Fleet Maintenance - 10
VEHICLES
How fleets can
benefit from today's
6x2 axle
configurations
Improved designs and increased availability
of liftable pusher axles are making the
6x2 a more viable option for fleets.
By Gregg Wartgow
T
[ AXLES ]
he 6x2 axle configuration has been around for
decades. Just ask Joel Morrow. His family's trucking business has been using both 6x4s and 6x2s
for 40-plus years. Nowadays, Morrow has come
to prefer a 6x2.
"I have learned all the little quirks over
the years," says Morrow, senior driver and
head of research and development for Ploger
Transportation in Norwalk, Ohio. "Now I prefer
6x2s, even in snowy weather. You can actually
get better traction as long as you understand the
aspect of weight distribution."
Traditionally though, traction has always been
one of the generally accepted downsides of a 6x2,
notes Morrow. With a 6x4, both rear axles are
powered axles which helps with traction, whereas a 6x2 has only one of the rear axles powered.
Additionally, a 6x4 provides more power and
torque since both rear axles are receiving power.
Resale value is another reason why some fleets
have shied away from 6x2s. Since 6x4s continue to
outsell 6x2s by a wide margin, there isn't a terribly
large market for used 6x2s.
All of those factors have continued to thwart
the more widespread adoption of 6x2 axle configurations. However, 6x2s offer a couple of unmistakable benefits where many fleets are placing
higher levels of importance: fuel economy and
weight. Additionally, new design approaches and
the leveraging of technology are making certain
6x2 configurations more functional, versatile, and
cost effective.
"For fleets that really pay attention to the
details and work with OEs and tire manufacturers to get the best configuration for their
»Link Manufacturing's 6x2 liftable axle is commercially
available on Volvo and Mack trucks. The company will
be introducing its own version later this year for possible
inclusion on additional brands. This 6x2 pusher features
adaptive loading technology which automatically
distributes load to the drive axle in instances where traction
must be enhanced; no driver intervention is needed.
Photo courtesy of Link Manufacturing
10 Fleet Maintenance | April 2020
»There are two general types of 6x2 axles.
A tag axle is where the rear-most drive axle
is non-powered. A pusher axle is where the
forward-most drive axle is not powered.
Photo courtesy of Mack Trucks
operation, the 6x2 axle is a real opportunity
going forward," says Joel Van Den Brink, senior
engineer for Link Manufacturing, a manufacturer of suspension systems including lift axles for
commercial vehicles.
Fleet Maintenance
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fleet Maintenance
Uptime: The responsibilities of being an essential business
How fleets can benefit from today's 6x2 axle configurations
With greater voltage comes greater responsibility
How to manage unanticipated roadside events
Amping up the voltage
Getting the most out of fuel injection systems
Management: Do you sabotage success?
Economic Outlook: Dealing with a natural disaster
Fleet Parts & Components
Tools & Equipment
Classifieds
Guest Editorial: NASTF steps into the world of heavy duty
Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Diagnostic Tools
Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Power Tools
Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Specialty & Hand Tools
Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Shop Equipment
Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Tool Storage
Fleet Maintenance - 1
Fleet Maintenance - 2
Fleet Maintenance - 3
Fleet Maintenance - 4
Fleet Maintenance - 5
Fleet Maintenance - 6
Fleet Maintenance - 7
Fleet Maintenance - Uptime: The responsibilities of being an essential business
Fleet Maintenance - 9
Fleet Maintenance - How fleets can benefit from today's 6x2 axle configurations
Fleet Maintenance - 11
Fleet Maintenance - 12
Fleet Maintenance - 13
Fleet Maintenance - 14
Fleet Maintenance - 15
Fleet Maintenance - With greater voltage comes greater responsibility
Fleet Maintenance - 17
Fleet Maintenance - 18
Fleet Maintenance - 19
Fleet Maintenance - 20
Fleet Maintenance - 21
Fleet Maintenance - How to manage unanticipated roadside events
Fleet Maintenance - 23
Fleet Maintenance - 24
Fleet Maintenance - 25
Fleet Maintenance - 26
Fleet Maintenance - 27
Fleet Maintenance - 28
Fleet Maintenance - 29
Fleet Maintenance - Amping up the voltage
Fleet Maintenance - 31
Fleet Maintenance - Getting the most out of fuel injection systems
Fleet Maintenance - 33
Fleet Maintenance - 34
Fleet Maintenance - 35
Fleet Maintenance - Management: Do you sabotage success?
Fleet Maintenance - Economic Outlook: Dealing with a natural disaster
Fleet Maintenance - Fleet Parts & Components
Fleet Maintenance - 39
Fleet Maintenance - 40
Fleet Maintenance - 41
Fleet Maintenance - 42
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Equipment
Fleet Maintenance - 44
Fleet Maintenance - 45
Fleet Maintenance - 46
Fleet Maintenance - 47
Fleet Maintenance - 48
Fleet Maintenance - Classifieds
Fleet Maintenance - Guest Editorial: NASTF steps into the world of heavy duty
Fleet Maintenance - 51
Fleet Maintenance - 52
Fleet Maintenance - S1
Fleet Maintenance - S2
Fleet Maintenance - S3
Fleet Maintenance - S4
Fleet Maintenance - S5
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Diagnostic Tools
Fleet Maintenance - S7
Fleet Maintenance - S8
Fleet Maintenance - S9
Fleet Maintenance - S10
Fleet Maintenance - S11
Fleet Maintenance - S12
Fleet Maintenance - S13
Fleet Maintenance - S14
Fleet Maintenance - S15
Fleet Maintenance - S16
Fleet Maintenance - S17
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Power Tools
Fleet Maintenance - S19
Fleet Maintenance - S20
Fleet Maintenance - S21
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Specialty & Hand Tools
Fleet Maintenance - S23
Fleet Maintenance - S24
Fleet Maintenance - S25
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Shop Equipment
Fleet Maintenance - S27
Fleet Maintenance - S28
Fleet Maintenance - S29
Fleet Maintenance - Tools & Shop Equipment Supplement: Tool Storage
Fleet Maintenance - S31
Fleet Maintenance - S32
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