Although we used off highway logging trucks where I last worked, they were not the big ones. 12 x 24 rubber and 50 ton loads that were transferred to the railroad cars for the wood's final ride to tidewater. A thread with the railway shots http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/more-logging-stuff.603/ FAT TRUCKS was the universally accepted name given to these big trucks. 15 x 25 inch rubber, 105, 000 lbs rear end with planetary drive axles, limiting valve for the front axle brakes which if you choose, there would be no brakes on the front axle. This made for more surefooted steerage when going around steep and slippery switchbacks. 16 foot bunks, water cooled brakes - the water storage tanks behind the cabs would hold 350 gallon. This water tank was pressurized and piped to the 16 main wheels so no brake fade when descending steep grades with 100 ton plus loads. This is a very good video of many big loads and you get to come off the mountain in the truck with a good and relaxed driver. (experienced)
"no brake fade when descending steep grades with 100 ton plus loads" Wow! … sure doesn't sound like any of the vehicles I've driven when trying to hold back a trailer load… and they weren't even very heavy!
The smaller off highway trucks like the one below used Jake- brakes. I believe many of the Fat Trucks used an engine retarder with a lock up. AS long as there was lay for another log you keep piling it on. The smart drivers would also tell you when they felt there was enough. This is a load that I loaded. About 105 tons. This Madil log loader has the same drive train as the Fat Trucks but with another 2 speed transmission behind the Allison. This loader, as equipped, weighed around 105 tons with a very high center of gravity. With the further reduction afforded by that second transmission the retarder would hold back very well with little braking effort. This bridge deck is 16 feet wide . The section past the end of the boom was known as a Snorkel which weighed 10 tons, the outer section could be extended or retracted from the cab. To descend hills over 15%, the machine would have to back down with the drives first and the boom, snorkel and steering wheels up hill. Going down too steep of a hill with the boom and steering wheels ahead, the driving wheels and the largest part of your braking on the rear axles would start to lift of the ground.
How often did those booms lay over on their sides? With the constant possibility of soft ground under your jack pads… wow… not fun. Looks pretty hairy… thanks for the pics.
I have been over once with a smaller machine. Rainy season and the outside of the road gave way. Similar to the loader on its side . Firewood gathering. I ran the loaders on either end and Woodwidow drove while the truck was being loaded. View of a loaded truck from cab height. http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/campinspecter-at-work-1.591/ Loading was the fun part. Towards the end, I no longer looked forward to the difficult moves. http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/campinspecter-loading-logs-2.611/
What was that ride like? Rolling over in a "tiny" little rig like that? Hope you didn't get hurt. Wow.
http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/more-logging-stuff.603/ I have done a description of the roll over half way down the first page of the thread.
The video was incredible enough in itself. After I watched it I was on your tube for at least an hour watching logging trucks rolling and watching them be loaded. It's quite an event if your looking from the outside. Hats off to you folks
