Few samples of 60 tonne "superlorries"

OUT OF HOURS TRANSPORT PHOTO FORUM (MEMBERS ONLY)
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As there has been some recent debate here in the forums whether or not 60 tonne “superlorries” should be allowed in UK I thought to (once again :unamused:) post pictures of such lorries operating here in Finland :laughing:


Here’s on which I think would be most usual sight over there. My though is that this kind of setup could be used over there to do trunking at night and deliveries/collections during the day when caravan trailer is left to the yard (or then some rigid could load caravan during the day).


Another example of similar type of possibility is to use rigid for deliveries during the day with or without (mid-axle) trailer and couple dolly behind the rigid for doing trunk runs during the night. Here’s an example of a such a lorry probably heading to the port to get a loaded semi-trailer from there. Not the best example of the scenario I described, but replace that fixed superstructure with a swap body and it gives quite a good versatility.


Here’s a better example of a such lorry with a swap body and semi-trailer coupled to the dolly. Only downside with this one is that semi has automatically raising first axle which made it more than a bit awkward. Luckily I didn’t have to drive with this more than an about hour one Sunday after I swapped lorries with another driver to get a better one back :smiley:


Here’s an example of similar weigth vehicle which can’t be split more than into two parts :slight_smile: A starndard A-frame trailer, not one made from dolly and semi-trailers. I’d guess that over there this kind would be quite small minority as this setup doesn’t have that much versatility than other examples which probably is a big minus if these “superlorries” have only restricted routes.


Sorry for reposting this picture, but this is best photo I’ve got from B-double. This kind of setup have been allowed here only for couple years and you mostly see these hauling containers. I guess this would also be quite popular over there as both trailers could be used for deliveries during the day and only one lorry would be needed for doing trunk run during the night.


Just to point out that these are used even outside Finland here’s a Danish example near port of Turku probably waiting for ferry to Sweden.

Next are coming few pictures about what I did about a week ago. Regrettably this ain’t 60 tonne “superlorry” as six axles permit only 53 tonnes.


I’ve collected load from a farm in Central Finland at Friday week ago and looks like winter already passed by :cry: I should have realized that it makes yard kind a muddy and should have taken rubber boots with me…


At Monday I managed even to spot some snow when uncoupling trailer. I also spotted one small and windy water-on-ice -covered uphill track nearby but didn’t have guts to take a picture from it as I would’ve been in a ditch after that :smiley:


Few roller cages collected from a farm. This one’s an easy place, wide road and plenty of space to turn around.


Here’s my nice and almost shiny lorry just waiting that I began unloading cages.

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Very relieved to see that B-double picture. :smiley:

I saw something like that on my trip to Turku to collect the body for my rigid, but thought I must have been hallucinating :open_mouth: :laughing:

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in australia as well as our 26 meter b double we also have 19m bdoubles which on certain roads can gross 55.5onne and can have access any where at 50 tonne. these are very manouverable and they are a good way to transport heavy freight

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Sorry, but im no good at resizing or adjusting photos!!!
My ex boss in Gothenburg around 2000 with an experimental set up, it took him 15 mins to back it onto the loading bay. Not sure what the gross weight was either.

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This arrangement looks like a good contender if it were ever to happen in the UK

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It doesn’t look like that Frigoscandia contraption was ever intended to be backed onto a bay :astonished:

Maybe it would be more useful if both the trailers could be backed onto the bay separately by the towing vehicle if needs be? A b-double might be better as both trailers could be backed onto docks individually by the tractor unit if space was tight.

Something like “my” vehicle could be practical too, especially if the trailer was on a dolly with a 5th wheel - then the trailer could be pulled be an artic too if needed, giving extra flexibility.

Actually this truck doesn’t need that much more room than an artic - the trailer follows in a different way though. I’d say on gentle curves if anything it actually cuts in less. On tighter turns the tailswing of the rigid tends to pull the trailer more out and forward into the turn before it actually starts turning itself, so again it takes less room than one might suppose.

I’ve driven one in the configuration of that PNO vehicle but not enough to comment more than the fact that the second trailer does take a significantly tighter line than the first one. This configuration could also be handy especially if it were possible to use the trailer behind a smaller rigid as well?

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we have similar to this only rated to 48 tonne but they also do a quad dog option as well not sure on the limits . thay are mainly used for tippers. max length is 19 meters for whole combination was the length on those ones ?
cheers

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was the length on those ones ?

25metres (82 feet)

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Here you go Kindle530…

Is that thing… real? :laughing:

if that’s a photoshop jobbie someone has way too much time on their hands :laughing:

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from australia

heres a b-triple

another one

a b-double

another

a road train / b double combination

a triple road train (with dollies)

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Zetorpilot:
Here you go Kindle530…

Is that thing… real? :laughing:

if that’s a photoshop jobbie someone has way too much time on their hands :laughing:

Thanks zetorpilot for the re-sizing, and yes the pic is 100% genuine mate, i can gaurantee it, there were caravan drivers learning to reverse etc in the same area my boss was at, they all just stopped and stared when he started playing with it!!

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Thanks zetorpilot for the re-sizing, and yes the pic is 100% genuine mate, i can gaurantee it

Was it an idea for a serious vehicle then or was it a collection of random trailers coupled together for a laugh? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

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its alright driving these multi trailered trucks about,but could you imagine it over here.instead of when turning left hitting one car you could hit three
as they cut up the inside of ya. :slight_smile: .i am sure some of the car drivers have long distant japanese relatives. :unamused:

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Zetorpilot:

Thanks zetorpilot for the re-sizing, and yes the pic is 100% genuine mate, i can gaurantee it

Was it an idea for a serious vehicle then or was it a collection of random trailers coupled together for a laugh? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

It was intended that if they got permission they could use them on a regular run, think it was Gothenburg to Stockholm, but it didnt happen.

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Wouldn’t work over here though, roads & junctions too small.

The Americans have their ‘rocky mountain triples’ although they are little 20ft single axled box vans, you’ve got to see one of these when it’s hit a pot hole to believe it :exclamation:

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i cant see any reason why b-doubles couldnt be used for overnight express work. depot to depot, assuming the depots are just off motorways

in saying that, that was the original idea with b-doubles here in australia, but now you’ll see them going everywhere, into cities etc, now theyre trying to push the b-triples saying “just for depot to depot”, as if…

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one interesting one over here in oz. is the quad axle trailer with steering. we have one in our fleet used for heavy haulage. the rear 2 sets of wheels steer it is very nimble. in tight area’s even though it woudl be at least a 19 meter combination may be more. also they are rated to 50 tonne with a 6X4 prime mover.
cheers

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@beattun/meggala: so how long are those Australian doubles / triples?

The b-double that the firm I’ve been working for here in Finland has seems to be the same length as the other 60 tonners, ie 25m. If I understand correctly some of the axles had to be made to caster in order to get the turning radius within EU specs.

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yep the b-doubles are 25 metres, but some companies have permits to run longer b-doubles, as in a 40 foot A trailer and a 45 foot B trailer, i stand to be corrected on whether the B trailer may only be 40 foot in such cases, or maybe even both trailers are 45 foot.