Having the right tools for the job is important no matter what you do, and the same is true when it comes to moving goods around. Different vehicles have their own uses and are better suited to certain jobs, so it is important to make sure that you make the right choices.
Here, Andrea Easton, Head of Finance and Operations at Walker Movements takes a look at the differences between rigid trucks and tractors to help you decide which one will work for you.
What is a rigid truck?
Typically, a rigid truck sports two axle sets, a driver’s position, steering system, motive power and a single rigid chassis. They are usually used to transport dry and consumer goods and often have drop sides or curtain sides so that they can accommodate crates or pallets, and they are perfect for displaying a company logo.
Weights tend to be between 7.5 tonnes to 26 tonnes and loading tools such as forklifts and tail lifts can be added to them. A flatbed rigid truck can hold similar weights, but its layout is better suited to moving metals or building supplies which have flat surfaces. Items such as pipes will need to be secured, and weather-sensitive loads require tarpaulin covers.
The name is a clue to the fact that there is no flexibility between the cab and the trailer, making them easier to drive. This is particularly useful for new HGV drivers.
What is a tractor unit?
Tractor units are heavy-duty towing engines that can pull trailered loads using a fifth wheel hitch. These types of vehicles are incredibly versatile and are used in a variety of commercial tasks from goods distribution to construction and heavy haulage.
Military and commercial uses tend to employ heavy and medium duty tractors which are rear-wheel drive and can haul semi-trailers. They can be used to tow liquid filled tankers, shipping containers, dumpers, flatbeds and many other things.
These tractor units can feature in a number of different tasks, as their very heavy-duty tractor units have off-road capabilities and a 6x6 axle configuration with ballast tractors. They tend to have large displacement diesel engines and a multi-ratio transmission engine of 10,13 or 18 gears. By distributing weight between the tractor unit and the trailer, it can be more maneuverable than rigid trucks.
Driving a tractor unit is very different to anything else on the road and require a more experienced driver. They are particularly useful for ferry crossings as the trailer can be detached from the cab for the crossing and picked up by another one when it reaches its destination. This fact, coupled with the fact that longer semi-trailers can cut mileage and CO2 emissions makes them much cheaper options for hauliers.
In some countries, these tractor units are used to head up road trains which connect up multiple trailers. This makes them incredibly long, and the size of this is dictated by the legal restrictions of each country; in the UK the limit is 44 tonnes and six axles, whilst in Australia these can be up to 53.5 metres long and can weight up to 220 tonnes, making them a true monster of the roads.
When it comes to choosing the right truck, it is important to think about what it will be used for. Think about the weight of the goods it will transport as well as the size, and also consider the terrain it might be asked to encounter.
If transporting heavier loads, it is important to think about any restrictions on size and weight, as well as whether this changes when travelling abroad. Both types of unit are great vehicles and are widely used across the UK.
Andrea Easton is the Head of Finance and Operations of Walker Movements, who are specialists in quality second-hand, used trucks and trailers and are global leaders in the trucking industry. Walker…
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