Over the past few months I`ve seen a large number of 4 axled rigid trucks with a swing from the convention 8 leggers with twin steer,and two axles at the rear, to single steer with 3 axles at the rear, whilst this must be better for turning corners and reversing into places, ( as 8 legger tippers never had the best steering lock ) there must be more chance of being overweight on the front axle ?
We’ve got one; it’s called a “Tridem”. 5-compartment bulk blower body; in practice, you’re very unlikely to overload the front axle, as once you’ve emptied the rear compartment, you open the next so that the feed goes towards the rear. Then repeat again as you do the drops; the three front compartments are smaller than the rear two so that you can’t overload.
As for manoeuverability; they go anywhere that a six-wheeler can, with a much better payload (18 tonnes as opposed to 14.5) and have the advantage of the double drive which is a big plus in boggy farmyards or adverse weather conditions.
Yeah we were looking at getting one when my truck was in the works. But we couldn’t make the numbers work, decided it would be far too easy to overload the front axle as we do multi drop. Instead we have to carry on watching the rear instead.
Trident are popular with refuse companies round my way. Mine is a 8x2 but has 3 steering axles, and I go anywhere the Tridem refuse boys can.
F-reds:
Yeah we were looking at getting one when my truck was in the works. But we couldn’t make the numbers work, decided it would be far too easy to overload the front axle as we do multi drop. Instead we have to carry on watching the rear instead.Trident are popular with refuse companies round my way. Mine is a 8x2 but has 3 steering axles, and I go anywhere the Tridem refuse boys can.
Same set-up as mine then; presume you too are one of the “Moffett Men” ?
Nah mate, I have a Man-or-three hanging off my arse… 
Will you be having a Renault Tridem like Exeter have when the rumoured replacements come, then? The Tridems certainly look the part and seem to be catching on, George’s FH is a cracker.
c1.staticflickr.com/9/8288/7732 … 5d51_b.jpg
I seen this Billy Bowie one coming out of their yard last week. Thought it looked quite a strange set up. Looks like it could be quite a handful when negotiating tight spaces as its got quite a long wheelbase.
An OD for Hope Concrete has one, an Arocs I believe. I doubt they would work as a conventional aggregate/muck tipper due to axle overloads?
They are becoming a popular choice for dustcarts.
NiceRoadTrucker:
Will you be having a Renault Tridem like Exeter have when the rumoured replacements come, then? The Tridems certainly look the part and seem to be catching on, George’s FH is a cracker.
From what I know, having spoken to one of Exeter’s drivers, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be; it holds 16 pallets on the floor as opposed to my 14, but that makes it just a bit too long for some of the farms.
Much prefer the Renault to the Volvo I had before though. Just came back from the paint shop on Monday;
Who’s a pretty boy then? 
And one in its more natural environment; pity bout the scuzzy Moffett, had to borrow my mate’s as mine isn’t finished painting yet.
Sidevalve what’s the payload of these?
It looked quite long, thinking about it but I just thought the axle arrangement gave that impression. Why the preference towards the Renault then? I assume for one, it doesn’t have that poxy storage box on top of the already high engine hump?! I do like the FM’s though, great little lorries. I do a few days down Radstock here and there, quite enjoy it.
Mullens:
Sidevalve what’s the payload of these?
I can get 16.25 tonnes on that with the Moffett on and fully fuelled.
NiceRoadTrucker:
It looked quite long, thinking about it but I just thought the axle arrangement gave that impression. Why the preference towards the Renault then? I assume for one, it doesn’t have that poxy storage box on top of the already high engine hump?! I do like the FM’s though, great little lorries. I do a few days down Radstock here and there, quite enjoy it.
May bump into you then, I’m due down there sometime next week myself to do game feed.
As for the Renault; I find it more comfortable overall, and very spacious for nights out. Also it has the kickdown on the throttle which is lacking on the later Volvos so steep farm lanes aren’t so much of a problem.
Wasn’t sure at first; we’ve had a day-cab Renault for 5 years and it’s much less comfortable; poor storage space and you can’t lean the seat back very far. This one’s kinda grown on me though. Has a real presence on a country lane which helps when you’re faced with the inevitable lost tourist; being so high it’s also very easy to see over hedges.
Certainly looks more imposing, the FM’s are all roof, really! Could be down there end of next week depending on weather and silage customers. If I am, I’ll be the only one in green hi-viz 
bardon.flyer:
Over the past few months I`ve seen a large number of 4 axled rigid trucks with a swing from the convention 8 leggers with twin steer,and two axles at the rear, to single steer with 3 axles at the rear, whilst this must be better for turning corners and reversing into places, ( as 8 legger tippers never had the best steering lock ) there must be more chance of being overweight on the front axle ?
The general conensus in markets where they historically know what they are doing would ( rightly ) agree with you.IE all the disadvantages of a 6 wheeler in an 8 wheeler. 
Sidevalve:
Mullens:
Sidevalve what’s the payload of these?I can get 16.25 tonnes on that with the Moffett on and fully fuelled.
Bugger me, how long are you overall? I have a 28ft curtainsider and have 17.5t payload if I leave my lunchbox behind and have a dump before I leave!
Carryfast:
bardon.flyer:
Over the past few months I`ve seen a large number of 4 axled rigid trucks with a swing from the convention 8 leggers with twin steer,and two axles at the rear, to single steer with 3 axles at the rear, whilst this must be better for turning corners and reversing into places, ( as 8 legger tippers never had the best steering lock ) there must be more chance of being overweight on the front axle ?The general conensus in markets where they historically know what they are doing would ( rightly ) agree with you.IE all the disadvantages of a 6 wheeler in an 8 wheeler.
There speaks the expert. Take it you’ve actually used a Tridem on bulk blowing then so you know all about it? For the record, my employer is 100% legal and above board and they wouldn’t have invested so much in them if there was any risk of the drivers running illegally.
F-reds:
Sidevalve:
Mullens:
Sidevalve what’s the payload of these?I can get 16.25 tonnes on that with the Moffett on and fully fuelled.
Bugger me, how long are you overall? I have a 28ft curtainsider and have 17.5t payload if I leave my lunchbox behind and have a dump before I leave!
14 pallet bed, about 24 feet. My lorry’s actually nearly 2 feet longer than my oppo’s day cab but weighs about 350 kg less IIRC. That’s probably down to his body having rear doors (which are never used anyway) and the roof fairing, plus his reluctance to chuck out anything that might be useful; I used his for a week recently and the cup-holder space was full of Biro tops!
Got a pic of yours? Be interesting to compare notes.
Aye up Carryfast is now a 6wheeler expert.
The only disadvantage of a 6 over an 8w is payload. A 6 is better on fuel (or should be if identical engines are compared like the Daf MX11), and is more manoeuvrable which is why the Tridem is getting more common. If “all the disadvantages of an 8 in a 6wheeler” were true, then the Tridem would be a waste of time.