Get a grip and cut costs with Volvo’s tandem axle lift option 10 September 2015

Volvo Trucks has launched a lift option for tandem drive axles on heavy-duty trucks (Volvo FM, FMX, FH and FH16), unsurprisingly called Tandem Axle Lift.

Jonas Odermalm, construction vehicles manager at Volvo Trucks, says that the system disengages and raises the second drive axle, and is claimed to result in improved road grip in difficult conditions as well as “up to 4%” lower fuel consumption on unladen trucks.

He explains that disengaging and raising the second axle is achieved byh by replacing the differential in the first drive axle with a dog clutch.

As a result, the vehicle gets the power and capacity of two drive axles in the classic 6x4 arrangement, but also the enhanced manoeuvrability of a single drive 4x2.

With the second drive axle raised, the truck’s turning circle reduces by a full metre and wear on tyres and the suspension system is also reduced.

“Tandem Axle Lift is perfect for operations where ground conditions or gvw demand a tandem-drive truck, but where the vehicle returns empty or lightly-loaded in the opposite direction,” states Odermalm.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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