I’ve always raised the middle axle on 6-leg unit when trailer’s empty, primarily because it improves traction, however, according to a driver I was talking to last night, it’s illegal to lift the axle on a 44tonne plated/taxed unit even when empty as it essentially makes it into a 4-wheel 44tonner & so in a higher tax band, irrelevant of the weight carried… Anyone know if he’s correct?
your mate is wrong, if you’re empty you can lift the axle
it used to be if you had any load on even empty pallets you had to have the lift axle down, but I think that rule has gone now.
Thanks for that - wouldn’t call him a ‘mate’ though… 
biggusdickusgb:
your mate is wrong, if you’re empty you can lift the axle
it used to be if you had any load on even empty pallets you had to have the lift axle down, but I think that rule has gone now.
Exactly. The tax rate is partially set on the highest axle weight on the vehicle which is why a 4x2 pays higher tax than a 6x2 because the drive axle is rated at just over 13 tonnes compared to 10.5t of the 6x2.
A modern 6x2 with lift won’t allow you to run the drive axle at anymore than 9.5-10t without the lift axle down, either preventing you from raising it or dropping it automatically above a set speed.
Conor:
biggusdickusgb:
your mate is wrong, if you’re empty you can lift the axle
it used to be if you had any load on even empty pallets you had to have the lift axle down, but I think that rule has gone now.Exactly. The tax rate is partially set on the highest axle weight on the vehicle which is why a 4x2 pays higher tax than a 6x2 because the drive axle is rated at just over 13 tonnes compared to 10.5t of the 6x2.
A modern 6x2 with lift won’t allow you to run the drive axle at anymore than 9.5-10t without the lift axle down, either preventing you from raising it or dropping it automatically above a set speed.
Some (eg Actros) will allow you to lift the axle at low speeds for a short length of time - such as getting moving on snow, ice or mud. But as soon as you reach a preset speed it will automatically come down again. I think it is now a legal requirement that the axle should automatically be lowered if it would put the axle over-weight not to. On the Actros approx. 1 tin of beans will be enough to lower the axle 
I always try it if I am light, and if it will stay up I leave it up. Perfectly legal. Not often I can though.
I think this is already posted in Neils Urban Myth catalogue.
Some over zealous coppers did try it on years ago by checking tax discs against tag axles.
A 6 axle artic combo is still a six axle artic when the wheels are off the floor
Wheel Nut:
I think this is already posted in Neils Urban Myth catalogue.
It usually hovers just outside the top 10, with the occasional appearance in the Top 10 when someone asks the question on here for the umpteenth time. 
You can lift any axles you want as long as two conditions are met:
- No axle is over its maximum weight as stated on the vehicle or trailer’s plate.
- The total gross weight permitted for whatever combination of wheels are on the floor and whatever band the unit is taxed in is not exceeded.
To explain number 2 a bit more, a three axle unit taxed in band E pulling a triaxle trailer can run at 44t with the lift axle down and 38t with it up. If you swap the trailer for a tandem axle trailer you can run at 41t or 34t. In the unlikely event that you get given a single axle trailer, you’re looking at 36t or 34t.
HTH,
Paul
If the axle stays up or goes up when I press the button,it stays up.
if it goes down and stays down when I press the button its heavy enough.otherwise you’ll be sliding around all over the place when its wet.
There was a big myth about the splitter trailers going around that they were illegal as apparently the vehicle was’nt taxed to pull the front part of the trailer with the 20’ box on with the 1 axle on it ,on the road.
had last a MAN which rised Middle axle automaticly when not enough weight on
Did a shift a few weeks ago in a Volvo twin axle job.
Before leaving the yard,guy in transport office said, “under no circumstances do you lift any of the axles”. 
Mmmm, i remember this from years ago. My then transport manager banned us all from lifting the axles on the units (3 series Scanias on little wheels) as he said it was illegal because of the tax, said that as we got a rebate at the time we would be breaking the law. I knew he was wrong, and even got confimation in writing, which said you could lift all of them if it were possible! You are taxed on number of axles fitted, not how many in contact with ground. He still wouldn’t have it and enforced the rule. I used to wait until at the Channel Tunnel then lift it, they were bloomin uncomfortable with it down, I was told it was because of the 6 wheel set up on little wheels.
I experienced an axle being lowered automaticly today for the first time, freaked me right out thought the unit was moving. I was just about to connect the suzies & the keys were in my pocket when all of a sudden hiss pop pop I looked down & saw the axle moving, then I remembered they can do it automaticaly if to heavy, (Volvo FH)
robntl:
I remembered they can do it automaticaly if to heavy, (Volvo FH)
Personally when i pick up a trailer I always start with the axle up, and I never put it down manually - if it goes down automatically it stays down, if it stays up I leave it up. The truck can work out how much weight is on the drive axle much better than I can so I let it work it out as there’s no point running with the axle down if you don’t need to - it just wastes fuel and rubber.
Paul
Dieselcowboy:
Mmmm, i remember this from years ago. My then transport manager banned us all from lifting the axles on the units (3 series Scanias on little wheels) as he said it was illegal because of the tax, said that as we got a rebate at the time we would be breaking the law. I knew he was wrong, and even got confimation in writing, which said you could lift all of them if it were possible! You are taxed on number of axles fitted, not how many in contact with ground. He still wouldn’t have it and enforced the rule. I used to wait until at the Channel Tunnel then lift it, they were bloomin uncomfortable with it down, I was told it was because of the 6 wheel set up on little wheels.
Many People don’t know anything about the Transportbussines,seat few Hour in a school to avoid getting some Work and tell You then anything.As You experianced will you quickly find out if Office knows anything,and How much of it.
Well it’s nice to know that even though it’s one of the ‘top ten’ asked questions, that it still gets a good response. Still not totally convinced one way or the other - shall ask my VOSA contact (& bet he won’t know either!!)
tallyman:
Well it’s nice to know that even though it’s one of the ‘top ten’ asked questions, that it still gets a good response. Still not totally convinced one way or the other - shall ask my VOSA contact (& bet he won’t know either!!)
ask the Company who sold the Lorry,if they they sell Lorries,fitted with Stuff some call Ilegal.
I am sure MAN hadn’t fitted Automatically lifting if illegal,first,and second is it more than dangerous to keep by a empty Tractor a Unsteered Middleaxle down,as you slide around like Colin Mcrae to his best Time. 
anywhy,solong i havent a Copy of Law in writing i hold Axle lifted,and,if i were wrong,and it were its ilegal may i just drive 2Axle Tractors
surely it comes down to safety at the end of the day. when empty you get far better traction in the wet with the axle up. what with everyone slagging of driving standards and increasing accidents, more traction can only be a good thing.
i was getting serious wheel spin this morning in the rain, surely braking is affected too.
sod the tax grabbers if the axle stays up thats good enough for me.
tallyman:
Still not totally convinced one way or the other - shall ask my VOSA contact (& bet he won’t know either!!)
I would hope he does know as it’s perfectly clear cut. Ever since they changed the tax to lettered bands from the old “3+3” or whatever system there has been no problem with lifting axles when partially loaded as long as the conditions I put in my post earlier in the thread are met. Anyone who says it is illegal is simply not up to date with the current tax system which has been in place several years now.
Paul
Coffeeholic:
It usually hovers just outside the top 10, with the occasional appearance in the Top 10 when someone asks the question on here for the umpteenth time.
Which is why the subject has it’s own little thread in the FAQ forum,
The following appeared in the 24 February 2005 edition of Motor Transport.
I have been told that it is illegal to operate a laden vehicle with the lift axle in the raised position. Is this correct?
It is a common misconception amongst operators and unfortunately some enforcement officers that a laden vehicle may not operate with the lift axle raised. The truth is that their legality has not yet been tested in the courts.
We take the view that a vehicle may lift an axle with a load being carried provided this does not result in the overall and individual axle weights being exceeded and no hazard is presented on account of the distribution of the load. This does not affect the VED rate for the vehicle,
The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, Section 62, includes “retractable axle” under the definition of “axle”. No mention is made of this having to be in contact with the ground. Hence an articulated vehicle licensed at 3+3 axles would not be committing an excise offence by running at 3+2 with one axle raised for example.
As a point of interest the amendment to the Authorised Weight Regulations, allowing 44 tonnes for general haulage included a provision to prevent vehicles fitted with lift axles using them raised and inadvertently overloading the remaining axles. New vehicles from January 1, 2002 have had to be fitted with a device which automatically lowers a raised axle once the maximum plated weight is reached on other axles.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Andrew Brown, Motor Transport, and Louisa Bellee, Freight Transport Association’s Member Advice Centre.
And has had for over two years.
