Which trailer axle is stronger and longer-lasting?

Axle is one of the core components on the rear axle of semi-trailer, and the strength of axle is directly related to the load-bearing capacity of trailer axle. For the axle, the performance of the axle head is crucial.

The axle head is the key part of the axle connecting wheel hub, brake drum, bearing and other wheel end components, the performance of the subsequent hub assembly is stable, to a large extent depends on the strength, toughness and accuracy of the axle head. For example, if the end of the wheel is a tall building, the axis is the foundation, and only the foundation is built, the building can be solid and stable.

In general, the axle head structure of the rear axle of the semi-trailer is mainly divided into two categories: American and German, which is also one of the main differences between the American trailer axle and the German trailer axle.

From the appearance point of view, the shape of the American shaft head is relatively regular, basically cylindrical, and the shaft diameter is relatively thicker;

The shape of the German shaft head is relatively complex, with more inclined planes and generally thinner.

This leads to the American axle head position is thicker, the strength of the part connected with the bearing is higher, and the load that can be borne is relatively larger;

The diameter of the German axle head is smaller, relatively thinner, and the production accuracy requirements are high, and its advantages are more concentrated in the aspect of self-weight, which is more in line with the lightweight trend.

Strictly speaking, the difference between the American axle and the German axle is also one point: the connection between the shaft head and the shaft tube is different.

The shaft head and shaft tube of the American axle are integrated and are created from a steel pipe, and there is a natural connection between the two.

The shaft head and shaft tube of the German axle are "three-piece", that is, the shaft head at both ends and the shaft tube in the middle are created separately, and finally they are fused together by welding technology.

Different production methods bring different product advantages:

There is no artificial welding between the shaft head and the shaft tube of the American axle, which fully avoids welding deformation, and the strength of the natural connection is high, and the ability to resist heavy load is stronger.

The axle head of the German type axle is subsequently welded, and the connection Angle between the axle head and the shaft tube can be artificially interfered to achieve the purpose of tire saving and fuel saving.

However, at present, the axles produced by the domestic trailer axle factory, whether American or German, basically use the "integrated" heat treatment technology, that is, the shaft head and shaft tube are directly shaped from a steel pipe. This is partly to meet the needs of the domestic freight market.

In summary, the American axle is cost-effective, the acquisition cost is relatively small, the heavy load performance is good, the number of units is large, and the maintenance is more convenient; The disadvantage is that the maintenance frequency is relatively high. Under normal circumstances, American axle can be widely used in all kinds of general cargo transportation conditions, especially in the transportation of heavy cargo such as sand and stone, steel coil, wood, coal and so on.

German axle light weight, heat dissipation and restraint is relatively good, stability and reliability is stronger, save tire and fuel, maintenance cycle is also long, relatively more long-term; The disadvantage is that the price is high, the front cost is large, and the accessories are also difficult to buy. Generally, German axles are more widely used in long-haul transport conditions, especially in the transport of valuables or complex mountain road transport, and the demand for German axles is higher.