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A '''truck''' (or '''lorry''' in [[British English]]) is a motor [[vehicle]] used to [[transport]] [[Product (consumer goods)|goods]]. The word "truck" comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word "''trochos''", which means "wheel".  Most trucks use diesel fuel.

A '''truck''' (or '''lorry''' in [[British English]]) is a motor [[vehicle]] used to [[transport]] [[Product (consumer goods)|goods]], [[material]]s, or troops. The word "truck" comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] word "''trochos''", which means "wheel".  Most trucks use diesel fuel. Trucks have [[variation]]s in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an [[automobile]] and [[freight train]].

[[File:Freightliner_M2_106_6x4_2014_(14240376744).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Freightliner Trucks|Freightliner]] M2 dump truck.]]

[[File:Freightliner_M2_106_6x4_2014_(14240376744).jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Freightliner Trucks|Freightliner]] M2 dump truck.]]

== Light trucks ==

===Light trucks===

''Light trucks'' are trucks the size of cars. They are used by [[individual]]s and also companies. In the [[United States]], a truck is a light truck if it weighs less than 6,300 [[Kilogram|kg]] (13,000 [[Pound (mass)|lb]]). Light trucks are only a little heavier than [[van]]s or [[pickup truck]]s, but require a special [[driver's license]].

''Light trucks'' are trucks the size of cars. They are used by [[individual]]s and also companies. In the [[United States]], a truck is a light truck if it weighs less than 6,300 [[Kilogram|kg]] (13,000 [[Pound (mass)|lb]]). Light trucks are only a little heavier than [[van]]s or [[pickup truck]]s, but require a special [[driver's license]].

 

== Medium trucks ==

===Medium trucks===

''Medium trucks'' are heavier than light trucks but lighter than heavy trucks. In the United States, a truck is a medium truck if it weighs between 6,300 kg (13,000 lb) and 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Trucks that are used for local [[delivery]] and [[public service]] (dump trucks, [[garbage]] trucks) are normally around this size. Medium trucks have usually two [[axles]]: one at front and one at rear. The rear wheels may be coupled (that is: two wheels hitched together) to enable heavier load, but they may also be single.

''Medium trucks'' are heavier than light trucks but lighter than heavy trucks. In the United States, a truck is a medium truck if it weighs between 6,300 kg (13,000 lb) and 15,000 kg (33,000 lb). Trucks that are used for local [[delivery]] and [[public service]] (dump trucks, [[garbage]] trucks) are normally around this size. Medium trucks have usually two [[axles]]: one at front and one at rear. The rear wheels may be coupled (that is: two wheels hitched together) to enable heavier load, but they may also be single.

 

== Heavy trucks ==

===Heavy trucks===

''Heavy trucks'' are the heaviest trucks that are allowed on the road. In the U.K. they are known as ''lorries''. Usually heavy trucks have three [[axle]]s: one at front and two at rear, and the rear axles have coupled wheels to enable heavy loads. Often heavy trucks pull trailers. They can be either ''full trailers'' which have both front and rear axles or boggies and their own brakes, and are connected to the towing truck with a towbar, or ''semi-trailers'', which are attached to a special kind of a truck called ''tractor unit'' with a turntable coupling ("fifth wheel"). A semi-trailer is a kind of [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]] which has wheels only in the back and the front rides on the back of the tractor unit. The tractor unit has an [[engine]] and the semi-trailer does not. Driving a heavy truck requires a professional [[driver's license]]. Truck drivers are called ''truckers''.

''Heavy trucks'' are the heaviest trucks that are allowed on the road. In the U.K. they are known as ''lorries''. Usually heavy trucks have three [[axle]]s: one at front and two at rear, and the rear axles have coupled wheels to enable heavy loads. Often heavy trucks pull trailers. They can be either ''full trailers'' which have both front and rear axles or boggies and their own brakes, and are connected to the towing truck with a towbar, or ''semi-trailers'', which are attached to a special kind of a truck called ''tractor unit'' with a turntable coupling ("fifth wheel"). A semi-trailer is a kind of [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailer]] which has wheels only in the back and the front rides on the back of the tractor unit. The tractor unit has an [[engine]] and the semi-trailer does not. Driving a heavy truck requires a professional [[driver's license]]. Truck drivers are called ''truckers''.

The laws of various countries say what kind of vehicle combinations are allowed. A semi-trailer can be converted into a full trailer with using a ''dolly''. A dolly is a small trailer which has only a [[bogie]] (= set of wheels), fifth wheel coupling for the semi-trailer and a towbar. Using a dolly, the semi-trailer can now be hitched to an ordinary cargo-carrying truck and does not need a tractor unit.

The laws of various countries say what kind of vehicle combinations are allowed. A semi-trailer can be converted into a full trailer with using a ''dolly''. A dolly is a small trailer which has only a [[bogie]] (= set of wheels), fifth wheel coupling for the semi-trailer and a towbar. Using a dolly, the semi-trailer can now be hitched to an ordinary cargo-carrying truck and does not need a tractor unit.

A heavy truck-trailer combination is often called '''big rig''' or '''eighteen-wheeler'''.

A heavy truck-trailer combination is often called a '''big rig''' or '''eighteen-wheeler'''.

The largest heavy trucks are the [[Australia]]n ''road trains'' which may have up to four semi-trailers coupled to a tractor in a train-like fashion and may carry up to 200 [[tonne]]s of [[cargo]].

The largest heavy trucks are the [[Australia]]n ''road trains'' which may have up to four semi-trailers coupled to a tractor in a train-like fashion and may carry up to 200 [[tonne]]s of [[cargo]].

File:DMG-lastwagen-cannstatt-1896.jpg|Daimler-Lastwagen, 1896

File:DMG-lastwagen-cannstatt-1896.jpg|Daimler-Lastwagen, 1896

</gallery>

</gallery>

 

== Body types ==

==Body types==

'''[[Box truck]]s''' or '''Dry vans''' ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making a closed cargo room. The rear has doors. Some have a side door.

'''[[Box truck]]s''' or '''Dry vans''' ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making a closed cargo room. The rear has doors. Some have a side door.

'''Tank trucks''' ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry [[liquids]] or [[gases]]. They usually have a round tank that is long (a [[cylinder]]) lying on its side. There are many types of tanks because there are many liquids and gases. Most tankers are built for only one liquid.

'''Tank trucks''' ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry [[liquids]] or [[gases]]. They usually have a round tank that is long (a [[cylinder]]) lying on its side. There are many types of tanks because there are many liquids and gases. Most tankers are built for only one liquid.

'''Wreckers''' ("recovery lorries" in the UK and sometimes "tow trucks" in the US) are used to lift and tow broken cars and trucks. They usually have a [[Crane (machine)|boom]] with a [[Wire rope|cable]]. Cars are often carried on special flatbeds.

'''Wreckers''' ("recovery lorries" in the UK and sometimes "tow trucks" in the US) are used to lift and tow broken cars and trucks. They usually have a [[Crane (machine)|boom]] with a [[Wire rope|cable]]. Cars are often carried on special flatbeds.

<gallery>

<gallery>

File:International Durastar 4400 crop.jpg|thumb|Box truck

File:International Durastar 4400 crop.jpg|Box truck

File:US_Navy_070515-N-0938M-005_Seabees_attached_to_Naval_Mobile_Construction_Battalion_(NMCB)_133_pour_concrete_into_a_concrete_pad_located_inside_the_expansion_area_of_Camp_Lemonier.jpg|Concrete mixer unloading

File:US Navy 070515-N-0938M-005 Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 pour concrete into a concrete pad located inside the expansion area of Camp Lemonnier.jpg|Concrete mixer unloading

File:Hino truck in Yangon crop.jpg|thumb|Flatbed

File:Hino truck in Yangon crop.jpg|Flatbed

File:Caminhão da coleta de lixo de Coronel Fabriciano MG.JPG|Rear loading garbage truck

File:Caminhão da coleta de lixo de Coronel Fabriciano MG.JPG|Rear loading garbage truck

File:M. Way %26 Son Volvo F10 "Lady Caroline" (A396 OBP), HTC 2012 Devon Coastal Run (2).jpg|Semi-tractors

File:M. Way %26 Son Volvo F10 "Lady Caroline" (A396 OBP), HTC 2012 Devon Coastal Run (2).jpg|Semi-tractors

</gallery>

</gallery>

[[File:Conventional 18-wheeler truck diagram.svg|frame|right|Semi-truck with "box" trailer. Blue is the [[axle]]s, [[Differential (mechanical device)|differentials]], drive shafts, and fifth wheel.<br/>

[[File:Conventional 18-wheeler truck diagram.svg|frame|center|Semi-truck with "box" trailer. Blue is the [[axle]]s, [[Differential (mechanical device)|differentials]], drive shafts, and fifth wheel.<br/>

1. Semi-tractor<br/>

1. Semi-tractor<br/>

2. Semi-trailer<br/>

2. Semi-trailer<br/>

11. Tandem axles]]

11. Tandem axles]]

==References==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

{{cite book|last1=Carroll|first1=John|last2=Davies|first2=Peter|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tractors and Trucks|year=2015|publisher=Hermes House|isbn=978-1-84309-689-4|pp=282-301}}

{{cite book|last1=Carroll|first1=John|last2=Davies|first2=Peter|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tractors and Trucks|year=2015|publisher=Hermes House|isbn=978-1-84309-689-4|pages=282–301}}

 

 

[[Category:Trucks| ]]

[[Category:Trucks| ]]