new road gradient change for artic lorry

[CiderJan]

Hi all,

We're putting a new farm lane in and are struggling to get our heads around the required gradient change from our level concrete yard to the new lane which is on a slope so that artics don't ground out when going up hill. I've failed miserably at googling this so hoping someone on TFF can help!

 

[ridger]

Hi all,

We're putting a new farm lane in and are struggling to get our heads around the required gradient change from our level concrete yard to the new lane which is on a slope so that artics don't ground out when going up hill. I've failed miserably at googling this so hoping someone on TFF can help!

View attachment 885710

As level as you can make it. Attics are footless, I drive one. If angle is too sharp you cant get a run at it

 

[DanniAgro]

Isn't the main concern that the front bumper doesn't ground when it gets to the angle - if this doesn't happen the gradient is okay? With this concave angle there's no chance of grounding under the tractor or trailer.

 

[ploughman1963]

The under-rider at the back is usually the point it all grinds to a halt. We have a similar situation, made worse by the fact that there is a 45 degree turn as well - most artics are fine but still get the odd one that digs the tarmac. Air suspension adjustment on the trailer usually gets the bad ones in. There is no 'standard' trailer so no 'one' answer.

 

[24/7 farming]

Used this info as a guideline for a small job I worked on a while back, we stuck wit an 8 degree incline (5th wheel angle) and never got any reports of problems

 

[CiderJan]

Yes its grounding out at the back of trailer as they drive uphill off the flat that I'm concerned about. Has a rough measure today and its approx 15% slope. Struggling to dig down any more without moving 3 electric cables, sewer, oil, bt phone line, fibre cable, internet cable, water main, borehole water pipe, numerous drains....

 

[Andrew]

Yes its grounding out at the back of trailer as they drive uphill off the flat that I'm concerned about. Has a rough measure today and its approx 15% slope. Struggling to dig down any more without moving 3 electric cables, sewer, oil, bt phone line, fibre cable, internet cable, water main, borehole water pipe, numerous drains....

Can you extend the ramp into the yard to reduce the angle? What about the rampover angle at the top of the track, that can be as much of a problem.

 

[CiderJan]

Top of track merges into exiting road which is already on a slope so not going to be a problem that end.

Didn't think about the tractor/cab hitting trailer. We can extend into existing yard if needs be slightly so will try and get closer to 10% than 15%

 

[DanniAgro]

Can you extend the ramp into the yard to reduce the angle? What about the rampover angle at the top of the track, that can be as much of a problem.

Yes, the convex shape at the top needs watching as it's relatively easy to ground the tractor if there's too sharp an angle, so the bend at both ends needs a gradual change to accommodate the tractor/trailer angle.