“How much can a truck pull? The Incredible Road Trains of Australia”
Do you know what a road train is? If you have never heard of it, prepare to be amazed! The video “The Incredible Road Trains of Australia” shows us the impressive size of these massive vehicles and their incredible ability to carry enormous loads across long distances.
In Australia, road trains can reach a length of 53.5 meters and a weight of 172.5 tons, and with special permits, they can be even larger. These colossal machines are often used to transport goods across the country’s remote Outback region, which covers a vast area of desert and wilderness.
In Brazil, regulations limit the length of trucks to 19.8 meters and a maximum weight of 57 tons. With a special transit authorization, it is possible to transport up to 74 tons, with a maximum length of 30 meters. However, this authorization can take up to 45 days to obtain, and the truck can only travel during the day and at a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
Despite the strict regulations, there are still some huge trucks in Brazil, such as the Suzano hexatren, which can transport up to 200 tons of eucalyptus over internal off-road routes. And if you’re wondering how many trailers a truck can pull, the answer may surprise you. In 2006, a road train with 113 trailers and a weight of 1,300 tons set a record as the largest road train in the world!
The video also shows a Volvo FH16 750 pulling 750 tons with 20 trailers and measuring 300 meters in length. Can you imagine the power required to move such a heavy load? It’s incredible to see how these machines transport massive amounts of goods across the country’s vast distances.
It’s fascinating to see how road trains have evolved over time, with some military prototypes dating back to the early 1900s. The video shows us examples of some of the earliest designs, such as an armored vehicle pulled by a steam locomotive used in the Boer War in South Africa. Other early models used internal combustion engines to power the wheels of each trailer, and they were used to transport heavy loads during World War I.
The story of the Australian man who is said to be the creator of the modern road train is also fascinating. In 1936, he moved to the remote town of Alice Springs and adapted his truck to carry more cargo over the rough terrain. After World War II, he moved to the city of Tanabi and created his most significant invention: the road train as we know it today.
In conclusion, road trains are an impressive feat of engineering and logistics, capable of carrying enormous loads across vast distances. It’s exciting to see how they have evolved over time and how they continue to play an important role in transporting goods across Australia’s remote Outback region and other countries around the world.
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