lumberjack
Senior Member
Back story:
Monday of this week I found a knuckle boom crane (used chassis, new crane, at the dealer) that according to engineering report the truck weighed 42.6klbs on 3 axles, 23' spread from steer to rear tandem. The weight split was 12.2klbs/30.4klbs, 42.6klbs gross.
When they were doing the temporary tag Tuesday they had a weigh ticket showing 18klbs/29.5klbs and 47.6k total (yes, the total on the ticket is 120lbs more than the sum of the two axles).
Wednesday, coming into TN, I was stopped on the scales. The readout showed 19.5klbs/31.2klbs, 50.7klbs gross.
Obviously it's less than ideal that the truck has somehow gained 8klbs, but the main problem I see is the 19.5klb steer axle will be very hard on residential driveways, which is the main application for the truck (residential tree removal). A secondary problem is the drastic reduction in payload. Mississippi allows for 54klbs on the truck as configured.
The salesman for the truck is here in town for training tomorrow and Monday. I plan on bringing the massive weight gain tomorrow and that 19.5klbs on the steer axle flat out doesn't work for the trucks intended application (the truck was specifically built for tree removal).
One fix to get the axle weights under control is to add a pusher axle. The crane is rear mounted, the idea being it will commonly back onto customer's driveways vs pulling in. I don't want a rigid axle, because the whole point of the truck is to be maneuverable. Ironically adding the pusher axle will put my front axle overweight if I pick it up.
I've heard of two "reverse steer" pusher axles, Watson & Chalin and Hendrickson (in the Euro market). I left a message for W&C Friday but haven't heard back from them. Does anyone have experiance/feedback on reverse steer lift axles? My understanding is they have linkage that changes the caster of the axle for self steering while backing up.
Another idea is to go twin steer. I know Simard is a common name for aftermarket twin steer applications. I can only imagine the cost is "high", does anyone have feedback on the practicality of adding a second steering axle?
The pusher give me 57.5klbs of gross capacity according to bridge law, but my weight will be around 52klbs... still, that will almost double my legal payload while getting my axle weights down to ~13klbs on average... far more driveway friendly, although still more than I'd like. Down the road I may look into adding a pin on tag axle to get the weights down to ~11klbs and gain a substantial amount of payload (66.5klbs gross).
Since we all like pictures:
Here's the side profile of the truck. The pusher would need to go where the fuel tank is currently. The boom is not in this position for transport, just to move it on the same property without having to drop the grapple saw. The felling grapple saw weighs 900lbs.
Here's the truck working on our property.... the third tree I've removed with it.
Monday of this week I found a knuckle boom crane (used chassis, new crane, at the dealer) that according to engineering report the truck weighed 42.6klbs on 3 axles, 23' spread from steer to rear tandem. The weight split was 12.2klbs/30.4klbs, 42.6klbs gross.
When they were doing the temporary tag Tuesday they had a weigh ticket showing 18klbs/29.5klbs and 47.6k total (yes, the total on the ticket is 120lbs more than the sum of the two axles).
Wednesday, coming into TN, I was stopped on the scales. The readout showed 19.5klbs/31.2klbs, 50.7klbs gross.
Obviously it's less than ideal that the truck has somehow gained 8klbs, but the main problem I see is the 19.5klb steer axle will be very hard on residential driveways, which is the main application for the truck (residential tree removal). A secondary problem is the drastic reduction in payload. Mississippi allows for 54klbs on the truck as configured.
The salesman for the truck is here in town for training tomorrow and Monday. I plan on bringing the massive weight gain tomorrow and that 19.5klbs on the steer axle flat out doesn't work for the trucks intended application (the truck was specifically built for tree removal).
One fix to get the axle weights under control is to add a pusher axle. The crane is rear mounted, the idea being it will commonly back onto customer's driveways vs pulling in. I don't want a rigid axle, because the whole point of the truck is to be maneuverable. Ironically adding the pusher axle will put my front axle overweight if I pick it up.
I've heard of two "reverse steer" pusher axles, Watson & Chalin and Hendrickson (in the Euro market). I left a message for W&C Friday but haven't heard back from them. Does anyone have experiance/feedback on reverse steer lift axles? My understanding is they have linkage that changes the caster of the axle for self steering while backing up.
Another idea is to go twin steer. I know Simard is a common name for aftermarket twin steer applications. I can only imagine the cost is "high", does anyone have feedback on the practicality of adding a second steering axle?
The pusher give me 57.5klbs of gross capacity according to bridge law, but my weight will be around 52klbs... still, that will almost double my legal payload while getting my axle weights down to ~13klbs on average... far more driveway friendly, although still more than I'd like. Down the road I may look into adding a pin on tag axle to get the weights down to ~11klbs and gain a substantial amount of payload (66.5klbs gross).
Since we all like pictures:
Here's the side profile of the truck. The pusher would need to go where the fuel tank is currently. The boom is not in this position for transport, just to move it on the same property without having to drop the grapple saw. The felling grapple saw weighs 900lbs.
Here's the truck working on our property.... the third tree I've removed with it.