What are B doubles?
What are B doubles?
Noun. B-double (plural B-doubles) (Australia) A truck and trailer combination consisting of a prime mover coupled to two trailers.
Why are trucks called B doubles?
A B-Double gets its name from the fact that it has two trailers, both being B-types. Originally, in Canada, where the B-Double concept began, it’s known as a B-Train, but the name was changed in Australia, because pollies were concerned about ‘selling’ the idea of small road trains operating in metro electorates.
What does the B in B-Double stand for?
A normal semi-trailer has one turntable (bogie) where the trailer pivots on the truck. A B-double has two turntables; one between the truck and first trailer and one between first and second trailers. ”The B stands for the second or ‘B’ trailer. The ‘lead’ or ‘A’ trailer is the one connected to the prime mover.
When did B doubles start in Australia?
B-Doubles originated in Canada in 1973 and have operated in New Zealand since the late 1970’s. In Australia, they were introduced into Western Australia in 1983 and Queensland in 1984, with New South Wales following almost immediately.
How many B-doubles are there in Australia?
10,000 B-doubles
It’s estimated that there are over 10,000 B-doubles on the roads every day in Australia, and that number is set to rise even more every year as it’s one of the most popular combinations on the market.
How many B doubles are there in Australia?
What is a super B trailer?
A super-B truck has a pair of trailers with eight axles allowing it to carry up to 42 tonnes of grain in one load.
Who invented B-double?
Touted as the ‘father of the B-double’, Bob Pearson knows a thing or two about the one trailer combination that’s become synonymous with trucking down under.
Is AB Double A road train?
B-Doubles are one of the most popular classes of heavy haulage trailer combinations seen on Australia’s roads every day, but while they’re often confused for road trains they are not the same thing. It combines a prime mover attached to two semi-trailers, linked together by a fifth wheel.
How much can AB double carry?
1. General access is granted up to 50 tonnes. A general access B-double may add an additional 0.5 tonnes on the steer if the prime mover is a complying steer axle vehicle. If eligible for CML, a general access B-double may operate up to 51.5 tonnes.
What is a Class 2 B-double?
The National Class 2 B-double Authorisation (Notice) 2019 authorises the use of class 2 B-doubles to have access to the road network. B-doubles have two types of access, either general access or restricted accessunder the Notice. This guide outlines the B-double requirements for each type of access.
What are the dimensions of a B-double?
Please note, the length of a B-double is dependent on whether it operates at general or restricted access. Table 1: Dimension requirements Dimension Limit (m) Length 26 Height 4.3 Width 2.5 Figure 1: An example of a B-double 3 National Class 2 B-double Operator’s Guide Axle group mass limits
What is the maximum length of a B-double in Tasmania?
B-doubles operating in Tasmania have a general access length limit of 21 metres. The general access length limit is increased by 0.3 metres to 21.3 metres if the rear trailer of the B-double has a rear load restraining guard that complies with the Forestry Safety Code (Tasmania) 2007. Axle spacing mass limits
What is a restricted access B-double?
B-doubles that exceed the general access mass limit areclassified as a restricted access B-double. These vehicles can operate up to 55.5 tonnes under GML (56.0 tonnes with a complying steer axle). Figure 3 shows an example of the axle spacing requirements and mass limits for a 19 metre restricted access B-double (over 50 tonnes).
