Heavy hauler
Encyclopedia
A heavy hauler is a very large transporter for moving oversize loads which are too
large to go on a highway
without an escort and special permit.
trailer
units with multiple wheels (which may be independently steerable
), pulled by a heavy tractor unit
. Several trailers might be towed by one or more tractor units. The ability to carry loads of 2000 tons is not unusual.
Sometimes, a heavy hauler is used to signify an airship, especially constructed for moving heavy material.
The term heavy hauler may also be applied to off-road dump truck
s and ore
carriers used in mining
and construction
with capacities up to 400 tonnes.
In some cases a heavy hauler is designed and constructed to move a unique or particular kind of load on a one-time or short-term basis. An example is the antenna transporter for the ALMA
radio telescope project, a 130 tonne 28-wheeled rigid vehicle designed to carry and place 115-tonne radio telescope antennas up a mountain to an altitude of 5000 m (16,500 ft).
Typical loads moved by heavy haulers under escort on highways include giant boiler
s and pressure vessel
s used in the chemical industries, industrial plant, prefabricated
sections for construction projects, giant power transformers, turbine
s, and house
s (generally made of timber
).
Where a heavy hauler moves an oversize load on a highway, as well as being escorted by vehicles with flashing lights to warn other road users to keep out of the way, they may be accompanied by vehicles to move overhead obstructions such as power line
s and cables out of the way.
large to go on a highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
without an escort and special permit.
Types of vehicles
A heavy hauler usually consists of flatbedFlatbed truck
A flatbed truck is a type of truck which can be either articulated or rigid. As the name suggests, it has an entirely flat, level 'bed' body with no sides or roof...
trailer
Trailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
units with multiple wheels (which may be independently steerable
Steering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
), pulled by a heavy tractor unit
Tractor unit
A tractor unit, prime mover , road tractor, or traction unit is a heavy-duty commercial vehicle within the large goods vehicle category, usually with a large displacement diesel engine, and several axles. The tractor unit serves as a method of moving trailers...
. Several trailers might be towed by one or more tractor units. The ability to carry loads of 2000 tons is not unusual.
Sometimes, a heavy hauler is used to signify an airship, especially constructed for moving heavy material.
The term heavy hauler may also be applied to off-road dump truck
Dump truck
A dump truck is a truck used for transporting loose material for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of...
s and ore
Ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....
carriers used in mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
with capacities up to 400 tonnes.
In some cases a heavy hauler is designed and constructed to move a unique or particular kind of load on a one-time or short-term basis. An example is the antenna transporter for the ALMA
ALMA
ALMA can refer to* ALMA Award, a distinction awarded to Latino performers who promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field.* ALMA Magazine, a Spanish-language lifestyle magazine....
radio telescope project, a 130 tonne 28-wheeled rigid vehicle designed to carry and place 115-tonne radio telescope antennas up a mountain to an altitude of 5000 m (16,500 ft).
Typical loads moved by heavy haulers under escort on highways include giant boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s and pressure vessel
Pressure vessel
A pressure vessel is a closed container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from the ambient pressure.The pressure differential is dangerous and many fatal accidents have occurred in the history of their development and operation. Consequently, their design,...
s used in the chemical industries, industrial plant, prefabricated
Prefabrication
Prefabrication is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a factory or other manufacturing site, and transporting complete assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located...
sections for construction projects, giant power transformers, turbine
Turbine
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work.The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum with blades attached. Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they move and...
s, and house
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
s (generally made of timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
).
Where a heavy hauler moves an oversize load on a highway, as well as being escorted by vehicles with flashing lights to warn other road users to keep out of the way, they may be accompanied by vehicles to move overhead obstructions such as power line
Electric power transmission
Electric-power transmission is the bulk transfer of electrical energy, from generating power plants to Electrical substations located near demand centers...
s and cables out of the way.
See also
- Ballast tractorBallast tractorA ballast tractor is a heavy haulage road vehicle designed to pull or push heavy or exceptionally large loads. Unlike the tractor unit from an articulated trailer, the ballast tractor is designed or adapted to pull or push loads from a drawbar...
- Construction equipmentConstruction EquipmentConstruction Equipment is a trade publication and web site serving the information needs of construction contractors, materials producers, and other owners and operators of construction equipment....
- Self Propelled Modular TransporterSelf Propelled Modular TransporterA Self Propelled Modular Transporter is a platform vehicle with a large array of wheels on the bottom. They are used for transporting massive objects such as bridges, oil refining equipment, huge motors, large bridge sections, and other objects that are too big or heavy for trucks but trucks can...
- ToterToterA Toter, or Mobile Home Toter is a tractor specifically designed for the modular and manufactured housing industries. Some toters are highly adapted for purposes of delivering or removing mobile homes on smaller home sites...
- Pacific trucksPacific trucksPacific Truck & Trailer Limited was a Vancouver-based Canadian manufacturer of heavy trucks famed for their durability. Pacific built both highway and off road trucks, particularly for the logging industry, heavy haulers and fire trucks....