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Respect The Sound System
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both true and untrue. It's a bit of a minefield so I'll do my best to explain, but I'm not an expert here.
Years ago, trailers were designed to do the same speed as a tractor - 30kph. You're talking maybe 5 ton trailers.
Then tractors started going 40kph. Virtually double the kinetic energy with the speed increase, AND trailers started to be built bigger and bigger, 10 ton becoming popular. But agricultural axles and wheels were generally ok at this speed. It was brakes that suffered, masseys especially - they had an entire generation of 40kph tractors with heavier and heavier kit on the back, and pathetic brake spec, with no end of problems - since no-one bothered to maintain their trailer brakes, if they even had them.
Agricultural axles were not meant to be pulled over 40kph, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if some older trailers in poor condition were shaken to bits, wheel bearing failures etc, at high speed behind a fastrac.
Slowly everyone started to catch up, most 6-10ton trailers have good working order hydraulic brakes. But around the same time 50k tractors hit the market, trailer designers started specifying commercial trailer axles with super single tyres, with heavier weights - now a lot of trailers are rated to 16 ton and higher, as well as being rated for higher speed, and have air brakes.
But with fastracs and the newer 50k and 60k tractors on the market, legally they aren't allowed to run trailers at this speed on the road without failsafe brakes (air) and suspension. I think ABS might come into it at some speed as well? As I say, I'm no expert.
Spot on, I’m well aware of the issues you highlight
https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/fa...-tractor-driver-was-killed-in-crash-1-5480657
This was an investigation by one of my team colleagues