Movable Axles Come to the Rescue of Dump Trucks!

As the technology on diesel engines became more advanced, dump trucks were able to carry bigger, heavier loads. Compared to earlier versions, these modern vehicles generate more horse power and torque per liter of engine displacement then they ever did years ago. Unfortunately, truckers were unable to maximize the power of their equipment due to the axle weight limit restrictions set forth by the Department of Transportation. Thankfully, there is now a way to get around this problem with the help of movable axles.

The regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation regarding load capacity were created to extend the service life of public roads. Carrying tons of moving weight can add a great deal of stress to roads, reducing the length of time until repairs or replacement are needed. To avoid this problem, the Department of Transportation has set a maximum weight capacity per truck axle.

What is a Movable Axle

A movable axle is an additional set of wheels located behind the dump truck bed. The wheels have their own chassis that connects to the main chassis via an articulated joint. Two hydraulic rams also connect this movable part and the main body to retract or deploy it into position. Unlike the standard tandem differential, this movable shaft is not powered although it does have brakes.

Importance of a Movable Axle

Due to the fact that the Department of Transportation's method of measuring a truck's weight is per axle, adding an extra trailing one on the vehicle increases its load capacity without going beyond the set legal weight limit. Adding another set of wheels that is in contact with the road effectively divides the weight of the entire load to each one.

When the movable rod is deployed, the overall length of the equipment also increases by 11 to 13 feet. Having this extra length also raises the legal weight capacity of the vehicle under the federal bridge formula. Having a longer wheel base effectively distributes the weight of the vehicle over a longer distance, thus reducing the amount of weight applied to the road surface.

Special Considerations

Having a trailing axle ready to increase capacity is a handy feature, but there are a few important things that operators must consider. Having an extra set of wheels behind the chassis increases the overall length of the truck and also increases its turning radius and overall mobility. The longer the vehicle, the more side space it will require for a turn. The difference in the mobility of this vehicle is evident when driving through traffic and tight streets. The extra set of wheels also creates additional drag and increases engine workload.

To avoid these problems, drivers are advised to only use the movable axle whenever absolutely necessary. If the weight of the load being carried is well within the capacity of the regular tandem used on a dump truck, then the movable rod should be retracted. Doing so will increase the tread life of the wheels and reduce engine workload.

The development of the movable axle has made these vehicles more adaptable to various operating conditions. It gives operators the flexibility to carry heavier loads without going beyond the government's regulations. Finally, the dump truck can be rescued from weight restrictions with help from movable axles!

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Motorbikes for Women

Everyone knows that riding a motorbike is real fun. This excitement can be experienced by anyone who loves speed and knows to ride a motorbike. Traditionally, there's a misconception that motorcycles can be ridden only by men and not women. However, if you happen to go on the road today, you will be surprised to see that even women are opting to ride motorbikes. As sport bikes and cruisers are becoming lighter and easier to ride, more women are thinking of riding as a hobby. However, when it comes to choosing a good motorcycle, you need to think of some specifications. Let us take a look at what all needs to be considered while choosing motorcycles for women.

Choosing Motorbikes for Women

It is well understood that women being physically less stronger than men would require motorbikes of their size and capability. Typically, there are three categories of motorcycles that women can choose from; namely cruiser, dirt bikes, and sport bikes. A majority of women prefer to go in for cruisers and not for any other types. The reason being the comfort and ease that they get in riding cruisers.

Sportbikes for women can be preferred by a small class, just for enjoying the adrenaline rush of riding these powerful machines on long roads. On the other hand, dirt bikes for women can be chosen by a few who like to perform stunts on their motorcycles. When selecting a good motorcycle for a woman, you need to see that she is able to sit comfortably on the seat and her legs easily reach the ground, so that proper balance can be achieved when stationary.

With the physical characteristics of the bike, also see to it that the motorcycle does not have uncontrollable horsepower and CC. Though women may take professional lessons before riding a motorcycle, they might find it difficult to control the acceleration. Motorbikes ranging from 250cc to 600cc are considered most suitable for women riders.

Good Motorbikes for Women

There are some good companies that have come up with light-weight models with moderate acceleration and pickup.

Aprilia RS125
If you are searching for a light, yet stylish sport bike; a Aprilia RS125 is a good choice. It has a 15 bhp and 125cc engine, which is a fair amount of power for novice women riders.

Suzuki SV650
Another good sports motorcycle for women is the Suzuki SV650. This bike has gone through many modifications, but some of the features remain the same such as its 650cc and 72 bhp engine.

Yamaha YZF-R6
This is also another cool bike that can be ridden by women interested in high speeds. It boasts of a 600cc engine and around 122 bhp of power.

Honda CBR600RR
The Honda CBR600RR has a 600cc engine that gives out a power of around 118 bhp. The manufacturer claims its weight to be around 172 kg.

Ducati Monster 696
This is one of the most stylish motorbikes manufactured by Ducati. It brings with it an engine of 696cc and a power of around 80 bhp.

Suzuki GSR600
This Suzuki model is another good-looking bike which has an engine displacement of 600cc and power of around 86 bhp.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R
This is a bike which demands the least handling and yet delivers good performance. It has an engine of 250cc and a power of 32 bhp, which is quite decent for women riders.

These are just a few good motorbikes for women. Since the seating height on dirt bikes is more, most women do not prefer to use these bikes. The above mentioned machines really give out a lot of power and women should first practice riding them on slow speeds before speeding on. Remember to always wear motorcycle safety gear before riding.

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Motorbike Licence Types

A motorbike licence in the UK is classified by three different categories.The categories are primarily defined by the engine size, power, and speed of the bike that can be operated.The requirements for each type of bike licence are discussed below.

Category P

Category P is a moped licence.It limits the rider to machines of 50cc or less with a design speed of up to 50 km/h (31 mph).A provisional moped licence can be obtained at 16 years or older.As with a provisional motorbike licence, the rider cannot ride on motorways or carry pillion passengers.Riders must take a compulsory basic training (CBT) course and receive a DL196 (CBT test certificate) before they may operate a moped on the road.The same DL196 is valid for motorcycles as well for riders over 17 with the proper provisional motorbike licence.

Category A1

Category A1 comprises what are generally termed "light motorcycles," with an engine displacement up to 125cc and power output limited to 11kW.The practical test for an A1 bike licence must be taken on a motorcycle between 75cc and 125cc.

Category A

The standard category A bike licence permits the rider to operate a bike restricted to a power output up to 25 kW and a power to weight ratio up to 0.16kW/kg.After two years of riding, the size restrictions are lifted.The test for category A is taken on a bike between 120cc and 125cc that can reach 100km/h.

Direct Access

Riders over 21 who have passed the CBT test and motorbike theory test may proceed directly to an unrestricted full motorbike licence by taking the practical test on a machine with a 35kW power output or greater.The CBT training may be done with a light bike or a larger motorcycle.Riders may practise for the practical test on a larger bike if wearing fluorescent or reflective clothes and accompanied by a certified instructor.

Accelerated Access

Riders over 21 still in the 2 year restricted period may accelerate the time to a full licence by passing the practical test on a larger (>35kW) bike.They may practise for the test on larger bikes under the same limitations as noted for direct access trainees in the previous section.

No matter which type of motorbike licence you seek, it helps to know ahead of time what requirements, bike sizes, and limitations are involved.

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Most popular Honda cars in India

The Japanese auto maker Honda Motors is counted as the most prestigious automobile company and offers its wonderful service with great commitment. The automobile company is specialized in manufacturing luxurious sedan and earned huge recognition in all over the world. In Indian auto market, it got important place by offering various luxurious cars with advanced features and successfully tantalized the sense of a large number of buyers. It is basically known for introducing luxurious sedan with the most stunning exterior and plenty of incredible features. Besides, all Honda cars have common aspect of offering better mileage and wonde4rful service. Today, Honda successfully made its stand strong in the Indian auto market by unveiling a number of luxurious sedans. Here's an important list of all popular Honda cars, which are quite in vogue these days

Honda City, while talking about Honda Motors, it is much required to describe the Honda City first. Nevertheless, it is an iconic car for the auto giant and prevailed for its breathtaking style and high performance. It is priced around Rs 7, 49,000 (Ex showroom Delhi) and considered as a perfect option for those who have great passion to own luxurious sedan from reputed manufacturer. The car was lunched in 1998 and became huge popular among Indian car lovers. It is available in several models with same engine of 1.5L, 1497cc, i-VTEC with 1497cc engine displacement and offers max power of 118PS and max torque of 146Nm. It has capacity to offer average mileage of 14kmpl and well equipped with lots of robust features like Air Conditioner, Power Windows, CD player, Anti-lock Braking system, Central Locking and more.

Honda Civic, It is another popular hatchback from Honda Motors. It falls on premium sedan segment and showcased in an eye catchy body. It has sleek body that makes it astonishing. Moreover, it includes 1.8 litre with 4 Cyl and 1799cc engine displacement and capable of churning out a peak power of 132 Ps at the rate of 6300 rpm and max torque of 17.5 kgm at the rate of 4300 rpm. The car offers better mileage of 10.8 kmpl in urban area and 15.5 kmpl on city road.

Honda CR-V, it is better recognized as a stylish and luxurious sport utility vehicle (SUV), offered by none other than Honda Motors. It comes with dashing exterior and caters the desires of millions by delivering unmatched performance. It is available in three models and powered by two engines 2.0L 141bhp i-VTEC, 1997 cc and 2.4L 161bhp i-VTEC, 2354 cc. Moreover it can run with the top speed of 184 kmph and capacity to offer better acceleration by covering max distance of 100 kmph within 10.5 seconds.

Honda Jazz, it was introduced on June 10, 2009 by Japanese auto manufacturer Honda Motors. It comes only in petrol variant, available in three models. The car is equipped with 1.2L 88.7bhp i-VTEC, 1198 and offer excellent performance. Honda Brio, it is a newly launched car that became most popular for its stunning looks and wonderful performance. It is available at much affordable cost thus one can easily afford to purchase the car, It comes in four models and packed in with raft of incredible features.

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More Horses, Less Thirst is the 2006 Honda Civic Sedan

Given the fact were at post-peak oil, which means weve extinguished 50% of the worlds oil deposits, we must ponder at our need for larger, less efficient automobiles. The 2006 Honda Civic sedan seems to address this universal concern by giving us an expressively styled car that features a torque rich engine, matched to electric handling, but one that doesnt compromise fuel economy (EPA of 40 mpg; and 50 mpg for the Hybrid). If there was ever a time to consider a car thats fun to drive, good for the planet, and easy on your wallet its either the Honda Civic sedan or the Civic Hybrid.

The new Civic sedans futuristic look and sublime technology make it stand out from the ordinary. A technical marvel, the 2006 Civic sedan is the culmination of 34 years of Honda engineering. In 1983, the Civic was the first Honda to introduce the DOHC multi-valve engine. In 1987, the Civic featured Hondas brilliant VTEC variable valve timing and lift system to enhance horsepower without increasing engine displacement. In 1991, the VTEC was further refined to enhance both gas efficiency and horsepower. For 2006, the Civic sedan has already earned Motor Trend magazines Car of the Year Award based on its exceptional cutting edge technology, and sensual design.


Resolute comfort is an understatement for the new Civic sedan. Sit behind the futuristic, space age steering wheel and your impressions are confirmed. The 2-spoke steering wheel can be adjusted for tilt and telescope letting you fine tune its exact position. There is a bold new RPM dial to keep you informed about the vital stats of the car on the go. The cockpit also features a backlit two-tier instrument panel displaying information about velocity, temperature, and fuel that are backlit for easy reading.

Reinforced, supportive seats are extremely comfortable for long drives. Each seat is further enmeshed with an active head restraint system to reduce whiplash in case of an accident. For the back seat passengers, the flat floor makes it easy to move around and the wide seats with their ergonomically contoured back makes them more comfortable to sit in than ever before. The suspension and steering systems have also been re-engineered from the ground up for quick, precise response, and a highly refined road feedback quality. The 2006 Honda Civic sedan is an uncompromised, communicative unit.


Powering the 2006 Civic sedan is the new 140 horsepower, 1.8 Liter i-VTEC engine that comes alive in all Civic DX, LX, and EX models. Hondas racing heritage can be vociferously felt in i-VTEC technology. It provides acceleration across the entire RPM band with the inline 4 providing max horsepower at 6300 RPM and max torque at 4300 RPM while achieving an EPA estimated fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon. (The quieter compact 5-speed automatic transmission further enhances fuel savings.) The new engine also features a Drive-by-Wire Throttle System for quicker engine response and less maintenance. The Civic has also attained an Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV) rating in 50 states.

For 2006, the Civic sedan is also available as a Hybrid featuring a lightweight, low friction 4-cylinder engine with torque rich i-VTEC engine and a dual-point sequential ignition system that sparks two plugs per cylinder. The engine is connected to a powerful DC electric motor that stores the energy in a battery format. The result is a 110 horsepower engine that is better for the environment with EPA estimated fuel efficiency of 50 mpg during city driving.

The Kia Dealership Houston features a long list of standard safety features including: active head restraints, daytime running lights; advanced compatibility engineering (ACE) that structurally absorbs energy; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution to monitor each wheel during heavy braking; dual-stage, dual-threshold front; side airbags; a side curtain system; and structurally reinforced side-impact door beams. In all, the new Civic sedan is well on its way to earning a 5-Star Crash-Test rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the highest possible accomplishment of any motor car.

The 2006 Honda Civic sedan seeks to fulfill the perfect balance between the car that appeals to your senses, and the car that appeases your conscience. With a MSRP of $14,760 $20,760 your senses will be satiated with the 2006 Civic sedans sleek exterior styling, and its exciting driving personality. And your conscience will be pleased that the planet will be less harmed by your decision to park one at your home or apartment.

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Mopeds And Scooters - Save On Gas!

Save money on gas now with a moped or scooter! There's no other motorized vehicle that competes with mopeds and scooters, when it comes to the cost of ownership, including the low initial investment, the cost of insurance, the maintenance requirements and above all, the money you'd spend on fuel.

A 50cc Moped will travel a long way on a full tank of gas, so imagine how much gas money you will be saving even in one month!

Of course, with a moped scooter under 50cc, you won't be able to travel at breakneck speed, and most of the models may have speed restrictions built into them but with a reasonable max. speed for safety reasons of course. Besides, on many highways, scooters and mopeds are not allowed so you won't have to worry about competing with the speed demons.

For zooming around the streets of larger or small cities and towns, mopeds and scooters are great, and they are a very popular form of transportation, being easy to manoeuver and significantly less expensive when comparing the operation of a car in today's high fuel price economy.

So with today's high price of fuel, isn't it a good idea to better consider a moped or scooter to get you as far as 220 miles on a full tank of gas! And with its small engine and speeds not exceeding 40 miles per hour, perhaps our current energy crisis - caused by natural, political or trading disaster - the versatile fuel economizer moped and scooter will once again quickly became a popular mode of transport.

Not only students but many folk on fixed or low incomes, will love scooters and mopeds, since the fuel consumption of these two-wheeled vehicles are only a fraction of the gas/fuel a car would use. And only a regular license is needed in many states or provinces - but you should check first to make sure what the legal restrictions are.

Vespa, Honda, Yamaha, Wildfire, Piaggio, Aprila, Lambretta, Kymco are just some of the manufacturers of mopeds and scooters to help you save on gas . Whether its a "top line" scooter costing up to $9000, or your basic 50cc scooter moped for under $1000, these fuel economizers can be a lot of fun and an economical mode or transport.

So what is a moped or scooter? A Moped is a class of low-powered two-wheeled upright (under 50cc displacement) motorized vehicle. The rider's back perpendicular to the seat. A scooter is also a style of two-wheeled motor vehicle traditionally defined by characteristics such as a wheels less than a diameter of 16in., an engine located below the rider and to the rear, and a step-through frame, but with under and over 50cc engine displacement.

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Mazda Drifter Revitalized As Bt-50

Do you remember that very long pick up truck?

The Drifter was first introduced in 1961. But its latest generation is now known as the Mazda BT-50 which is soon to be launched in South Africa's competitive automotive market.

Doreen Mashinini, the Mazda Marketing Manager, said that their companys goal in developing the new Mazda pick up was to get the qualities that gained the previous generations of the Mazda B-Series pickup praise and distinctions from around the entire auto industry. He explained that they simultaneously need to adopt the true spirit of Zoom-Zoom by creating a new magnitude of driving standards and pleasure.

The manager added that the BT-50 comes with a complete improvement of the exterior as well as the interior. The company claims that the pick up is redesigned in order to persuade the customers who love adventures, and at the same time in order to offer practicality and other wonderful benefits.

The newly developed MZR-CD 3.0 direct-injection common-rail turbo diesel engine is matched to with the established 2.6-litre petrol and 2.5-litre turbo diesel units. The 3.0-litre power plant yields a claimed 115kW at 3200rpm and offers a maximum torque of 380Nm at 1800rpm. A new five-speed manual transmission has been adopted so that the greater power and torque generated by the MZR-CD unit will be supported.

Some of the features that will be available are the 4W-abs and EBD systems. Some models will come with dual front airbags plus new side airbags that would protect the head as well as the chest when a crash occurs.

Mashinini concluded that the Mazda BT-50 is set to be the most powerful, comfortable sports activity vehicle Mazda has ever introduced in its entire existence in the industry.

The Mazda BT-50 will be locally and officially launched on July 2007.

About Mazda B-series

The Mazda B-series is also known as the Mazda Drifter. It is a 2-door pick-up truck that was first manufactured in 1961 by Mazda Motor Corporation, owner of Mazda OEM parts. The mark 7 is the current model, which was initially built in 1999 and can be manufactured with one of four body styles and one of two engines.

Mazda has used form first B-Series pickup truck the engine displacement to determine the name. In effect, the B1500 had a 1.5 L engine, and the new B4000 has a 4.0 L V6. Mazda used the Proceed name in the Japanese market on the cars compact pickup trucks. Moreover, another line of larger trucks is available which is called the Mazda Titan. Other names used for the pick up series include Mazda Bravo in Australia, Mazda Bounty in New Zealand), Mazda Magnum / Thunder / Fighter in Thailand, and Mazda Drifter in South Africa.

Mazdas 33.4% of controlling interest is controlled by the Ford Motor Company. And as a result, the sharing of the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger are basically the same. Since 1970s, the Ford Courier name is also used and the line continues today in both Australia and New Zealand.

Nonetheless, the public should be reminded that the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger twins that are marketed in North America are unrelated to the ones sold elsewhere. These vehicles are built by Mazda and the models in North America are developed by Ford.

These are engineered by Mazda, whereas the North American models are developed by Ford.

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