A tractor unit is a large vehicle that can tow trailers and has between two and five axles. It can uncouple from one trailer and hitch up another before the first one is unloaded, making it versatile for transporting goods. Tractor units can tow shipping containers, tank trucks, and other types of trailers. They are powered by diesel engines and can have three or more axles, with some having an additional steering axle.
A tractor unit is a large vehicle that can be used to tow trailers, usually with a fifth wheel hitch. These large trucks can have between two and five axles, two or more of which can be used to steer or move the vehicle. Unlike rigid vehicles, a tractor unit can uncouple from one trailer and hitch up another before the first one is unloaded. This modular nature allows for great versatility when tractor units are used to transport goods overland. Tractor units can be used to tow liquid-filled tank trucks, shipping containers, and many other types of trailers.
Tractor units are called prime movers in some countries, and road tractors and traction units are other common names. Another term that can refer to these vehicles is semi-truck because they are often used to tow semi-trucks. When attached to a load, the combined unit is often called a tractor trailer. In Australia, where some of the heaviest and longest configurations are used, tractor trailers are often called road trains. Since a tractor unit can carry the same modular shipping containers as cargo ships and trains, these vehicles represent a versatile component of the global shipping industry.
In addition to shipping containers, tractor units can also be used to tow a wide variety of other trailers. Liquids, gases, and certain dry goods can be transported by tractor units on special trailers known as tank trucks. Some countries require tractor units transporting flammable liquids or gases to have a specially altered electrical system. This usually involves modifying the system so that neither negative nor positive is grounded to the frame to reduce the possibility of sparks that could ignite the load. Other trailers, such as box units, dumpers, and flatbeds, can be hauled without modification.
Most tractor units are powered by diesel engines that have large displacements and can provide enough torque to haul heavy loads. If a tractor unit is built to haul especially heavy trailers, it will often have three or more. Some countries and localities have regulations that state how much weight must be distributed to each axle of a vehicle. When a tractor unit has more than two axles, it is common for more than one of them to be driven. Some tractor units with three or more axles have an additional steering axle, which can also be driven.
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