SITE MAP | DISCLAIMER     EMAIL:  info@thomasengineers.co.nz   PHONE: + 64  9  9485793                        HOME SERVICES ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS CASE STUDIES CONTACT US A- SEATBELT   |  B- CRANE   |  C- WHEELBASE   |  D- EVALUATION    |  E- SEAT BASE   |   F- CONVEYING  |  G- PROCESS  |  H- TESTING WHEEL BASE EXTENSION IN PROGRESS Case Study C : Wheelbase Extension (LT400). The wheelbase extension was achieved by cutting the chassis members, inserting pressed channel sections and executing welded joints, extending the wheelbase 600mm. Several factors affect the design of a wheelbase extension beginning with the proper quantification of the original configuration of the vehicle with respect to the transmission, drive-line and differential angles. Also, vehicle engine performance characteristics must be established to determine driveline capability.   Modern vehicle manufacturers often provide technical information in this regard and physical measurements by THOMAS engineers ltd have shown these figures to be very accurate. (Checks are routinely done since it is imperative to ensure that safety critical items are correctly quantified and the risk of error minimised.) Driveline rotational speeds and phasing are vital considerations as are the number of joints and working angles resulting from the modification. The vehicle’s turning characteristics were also borne in mind for this WHEEL BASE EXTENSION PARTIALLY COMPLETE wheelbase alteration since the vehicle must be able to perform a minimum turning circle.   In this instance a chassis strength evaluation was conducted, including consideration of fatigue performance of the welded joints in the span of the chassis rails. This was done considering the rated Gross Vehicle Mass. A drawbeam imposed loading was also considered in the design of this chassis modification. There may be many different or special load scenarios which need to be considered depending on customer requirement.   Suspension ride height was also correctly maintained to match original performance requirements of the vehicle. This modification required LT400 vehicle certification (for a heavy vehicle) done by a heavy vehicle certifier.     The pictures show stages of a wheel-base extension for an 8x4 truck.     Contact Thomas Engineers Ltd if you have any general or special design and certification requirements for wheel-base and drive line modifications on a heavy vehicle. Any special additional requirements can easily be included in the process, for example a wheel-base extension with a knuckle boom crane mounting. Proficient and skilful design ability as well as experience enables us to address your requirements entirely.       home | services | engineering nz | case studies | contact us | links | site map | disclaimer                                                                         BACK TO TOP Disclaimer : Every effort has been made to ensure that details on this web-site are correct, no item or detail  on this web-site should be used or implemented for any purpose without first consulting THOMAS Engineers Ltd to discuss the application. All items are copyright. Copyright © 2009 Thomas Engineers Limited. All rights reserved.