History of Van

A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or people. In the main and most prevalent usage, a van is smaller than a truck and bigger than an automobile. There is some varying in the scope of the word across the different English-speaking countries. Contents [hide] 1 Word origin and usage 1.1 Australia 1.2 India 1.3 Japan 1.4 United Kingdom 1.5 United States 2 Examples 3 Usage 3.1 Step Van 3.2 Rollover safety 3.3 Safety equipment 4 See also 5 References Word origin and usage[edit] Roger Fenton's photographic van, Crimea, 1855 Van meaning a type of vehicle arose as a contraction of the word caravan. The early records of van as a vehicle in English are in the mid 19th century meaning a covered wagon for transporting goods (earliest reported record 1829). Caravan with the same meaning has records since the 1670s. A caravan, meaning one wagon, had arisen as an extension or corruption of caravan meaning a convoy of multiple wagons.[1] The word van has slightly different, but overlapping, meanings in different forms of English. While the word always now applies to boxy cargo vans, other applications are found to a greater or lesser extent in the different English-speaking countries. Australia[edit] In Australian English, the term van is commonly used to describe a minivan, a passenger minibus, or an Australian panel van as manufactured by companies such as Holden and Ford at various times. A full-size van used for commercial purposes is also known as a van; however, a passenger vehicle with more than 7 or 8 seats is more likely to be called a minibus. Finally, the term van can sometimes be used interchangeably with caravan, which in the U.S. is referred to as a travel trailer. The British term people mover is also used in Australian English to describe a passenger van. The American usage of van to mean a cargo box trailer or semi-trailer is used rarely, if ever, in Australia. India[edit] In India, van is one of the most common modes of transport and is often used for commuting school children to and from schools as parents, especially working parents are too busy to themselves pick their children from school and when school buses are full and unable to accommodate other children. Japan[edit] Suzuki Alto Van - note baggage rails in rear side windows Early Japanese vans include the Mazda Bongo and the Subaru 360 van. The Japanese also produced many vans based on the American flat nose model, but also mini-vans which for the American market have generally evolved to the long-wheelbase front wheel drive form factor pioneered by the Nissan Prairie and Mitsubishi Chariot. Microvans, vans that fulfill kei car regulations, are very popular for small business. The term is also used to describe full-fledged station wagons (passenger car front sheetmetal, flat folding back seats, windows all around) and even hatchbacks with a basic trim package intended for commercial use. These are sometimes referred to as "Light Vans" (ライトバン). United Kingdom[edit] In British English, the word van refers to vehicles that carry goods only, on both roads and rails. What would be called a minivan in American English is called a people-carrier or MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle, and larger passenger vehicles are called a minibus. The Telegraph newspaper introduced the idea of "White Van Man", a typical working class man or small business owner who would have a white Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, or similar panel van. Today the phrase "man and van" refers to light removal firms normally operated by a sole business owner transporting anything from the contents of a whole house to just a few boxes. The word "van" also refers to railway covered goods wagons, called "boxcars" in the United States. United States[edit] Full-size Dodge Ram Van in the United States Minivan in the United States In the United States, a van can also refer to a box-shaped trailer or semi-trailer used to carry goods. In this case there is a differentiation between a "dry van", used to carry most goods, and a refrigerated van, or reefer, used for cold goods. A railway car used to carry baggage is also called a van. A vehicle referred to as a full-size van is usually a large, boxy vehicle that has a platform and powertrain similar to their light truck counterparts. These vans may be sold with the space behind the front seats empty for transporting of goods (cargo van), or furnished for passenger use by either the manufacturer (wagon) or another company for more personal comforts, such as entertainment systems (conversion van). Full-size vans often have a very short hood (bonnet), with the engine block moved to within the passenger cabin. A cutaway van chassis is a variation of the full size van which was developed for use by many second stage manufacturers. Such a unit generally has a van front end, and driver controls in a cab body which extends only to a point aft of the driver and passenger seats, where the rest of the van body is cutoff (leading to the terminology "cutaway"). From that point aft, usually only the chassis frame rails and running gear extend to the rear when the unit is shipped as an "incomplete vehicle". A second stage manufacturer, commonly known as a bodybuilder, will complete the vehicle for uses such as recreational vehicles, small school buses, minibuses, type III ambulances, and delivery trucks. A large portion of cutaway van chassis are equipped with dual rear wheels. Some second stage manufacturers also add a third weight-bearing single wheel "tag axle" for larger minibus models. The term van may also refer to a minivan. However, minivans are usually distinguished by their smaller size and traditionally front wheel drive powertrain, although many now are being equipped with four wheel drive. Minivans typically offer seven or eight passenger seating capacity (similar to the smallest full-sized vans), and better fuel economy than full-sized vans, at the expense of power, cargo space, and towing capacity. In addition, many new minivans have dual side sliding doors. Examples[edit] Polish Lublin III van The precursor to American Vans would be the Sedan Deliveries of the 1930s to late-1950s. The first generation of American vans were the 1960s compact vans, which were patterned in size after the Volkswagen Bus. The Corvair-based entry even imitated the rear-mounted, air-cooled engine design. The Ford Falcon had a flat nose, with the engine mounted between and behind the front seats. The Dodge A100 had a similar layout and could accommodate a V8 engine. Chevrolet also switched to this layout. The Ford, Dodge, and Corvair vans were also produced as pickup trucks. The standard or full size vans appeared with Ford's innovation of moving the engine forward under a short hood and using pickup truck components and taillights. The engine cockpit housing is often called a dog house. Over time, they evolved longer noses and sleeker shapes. The Dodge Sportsman was available with an extension to the rear of its long wheelbase model to create a 15 passenger van. Vehicles have been sold as both cargo and passenger models to the general public, as well as in cutaway van chassis versions for second stage manufacturers to make box vans, ambulances, campers, and other vehicles. Second stage manufacturers also modify the original manufacturer's body to create custom vans for the general public. In the 1970s, songs like "Chevy Van", written and performed by Sammy Johns, and nicknames like "sin bin" or "screw canoe" became part of the culture as owners transformed them into rolling bedrooms and lounges. Conversion vans became a large market with plusher accommodations than factory seats. Dodge ended production of their full-size vans in June 2002 (as 2003 models), and replaced it with the German originated Dodge Sprinter, which is based on a narrower, more fuel-efficient European design pattern with a 150 hp (110 kW) diesel turbo I5. Typical versions of the Sprinter are taller than other unmodified vans (tall enough to stand in), with a more slanted (aerodynamic) profile in front. They have been adopted primarily for delivery and lightweight Class-C van cab motor home applications. Usage[edit] A van equipped with professional carpet cleaning tools in Durham, North Carolina In urban areas of the United States full-size vans have been used as commuter vans since 1971, when Dodge introduced a van that could transport up to 15 passengers. Commuter vans are used as an alternative to carpooling and other ride sharing arrangements. Many mobile businesses use a van to carry almost their entire business to various places where they work. For instance, there are those who come to homes or places of business to perform services or to install or repair appliances. Vans are also used to shuttle people and their luggage between hotels and airports, to transport commuters between parking lots and their places of work, and along established routes as minibuses. Vans are also used to transport elderly and mobility-impaired worshipers to and from church services or to transport youth groups for outings to amusement parks, picnics, and visiting other churches. Vans are also used by schools to drive sports teams to intermural games. Vans have been used by touring music groups to haul equipment and people to music venues around the country; for example, the Portland band AgesandAges converted a 12-seat passenger van into a 15-seater to take the seven-member singing group on tour around the United States.[2] Step Van[edit] Main article: Multi-stop truck International Harvester Metro Van A Postal Service step van A Federal Express step van Another type of van, peculiar to North America, is the step van, so-called because of the ease with which one can step in and out of it. Widely used by delivery services, courier companies and the parcel division of the US Postal Service and Canada Post, they are often seen driven with the door open, especially in big cities. Step vans have more boxy shapes and higher rooftops than other vans, and are rarely employed for carrying passengers. Rollover safety[edit] The van body is taller than the cab and bed of the pickup that uses the same style frame and powertrain resulting in the basic van having a higher center of gravity than a similarly loaded pickup from which it is derived. The suspension is also higher because of the design weight capacity for 15 passengers of between 150 lb (68 kg) and 200 lb (91 kg), thus a vehicle may be over one ton of passengers alone. The seats in the passenger version raise the load, passengers, above the floor, further raising the center of gravity (and often shifting it rearward). The bench seats allow passengers to slide if safety belts are not used. In the United States it is common for only the front seat passengers to use their safety belts, perhaps because belted passengers feel they can still lean and shift a large amount. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that belted passengers are about four times more likely to survive in rollover crashes. Safety can be greatly improved by understanding the unique characteristics of 12- and 15-passenger vans and by following a special set of guidelines developed for drivers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A summary of this information is available at "Reducing The Risk of Rollover Crashes in 15-Passenger Vans".[3] Among other things, this document advises that carrying 10 or fewer passengers (preferably towards the front of the van) greatly reduces the risk of rollover crashes, and it suggests that repeated operation by the same drivers tends to increase their ability to handle these vehicles more safely over time. Tire pressure for 12- and 15-passenger vans is a critical safety concern that is often overlooked, as these vans are designed to have a higher pressure in the rear tires in order to carry the heavier load safely.[4] Vehicle manufacturers tire pressure requirements can be found on the vehicle information label, usually located in the doorjamb of the driver's-side door. Underinflated tires can overheat when driven at speed and under heavy loads, causing tire failure and leading to a roll-over. Car rental companies have also started adding stickers to warn renters about the difference in handling while compared to standard cars. Items should not be added to a roof rack of an already top-heavy vehicle. Safety equipment[edit] Many vans are fitted with cargo barriers behind the front seats (or rear seats, if fitted) to prevent injuries caused by unsecured cargo in the event of sudden deceleration, collision or a rollover. Cargo barriers in vans are sometimes fitted with doors permitting the driver to pass through to the cargo compartment of the vehicle. See also[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vans. Portal icon Cars portal Ambulance Campervan Conversion van Cutaway van chassis Ice cream van Kebab van List of vans Minivan Panel van Public light bus Sedan delivery Station wagon

History of Jeep

Jeep is a brand of American automobiles that is a division of FCA US LLC (formerly Chrysler Group, LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[2][3] The former Chrysler Corporation acquired the Jeep brand, along with the remaining assets of its owner American Motors, in 1987. Jeep's current product range consists solely of sport utility vehicles and off-road vehicles, but has also included pickup trucks in the past. The original Jeep was the prototype Bantam BRC. Willys MB Jeeps went into production in 1941[1] specifically for the military, arguably making them the oldest four-wheel drive mass-production vehicles now known as SUVs.[4] The Jeep became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the United States Army and the Allies during World War II, as well as the postwar period. The term became common worldwide in the wake of the war. Doug Stewart notes:[5] The spartan, cramped, and unstintingly functional jeep became the ubiquitous World War II four-wheeled personification of Yankee ingenuity and cocky, can-do determination. The first civilian models were produced in 1945.[6] It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover.[7][8] Many Jeep variants serving similar military and civilian roles have since been designed in other nations. Contents [hide] 1 Development 1.1 Bantam Reconnaissance Car 1.2 Willys MA and Ford GP 2 Origin of the name 3 World War II Jeeps 4 Post-war military Jeeps 4.1 The CJ-V35/U 4.2 The M715 5 The Jeep brand 6 Off-road abilities 7 Ownership 8 Jeep model list 8.1 Historical and military models 8.2 Jeep Forward Control, Jeep Jeepster, & Jeep FJ 8.3 Jeep CJ 8.4 Jeep DJ 8.5 Jeep SJ 8.6 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 8.7 Jeep Comanche 8.8 Jeep Wrangler 8.9 ZJ, WJ, and WK models 8.10 XK models 8.11 KJ models 8.12 Current models 9 Future Models 9.1 Concept vehicles 10 Jeeps around the world 11 Jeep apparel and sponsorships 12 See also 13 References 14 External links Development Bantam BRC 40 Ford Pygmy Dashboard of World War II era jeep. Jeep with 50 cal. Browning machine gun Bantam Reconnaissance Car When it became obvious that the United States was eventually going to become involved in the war raging in Europe, the U.S. Army contacted 135 companies asking for working prototypes of a four-wheel-drive reconnaissance car. Only two companies responded to the request: American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland. The Army had set what seemed like an impossible deadline of 49 days to supply a working prototype. Willys asked for more time, but was refused. The bankrupt American Bantam Car Company had no engineering staff left on the payroll and solicited Karl Probst, a talented freelance designer from Detroit. After turning down Bantam's initial request, Probst responded to an Army request and commenced work, initially without salary, on July 17, 1940. Probst laid out full plans for the Bantam prototype, known as the BRC or Bantam Reconnaissance Car, in just two days, working up a cost estimate the next. Bantam's bid was submitted, complete with blueprints, on July 22.[9] While much of the vehicle could be assembled from off-the-shelf automotive parts, custom four-wheel drivetrain components were to be supplied by Spicer. The hand-built prototype was completed in Butler, Pennsylvania,[10] and driven to Camp Holabird, Maryland, for Army testing September 21. The vehicle met all the Army's criteria except engine torque. Willys MA and Ford GP The Army felt that the Bantam company was too small to supply the number of vehicles it needed, so it supplied the Bantam design to Willys and Ford, who were encouraged to make their own changes and modifications. The resulting Ford "Pygmy" and Willys "Quad" prototypes looked very similar to the Bantam BRC prototype, and Spicer supplied very similar four-wheel drivetrain components to all three manufacturers.[11] Fifteen hundred of each of the three models (Bantam BRC-40, Ford GP, and Willys MA) were built and extensively field-tested. Delmar "Barney" Roos, Willys-Overland's chief engineer, made design changes to meet a revised weight specification (a maximum of 1,275 lb (578 kg),[12] including oil and water). He was thus able to use the powerful but comparatively heavy Willys "Go Devil" engine, and win the initial production contract. The Willys version of the car would become the standardized Jeep design, designated the model MB and was built at their plant in Toledo, Ohio. The familiar pressed-metal Jeep grille was actually a Ford design feature and incorporated in the final design by the Army. Since the War Department required a large number of vehicles to be manufactured in a relatively short time, Willys-Overland granted the United States Government a non-exclusive license to allow another company to manufacture vehicles using Willys' specifications. The Army chose Ford as the second supplier, building Jeeps to the Willys' design. Willys supplied Ford with a complete set of plans and specifications. American Bantam, the creators of the first Jeep, built approximately 2700 of them to the BRC-40 design, but then spent the rest of the war building heavy-duty trailers for the Army. Origin of the name Many explanations of the origin of the word jeep have proven difficult to verify. The most widely held theory is that the military designation GP (for Government Purposes or General Purpose) was slurred into the word Jeep in the same way that the contemporary HMMWV (for High-Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle) has become known as the Humvee. Joe Frazer, Willys-Overland President from 1939 to 1944, claimed to have coined the word jeep by slurring the initials G.P.[13] A more accurate view, popularized by R. Lee Ermey, on his television series Mail Call, disputes this "slurred GP" origin, saying that the vehicle was designed for specific duties, and was never referred to as "General Purpose" and it is highly unlikely that the average jeep-driving GI would have been familiar with this designation. The Ford GPW abbreviation actually meant G for government use, P to designate its 80-inch (2,000 mm) wheelbase and W to indicate its Willys-Overland designed engine. Ermey suggests that soldiers at the time were so impressed with the new vehicles that they informally named it after Eugene the Jeep, a character in the Popeye comic strip and cartoons created by E. C. Segar, as early as mid-March 1936. Eugene the Jeep was Popeye's "jungle pet" and was "small, able to move between dimensions and could solve seemingly impossible problems."[14][15] The word jeep, however, was used as early as 1914 by US Army mechanics assigned to test new vehicles. In 1937, tractors which were supplied by Minneapolis Moline to the US Army were called jeeps. A precursor of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was also referred to as the jeep.[13] Words of the Fighting Forces by Clinton A. Sanders, a dictionary of military slang, published in 1942, in the library at The Pentagon gives this definition: Jeep: A four-wheel drive vehicle of one-half- to one-and-one-half-ton capacity for reconnaissance or other army duty. A term applied to the bantam-cars, and occasionally to other motor vehicles (U.S.A.) in the Air Corps, the Link Trainer; in the armored forces, the ½-ton command vehicle. Also referred to as "any small plane, helicopter, or gadget."[citation needed] This definition is supported by the use of the term "jeep carrier" to refer to the Navy's small escort carriers. Early in 1941, Willys-Overland demonstrated the vehicle's off-road capability by having it drive up the steps of the United States Capitol, driven by Willys test driver Irving "Red" Haussman, who had recently heard soldiers at Fort Holabird calling it a "jeep." When asked by syndicated columnist Katharine Hillyer for the Washington Daily News (or by a bystander, according to another account) what it was called, Irving answered, "It's a jeep." Katharine Hillyer's article was published nationally on February 19, 1941, and included a picture of the vehicle with the caption: LAWMAKERS TAKE A RIDE- With Senator Meade, of New York, at the wheel, and Representative Thomas, of New Jersey, sitting beside him, one of the Army's new scout cars, known as "jeeps" or "quads", climbs up the Capitol steps in a demonstration yesterday. Soldiers in the rear seat for gunners were unperturbed. Although the term was also military slang for vehicles that were untried or untested, this exposure caused all other jeep references to fade, leaving the 4x4 with the name. The original trademark brand-name application was filed in February 1943 by Willys-Overland.[16] It is also used as a generic term as the lowercase "jeep" for vehicles inspired by the Jeep that are suitable for use on rough terrain.[17] World War II Jeeps 1943 Willys Jeep Final production version Jeeps built by Willys-Overland were the Model MB, while those built by Ford were the Model GPW (G=government vehicle, P designated the 80" wheelbase, and W = the Willys engine design). There were subtle differences between the two.[18] The versions produced by Ford had every component (including bolt heads) marked with an "F". Willys also followed the Ford pattern by stamping its name into some body parts, but stopped this in 1942.[19] The cost per vehicle trended upwards as the war continued from the price under the first contract from Willys at US$648.74 (Ford's was $782.59 per unit).[20] Willys-Overland and Ford, under the direction of Charles E. Sorensen (Vice-President of Ford during World War II), produced about 640,000 Jeeps towards the war effort, which accounted for approximately 18% of all the wheeled military vehicles built in the U.S. during the war.[21][22][23] Jeeps were used by every service of the U.S. military. An average of 145 were supplied to every Army infantry regiment. Jeeps were used for many purposes, including cable laying, saw milling, as firefighting pumpers, field ambulances, tractors and, with suitable wheels, would even run on railway tracks. An amphibious jeep, the model GPA, or "seep" (Sea Jeep) was built for Ford in modest numbers but it could not be considered a huge success—it was neither a good off-road vehicle nor a good boat. As part of the war effort, nearly 30% of all Jeep production was supplied to Great Britain and to the Soviet Red Army. Post-war military Jeeps The Jeep has been widely imitated around the world, including in France by Delahaye and by Hotchkiss et Cie (after 1954, Hotchkiss manufactured Jeeps under license from Willys), and in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors and Toyota. The utilitarian good looks of the original Jeep have been hailed by industrial designers and museum curators alike. The Museum of Modern Art described the Jeep as a masterpiece of functionalist design, and has periodically exhibited the Jeep as part of its collection.[24][25] Ernie Pyle called the Jeep, along with the Coleman G.I. Pocket Stove, "the two most important pieces of noncombat equipment ever developed."[26] Jeeps became even more famous following the war, as they became available on the surplus market. Some ads claimed to offer "Jeeps still in the factory crate." This legend persisted for decades, despite the fact that Jeeps were never shipped from the factory in crates (although Ford did "knock down" Jeeps for easier shipping, which may have perpetuated the myth[27]). The Jeepney is a unique type of taxi or bus created in the Philippines. The first Jeepneys were military-surplus MBs and GPWs, left behind in the war-ravaged country following World War II and Filipino independence. Jeepneys were built from Jeeps by lengthening and widening the rear "tub" of the vehicle, allowing them to carry more passengers. Over the years, Jeepneys have become the most ubiquitous symbol of the modern Philippines, even as they have been decorated in more elaborate and flamboyant styles by their owners. Most Jeepneys today are scratch-built by local manufacturers, using different powertrains. Some are even constructed from stainless steel.[citation needed] In the United States military, the Jeep has been supplanted by a number of vehicles (e.g. Ford's M151 MUTT) of which the latest is the Humvee. The CJ-V35/U After World War II, Jeep began to experiment with new designs, including a model that could drive under water. On February 1, 1950, contract N8ss-2660 was approved for 1,000 units "especially adapted for general reconnaissance or command communications" and "constructed for short period underwater operation such as encountered in landing and fording operations." The engine was modified with a snorkel system so that the engine could properly breathe under water.[28] The M715 Jeep M715 In 1965, Jeep developed the M715 1.25-ton army truck, a militarized version of the civilian J-series Jeep truck, which served extensively in the Vietnam War. It had heavier full-floating axles and a foldable, vertical, flat windshield. Today, it serves other countries, and is still being produced by Kia under license. The CJ ("Civilian Jeep") series began in 1945 with the CJ-2A, followed by the CJ-3B in 1953. These early Jeeps are commonly referred to as "flatfenders" because their front fenders were flat across the front, the same as their military precedents, the Willys MB and identical Ford GPW models. The CJ-4 exists only as a 1951 prototype, and is the "missing" link between the flat-fendered CJ-2A and CJ-3B and the round-fendered CJ-5 first introduced in 1955. The Jeep brand The brand has gone through many owners, starting with Willys, which produced the first Civilian Jeep (CJ) in 1945. As the only company that continually produced Jeep vehicles after the war, in June 1950 Willys-Overland was granted the privilege of owning the name "Jeep" as a registered trademark.[16] Willys was sold to Kaiser Motors in 1953, which became Kaiser-Jeep in 1963. American Motors Corporation (AMC) purchased Kaiser's money-losing Jeep operations in 1970. The utility vehicles complemented AMC's passenger car business by sharing components, achieving volume efficiencies, as well as capitalizing on Jeep's international and government markets. The French automaker Renault began investing in AMC in 1979. However, by 1987, the automobile markets had changed and even Renault itself was experiencing financial troubles. At the same time, Chrysler Corporation wanted to capture the Jeep brand, as well as other assets of AMC. Chrysler bought out AMC in 1987, shortly after the Jeep CJ-7 was replaced with the AMC-designed Jeep Wrangler or YJ. Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998 to form DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler eventually sold most of their interest in Chrysler to a private equity company in 2007. Chrysler and the Jeep division operated under Chrysler Group LLC, until December 15, 2014, when the name was changed to FCA US LLC. Jeeps have been built under licence by various manufacturers around the world, including Mahindra in India, EBRO in Spain, and several in South America. Mitsubishi built more than 30 different Jeep models in Japan between 1953 and 1998. Most of them were based on the CJ-3B model of the original Willys-Kaiser design.[29] Toledo, Ohio has been the headquarters of the Jeep brand since its inception, and the city has always been proud of this heritage. Although no longer produced in the same Toledo Complex as the World War II originals, two streets in the vicinity of the old plant are named Willys Parkway and Jeep Parkway. The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee are built in the city currently, in separate facilities, not far from the site of the original Willys-Overland plant. American Motors set up the first automobile-manufacturing joint venture in the People's Republic of China on January 15, 1984.[30] The result was Beijing Jeep Corporation, Ltd., in partnership with Beijing Automobile Industry Corporation, to produce the Jeep Cherokee (XJ) in Beijing. Manufacture continued after Chrysler's buyout of AMC. This joint venture is now part of DaimlerChrysler and DaimlerChrysler China Invest Corporation. The original 1984 XJ model was updated and called the "Jeep 2500" toward the end of its production that ended after 2005.[31] A division of FCA US LLC, the most recent successor company to the Jeep brand, now holds trademark status on the name "Jeep" and the distinctive 7-slot front grille design. The original 9-slot grille associated with all World War II jeeps was designed by Ford for their GPW, and because it weighed less than the original "Slat Grille" of Willys (an arrangement of flat bars), was incorporated into the "standardized jeep" design. The history of the HMMWV (Humvee) has ties with Jeep. In 1971, Jeep's Defense and Government Products Division was turned into AM General, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Motors Corporation, which also owned Jeep. In 1979, while still owned by American Motors, AM General began the first steps toward designing the Humvee. AM General also continued manufacturing the two-wheel-drive DJ, which Jeep created in 1953. The General Motors Hummer and Chrysler Jeep have been waging battle in U.S. courts over the right to use seven slots in their respective radiator grilles. Chrysler Jeep claims it has the exclusive rights to use the seven vertical slits since it is the sole remaining assignee of the various companies since Willys gave their postwar jeeps seven slots instead of Ford's nine-slot design for the Jeep. Off-road abilities Jeep Wrangler off-roading Jeep advertising has always emphasized the vehicle's off-road capabilities.[32] Today, the Wrangler is one of the few remaining four-wheel-drive vehicles with solid front and rear axles. These axles are known for their durability, strength, and articulation. New Wranglers come with a Dana 44 rear differential and a Dana 30 front differential. The upgraded Rubicon model of the JK Wrangler is equipped with electronically activated locking differentials, Dana 44 axles front and rear with 4.10 gears, a 4:1 transfer case, electronic sway bar disconnect and heavy duty suspension. Another benefit of solid axle vehicles is they tend to be easier and cheaper to "lift" with aftermarket suspension systems. This increases the distance between the axle and chassis of the vehicle. By increasing this distance, larger tires can be installed, which will increase the ground clearance, allowing it to traverse even larger and more difficult obstacles. In addition to higher ground clearance, many owners aim to increase suspension articulation or "flex" to give their Jeeps greatly improved off-road capabilities. Good suspension articulation keeps all four wheels in contact with the ground and maintains traction. Useful features of the smaller Jeeps are their short wheelbases, narrow frames, and ample approach, breakover, and departure angles, allowing them to fit into places where full-size four-wheel drives have difficulty. Ownership 1944–1953: Willys-Overland 1953–1964: Kaiser-Jeep (calling themselves "Willys Motors") 1964–1970: Kaiser-Jeep 1970–1987: AMC (w/ Renault controlling production in 1986) 1987–1998: Chrysler 1998–2007: DaimlerChrysler AG 2007–2009: Chrysler LLC 2009–2013: Chrysler Group LLC - Fiat Group Automobiles 2014–present: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Jeep model list Historical and military models World War II era jeep built by Ford, using the Willys-Overland design1940 Bantam Pilot—Prototype 1940 Bantam BRC-60—Prototype 1940 Willys Quad—Prototype 1940 Ford Pygmy—Prototype 1940 Budd Ford—Prototype 1941 Ford GP 1941 Willys MA 1941 Bantam BRC-40 1941-1944 Willys MT "Super Jeep"-Prototype 1942 Willys MB (slat grille) 1942–1945 Willys MB (stamped grille) 1942–1945 Ford GPW 1942–1943 Ford GPA 1943 Willys WAC "Jeeplet"-Prototype 1944 Willys MLW-1—Prototype (never finished) 1944 Willys MLW-2—Prototype 1946–1965 Willys Jeep Wagon 1947–1965 Willys Jeep Truck 1948–1950 VJ—Willys Jeepster 1950 X-98—Prototype 1953 BC Bobcat—Prototype World War II era Willys jeep1950–1952 M38 (MC) 1952–1957 M38A1 (MD) M170 Ambulance 1952–1957 M38A1C 1955 M38A1D 1958-1960 Willys Super Mule-Prototype 1959–1982 M151 1960–1964 M151 M718 Ambulance 1964–1970 M151A1 M151A1C Weapons Platform 1970–1982 M151A2 M718A1 Ambulance M825 Weapons Platform 1960–1968 Jeep M606 1956–1965 Jeep Forward Control (Military Variations) M676 M677 M678 M679 1967–1969 Kaiser Jeep M715—based upon the civilian Jeep Gladiator Jeep Forward Control, Jeep Jeepster, & Jeep FJ 1948–1950 Willys VJ Jeepster[33] 1948–1949 VJ2 Jeepster[34][35] 1949–1951 VJ3 Jeepster[36] 1949 Alcoa Aluminum-bodied Jeepster Coupe (prototype)[37] 1962 The Brazilian Jeepster (prototype)[38][39] Jeepster Safari (concept)[40] (Forward Control Jeep) 1956–1965 Jeep Forward Control FC-150 FC-160—Spain, India FC-170 M676 M677 M678 M679 (Fleetvan Jeep) 1961–1975 Fleetvan FJ-3 FJ-3A FJ-6 FJ-6A FJ-8 FJ-9 (Commando) 1966–1971 C101—Jeepster Commando Hurst Jeepster (only 100 produced) Hurst Half Cab Revival Jeepster Commando convertible open body roadster 1972–1973 C104—Jeep Commando Commando Half Cab Jeep CJ (Civilian Jeep) A USPS mail delivery vehicle made by Jeep 1982 Jeep Scrambler1944 CJ-1 1944–1945 CJ-2 1945–1949 CJ-2A 1949–1953 CJ-3A 1950 CJ-V35 1950 CJ-4—Prototype 1950 CJ-4M—Prototype 1950 CJ-4MA—Prototypes 1953–1968 CJ-3B 1954–1983 CJ-5 1961–1963 Tuxedo Park Mark III 1969 Camper 1969 462 1970 Renegade I 1971 Renegade II 1972–1983 Renegade Models 1973 Super Jeep 1977–1979 Golden Eagle 1977 Golden Eagle California Edition (available only through California AMC Dealerships) 1980 Golden Hawk 1979 Silver Anniversary CJ-5 Limited Edition (estimated 1,000 built) 1955–1975 CJ-6 1955–1968 CJ-3B Long—Spain 1960–1977 Jeep Rural—Brazil 1964–1967 CJ-5A/CJ-6A Tuxedo Park 1976–1986 CJ-7 1982 Jamboree Limited Edition (2500 units) 1979 CJ-5 Silver Anniversary Limited Edition (estimated 1,000 built) 1981–1985 CJ-8 Scrambler 1981–1985 CJ-10 Jeep DJ (Dispatcher Jeep) 1955 USAF DJ 1955–1964 DJ-3A Surrey Gala Package 1965–1975 DJ-5 1965–1973 DJ-6 1967–1975 DJ-5A 1970–1972 DJ-5B 1973–1974 DJ-5C 1975–1976 DJ-5D 1976 DJ-5E Electruck 1977–1978 DJ-5F 1979 DJ-5G 1982 DJ-5L Jeep SJ (Full Size Jeep) 1974 Cherokee S in action1963–1983 SJ Wagoneer 1963–1986 J-Series Jeep Gladiator Pioneer Jeep Honcho 1977–1979 Jeep Golden Eagle 1980–1989 Laredo 10-4 1966–1969 SJ Super Wagoneer 1967–1969 Kaiser Jeep M715- based upon the civilian Jeep Gladiator 1974–1983 SJ Cherokee S 1978–1983 Limited Classic 1976–1983 Chief sport Pioneer 1980–1983 Laredo 1977–1979 Golden Eagle 1984–1991 SJ Jeep Grand Wagoneer 1991 Final Edition Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 1984–2001 XJ Cherokee 1984–2001 Base "SE" 1984–1988 Chief 1984–1990 Pioneer 1985–1992 Laredo 1987–1992/1998-2001 Limited 1988–2001 Sport 1991–1992 Briarwood 1993–1997 Country 1996–2001 Classic 2000 Freedom 2001 60th Anniversary Edition 1984–1990 XJ Wagoneer 1984–1985 Broughwood 1984–1990 Limited Jeep Comanche (Metric Ton Jeep Comanche) 1986–1992 MJ Comanche 1986 Custom 1986 X 1986 XLS 1987–1992 Base SE 1987–1990 Chief 1987–1992 Laredo 1987–1990 Pioneer 1987–1992 SporTruck 1987–1992 Eliminator 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Jeep Wrangler (Jeep Wrangler) 1987–1995 Wrangler YJ 1991–1993 Renegade 1988–1995 Wrangler Long—Venezuela 1995 Wrangler Rio Grande 2005 TJ Rubicon1997–2006 Wrangler TJ 2002 TJ Se, X, Sport, Sahara models 2003 TJ Rubicon, Rubicon Tomb Raider Edition, Sahara, Sport, X, Se models, Freedom Edition 2004–2006 TJ Long Wheel Base (LJ) Unlimited(15" Longer than a standard TJ) Rubicon, Sport, X, Se models 2004–2005 Willys Edition (2004–1997 made, 2005–2001 made) 2004 Columbia Edition 2005 Rubicon Sahara Unlimited TJ LWB (LJ) (1000 made) 2006 Golden Eagle Edition, 65 Year Anniversary Edition (1,675 Black 65th Anniversary Editions made) 2006 Golden Eagle JK Rubicon at 2007 North American International Auto Show2007–2009 Wrangler JK 2007–2009 JK Rubicon, Sahara, X 2010 JK Rubicon, Sahara, Mountain, Islander, Sport 2011 Oscar Mike Military Edition (200 made) http://www.encs.com/vehicles.aspx?id=2210 2011 Mojave Edition 2011 Call of Duty : Black Ops Edition 2011 70th Anniversary Edition 2013 Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition 2014 Willys Wheeler Edition 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Mountain ZJ, WJ, and WK models (Jeep Grand Cherokee) Second generation ZJ 1994 ZJ Laredo Model1993–1998 ZJ Grand Cherokee 1993–1995 Base SE 1993–1998 Laredo 1993–1998 Limited 1995–1997 Orvis "Limited Edition" 1997–1998 TSi 1998 5.9 Limited 1993 ZJ Jeep Grand Wagoneer 1999–2004 WJ Grand Cherokee 2002–2003 Sport 2002–2004 Special edition 2002–2004 Overland 2004 Columbia Edition Jeep Grand Cherokee: Five-passenger family-oriented SUV WK: Grand Cherokee, 2005–2010 ("WK" is the designator for the 2005–2010 Grand Cherokee, marks the beginning of the -K designation compared to the -J designation) XK models 2006–2010 Jeep Commander 2006 Base 2007–2010 Sport 2006–2010 Limited 2007–2009 Overland KJ models 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty (Jeep Cherokee in Europe) Sport Limited Renegade 2003 Freedom Edition 2004–05 Rocky Mountain Edition 2004 Columbia Edition 2006 65th Anniversary Edition 2007 Latitude Edition(replaced Renegade) Current models The Jeep brand currently produces five models, but 9 vehicles are under the brand name or use the Jeep logo: Jeep Renegade BU: Subcompact Sport Utility Vehicle Jeep Wrangler JK: Standard wheelbase Compact Sport utility vehicle, 2-door version TJL:Compact pickup truck, 2-door version;Produced by AAV. A similar version is produced by AEV as the AEV Brute, but with the Jeep logo. Brute Double Cab:Compact pickup truck, 4-door version;Produced by American Expedition Vehicles JK Unlimited: Long wheelbase Mid-Size sport utility vehicle, 4-door version J8: Mid-Size military sport utility vehicle;Produced by AIL, AAV, and AEV. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Mid-size sport utility vehicle Jeep Compass: Compact sport utility vehicle Jeep Patriot: Compact sport utility vehicle Jeep Cherokee KL: Mid-size sport utility vehicle Future Models Jeep Wagoneer Full-Size SUV Concept vehicles 1952 CJ Coiler: Experimental design for an all independent suspension 1958 DJ-3A Pickup: Prototype pickup truck version of the DJ-3A 1958 Jeep Creep: Prototype utility vehicle 1959 Jeep J-100 Malibu and Berkeley: Later developed into the Wagoneer 1960 Jeep Wide-Trac: Concept for developing a low-cost vehicle for third-world countries 1963 Jeep XM-200: J200 based concept for developing a low-cost vehicle for third-world countries 1965 Jeep/Renault Model H: A light 4x4 prototype based on the Renault 16 1966 FWD Concept Jeepvair: Similar to the Model H but with a Chevrolet Corvair powertrain 1970 XJ001 1970 XJ002 1971 Jeep Cowboy: A design study using AMC's "compact" automobile platform[41] 1977 Jeep II 1979 Jeep Jeepster II 1986 Cherokee Targa: A two-door Cherokee convertible (later revised as Jeep Freedom show car) 1987 Comanche Thunderchief: This vehicle was put into production later as the Comanche Eliminator 1989 Jeep Concept 1: Evolved into the ZJ Grand Cherokee 1989 Jeep Rubicon Wrangler: This vehicle was later put in production 1990 Jeep JJ: Essentially what would later be called the Icon 1990 Jeep Freedom:[42] A revised Cherokee Targa 1991 Jeep Wagoneer 2000: A design study be the next generation Wagoneer, but was not put into production 1993 Jeep Ecco 1997 Jeep Cherokee Casablanca: A special edition of Cherokee, never produced 1997 Jeep Wrangler Ultimate Rescue: A tuned version of a regular TJ Wrangler developed for SEMA show 1997 Fender Jeep Wrangler 1997 Jeep Dakar: A fused version of a XJ Cherokee and TJ Wrangler 1997 Jeep Icon: A design study for the next-generation Wrangler 1999 Jeep Journey 1999 Jeep Jeepster Concept 2000 Jeep Cherokee Total Exposure 2000 Jeep Varsity: Subsequently put into production as the Compass 2000 Jeep Commander Concept: Subsequently put into production as the XK 2000 Jeep Willys 2001 Jeep Willys2 2002 Jeep Wrangler Tabasco 2002 Jeep Wrangler Patriot: A special decal package for the Wrangler X/Sport 2002 Jeep Wrangler Mountain Biker 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) Concierge 2004 Jeep Treo 2004 Jeep Rescue 2004 Jeep Liberator CRD 2005 Jeep Hurricane: The 4-wheel steering system allows the vehicle to have both a zero turning circle, and "crab" sideways.[43] Its engine was later put in the Grand Cherokee (WK) SRT-8 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept 2005 Jeep Aggressor (the Rezo) 2007 Jeep Trailhawk 2008 Jeep Renegade 2010 Jeep J8 2010 Jeep Nukizer: Design study inspired by the Military Kaiser M-715 Jeeps around the world The Troller T4 Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Jeep Jeeps have been built and/or assembled around the world by various companies.[44] Argentina – IKA Jeeps 1956–current; now owned by Chrysler[45] Australia – Willys Motors Australia – 1940s–1980s[46] Brazil – Willys Overland do Brasil, purchased by Ford to become Ford do Brasil – 1957–1985[47] and the Troller T4 is a fiberglass bodied Jeep version built in Brazil. Troller was purchased by Ford do Brasil in 2007. Burma/Myanmar – Two Burmese companies produce unlicensed copies of jeeps; Myanmar Jeeps and Chin Dwin Star Jeeps. Canada – Kaiser Jeep – 1959–1969[48] China – Beijing Jeep Corporation – 1983 to 2009 as Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive. Fiat-Chrysler plans to re-open Jeep production in China through joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group (GAIG).[49] Colombia – Willys Colombia – at least until 1999[50] Egypt – Arab Organization for Industrialization subsidiary Arab American Vehicles based in Cairo produces the Jeep Cherokee[disambiguation needed]; the open-top, Wrangler-based Jeep AAV TJL. France – Hotchkiss and Auverland – 1952–1962[51] India – Mahindra & Mahindra Limited – 1960s-current[52] Iran – Pars Khodro, ShahBaaz, Sahra, and Ahoo – ShahBaaz based on DJ series, Sahra based on Jeep Wrangler and CJ series, and Ahoo based on Wagoneer Israel – Automotive Industries which produces the AIL Storm (Sufa) series of Jeep Wrangler-derivatives Italy – 1950s[53] Japan – Mitsubishi Jeeps – 1953–1998[54] Korea – Asia Motors, Ltd, Dong A Motors (SsangYong Motor Company) and Kia. (don't use Jeep name) – 1980s-current[55] Mexico – VAM Jeeps – 1946–1987[56] Netherlands –NEKAF-JEEP Nederlandse Kaiser-Frazer – 1954-1990s[57] Philippines – Jeepneys;[58] MD Juan Willys MB.;[59] "E-jeepneys" or minibuses, LSV (low-speed vehicles) which uses electricity.[60][61] Portugal – Bravia Sarl – 1960s to 1980s This Lisbon company assembled a number of Kaiser Jeep M-201 models from several Spanish EBRO and VIASA parts built to order for the USAF airfields & the US Army based at the time in Portugal, of the 500 vehicles made, most had American running gear. Spain – Vehículos Industriales y Agrícolas, S.A (VIASA), absorbed by Ebro trucks, and later sold to Nissan – 1960-1990s[62] Turkey – Tuzla – 1954-1970s[63] Venezuela- Valencia Carabobo 1962–2011, 1962 Tejerias Edo Aragua Willys de Venezuela, S.A, 1979–2011 Ensambladora Carabobo C.A Valencia Edo Carabobo Jeep apparel and sponsorships Jeep is also a brand of apparel of outdoor lifestyle sold under license. It is reported that there are between 600 and 1,500 such outlets in China, vastly outnumbering the number of Jeep auto dealers in the country.[64][65] In April 2012 Jeep signed a shirt sponsorship deal worth €35m ($45m) with Italian football club Juventus.[66] In August 2014 Jeep signed a sponsorship deal with Greek football club AEK Athens F.C..[67] They also sponsor Australian NRL Rugby League Bid team the Brisbane Bombers See also AMC and Jeep transmissions Criticism of sport utility vehicles Jeep four-wheel-drive systems Jeep Jamboree: Off Road Adventure, a video game based on the then-current Jeep Wrangler YJ model Jeep Thrills Jeep parade Jeep trail Jeepney

History of Trailer (vehicle)

A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle towed by a powered vehicle. It is commonly used for the transport of goods and materials. Sometimes recreational vehicles, travel trailers, or mobile homes with limited living facilities, where people can camp or stay have been referred to as trailers. In earlier days, many such vehicles were towable trailers. Contents [hide] 1 United States 2 Types of trailers 2.1 Bicycle trailer 2.2 Construction trailer 2.3 Travel trailer 2.4 Semi-trailer 2.5 Full-trailer 2.6 Close-coupled trailer 2.7 Motorcycle trailer 2.8 Trailer winches 2.9 Livestock trailer 2.10 Boat trailer 3 Hitching a trailer 3.1 Ball and Socket 3.2 Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck 3.3 Trailer Jack 4 Electrical components 4.1 Brakes 5 Stability 6 See also 6.1 List of types of trailers 7 References 8 External links United States[edit] A truck pulling a semi-trailer using a trailer dolly. In the United States, the term is sometimes used interchangeably with travel trailer and mobile home, varieties of trailers and manufactured housing designed for human habitation. Their origins lay in utility trailers built in a similar fashion to horse-drawn wagons. A trailer park is an area where mobile homes are placed for habitation. In the United States trailers ranging in size from single-axle dollies to 6-axle, 13 ft 6 in (4,115 mm) high, 53 ft 0 in (16,154 mm) long semi-trailers are commonplace. The latter, when towed as part of a tractor-trailer or "18-wheeler", carries a large percentage of the freight that travels over land in North America. Types of trailers[edit] ACP Backtracking genset trailer Some trailers are made for personal (or small business) use with practically any powered vehicle having an appropriate hitch, but some trailers are part of large trucks called semi-trailer trucks for transportation of cargo. Enclosed toy trailers and motorcycle trailers can be towed by commonly accessible pickup truck or van, which generally require no special permit beyond a regular driver's license. Specialized trailers like open-air motorcycle trailers, bicycle trailers are much smaller, accessible to small automobiles, as are some simple trailers, pulled by a drawbar and riding on a single set of axles. Other trailers, such as utility trailers and travel trailers or campers come in single and multiple axle varieties, to allow for varying sizes of tow vehicles. There also exist highly specialized trailers, such as genset trailers, pusher trailers and their ilk that are also used to power the towing vehicle. Others are custom-built to hold entire kitchens and other specialized equipment used by carnival vendors. There are also trailers for hauling boats. Bicycle trailer[edit] Main article: Bicycle trailer Construction trailer[edit] Main article: Construction trailer Travel trailer[edit] A custom made popup camper Main article: Travel trailer Popular campers use lightweight trailers, aerodynamic trailers that can be towed by a small car, such as the BMW Air Camper. They are built to be lower than the tow vehicle, minimizing drag. Others range from two-axle campers that can be pulled by most mid-sized pickups to trailers that are as long as the host country's law allows for drivers without special permits. Larger campers tend to be fully integrated recreational vehicles, which often are used to tow single-axle dolly trailers to allow the driver to bring small cars on their travels. Semi-trailer[edit] Main articles: Semi-trailer and Semi-trailer truck A semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported either by a road tractor or by a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly. A semi-trailer is normally equipped with legs, called "landing gear", which can be lowered to support it when it is uncoupled. In the United States, a single trailer cannot exceed a length of 57 ft 0 in (17.37 m) on interstate highways (unless a special permit is granted), although it is possible to link two smaller trailers together to a maximum length of 63 ft 0 in (19.20 m). Semi-trailers vary considerably in design, ranging from open-topped grain haulers through Tautliners to normal-looking but refrigerated 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m) x 53 ft 0 in (16.15 m) enclosures ("reefers"). Many semi-trailers are part of semi-trailer trucks. Other types of semi-trailers include dry vans, flatbeds and chassis. Many commercial organizations choose to rent or lease semi-trailer equipment rather than own their own semi-trailers, to free up capital and to keep trailer debt from appearing on their balance sheet. Full-trailer[edit] Steam locomotive on heavy trailer [icon] This section requires expansion. (April 2011) A full-trailer is a term used in the United States for a freight trailer supported by front and rear axles and pulled by a drawbar. In Europe this is known as an A-Frame drawbar trailer. A full-trailer is 96 or 102 in (2,438 or 2,591 mm) wide and 35 or 40 ft (10.67 or 12.19 m) long. Close-coupled trailer[edit] [icon] This section requires expansion. (April 2011) A close-coupled trailer. A close-coupled trailer is fitted with a rigid towbar which projects from its front and hooks onto a hook on the tractor. It does not pivot as a drawbar does. Motorcycle trailer[edit] Interior of an enclosed motorcycle trailer Main article: Motorcycle trailer A motorcycle trailer may be a trailer designed to haul motorcycles behind an automobile or truck. Such trailers may be open or enclosed, ranging in size from trailers capable of carrying several motorcycles or only one. They may be designed specifically to carry motorcycles, with ramps and tie-downs, or may be a utility trailer adapted permanently or occasionally to haul one or more motorcycles. Another type of motorcycle trailer is a wheeled frame with a hitch system designed for transporting cargo by motorcycle. Motorcycle trailers are often narrow and styled to match the appearance of the motorcycle they are intended to be towed behind. You can get either two wheeled versions or single wheeled version. The single wheeled versions, such as the Unigo or Pav 40/41, are designed to allow the bike to have all the normal flexibility of a motorcycle, usually using a universal joint to enable the trailer to lean and turn with the motorcycle. No motorcycle manufacturer recommends that its motorcycles be used to tow a trailer because it creates additional safety hazards for motorcyclists. Trailer winches[edit] Empty boat trailer with winch Main article: Winch Trailer winches are designed to load (or unload) boats and other cargo to and from a trailer. They are made up of a ratchet mechanism and cable. The handle on the ratchet mechanism is turned to tighten or loosen the tension on the winch cable. There are both manual and motorized trailer winches.The winch is normally found on the front of the trailer by the towing A frame. Livestock trailer[edit] See also: Horse trailer A horse trailer There is a number of different styles of trailers used to haul livestock such as cattle and horses. The most common is the stock trailer, a trailer that is enclosed on the bottom, but has openings at approximately the eye level of the animals to allow ventilation. The horse trailer is a more elaborate form of stock trailer. Because horses are usually hauled for the purpose of competition or work, where they must be in peak physical condition, horse trailers are designed for the comfort and safety of the animals. They usually have adjustable vents and windows as well as suspension designed to provide a smooth ride and less stress on the animals. In addition, horse trailers have internal partitions that assist the animal in staying upright during travel and protect horses from injuring each other in transit. Larger horse trailers may incorporate additional storage areas for horse tack and may even include elaborate living quarters with sleeping areas, bathroom and cooking facilities, and other comforts. Both stock trailers and horse trailers range in size from small units capable of holding one to three animals, able to be pulled by a pickup truck or even an SUV; to large semi-trailers that can haul a significant number of animals. Boat trailer[edit] Main article: Boat trailer Hitching a trailer[edit] Main articles: Tow hitch, Fifth wheel coupling and Ringfeder Trailer-hitch on a large vehicle A trailer hitch, fifth wheel coupling or other type of tow hitch is needed to draw a trailer with a car, truck or other traction engine. Ball and Socket[edit] A trailer coupler is used to secure the trailer to the towing vehicle. The trailer coupler attaches to the trailer ball. This forms a ball and socket connection to allow for relative movement between the towing vehicle and trailer while towing over uneven road surfaces. The trailer ball is mounted to the rear bumper or to a draw bar, which may be removable. The draw bar is secured to the trailer hitch by inserting it into the hitch receiver and pinning it. The three most common types of couplers are Straight Couplers, A-Frame Couplers, and Adjustable Couplers. Bumper-pull hitches and draw bars can exert tremendous leverage on the tow vehicle making it harder to recover from a swerving situation. Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck[edit] A gooseneck trailer attached to a pickup truck . These are available for loads between 10,000 and 30,000 pounds.[1] They are used for larger trailers and provide considerably more stability than does a traditional hitch. Both styles have trailers attach to a coupler mounted above the axle within the bed of the tow vehicle such as a flat deck or pickup truck. A Fifth wheel coupling is also referred to as a kingpin hitch and is a smaller version of the Semi-trailer "fifth wheel". Though a fifth wheel and a gooseneck trailer look much the same, their method for coupling is different. A fifth wheel uses a large horseshoe-shaped coupling device mounted a foot or more above the bed of the tow vehicle. A gooseneck couples to a standard 2-5/16 inch ball mounted on the bed of the tow vehicle. The operational difference between the two is the range of movement in the hitch. The gooseneck is very maneuverable and can tilt in all directions, while the fifth wheel is intended for level roads and limited tilt side to side. Gooseneck mounts are often used for agricultural and industrial trailers. Fifth wheel mounts are often used for recreational trailers. Standard bumper hitch trailers typically allow a ten or fifteen percent hitch load while a fifth wheel and gooseneck can handle twenty or twenty-five percent weight transfer.[2] Trailer Jack[edit] The basic function of a trailer jack is to lift the trailer to a height that allows the trailer to be hitched or unhitched to and from the towing vehicle. Trailer jacks are also used for leveling the trailer during storage. The most common types of trailer jacks are A-Frame Jacks, Swivel Jacks, and Drop-Leg Jacks. Some trailers, such as horse trailers, have a built-in jack at the tongue for this purpose. Electrical components[edit] Many older cars took the feeds for the trailer's lights directly from the towing vehicles rear light circuits. As bulb-check systems were introduced in the 1990s "by-pass relays" were introduced. These took a small signal from the rear lights to switch a relay which in turn powered the trailer's lights with its own power feed. Many towing electrical installations, including vehicle-specific kits incorporate some form of bypass relays. In the US, trailer lights usually have a shared light for brake and turn indicators. If such a trailer is to be connected to a car with separate lamps for turn indicator and brake a Trailer light converter is needed. Nowadays some vehicles are being fitted with CANbus networks, and some of these use the CANbus to connect the tow bar electrics to various safety systems and controls. For vehicles that use the CANbus to activate towing-related safety systems, a wiring kit that can interact appropriately must be used. Without such a towbar wiring kit the vehicle can not detect the presence of a trailer and can therefore not activate safety features such as Trailer stability program which can electronically control a snaking trailer or caravan. By-pass systems are very cost effective but are not appropriate on cars with interactive safety features. Brakes[edit] bus trailer bus and trailer Larger trailers are usually fitted with brakes. These can be either electrically operated, air operated, or overrun brakes. Stability[edit] Trailer stability can be defined as the tendency of a trailer to dissipate side-to-side motion. The initial motion may be caused by aerodynamic forces, such as from a cross wind or a passing vehicle. One common criterion for stability is the center of mass location with respect to the wheels, which can usually be detected by tongue weight. If the center of mass of the trailer is behind its wheels, therefore having a negative tongue weight, the trailer will likely be unstable. Another parameter which is less commonly a factor is the trailer moment of inertia. Even if the center of mass is forward of the wheels, a trailer with a long load, and thus large moment of inertia, may be unstable.[3] Some vehicles are equipped with a Trailer Stability Program that may be able to compensate for improper loading. See also[edit] Electric vehicle battery ISO 3833 Towing Towing capacity Tractor unit Trailer Brake Controller Vehicle category Walking floor List of types of trailers[edit] Bicycle trailer Boat trailer Compressed hydrogen tube trailer Dolly Frac Tank Genset trailer Horse trailer Liquid hydrogen trailer Mobile home Motorcycle trailer Popup camper Pusher trailer Enclosed cargo trailer Flat deck trailer

History of Truck

A truck (United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, called a lorry in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Indian Subcontinent) is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful, and may be configured to mount specialized equipment, such as in the case of fire trucks and concrete mixers and suction excavators. Modern trucks are largely powered by diesel engines, although small to medium size trucks with gasoline engines exist in the US. In the European Union, vehicles with a gross combination mass of up to 3,500 kilograms (7,716 lb) are known as light commercial vehicles, and those over as large goods vehicles. Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 Steam trucks 1.2 Internal combustion 1.3 Diesel engines 2 Legal issues 3 Types of trucks by size 3.1 Ultra light trucks 3.2 Very light trucks 3.3 Light trucks 3.4 Medium trucks 3.5 Heavy trucks 3.6 Off-road trucks 4 Terminology 4.1 Etymology 4.2 International variance 5 Driving 5.1 Australia 5.2 European Union 5.3 United States 5.4 India 5.5 South Africa 6 Anatomy 6.1 Cab 6.2 Engine 6.3 Drivetrain 6.4 Frame 7 Environmental effects 8 Sales and sales issues 8.1 Truck market worldwide 8.2 Comparison by country 8.3 Manufacturers 9 Operations issues 9.1 Commercial insurance 9.2 Trucking accidents 10 Truck shows 11 Gallery 12 See also 13 References 14 External links History[edit] A British, 1931-built Sentinel steam lorry Sentinel DG8, Beamish Steam Fair Steam trucks[edit] Trucks and cars have a common ancestor: the steam-powered fardier Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot built in 1769. However, steam trucks were not common until the mid-1800s. The roads of the time, built for horse and carriages, limited these vehicles to very short hauls, usually from a factory to the nearest railway station. The first semi-trailer appeared in 1881, towed by a steam tractor manufactured by De Dion-Bouton. Steam-powered trucks were sold in France and the United States until the eve of World War I,and the beginning of World War II in the United Kingdom, where they were known as steam wagons. Internal combustion[edit] In 1895 Karl Benz designed and built the first truck in history using the internal combustion engine. Later that year some of Benz's trucks were modified to become the first bus by the Netphener, the first motorbus company in history. A year later, in 1896, another internal combustion engine truck was built by Gottlieb Daimler.[1] Other companies, such as Peugeot, Renault and Büssing, also built their own versions. The first truck in the United States was built by Autocar in 1899 and was available with optional 5 or 8 horsepower motors.[2] Trucks of the era mostly used two-cylinder engines and had a carrying capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 kilograms (3,300 to 4,400 lb). In 1904, 700 heavy trucks were built in the United States, 1000 in 1907, 6000 in 1910, and 25000 in 1914. A Benz truck modified by Netphener company (1895) After World War I, several advances were made: pneumatic tires replaced the previously common full rubber versions. Electric starters, power brakes, 4, 6, and 8 cylinder engines, closed cabs, and electric lighting followed. The first modern semi-trailer trucks also appeared. Touring car builders such as Ford and Renault entered the heavy truck market. Diesel engines[edit] Although it had been invented in 1890, the diesel engine was not common in trucks in Europe until the 1930s. In the United States, it took much longer for diesel engines to be accepted: gasoline engines were still in use on heavy trucks in the 1970s, while in Europe they had been completely replaced 20 years earlier. Legal issues[edit] A road train in Australia Commercial trucks in the US pay higher road use taxes on a State level than other road vehicles, and are subject to extensive regulation.[3] A few reasons commercial trucks pay higher road use taxes: they are bigger and heavier than most other vehicles, and cause more wear and tear per hour on roadways; and trucks and their drivers are on the road for more hours per day. Rules on use taxes differ among jurisdictions. The federal government has rules for commercial vehicles, regulating how many hours a driver may be on the clock, how much rest and sleep time is required (e.g., 11 hours driving/14 hours on-duty followed by 10 hours off, with a maximum of 70 hours/8 days or 60 hours/7 days, 34 hours restart ), and many other rules.[4] Violations are often subject to significant penalties. Instruments to track each driver's hours must sometimes be fitted. Trucks are subject to noise emission requirements (emanating from the U.S. Noise Control Act) in order to protect the public from noise health effects, since trucks contribute disproportionately to roadway noise due to elevated stacks and intense tire and aerodynamic noise characteristics. The Federal Bridge Law deals with the relation between the gross weight of the truck, the number of axles, and the spacing between the axles that the truck can have on the Interstate highway system.[5] Each State determines the maximum permissible vehicle, combination, and axle weight on state and local roads. Types of trucks by size[edit] See also: Truck classification and List of truck types Ultra light trucks[edit] Often produced as variations of golf cars, with internal combustion or battery electric drive, these are used typically for off-highway use on estates, golf courses, and parks. While not suitable for highway use some variations may be licensed as slow speed vehicles for operation on streets, generally as a body variation of a neighborhood electric vehicle. A few manufactures produce specialized chassies for this type of vehicle, while Zap Motors markets a version of their xebra electric tricycle (licensable in the U.S. as a motorcycle). Very light trucks[edit] A Piaggio Porter Popular in Europe and Asia, many mini trucks are factory redesigns of light automobiles, usually with monocoque bodies. Specialized designs with substantial frames such as the Italian Piaggio shown here are based upon Japanese designs (in this case by Daihatsu) and are popular for use in "old town" sections of European cities that often have very narrow alleyways. Regardless of name, these small trucks serve a wide range of uses. In Japan, they are regulated under the Kei car laws, which allow vehicle owners a break in taxes for buying a smaller and less-powerful vehicle (currently, the engine is limited to 660 cc {0.66L} displacement). These vehicles are used as on-road utility vehicles in Japan. These Japanese-made mini trucks that were manufactured for on-road use are competing with off-road ATVs in the United States, and import regulations require that these mini trucks have a 25 mph (40 km/h) speed governor as they are classified as low speed vehicles. [6] These vehicles have found uses in construction, large campuses (government, university, and industrial), agriculture, cattle ranches, amusement parks, and replacements for golf carts.[7] Major mini truck manufacturers and their brands: Daihatsu Hijet Honda Acty Mazda Scrum Mitsubishi Minicab Subaru Sambar Suzuki Carry Light trucks[edit] Light trucks are car-sized (in the US, no more than 6,300 kilograms (13,900 lb)) and are used by individuals and businesses alike. In the UK they may not weigh more than 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb), and are allowed to be driven with a driving licence for cars. Pickup trucks, called utes in Australia and New Zealand, are pervasive in North America and some regions of Latin America, Asia and Africa, but not so in Europe, where this size of commercial vehicle is most often made as vans. Medium trucks[edit] Medium trucks are larger than light but smaller than heavy trucks. In the US, they are defined as weighing between 13,000 and 33,000 pounds (6,000 and 15,000 kg). For the UK and the EU the weight is between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes (3.9 and 8.3 tons). Local delivery and public service (dump trucks, garbage trucks and fire-fighting trucks) are normally around this size. Heavy trucks[edit] A cement transporter is an example of a Class 8 heavy truck Heavy trucks are the largest on-road trucks, Class 8. These include vocational applications such as heavy dump trucks, concrete pump trucks, and refuse hauling, as well as ubiquitous long-haul 6×4 tractor units. Road damage and wear increase very rapidly with the axle weight. The axle weight is the truck weight divided by the number of axles, but the actual axle weight depends on the position of the load over the axles. The number of steering axles and the suspension type also influence the amount of the road wear. In many countries with good roads a six-axle truck may have a maximum weight over 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons). Off-road trucks[edit] Liebherr T 282B mining truck Off-road trucks include standard, extra heavy-duty highway-legal trucks, typically outfitted with off-road features such as a front driving axle and special tires for applications such as logging and construction, and purpose-built off-road vehicles unconstrained by weight limits, such as the Liebherr T 282B mining truck. Terminology[edit] Etymology[edit] The word "truck" might come from a back-formation of "truckle" with the meaning "small wheel", "pulley", from Middle English trokell, in turn from Latin trochlea.[citation needed] Another explanation is that it comes from Latin trochus with the meaning of "iron hoop". In turn, both go back to Greek trokhos (τροχός) meaning "wheel" from trekhein (τρέχειν, "to run"). The first known usage of "truck" was in 1611 when it referred to the small strong wheels on ships' cannon carriages. In its extended usage it came to refer to carts for carrying heavy loads, a meaning known since 1771. With the meaning of "motor-powered load carrier", it has been in usage since 1930, shortened from "motor truck", which dates back to 1916.[8][9] "Lorry" has a more uncertain origin, but probably has its roots in the rail transport industry, where the word is known to have been used in 1838 to refer to a type of truck (a freight car as in British usage, not a bogie as in the American), specifically a large flat wagon. It probably derives from the verb lurry (to pull, tug) of uncertain origin. With the meaning of "self-propelled vehicle for carrying goods" it has been in usage since 1911.[10][11] Before that, the word "lorry" was used for a sort of big horse-drawn goods wagon. International variance[edit] ALMA antenna transporters are huge vehicles that drive on 28 tires, are 10 meters wide, 20 meters long and 6 meters high, weigh 130 tonnes, and have as much horsepower as two Formula 1 engines, although with many times as much torque.[12] For more details on this topic, see List of truck types. In the United States, Canada, and the Philippines "truck" is usually reserved for commercial vehicles larger than normal cars, and includes pickups and other vehicles having an open load bed. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the word "truck" is mostly reserved for larger vehicles; in Australia and New Zealand, a pickup truck is usually called a ute (short for "utility"), while in South Africa it is called a bakkie (Afrikaans: "small open container"). In the United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland and Hong Kong lorry is used instead of truck, but only for the medium and heavy types. In American English, the word "truck" is often preceded by a word describing the type of vehicle, such as a "tanker truck". In British English these would be referred to as a "tanker" or "petrol tanker". In Australia and New Zealand, the term ute (short for coupé utility) is used to describe a pickup truck with an open cargo carrying space but a front similar to a passenger car, and which requires only a passenger car licence to drive. The concept was developed in 1933 by Lewis Bandt of the Ford Motor Company in Geelong following a request from a Gippsland farmer's wife for a vehicle that they could go to church in on Sunday without getting wet and also use to take the pigs to market on Monday.[13] Driving[edit] In many countries, driving a truck requires a special driving license. The requirements and limitations vary with each different jurisdiction. Australia[edit] In Australia, a truck driver's license is required for any motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) exceeding 4,500 kilograms (9,921 lb). The motor vehicles classes are further expanded as: LR: Light rigid: a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4,500 kilograms (9,921 lb) but not more than 8,000 kilograms (17,637 lb). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9,000 kilograms (19,842 lb) GVM. MR: Medium rigid: a rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8,000 kilograms (17,637 lb). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9,000 kilograms (19,842 lb) GVM. Also includes vehicles in class LR. HR: Heavy Rigid: a rigid vehicle with three or more axles and a GVM of more than 8,000 kilograms (17,637 lb)). Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9,000 kilograms (19,842 lb)) GVM. Also includes articulated buses and vehicles in class MR. HC: Heavy Combination, a typical prime mover plus semi-trailer combination. MC: Multi Combination e.g., B Doubles/road trains. There is also a heavy vehicle transmission condition for a license class HR, HC, or MC test passed in a vehicle fitted with an automatic or synchromesh transmission, a driver's license will be restricted to vehicles of that class fitted with a synchromesh or automatic transmission. To have the condition removed, a person needs to pass a practical driving test in a vehicle with non-synchromesh transmission (constant mesh or crash box).[14][15] European Union[edit] Driving licensing has been harmonised throughout the European Union, so that common, albeit complex rules apply on all member states (see European driving licence). As an overview, to drive a vehicle weighing more than 7,500 kilograms (16,535 lb) for commercial purposes requires a specialist licence (the type varies depending on the use of the vehicle and number of seats). For licences first acquired after 1997, that weight was reduced to 3,500 kilograms (7,716 lb), not including trailers. United States[edit] Inside a Mack truck In the United States, a commercial driver's license is required to drive any type of commercial vehicle weighing 26,001 lb (11,794 kg) or more.[16] In 2006 the US trucking industry employed 1.8 million drivers of heavy trucks.[17] India[edit] There are around 5 million truck drivers in India.[18] South Africa[edit] To drive any vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb), a code C1 drivers license is required. Furthermore, if the vehicle exceeds 16,000 kilograms (35,000 lb), a code C license becomes necessary. To drive any vehicle in South Africa towing a trailer with a GVM more than 750 kilograms (1,650 lb), further restrictions apply and the driver must possess a license suitable for the GVM of the total combination as well as an articulated endorsement. This is indicated with the letter "E" prefixing the license code. In addition, any vehicle designed to carry goods or passengers may only be driven by a driver possessing a Public Driver's Permit, (or PrDP) of the applicable type. This is an additional license that is added to the DL card of the operator and subject to annual renewal unlike the five-year renewal period of a normal license. The requirements for obtaining the different classes are below. "G": Required for the transport of general goods, requires a criminal record check and a fee on issuing and renewal. "P": Required for the transport of paying passengers, requires a more stringent criminal record check on, additionally the driver must be over the age of 21 at time of issue. A G class PrDP will be issued at the same time. "D": Required for the transport of dangerous materials, requires all of the same checks as class P. In addition the driver must be over 25 at time of issue. Anatomy[edit] Scania R470 flat nose truck Almost all trucks share a common construction: they are made of a chassis, a cab, an area for placing cargo or equipment, axles, suspension and roadwheels, an engine and a drivetrain. Pneumatic, hydraulic, water, and electrical systems may also be present. Many also tow one or more trailers or semi-trailers. Cab[edit] The cab is an enclosed space where the driver is seated. A "sleeper" is a compartment attached to the cab where the driver can rest while not driving, sometimes seen in semi-trailer trucks. There are several possible cab configurations: "Cab over engine" (COE) or "flat nose"; where the driver is seated above the front axle and the engine. This design is almost ubiquitous in Europe, where overall truck lengths are strictly regulated, but also widely used in the rest of the world as well. They were common in North American heavy duty trucks, but lost prominence when permitted length was extended in the early 1980s. Nevertheless, this design is still popular in North America among medium and light duty trucks. To reach the engine, the whole cab tilts forward, earning this design the name of "tilt-cab". This type of cab is especially suited to the delivery conditions in Europe where many roads follow the layout of much more ancient paths and trackways which require the additional turning capability given by the short wheelbase of the cab over engine type. The COE design was invented by Viktor Schreckengost.[19] Conventional cabs are the most common in North America and Australia, and are known in the UK as "American cabs" and in the Netherlands as "torpedo cabs". The driver is seated behind the engine, as in most passenger cars or pickup trucks. Conventionals are further divided into large car and aerodynamic designs. A "large car" or "long nose" is a conventional truck with a long (6-to-8-foot or 1.8-to-2.4-metre or more) hood. "Aerodynamic" cabs are very streamlined, with a sloped hood and other features to lower drag. Cab beside engine designs also exist, but are rather rare and are mainly used inside shipping yards, or other specialist uses that require the vehicle to carry long loads such as pipes, metal rods, flat iron and other construction materials. This type is often custom made from a regular cabover truck that gets the upper half of its cab removed on the passenger side and replaced by an extended section of the bed. A further step from this is the side loading forklift that can be described as a specially fabricated vehicle with the same properties as a truck of this type, in addition to the ability to pick up its own load. Engine[edit] Cummins ISB 6.7L medium duty truck diesel engine Most small trucks such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) or pickups, and even light medium-duty trucks in North America and Russia will use gasoline engines (petrol engines), but many diesel engined models are now being produced. Most of the heavier trucks use four stroke diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. Huge off-highway trucks use locomotive-type engines such as a V12 Detroit Diesel two stroke engine. Diesel engines are becoming the engine of choice for trucks ranging from class 3 to 8 GVWs. A large proportion of refuse trucks in the United States employ CNG (compressed natural gas) engines for their low fuel cost and reduced carbon emissions.[20] North American manufactured highway trucks often use an engine built by a third party, such as CAT, Cummins, or Detroit Diesel, but both Mack and Navistar offer their own engines.[21][22][citation needed] In the European Union, all new truck engines must comply with Euro 5 emission regulations. Drivetrain[edit] A truck rear suspension and drive axles overview Eaton Roadranger 18 speed "crash box" with automated gearshift Small trucks use the same type of transmissions as almost all cars, having either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with synchromesh (synchronizers). Bigger trucks often use manual transmissions without synchronizers, saving bulk and weight, although synchromesh transmissions are used in larger trucks as well. Transmissions without synchronizers, 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; for example, when upshifting, the accelerator pedal is released and the clutch pedal is depressed while the gear lever is moved into neutral, the clutch pedal is then released and quickly pushed down again while the gear lever is moved to the next higher gear. Finally, the clutch pedal is released and the accelerator pedal pushed down to obtain required engine speed. 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 the right amount in order to achieve the synchronization for a smooth, non-collision gear change. "Skip changing" is also widely used; in principle operation is the same as double-clutching, but it requires neutral be held slightly longer than a single-gear change. 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, 12 and 16 gears are common on larger trucks with manual transmission, while automatic or semi-automatic transmissions would have anything from 5 to 12 gears. Almost all heavy truck transmissions are of the "range and split" (double H shift pattern) type, where range change and so‑called half gears or splits are air operated and always preselected before the main gear selection. Frame[edit] A truck rear frame (chassis) section view A truck frame consists of two parallel boxed (tubular) or C‑shaped rails, or beams, held together by crossmembers. These frames are referred to as ladder frames due to their resemblance to a ladder if tipped on end. The rails consist of a tall vertical section (two if boxed) and two shorter horizontal flanges. The height of the vertical section provides opposition to vertical flex when weight is applied to the top of the frame (beam resistance). Though typically flat the whole length on heavy duty trucks, the rails may sometimes be tapered or arched for clearance around the engine or over the axles. The holes in rails are used either for mounting vehicle components and running wires and hoses, or measuring and adjusting the orientation of the rails at the factory or repair shop. The frame is almost always made of steel, but can be made (whole or in part) of aluminum for a lighter weight. A tow bar may be found attached at one or both ends, but heavy trucks almost always make use of a fifth wheel hitch.[citation needed] Environmental effects[edit] See also: Diesel exhaust DAF tractor with an auto-transport semi-trailer carrying Škoda Octavia cars in Cardiff, Wales Trucks contribute to air, noise, and water pollution similarly to automobiles. Trucks may emit lower air pollution emissions than cars per equivalent vehicle mass, although the absolute level per vehicle distance traveled is higher, and diesel particulate matter is especially problematic for health.[23] With respect to noise pollution, trucks emit considerably higher sound levels at all speeds compared to typical cars; this contrast is particularly strong with heavy-duty trucks.[24] There are several aspects of truck operations that contribute to the overall sound that is emitted. Continuous sounds are those from tires rolling on the roadway, and the constant hum of their diesel engines at highway speeds. Less frequent noises, but perhaps more noticeable, are things like the repeated sharp-pitched whistle of a turbocharger on acceleration, or the abrupt blare of an exhaust brake retarder when traversing a downgrade. There has been noise regulation put in place to help control where and when the use of engine braking retarders are allowed. Concerns have been raised about the effect of trucking on the environment, particularly as part of the debate on global warming. In the period from 1990 to 2003, carbon dioxide emissions from transportation sources increased by 20%, despite improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency.[25] Volvo's subsidiary Renault Magnum Tractor unit In 2005, transportation accounted for 27% of U.S. greenhouse gas emission, increasing faster than any other sector.[26] Between 1985 and 2004, in the U.S., energy consumption in freight transportation grew nearly 53%, while the number of ton-miles carried increased only 43%.[27] According to a 1995 U.S. government estimate, the energy cost of carrying one ton of freight a distance of one kilometer averages 337 kJ for water, 221 kJ for rail, 2,000 kJ for trucks, and nearly 13,000 kJ for air transport.[28] Many environmental organizations favor laws and incentives to encourage the switch from road to rail, especially in Europe.[29] The European Parliament is moving to ensure that charges on heavy-goods vehicles should be based in part on the air and noise pollution they produce and the congestion they cause, according to legislation approved by the Transport Committee.[30] The Eurovignette scheme has been proposed, whereby new charges would be potentially levied against things such as noise and air pollution and also weight related damages from the lorries themselves.[31] Sales and sales issues[edit] Truck market worldwide[edit] Largest truck manufacturers in the world as of 2010, over 16 tons GVW in 2010.[32] Pos. Make Units 1 Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner Trucks, Sterling Trucks, Unimog, Western Star, Fuso, BharatBenz) 478,535[citation needed] 2 Volvo Group (Volvo, Mack, Renault, UD Nissan Diesel) 438,954[citation needed] 3 Dongfeng Motor 341,875 4 Volkswagen Group (Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN) 203,102 5 Tata Group (Tata Motors, Daewoo Commercial Vehicle) 159,237 6 Hyundai Kia Automotive Group (Hyundai) 157,781[citation needed] 7 Toyota Group (Hino Motors, Isuzu) 129,107 8 Fiat Group (Iveco, Magirus, Astra, Seddon Atkinson, Yuejin) 127,542 9 PACCAR (DAF Trucks, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Leyland Trucks) 126,960 Largest truck manufacturers in the world as of 2011[33] Pos makes units 1 Isuzu 447,359 2 Volvo Group (Volvo, Mack, Renault, UD Nissan Diesel) 300,494 3 Toyota Group (Hino Motors, Toyota) 214,375 4 Tata Group (Tata Motors, Daewoo Commercial Vehicle) 176,584 5 PACCAR (DAF Trucks, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Leyland Trucks) 121,235 6 Navistar International (Mahindra Navistar) 79,362 7 Fiat Industrial (Iveco, Irisbus, Astra) 67,170 8 Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner Trucks, Unimog, Western Star, Fuso, BharatBenz) 70,726 9 Ford 66,790 10 Ashok Leyland 65,280 11 Nissan 51,811 12 GAZ 29,779 Largest truck manufacturers in the world as of 2012, by Annual reports Pos makes units 1 Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner Trucks, Unimog, Western Star, Fuso, BharatBenz) 461,954[34] 2 Volvo Group (Volvo, Mack, Renault, UD Nissan Diesel) 224,000[35] 3 Volkswagen Group (Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN) 203,102[36] Comparison by country[edit] Showing semi-tractor, large rigid, and medium rigid by the same manufacturer when possible. Belarus MAZ 4x2 Semi tractor Belarus MAZ-MAN 6-8x4 Dump Belarus MAZ 4x2 Dump China FAW semi tractor China FAW 4x2 dump France Renault AGV 6x4 Semi tractor-trailer France Renault Kerax 410 8x4 Mixer France Renault Midlum 4x2 Box Italy IVECO Strais 4x2 semi tractor-trailer Italy IVECO Trakker 6x4 dump Italy IVECO 4x2 Flatbed India Tata Prima 6x4 semi tractor-trailer Japan Hino Profia ASV 4x2 semi tractor Japan Hino Profia 6x4 dump Japan Hino Dutro 130MD-L 4x2 Box Netherlands DAF xF 6x2, dolly and semi-trailer Netherlands DAF CF 8x4 tipper Netherlands DAF LF 4x2 Box Russia GAZ 3310 Valdai dump Russia Kamaz 55111 6x4 dump Russia Kamaz 4x2 Flatbed with crane Russia Kamaz 43255 Russia Kamaz 65117 Flatbed Serbia FAP 2026 military truck USA Mack Pinnacle 6x4 semi tractor-trailer Australia Mack Granite 6x4 chassis Ukraine KrAZ-65032 dump truck (red truck) and KrAZ-6140TE semi-trailer truck 6x4 chassis (black) Manufacturers[edit] Main article: List of truck manufacturers Operations issues[edit] Commercial insurance[edit] Primary liability insurance coverage protects the truck from damage or injuries to other people as a result of a truck accident. This truck insurance coverage is mandated by U.S. state and federal agencies, and proof of coverage is required to be sent to them. Interstate trucks in the U.S. are required to have a minimum of $75,000 in liability insurance. This includes motor carriers operating vehicles with a gross weight rating in excess of 10,000 lbs (which transport non-hazardous materials). All motor carriers operating vehicles transporting materials classified as hazardous, and which have a gross weight rating in excess of 10,000 lbs must have a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance. All motor carriers operating vehicles such as tanks or hopper-type cargo vehicles with a capacity in excess of 3,500 water gallons must have a minimum of $5,000,000 in liability insurance. Pricing is dependent on region, driving records, and history of the trucking operation. Motor truck cargo insurance protects the transporter for his responsibility in the event of damaged or lost freight. The policy is purchased with a maximum load limit per vehicle. Cargo insurance coverage limits can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Pricing for this insurance is mainly dependent on the type of cargo being hauled. Trucking accidents[edit] Trucking accident at Elst (Netherlands) 2012-03-23 In 2002 and 2004, there were over 5,000 fatalities related to trucking accidents in the United States. The trucking industry has since made significant efforts in increasing safety regulations. In 2008 the industry had successfully lowered the fatality rate to just over 4,000 deaths. But trucking accidents are still an issue that causes thousands of deaths and injuries each year. Approximately 6,000 trucking accident fatalities occur annually in the United States. Fatalities are not the only issue caused by trucking accidents. Here are some of the environmental issues that arise with trucking accidents: 14.4% of trucking accidents cause cargo to spill 6.5% cause open flames The USDOT 2009 Large Trucks in Fatal Crashes with Passenger Vehicles with Driver-Related Factors figures show that in 22% of crashes the large truck driver was a factor, while 80.5% of passenger vehicle drivers were. Alcohol or other drugs among heavy truck drivers were a factor in .31% of crashes, among passenger vehicle drivers they were a factor in 11.75% of crashes.[37] Truck shows[edit] In the UK, three truck shows are popular - Shropshire Truck Show in Oswestry Showground during May, The UK Truck Show 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-tonne trucks from the British Truck Racing Association, plus other diesel-powered entertainment. In Mexico, the ANPACT Autotransporte - Truck Show is well known as one of the biggest of the region; 2013 edition features trucker celebrity Lisa Kelly. Truck shows provide operators with an opportunity to win awards for their trucks. Gallery[edit] This section contains a gallery of images. Galleries containing indiscriminate images of the article subject are discouraged; please improve or remove the section accordingly, moving freely licensed images to Wikimedia Commons if not already hosted there. DAF xF 6x2, dolly and semi-trailer. Isuzu truck IVECO truck Mercedes-Benz truck UD Nissan truck Sisu truck Tata Prima truck Ashok Leyland U-Truck (Dumper) TOR Truck Corporation's Trojan 996 displayed at ADIPEC 2013. See also[edit] Portal icon Trucks portal Animal transporter Ballast tractor Campervan Cutaway van chassis Dekotora, Japanese decorated trucks Electric truck Euro IV and Euro V Flatbed truck Food truck Glossary of trucking industry terms in the United States Great West Truck Show Kei truck List of pickup trucks List of trucks List of military trucks Logging truck Multi-stop truck Pakistani truck art Railway truck Refrigerator truck Road train Roll-off truck Tail lift Tow truck Tractor unit Truck classification Truck hijacking References[edit]

History of Heavy equipment

Heavy equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles, specially designed for executing construction tasks, most frequently ones involving earthwork operations. They are also known as heavy machines, heavy trucks, construction equipment, engineering equipment, heavy vehicles, or heavy hydraulics. They usually comprise five equipment systems: implement, traction, structure, power train, control and information.[1] Heavy equipment functions through the mechanical advantage of a simple machine, the ratio between input force applied and force exerted is multiplied. Some equipment uses hydraulic drives as a primary source of motion. Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 From horses, through steam, to diesel 2 Types 2.1 Images 3 Implements and Hydromechanical Work Tools 4 Traction: Off-the-road tires and Tracks 5 Structure 6 Powertrain 7 Control and Information 8 Heavy equipment operator 9 Equipment cost 9.1 Ownership Cost 9.2 Operating cost 10 Models 11 Notable Manufacturers 12 See also 13 References History[edit] Further information: History of construction and History of steam road vehicles JCB 3CX backhoe loader A wheeled bulldozer in an open pit coal mine A portable engine; a precursor to modern engineering vehicles An early gasoline-powered tractor The use of heavy equipment has a long history; the ancient Roman engineer Vitruvius (1st century BCE) gave descriptions of heavy equipment and cranes in ancient Rome in his treatise De architectura. The pile driver was invented around 1500. The first tunnelling shield was patented by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1818. From horses, through steam, to diesel[edit] Until the 19th century and into the early 20th century heavy machines were drawn under human or animal power. With the advent of portable steam-powered engines the drawn machine precursors were reconfigured with the new engines, such as the combine harvester. The design of a core tractor evolved around the new steam power source into a new machine core traction engine, that can be configured as the steam tractor and the steamroller. During the 20th century, internal-combustion engines became the major power source of heavy equipment. Kerosene, ethanol andengines were used, but today diesel engines are dominant. Mechanical transmission was in many cases replaced by hydraulic machinery. The early 20th century also saw new electric-powered machines such as the forklift. Caterpillar Inc. is a present-day brand from these days, starting out as the Holt Manufacturing Company. The first mass-produced heavy machine was the Fordson tractor in 1917. The first commercial continuous track vehicle was the Lombard Steam Log Hauler from 1901. Tracks became extensively used for tanks during World War I, and after the war they became commonplace for civilian machinery such as the bulldozer. The largest engineering vehicles, and the largest mobile land machines altogether, are bucket-wheel excavators, built from the 1920s. "Until almost the twentieth century, one simple tool constituted the primary earthmoving machine: the hand shovel - moved with animal and human powered, sleds, barges, and wagons. This tool was the principal method by which material was either sidecast or elevated to load a conveyance, usually a wheelbarrow, or a cart or wagon drawn by a draft animal. In antiquity, an equivalent of the hand shovel or hoe and head basket—and masses of men—were used to move earth to build civil works. Builders have long used the inclined plane, levers, and pulleys to place solid building materials, but these labor-saving devices did not lend themselves to earthmoving, which required digging, raising, moving, and placing loose materials. The two elements required for mechanized earthmoving, then as now, were an independent power source and off-road mobility, neither of which could be provided by the technology of that time."[2] Container cranes were used from the 1950s and onwards, and made containerization possible. Nowadays such is the importance of this machinery, some transport companies have developed specific equipment to transport heavy construction equipment to and from sites. Types[edit] These subdivisions, in this order, are the standard heavy equipment categorization. Some contractors place numbers on the side of their equipment corresponding to the category - Grader '02' - followed by a sequential number that usually corresponds to the number it was purchased, for example, 02-112, is the 112th grader a company has purchased since their founding. This allows for easy recognition of the equipment type and the relevant age. Track-type ##Agricultural tractors ##Air-track ##Bulldozer ##Snowcat ##Track skidder ##Track-type tractors (Bulldozer) ##Tractor ##Military engineering vehicles Grader ##Grader SkidSteer ##Skid steer loader Excavator ##Compact excavator ##Dragline excavator ##Dredging ##Excavator (wheel) ##Excavator (bagger, digger) ##Slurry wall excavator ##Front shovel ##Reclaimer ##Steam shovel ##Suction excavator ##Trencher (machine) ##Yarder Backhoe ##Backhoe loader, Backhoe Timber ##Feller buncher ##Harvester ##Skidder ##Track harvester ##Wheel forwarder ##Wheel skidder Pipelayer ##Pipelayer Scraper ##Fresno scraper ##Scraper ##Wheel tractor-scraper Mining ##Construction & mining tractor ##Construction & mining trucks Articulated ##Articulated hauler ##Articulated truck ##Water wagon Compactor ##Wheel dozers – soil compactors ##Soil stabilizer Loader ##Loader ##Skip loader (skippy) ##Wheel loader (front loader, integrated tool carrier) Track Loader ##Track loader Material Handler ##Aerial work platform / Lift table ##Boomtruck ##Cherry picker ##Crane ##Forklift ##Knuckleboom loader (trailer mount) & Knuckleboom loader (trailer mount) ##Reach stacker ##Telescopic handlers Paving ##Asphalt paver ##Asphalt plant ##Cold planer ##Concrete batch plant ##Cure rig ##Paver ##Pneumatic tire compactor ##Roller (road roller or roller compactor) ##Slipform paver ##Vibratory compactor, Compactor ##Stomper:concrete drop hammer Underground ##Roadheader ##Tunnel boring machine ##Underground mining equipment Hydromatic Tool ##Ballast tamper ##Attachments ##Drilling machine ##Pile driver ##Rotary tiller (rototiller, rotovator) ##Venturi-mixer Highway ##Dump truck ##Highway 10 yard rear dump ##Highway bottom dump (stiff), pup (belly train), triple ##Highway end dump and side dump ##Highway transfer, Transfer train ##Highway transit-mixer ##Lowboy (trailer) ##Street sweeper Images[edit] The Caterpillar D10N bulldozer evolved from tracked-type tractors and is characterized by a steel blade attached to the front that is used to push other equipment and construction materials, such as, earth. Normally the bucket is pulled toward the excavator to excavate material. The uncommon "thumb" attachment on this Caterpillar enables 'grabbing' objects, for example, during demolition. The wheel trencher MARAIS SMC 200 R. Iron bar reinforced foundation piles are driven with a drilling machine, concrete pump, mixer-truck, and a specialized auger that allows pumping concrete through its axis while withdrawn. Wheel loader Grader (plowing snow here) Landfill compactor (tamping tip) A wheeled front loader tractor equipped with a large bucket elevated by hydraulic rams. Reconditioned Caterpillar 825G Soil Compactor Folded conveyor on a tracked grinder Military engineering vehicles The militarized Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer allows for earthmoving projects in a combat environment. In the picture: IDF Caterpillar D9R. The militarized Huta Stalowa Wola backhoe loader in Poland which is subsidiary of LiuGong China Military scraper PiPz Dachs armoured engineering vehicle of the German Army (2008) Implements and Hydromechanical Work Tools[edit] ##auger ##backhoe ##bale spear ##broom ##bulldozer blade ##clam shell bucket ##cold plane ##demolition shears ##equipment bucket ##excavator bucket ##forks[disambiguation needed] ##grapple ##hydraulic hammer, hoe ram ##hydraulics ##hydraulic tilting bucket (4-in-1) ##landscape tiller ##material handling arm ##mechanical pulverizer, crusher ##multi processor ##pavement removal bucket ##pile driver ##power take-off (PTO) ##quick coupler ##rake ##ripper ##rotating grab ##sheep's foot compactor ##skeleton bucket ##snow blower ##stump grinder ##stump shear ##thumb ##tiltrotator ##trencher ##vibratory plate compactor ##wheel saw Traction: Off-the-road tires and Tracks[edit] Main articles: Off-the-road tire and Caterpillar track Heavy equipment requires specialized tires for various construction applications. While many types of equipment have continuous tracks applicable to more severe service requirements, tires are used where greater speed or mobility is required. An understanding of what equipment will be used for during the life of the tires is required for proper selection. Tire selection can have a significant impact on production and unit cost. There are three types of off-the-road tires, transport for earthmoving machines, work for slow moving earth moving machines, and load and carry for transporting as well as digging. Off-highway tires have six categories of service C compactor, E earthmover, G grader, L loader, LS log-skidder and ML mining and logging. Within these service categories are various tread types designed for use on hard-packed surface, soft surface and rock. Tires are a large expense on any construction project, careful consideration should be given to prevent excessive wear or damage. Structure[edit] "This system connects components, transmits loads, provides attachment points for implements, and allows the machine to travel over uneven ground. The machine’s frame, articulation, and steering for wheeled equipment are the major parts of this system."[1] Powertrain[edit] ##internal combustion engine ##transmission ##steering (tracked equipment) ##brakes Control and Information[edit] "The control and information systems. These systems enable the operator to direct and control all the other systems and provide information to guide operations or to monitor the performance and health of the equipment."[1] Heavy equipment operator[edit] Main article: Heavy equipment operator A heavy equipment operator drives and operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects.[3][4] Typically only skilled workers may operate heavy equipment, and there is specialized training for learning to use heavy equipment. Much publication about heavy equipment operators focuses on improving safety for such workers. The field of occupational medicine researches and makes recommendations about safety for these and other workers in safety-sensitive positions. Equipment cost[edit] Due to the small profit margins on construction projects it is important to maintain accurate records concerning equipment utilization, repairs and maintenance. The two main categories of equipment costs are ownership cost and operating cost.[5] Ownership Cost[edit] To classify as an ownership cost an expense must have been incurred regardless of if the equipment is used or not. These costs are as follows: ##purchase expense ##salvage value ##tax savings from depreciation ##major repairs and overhauls ##property taxes ##insurance ##storage Depreciation can be calculated several ways, the simplest is the straight-line method. The annual depreciation is constant, reducing the equipment value annually. The following are simple equations paraphrased from the Peurifoy & Schexnayder text: m = some year in the future N = equipment useful life (years) and Dn = Annual depreciation amount Dn = purchase price / N Book value (BV) in year m BVm = purchase price - (m x Dn) example: N = 5 purchase price = $350,000 m = 3 years from now BV3 = $350,000 - ( 3 x $350,000/5) = $140,000 Operating cost[edit] For an expense to be classified as an operating cost, it must be incurred through use of the equipment. These costs are as follows:[6] ##F.O.G. ##fuel ##lubricants, lube oils, filters (oil, air, fuel, hydraulic), and grease ##repairs ##repair parts ##repair labor ##tires ##3rd party service contract ##replacement of high-wear items The biggest distinction from a cost standpoint is if a repair is classified as a major repair or a minor repair. A major repair can change the depreciable equipment value due to an extension in service life, while a minor repair is normal maintenance. How a firm chooses to cost major and minor repairs vary from firm to firm depending on the costing strategies being used. Some firms will charge only major repairs to the equipment while minor repairs are costed to a project. Another common costing strategy is to cost all repairs to the equipment and only frequently replaced wear items are excluded from the equipment cost. Many firms keep their costing structure closely guarded[citation needed] as it can impact the bidding strategies of their competition. In a company with multiple semi-independent divisions, the equipment department often wants to classify all repairs as "minor" and charge the work to a job - therefore improving their 'profit' from the equipment. Models[edit] Main article: Model construction vehicle Die-cast metal promotional scale models of heavy equipment are often produced for each vehicle to give to prospective customers. These are typically in 1:50 scale. The popular manufacturers of these models are Conrad and NZG in Germany, even for US vehicles. Notable Manufacturers[edit] The largest manufacturers based on 2011 revenue data as published by KHL Group:[7] 1. Caterpillar Inc. 2. Komatsu 3. Volvo Construction Equipment 4. Hitachi- Hitachi, Ltd. 5. Liebherr Group 6. SANY Group Company Ltd. 7. Zoomlion 8. Terex 9. Doosan Infracore (formerly Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery) - including Solar brand 10. Deere & Company 11. XCMG Other manufacturers include: ##Atlas Copco ##Bharat Earth Movers Limited (India) ##Bobcat Company ##CASE ##Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant ##CNH Global ##Demag ##Doosan Group ##Fiat-Allis ##Hyundai Heavy Industries ##Ingersoll Rand ##JCB ##Kubota ##Kobelco ##LiuGong ##Madill ##MARAIS ##Navistar International Corporation ##NCK ##New Holland ##Track Marshall ##Orenstein and Koppel GmbH (O&K) ##Paccar ##Poclain ##Rototilt ##Shantui ##ST Kinetics ##Takeuchi Manufacturing ##Wacker Neuson ##hidromek Wikimedia Commons has media related to Construction vehicles. See also[edit] ##Construction equipment theft ##Non-road engine ##Associated Equipment Distributors, the trade association for heavy equipment distributors