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Different Types Of Prime Movers

· Automotive
Kenworth Prime mover

A special truck with a robust mechanical engine, prime movers are the strongest vehicle used to haul the heaviest thing for a long distance on road. Whether it is heavy plant machinery, fragile material, boats, livestock, equipment, prime movers are capable of moving things even at remote locations and you can always find them hitting the roads in Australia.  

Looking for prime movers for sale to start a new business or expanding the fleet, here is the list of different types of prime movers used for serving different purposes. 

Why are prime movers so important? 

It is no surprise that prime movers are an integral part of a nation's economy. The heavy-duty prime movers serve an important purpose of transporting materials and goods from one place to another that would not be possible with small vehicles. The important function of prime movers are:

  • Vehicle transportation says car, forklifts, tractors and other heavy equipment.
  • Delivery of goods in the supply chain.
  • Shifting house supply, office and business.
  • Moving livestock.
  • Multiloaded container and other overweight invisible loads.

Shifting house supply, office and business.se supply, office and business.Moving livestock.Multiloaded container and other overweight invisible loads.

Type of prime movers:

Depending On The Structure And Design, Prime Movers Are Classified Into Five Different Categories: 

Prime mover coupled with a Semi-trailer: 

As the name suggests semi-trailers are the trailer unit with a rear axle and wheels, but without a front axle. It is one of the most commonly used prime movers serving various storage and transportation purposes. 

Based on the type of cargo transported on the prime mover truck and their capacity, the size and style of the semi-trailer are determined. A typical semi-trailer has a loading capacity of around 50 tonnes. Their length is nearly around 19 m and their height between 4.3 to 4.6 m. Some basic components of a semi-trailer are key pin, bed, minimum 2 axles, electrical hookups and wiring, ABS and suspension.  

Prime mover towing a Semi-trailer with a pig trailer: 

These variants typically define a group of trailers with one axle that is placed in the middle of the trailer. In such a way that most of the weight of trailers is supported by this axel as opposed to semi-trailers that support weight on the fifth wheel. Moreover, the trailer has two rear wheels to support the load and a drawbar that gets coupled to the towing vehicle. The drawbar has a wheel as well as a leg for support and movement. Talking about loading capacity, a semi-trailer with a pig trailer carries a load of up to 65.5 tonnes.

Prime mover towing a semi-trailer with a dog trailer:

The semitrailer with a dog trailer has an axle set attached on both sides, on back and front. And has a drawbar attached that connects the trailer to the prime mover and makes the trailer move.

The dog variant basically comes with a five-axle group and has a maximum capacity of 84 tonnes. With the max set length of 27.5 m, they can be extended using a converter dolly to attach other trailers in the same chain, such that the length can be exceeded to 53.5 meters and adding 6 axle groups for max control. 

Prime mover towing a semi-trailer with both dog and pig variants:

The prime mover attached to these types of semi-trailers consist of a single steer or twin steer and has a semi-trailer towing both dog and pig type trailer variants. With the length exceeded to 27.5 m and capacity around 84 tonnes, they consist of a total 6 axle group. 

B double: 

Formerly known as the B - Train, the B double is the prime mover that hauls together two trailers or semi-trailers attached with the fifth wheel. Combined with the total of 6 axle groups, the maximum length of these prime movers are 45 m and the loading capacity is around 107.5 tonnes.  The fifth wheel coupled to the second semi-trailer provides more stability to the trailer unit and makes it fit to carry larger freight. 

B triple: 

Though very similar to B double prime mover, B triple has a total seven axle group and three semi-trailers attached to the B type coupling, rather than two semi-trailers units we have in B double variants. The max length of the vehicle is 53.5 meters and capacity up to 127.5 tonnes.

Closing thought:

Now that you are informed about the world of prime movers and their different types based on their design and purposes, you are good to purchase the next prime movers. These days many online and offline dealers are offering the best deal on prime movers for sale. Browse through the listing and grab the best deal making a big difference to your business.