Ballast tractors can move extreme loads with a drawbar that allows them to push while still in the unit. They are becoming obsolete due to their inefficiency and legal restrictions.
A ballast tractor can pull and push extreme loads that would be beyond the strength of a normal tractor. It has a connecting device called a “drawbar” that allows it to get behind an object to push while still in the unit. This is what distinguishes it from an articulated tractor, which has to go in reverse to push a heavy load.
Not all ballast tractors are built as such; Some are conventional tractors rebuilt to make them heavier and stronger. It got its name from the practice of equipping these tractors with large amounts of heavy material, called ballast, placed on the wheels. This gives them excellent traction and power.
The ballast is typically placed on the shaft. The heavier trucks tend to have all-wheel drive, and an effort is made to distribute ballast weight evenly over all axles a tractor might have. Some ballast tractors have multiple axles and rival semi-trailers in size and weight.
Unlike large cargo semi-trailers and similar trucks, a ballast tractor can withstand severe stresses due to its reinforced chassis. This allows two ballast tractors to be hitched together for more pushing or pulling power. If the same maneuver were attempted using two large trucks, the trucks would likely experience a frame fracture.
Despite their strength, ballast tractors are becoming obsolete and being replaced by modern tractors. They are still best suited for certain tasks; For example, its unique design allows one tractor to pull a trailer while the other pushes it from behind. This combination of vehicles can still perform safe turns and functions in a much more flexible manner than a simple tractor-trailer. In some circumstances, a ballast tractor can also provide more space for specialized trailers that cannot fit on modern vehicles.
However, with increasingly stringent legislation, ballast tractors are gradually falling out of common use. They have powerful engines that require a lot of gasoline but are too heavy to move quickly. This makes them inefficient when it comes to fuel consumption and emissions.
Additionally, the traditional ballast tractor exceeds current legal limits for the gross vehicle weight rating. This means that ballast tractor operators must obtain a special permit to drive their vehicles on most public roads. Many manufacturers have discontinued their ballast tractors due to these restrictions. Instead, they now offer smaller tractors or trucks with a slightly reinforced chassis that can be fitted with a ballast option when required.
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