thanks Michel for the info.
Here a Belgian GRK10.
Eric,
Willeme LD 610 with Cottard cab and trailer hauling meat at a rest.
Hey, no more in use but they won’t sell it. it will pine away. Would be a nice tilt as oldtimer
in M.E. version. 
Eric,
tiptop495:
Thought you made difference between them, as here were the LP and LPS 333 because of the configuration.
We call them (dubble( or two) steering axles) and the other (steered forerunner) but in flemish.Eric,
I’d agree that Chinese 6 probably wouldn’t describe the tandem with self steer centre axle rear bogie type of 6x2 only the forward twin steer axle type like the Unic photo above.
michel:
Willeme LD 610 with Cottard cab and trailer hauling meat at a rest.
BEAUTIFUL cab that Cottard…lovely lines, not a straight line on it, all curves… 
Carryfast:
tiptop495:
Thought you made difference between them, as here were the LP and LPS 333 because of the configuration.
We call them (dubble( or two) steering axles) and the other (steered forerunner) but in flemish.Eric,
I’d agree that Chinese 6 probably wouldn’t describe the tandem with self steer centre axle rear bogie type of 6x2 only the forward twin steer axle type like the Unic photo above.
I wouldn’t agree, CF! Since when was a Chinese Six so called because of the position of its axle. Both sorts have been called Chinese Sixes for as long as I can remember. I checked this definition with the Dictionary of Transport Logistics, Jonathan Green’s Dictionary of Jargon and the Jargon Buster on the UK Forum. It would seem that it has everything to do with having 3 axles and steering front ones, and nothing to do with how they are spaced. . Robert
I can confirm Robert’s description, being so much older than others on here.
However, I haven’t a clue as to WHY it was a Chinese six. Did our oriental cousins use them , maybe? I would have thought that most road transport in the Far East would have been animal-hauled in the days when the British started calling the things by that name.
Incidentally, when Leyland named their version the Steer it became common practice for a time to call all makes of Chinese sixes “steers”. Much as all vacuum cleaners were known as Hoovers, no matter who made them.
Retired Old ■■■■:
I can confirm Robert’s description, being so much older than others on here.
However, I haven’t a clue as to WHY it was a Chinese six. Did our oriental cousins use them
You’ve answered your own question in that firstly to confirm it you need to know ‘why’ the name originated’.As I remember it Chinese 6 only referred literally to twin steer/front axles with single drive axle.Which was historically the most common Chinese ( and possibly Japanese from memory ) mainly rigid configuration.Which seems to be confirmed here. 
commercialmotor.com/big-lorr … definitely
Although the usual 6x4 and 8x4 configuration seems to be getting more common there now.
robert1952:
Carryfast:
I’d agree that Chinese 6 probably wouldn’t describe the tandem with self steer centre axle rear bogie type of 6x2 only the forward twin steer axle type like the Unic photo above.I wouldn’t agree, CF! Since when was a Chinese Six so called because of the position of its axle. Both sorts have been called Chinese Sixes for as long as I can remember. I checked this definition with the Dictionary of Transport Logistics, Jonathan Green’s Dictionary of Jargon and the Jargon Buster on the UK Forum. It would seem that it has everything to do with having 3 axles and steering front ones, and nothing to do with how they are spaced.
It’s an interesting question.The name originated from the usually accepted twin steer front end like an 8x4 rigid but with one drive axle making it a 6x2 twin steer commonly used in China.Which then all gets confusing when all the different types of tractor unit configurations are included.
IE 6x2 tandem rear bogie self steer/pusher,twin steer.Realistically it’s only the twin steer front axle configuration which seems to match the original ‘Chinese’ set up from which the name was/is derived ?. 
In which case,as I said,the Unic photo seems to fit that description while the common Euro tandem rear end 6x2 set up arguably wouldn’t.Whether positively steered or not ?.
By that logic this isn’t a ‘Chinese 6’
static.mascus.com/image/product/ … 9ba162.jpg
While this is.Literally.
sammyopisite:
A while back some one was on about a big Berliet wrecker and I came across this one which could be some thing similar and I was unable to find the post which it was in0
cheers Johnnie
GBO or TBO 15 M3. Produced 1966-73, and powered with the 14,778 litre straight-6 MDO engine delivering 240 bhp or 320 bhp if turbocharged.
As to why they were called Chinese sixes, one of those dictionary definitions states that they were so-called because ‘only the Chinese’ could come up with such a weird configuration! Robert 
Fergie47:
Power personified…or a pain in the derrière…
I’d say a good kick in the arse for its driver! It’s the engine of the Berliet TR 350 which was one of the most powerful trucks on the market at its time (c. 1973). The 14.9 litre V8 was gradually upgraded to end with 420 bhp on the Renault R 420.
To continue the discussion about weird Chinese axle layouts, here’s a “Chinese 8”. A Baoji using a MAN cab. I remember uploading that picture from a Chinese website via a few links, but perhaps some of you will find more about it!
robert1952:
As to why they were called Chinese sixes, one of those dictionary definitions states that they were so-called because ‘only the Chinese’ could come up with such a weird configuration! Robert
Robert, got to agreed with you .
Starting work in a big transport company at 15, that’s the reason I was brought up on about
twin steers/ single drive, that it was “all Chinese to me”.
Most common wagons we had were 8 wheel double drive/ drag axle, 6 wheel double drive / drag axle, 4 wheelers and artic units, the un-common twin steer single drive was " all Chinese" purly because of the unusual layout…which didn’t “fit in” with what was the “norm”… When Leyland produced a few known as the steer, they were still called Chinese 6’s by the older drivers, but gradually became twin steer or second steer as times changed…its only us " olds" that still refer to them as such, a “modern” driver wouldn’t have a clue what the hell we were talking about… 
Hi Fergie 47
now your mind is working overtime. how about CCB141,ECK259,GAW743 one i know you will remeber NOU408
Froggy55:
0To continue the discussion about weird Chinese axle layouts, here’s a “Chinese 8”. A Baoji using a MAN cab. I remember uploading that picture from a Chinese website via a few links, but perhaps some of you will find more about it!
Love the ‘Chinese 8’! And it’s really Chinese too! I hope it’s got power-assisted steering or the driver will need to be an ex-wrestler. Robert
DISPATCHER:
Hi Fergie 47now your mind is working overtime. how about CCB141,ECK259,GAW743 one i know you will remeber NOU408
Hello Chris, hope you’re well ?
Never been very good with registration numbers, unlike Monty !..but here goes,…CCB and ECK were both 8 wheelers with 680’s in them, one driven by Brian Mathews, and the other by his brother Gerry ?
GAW was also an 8 wheeler ?..ironically l can’t place NOU…but lerking in the back of my mind was a “chinese 6”. Leyland. MTW or NTW…?
When I first arrived in the workshops as a naive 15 year old, I was told it was originally an 8 wheeler, but the driver drove it so fast that the rear most axle got left behind, that’s when I first heard " Chinese 6" I believed that till i was 65… 
Its all so long ago now, 53 years in fact. So. Put me out my misery, NOU ? another 8 ? or Chinese 6…
Hi Dave
I am ok usual aiks and pains that come with age memory ok
NOU was driven by Vic Bridges, was stolen overnight from cafe car park on A13 (?) never seen again.
GAW was a 6 wl (6x4)
NTW410 your right Ch 6
I Drove CCB when i was 12 in Bednam MOD Depot, Gosport (OFF ROAD) the driver at that time was Keith Pearce,
it was a bit of job with pedals specially the clutch, to many yaers ago.
Chris
DISPATCHER:
Hi Dave
I am ok usual aiks and pains that come with age memory okNOU was driven by Vic Bridges, was stolen overnight from cafe car park on A13 (?) never seen again.
GAW was a 6 wl (6x4)
NTW410 your right Ch 6
I Drove CCB when i was 12 in Bednam MOD Depot, Gosport (OFF ROAD) the driver at that time was Keith Pearce,
it was a bit of job with pedals specially the clutch, to many yaers ago.Chris
Thanks Chris…I parked Brian Mathews 8 wheeler and trailer up the top of the yard after fitting a new radiator in it, it was fully loaded with drums of oil ex Fawley…After struggling for 10 mins to get it straight ( unsuccessfully) I was walking away when Brian came over and gave me a whack on the back of the head for not parking it up properly !!! made me do it again till I got it right !!! I was just 16 at the time, still, always parked them up straight after that… 