SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK

Prime Mover TruckClinton PadillaWhat is a Prime Mover Truck?

The actual meaning of prime mover is a primary source of power. It means all the machinery that provide power for performing different mechanical work.

The Prime mover truck serves as a method of movingtrailers, and is useful in construction because of its ability to transport heavy and useful construction materials, and it can also transport heavy construction equipments such Backhoes, Rollers, and Dump trucks. Prime mover is sometimes called as atractor unit,semi-trailer(U.S.),road tractor, andtraction unit. Itis a heavy-dutycommercial vehicle within thelarge goods vehiclecategory, usually with alarge displacementdiesel engine. HistoryWhat was Semi Truck invented for?

Alexander Winton, in Cleveland, Ohio invented the semi-trailer in 1898 and sold his first manufactured semi-trailer in 1899.Winton went into the business of horseless carriages in 1896, so today he would be known as a carmaker. The Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland sold their first twenty-two manufactured cars in 1898, and this created the need for the cars to be delivered to their buyers. As the buyers lived all over the country the cars had to be delivered to places hundreds of miles away from Cleveland. This presented a major problem; if the cars were driven to their customers, miles and wear and tear would be placed on the car and also the actual delivery would be expensive. This led him to inventing the concept of the semi-trailer to handle the delivery of his manufactured vehicles.

How was the First Trailer Invented?

The first semi trailer used a modified short-wheeled touring automobile (the tractor) with a cart (the trailer) attached to the rear of it. The platform sat on the top of the engine portion and rested on a pair of wheels on the other end. The platform could only hold one automobile. Before the cart was mounted onto the pulling car, the automobile to be delivered was wheeled onto the ramp of the cart and fastened to the platform. It was the Flatbed trailer.The edge of the platform resting on the ground was then elevated and attached to the top of the trunk of the pulling vehicle. Today a flatbed trailer known as an RGN, removable gooseneck, uses the same principle of being driven onto and then hitched to the tractor.

Parts1.tractor unit2.semi-trailer (detachable)3.engine compartment4.cabin5.sleeper (not present in all trucks)6.air dam7.fuel tanks8.fifth-wheel coupling9.enclosed cargo space10.landing gear - legs for when semi-trailer is detached11.tandem axles

UsefulnessThe prime mover truck is also flexible in terms of carrying any types of construction materials because of its a capability to change its trailer.TYPES OF TRAILERFor smaller loadBox truck, (aka.Dry van)

For workersBus

For fuelTanker

For liquid, minerals, sands..Dry Bulk

Flatbed

For trucks, backhoe, rollers..Lowboy

DumpingDump

For materials that needs to be cooledRefrigerator Truck

Car hauler

AdvantagesFlexible. Because many types of trailer can be attached in the prime mover.Makes the transportation of materials faster.It can help deliver the equipment safe and avoid any damages.Helps the work of the construction project faster to be done.DisadvantagesIt may give a big problem to the construction project if the driver is not skilled. Because of the Accidents.Hard to operate.Needs maintenance.

PriceP1,500,000-P2,655,000(without trailer)-based on E-bay.comRemote controlled flatbed trailerP1,806,750

Flatbed trailer(used) ~ P364,500

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