[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by nithesh

Tata had launched the lpt 3723 some time back and is available with the dealers. It comes at a price of 25.5 Lakhs (cowl chassis).
.

Thanks for the details.
But Tata has not launched it pan India. Even places where it was launched, it was taken back citing fuel performance. They are reportedly working on a 10X2 variant with 180hp engine. I am not sure of the areas where they are currently operating.

Originally Posted by Transsenger

.... But AL seems to have developed it inhouse, for their 3718. Hope Ashley can put some light on this!

Also @Ashley, do you mean to say AL has new version of 3118 or 3116 with lift axle for specific applications?

AL has inhouse design but these are developed with JPSL.
Yes, a new 3118il lift axle is available along with existing 3118il twin steer.

[julupani]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Thanks for the details.
But Tata has not launched it pan India. Even places where it was launched, it was taken back citing fuel performance. They are reportedly working on a 10X2 variant with 180hp engine. I am not sure of the areas where they are currently operating.

Cant say about that, but I see a few AP and OR registered ones being used as cement transporters. A few of them even had the new Tata big cab that was showcased at the Auto Expo. But Tata are known to use a few operators from Jamshedpur and Odisha for doing end-user trial run before launching a product pan-India.

But, also Tata generally dont hold a big launch event and put out press releases regarding product launches unless it is for a pan-India launch.

For example, the 4023S PrimaLX which was said to be launched along with the 3723 was actually available in certain areas long before that announcement.

But the test mule at the start of this thread may well be a 10x2 Tata 3718 under test. But even if such a machine is launched, I think Tata will keep the 3723 on sale. The extra power will be liked by operators who carry extremely bulky stuff like ore, cement etc. The extra power will make for faster turn around times on shorter routes allowing for more trips to be undertaken. Remember, some of these 37tonners will get over-loaded to around 40-42tonnes GVW and the extra power and torque will help in these cases.

[TheARUN]

Got this picture from a friend who works for Tata Motors. Awesome stuff

[tharian]

Spotted a TATA 3723 on the road. Normally I have seen the AL 5axle and not a TATA that has a cabin that is not factory built.

[peterjim13]

This one is pretty long.

How does the lift axle work, will it help in taking sharper curves. Like the one set of tyres right behind the front tyres, which can also turn if needed.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

This one is pretty long.

How does the lift axle work, will it help in taking sharper curves. Like the one set of tyres right behind the front tyres, which can also turn if needed.

The first page of this thread has some information on lift axle mechanism.
I do not think the lift axle is fully steerable on this one, maybe at has some amount of passive steering. Experts may have more details on that.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

will it help in taking sharper curves. Like the one set of tyres right behind the front tyres, which can also turn if needed.

Originally Posted by tharian

I do not think the lift axle is fully steerable on this one, maybe at has some amount of passive steering. Experts may have more details on that.

The lift axle wheels have some amount of steerability, which AFAIK is not passive - it turns based on the steering wheel inputs itself.

[Ashley2]

The axle can't be steered. It will just drag when making sharp turns.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

The axle can't be steered. It will just drag when making sharp turns.

What about the AL 3718il and 3723 lift axles?

[Ashley2]

They also don't turn.

[peterjim13]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

The axle can't be steered. It will just drag when making sharp turns.

Dragged means, during an upper curve it does not really help the truck in steering and rather increases drag. Am I correct

[Rahul Rao]

I have seen a few of these in Pune. The Tata 3723 has larger front overhang, and the fifth axle is a lift axle which is free steered. So it will not actually drag, but turn in the opposite side of the front axles due to the vehicle turning.
The similar model from AL has the lift axle ahead of the driven axle, and also seems to be free steered.
Both have two steered axles in front.

Rahul

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by peterjim13

Dragged means, during an upper curve it does not really help the truck in steering and rather increases drag. Am I correct

Originally Posted by Rahul Rao

I have seen a few of these in Pune. The Tata 3723 has larger front overhang, and the fifth axle is a lift axle which is free steered. So it will not actually drag, but turn in the opposite side of the front axles due to the vehicle turning.
The similar model from AL has the lift axle ahead of the driven axle, and also seems to be free steered.
Both have two steered axles in front.

Rahul

There exists no linkages between the steering and the tag axle. They cant be steered by any means. They just drag or can be said as freely turn (controlled) to aid steering.

Its only in the Vestibule buses where there was a mechanism which actually turn the last axle opp to the front axle.