaviest trucks that are allowed on the road. In the U.K. they are known as lorries. Usually heavy trucks have three axles: one at front and two at rear, and the rear axles have coupled wheels to enable heavy loads than a car (coachwork types: coupe, convertible, fastback, hatchback, limousine, sedan car, SUV, station wagon, crossover SUV, minivan, van, and pickup truck) or bus (all types: Coach bus, Offroad bus, Training bus, Gyrobus, High-floor bus, Bi-articulated bus, Police bus, Guided bus, Hybrid bus, Type A School bus, Type B School bus, Type C School bus, Type D School bus, Shuttle bus, Neighborhood bus, Single-decker bus, Articulated bus, Minibus, Minicoach, Double-decker bus, Single-decker bus, and Low-floor bus). Often heavy trucks pull trailers. They can be either full trailers which have both front and rear axles or boggies and their own brakes, and are connected to the towing truck with a towbar, or semi-trailers, which are attached to a special kind of a truck called tractor unit with a turntable coupling ("fifth wheel"). A semi-trailer is a kind of trailer which has wheels only in the back and the front rides on the back of the tractor unit. The tractor unit has an engine and the semi-trailer does not. Driving a heavy truck requires a professional driver's license. Truck drivers are called truckers.

The laws of various countries say what kind of vehicle combinations are allowed. A semi-trailer can be converted into a full trailer with using a dolly. A dolly is a small trailer which has only a bogie (= set of wheels), fifth wheel coupling for the semi-trailer and a towbar. Using a dolly, the semi-trailer can now be hitched to an ordinary cargo-carrying truck and does not need a tractor unit.

A heavy truck-trailer combination is often called a big rig or eighteen-wheeler.

The largest heavy road trucks are the Australian road trains which may have up to four semi-trailers coupled to a tractor making a road train, and may carry up to 200 tonnes of cargo.

Body types[]

Box trucks or Dry vans ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making a closed cargo room. The rear has doors. Some have a side door. On most box trucks, the cabin is separate to the cargo area; however some box trucks have a door between the cabin and the cargo area, box trucks tend to be larger than cargo vans, such as the Chevrolet Express Cargo Van, Fiat Ducato Cargo Van, Fiat Scudo Cargo Van, Opel Vivaro Cargo Van, Ford E-Series Cargo Van, Ford Transit Cargo Van, Ford Transit Custom Cargo Van, Renault Trafic Cargo Van, Dodge Ram Van Cargo Van, Toyota HiAce Cargo Van, Chevrolet Chevy Van/GMC Vandura Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz Vario Cargo Van, Peugeot Boxer, Dacia Dokker Cargo Van, Ford Aerostar Cargo Van, Ford Transit Connect, Foton Toano Cargo Van, Ford Transit Courier Cargo Van, Peugeot Expert, Mercedes-Benz Vito Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz MB100 Cargo Van, Fiat Talento Cargo Van, Foton View Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz T2 Cargo Van, Hyundai Starex Cargo Van, Hyundai H350 Cargo Van, Kia Besta Cargo Van, Kia Pregio Cargo Van, Renault Estafette Cargo van, Harburg Transporter Cargo Van, Nissan NV200 Cargo Van, General Motors G-Series Cargo Vans, Ford Taunus Transit Cargo Van, GAZ Sobol Cargo Van, GAZ GAZelle, GAZelle-Next Cargo Van, Fiat 238 Cargo Van, Fiat 241 Cargo Van, Fiat 242 Cargo Van, Toyota Dyna/Hino Dutro Route Van Cargo Van, Nissan Trade Cargo Van, Nissan Interstar Cargo Van, Nissan NV400 Cargo Van, Nissan NV Cargo Van, Isuzu Elf Route Van Cargo Van, Isuzu Fargo, JAC Sunray, LDV Convoy, LDV Pilot, LDV Maxus, Mitsubishi Delica Cargo Van, Hyundai H100 Cargo Van, Iveco Daily Cargo Van, Mazda Bongo Cargo Van, FSC Lublin Cargo Van, GMC Savana Cargo Van, Dodge A100 Cargo Van, Chevrolet Greenbrier Cargo Van, Opel Movano Cargo Van, Mercedes-Benz TN Cargo Van, Fordson Thames 400E Cargo Van, Nissan Caravan Cargo Van, and Renault Master Cargo Van and smaller than tractor-trailers with movable trailers.

Chassis cab trucks have a fully enclosed cab at the front, with bare chassis frame-rails behind, suitable for subsequent permanent attachment of a specialized payload, like a fire engine truck or ambulance body.

Concrete mixers have a turning drum on back. Turning it one way mixes the concrete. Turning it the other way pushes the concrete out. The concrete goes down "chutes" (like large pipes with an open top). On most trucks the concrete comes out the back. Some new types have the concrete goes over the cab and down chutes in the front. Concrete is very heavy and hard to mix. Concrete mixers have to be very heavy duty.

Dual drive/Steer trucks are vehicles used to steer the rear of trailers.[1][2][3][4]


Dump trucks ("tippers" in the UK) carry sand, gravel, and dirt. Most dump trucks have an open-top box bed with an opening "tail-gate" door on the back. The body lifts up at the front. The load falls out the tailgate and is "dumped" on the ground behind the truck.

Flatbed trucks have a flat body with no sides. There is a wall between the cab and the body. The load will not move forward and hit the cab. The truck can be loaded from the side or top. Nothing covers the load. Some trucks have sides that can be taken off or folded down. Many times the load is covered with tarps.


Refrigerator trucks have insulated panels as walls and a roof and floor, used for transporting fresh and frozen cargo such as ice cream, food, vegetables, and prescription drugs. They are mostly equipped with double-wing rear doors, but a side door is sometimes fitted.


Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have a fifth wheel for towing a semi-trailer instead of a body.


Garbage trucks pick up garbage and trash from homes and some businesses. Most were loaded from the rear. Now some load from the front or side. The same type of truck is often used for recycling.

Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have no bodies. They have a "fifth wheel" that carries weight. A semi-trailer has no front wheels. The front of the trailer goes on the fifth wheel. The semi-tractor carries weight from the trailer and pulls the trailer

Tank trucks ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry liquids or gases. They usually have a round tank that is long (a cylinder) lying on its side. There are many types of tanks because there are many liquids and gases. Most tankers are built for only one liquid.

Boom Truck is a truck with a hydraulic arm. The hydraulic arm on a boom truck is called the boom. This boom will reach out past the end of the vehicle, and it will grab the vehicles that need to be towed. The boom of the truck remains in a fixed position, which allows it to be a very stable option when it comes to towing.


Wreckers ("recovery lorries" in the UK and sometimes "tow trucks" in the US) are used to lift and tow broken cars and trucks as large as a semi-trailer truck. They usually have a boom with a cable. Cars are often carried on special flatbeds.


Engine[]

Trucks can use all sorts of engines. Small trucks such as Sport utility vehicle (SUV)s or pickup trucks, and even light medium-duty trucks in North America and Russia still use gasoline engines. Most heavier trucks use four stroke turbocharged intercooler diesel engines, although there are alternatives. Huge off-highway trucks use locomotive-type engines such as a V12 Detroit Diesel two stroke engine.

North American manufactured highway trucks almost always use an engine built by a third party, such as CAT, Cummins, or Detroit Diesel. The only exceptions to this are Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks, which are available with subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, which are available with Mercedes-Benz and Detroit Diesel engines. The Swedish truckmaker Scania claims they stay away from the U.S.-market because of this third party tradition.

In the European union all truck engines must comply with Euro 4 regulations, the regulations will become more severe in 2008 with the introduction of Euro 5. These are stringent requirements on the limits of exhaust emissions that are permitted.

Drivetrain[]

Small trucks use the same type of transmissions as almost all cars which have either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with synchromesh. Bigger trucks often use manual transmissions without synchronisers which have less bulk and weight although synchromesh transmissions are used in larger trucks as well. Transmissions without synchronisers known as "crash boxes" require double clutching for each shift, (which can lead to repetitive motion injuries), or a technique known colloquially as "floating," a method of changing gears which doesn't use the clutch, except for starts and stops, due to the physical effort of double clutching especially with non power assisted clutches, faster shifts, and less clutch wear. Double clutching allows the driver to control the engine and transmission revolutions to synchronize, so that a smooth shift can be made e.g. when upshifting, accelerator pedal is released and the clutch pedal is depressed while the gear lever is moved in to neutral, clutch pedal is than released and quickly pushed down again while the gear lever is moved to the next highest gear. Finally, the clutch pedal is released and accelerator pedal pushed down to obtain required engine rpms. Although this is a relatively fast movement perhaps a second or so while transmission is in neutral it allows the engine speed to drop and synchronize engine and transmission revolutions relative to the road speed. Downshifting is performed in a similar fashion except the engine speed is now required to increase (while transmission is in neutral) just a right amount in order to achieve the synchronisation for the smooth non-crunching gearchange. The so called skip changing is also widely used, in principle operation is the same but it requires neutral be held slightly longer than single gearchange. Common North American setups include 9, 10, 13, 15, and 18 speeds. Automatic and semi-automatic transmissions for heavy trucks are becoming more and more common, due to advances both in transmission and engine power. In Europe 8, 10 and 12 gears are common on larger trucks with manual transmission, while automatic or semiautomatic transmission would have anything from 5 to 12 gears. Almost all heavy trucks transmissions are of a "range (double H shift pattern ) and split" type where range change and so called half gears or splits are air operated and always preselected before the main gears selection.


Chassis[]

The chassis or frame of a truck is commonly constructed mainly of two beams, and several crossmembers. A truck chassis consists of two parallel straight C-shaped beams, or in some cases stepped or tapered beams, these held together by crossmembers. In most instances, gussets help attach the crossmembers to the beams. The "C-shape" of the beams has a middle vertical and longer side, and a short horizontal flange at each end; the length of the beams is variable. The chassis is usually made of steel, but can be made (whole or in part) of aluminium for a lighter weight. The integrity of the chemical composition (carbon, molybdenum, etc.) and structure of the beams is of uttermost importance to its strength, and to help prevent cracking or breaking of beams, and to help maintain rigidity and flexibility of the frame, welding, drilling and other types of modifications should not be performed by unlicenced persons. The chassis is the main structure of the truck, and the other parts attach to it. A tow hitch may be found attached at one or both ends.


Europe[]

(list awaiting editing to UK list, with Old and Current manufacturers sections)

(Rest of the world's manufactures list delete as not relevant, see link to main wiki entry for full list)

Truck Shows[]

In the UK, three truck shows are popular -

  • Shropshire Truck Show [4] in Oswestry Showground during May
  • The UK Truck Show [5] held in June at Santa Pod Raceway and FIA European Drag Racing Championships from the home of European Drag-Racing. The UK Truck Show features drag-racing with 6-ton trucks from the British Truck Racing Association, plus other diesel-powered entertainment.
  • TruckFest Held at Peterborough show ground in May

Truck Shows provide operators with an opportunity to win prestigious awards for their trucks.


See also[]

References[]

Wikipedia for base article (Non relavent sections removed)

External links[]


Smallwikipedialogo This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Truck. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia


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