raindog Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I've been hunting for a steerable lift axle to use as a tag axle on my RD 688S log truck. Want it configured as a tag because I have a heavy knuckleboom loader mounted at the very tail end of the frame, and I can't haul very much payload without being overweight on the axles. Want it steerable because I've been told a non-steerable tag axle will make it impossible to steer on the many curves on our Appalachian mountain roads. Want it cheap b/c, well, there's not much money in logging these days...So I found a used steerable lift axle from a local paving company, with a large fleet of dump trucks. This one was taken off an R-model dump truck before it was sent to the quarry... Best I can tell it looks like someone took a front axle and a lift axle and put the parts together. I'm pretty sure I can't run it like that or it will wobble all over the place...Is there a way to cut the tie rods and attach them to some stiff shocks and/or springs to stiffen the steering up but still allow the axle to steer?Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 there is a spring over shock set up for use in this application it clamps to the tie rod no cutting involved and can anchor to the lift brackets.find your heavy truck parts suppler and they should be able to get you a kit to do this. For a log truck i'd make sure that you have a long travel drop axle.the last thing you want is to cross a water bar and have the rear of the truck off the ground and at the mercy of a steerable axle. (gets kinda interesting) 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229116 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 My experience with steerable tags is that they like to steer the ass end of your truck around. Especially if your on any paved roads with the lanes kinda "worn in". My last one I actually had to put a air locker on it. Its basically a brake chamber with a finger that'll go down into a lock that's bolted on your tie rod bar. Then when you turn a corner u flip the switch and unlock it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229161 Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted January 28, 2014 Author Share Posted January 28, 2014 Thanks dirtymilkman and gearhead204. I'll try to post some pics once I get it figured out, and will also report on how/whether it handles any differently, too. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 springvalleymfg.com they make tag axle lits to use a truck steer axle with, i just got a quote for myself last week, beats the hell out of a new one for $6000 when the kit is just over $2000 and I can get a steer axle for $250. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229311 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 http://springvalleymfg.com/products/self_steering/ss120.php here ya go folks, enjoy. 1 Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229312 Share on other sites More sharing options...
slpwlker Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 springvalleymfg.com they make tag axle lits to use a truck steer axle with, i just got a quote for myself last week, beats the hell out of a new one for $6000 when the kit is just over $2000 and I can get a steer axle for $250.You know. Where was all this infor when I was getting mine. I see. let me get one,Have problems find out it was pieced together and have more problems. Prick .Just kidding looking at the site now may look at other options if this thing keeps giving me problems Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-229351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb502 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Ha, I just found it, wish I knew about them several years ago, they offer two models the Ss120 is good to 16,000# the other to 22,000#. I'm looking at the SS120 and a 14,600 steer axle, the steer tag I got is a heavy ass Watson chalin that's been butchered to remount before. Quote "Any Society that would give up a little LIBERTY to gain a little SECURITY will Deserve Neither and LOSE BOTH" -Benjamin Franklin"If your gonna be STUPID, you gotta be TOUGH" "You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you get what you need" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-230278 Share on other sites More sharing options...
57 bcr Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 A couple guys are looking at pusher axles to mount on straight trucks in this area. Had one on my RD at one time. Non-steerable,but it did what it was supposed to. Used ones are around. But they tell me finding one that is correct for their application,can be tough to find. Our mixers at work have the hydraulic "booster" (tag) axle set-up on them,which is steerable. The drivers say it can be a real bitch at time controlling the damn thing. Staying on your game is a must! Seen a few of them lose it on a straight road! Wheel drops off the pavement and they get squirrely! It adds several feet to your bridge (good for the truck's owner),but can act like a unwanted "wheel lift" for the drive axles at times! Quote IF YOU BOUGHT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT..AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT, A TRUCK WILL HAUL IT AWAY!!! Big John Trimble,WRVA Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-230283 Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindog Posted February 28, 2014 Author Share Posted February 28, 2014 Local heavy truck parts supplier can sell a shock/spring kit for this...Also can sell me an add-on and/or replacement controls that will wire in to my reverse so that the axle will raise automatically when in reverse. Only thing I needed to make sure of is that the kingpins aren't welded fast (they're not, just need a little bit of grease) so the front axle will steer.It will be several more weeks, heck maybe months before I get this put together, but I'll post a photo or two...Thanks again to all of you for your help! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-234913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 Just came across this thread,Super dog,did you end up buying this kit and installing it,how much frame space does it take up.this might be the ticket for me since I need to add a steerable lift axle to my 96 cl by next year for the new ny permit regs,thans for any info. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-251709 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_martell Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 Also curious....the "grandfather" will eventually run out on my Granite.....Have a solid lift now, but it WILL need to be self-steering eventually.... Quote Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.... Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-251757 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Can anyone offer any info on this axle kit. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-251967 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Hendrickson offers a kit to use a old steer axle and make a drop from it they should have something online. A buddy just gave me one done this way but I haven't picked it up yet Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-251970 Share on other sites More sharing options...
theakerstwo Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Ridewell sells kits to use front steer axle. Quote glenn akers Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-252031 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post raindog Posted September 2, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Got the steerable drop axle installed (back in May actually), and after running it for about 3-4 months it seems to be doing great. I put low profile tires on it, but it still drags some when I go across a dip. Haven't gotten hung up yet, but I imagine someday I'll hang the truck up in a creek crossing or something. The wheels so far back actually help keep my knuckleboom outriggers from dragging through the dirt.I was able to add several feet to my overall length, and have 11 feet on the back axle group, so I can haul a decent load of logs now without being overweight (at least in Virginia).Costs: $300 for the used front axle and the ridewell kit$125 for wrong brackets$125 for the right brackets$600 for new low profile tires$225 for the shocks to make it steerable$240 for the controls (it picks up automatically when I put it in reverse)$1200 or so to a friend of mine to install it.plus I just bought some new air bags to keep it lifted up for about $220 todayApprox $3000 in all. Better to pay these folks than the motor carrier safety division!! Edited September 2, 2014 by raindog 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-258363 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 i heard that new york has now extended the date to 2020 instead of 2015 to switch from fixed to steerable Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-258368 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 i heard that new york has now extended the date to 2020 instead of 2015 to switch from fixed to steerableYup just got an e mail from the nysdot saying just that.but 3 axle trucks are still under the gun,they must add a fourth axle to renew there type two permits,there are so many ten wheelers coming out of the asphalt plants its crazy to think there going to comply with this..stay tunned Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260393 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Yup just got an e mail from the nysdot saying just that.but 3 axle trucks are still under the gun,they must add a fourth axle to renew there type two permits,there are so many ten wheelers coming out of the asphalt plants its crazy to think there going to comply with this..stay tunnedWhat is the weight limit on 4 axles plus steer on a dump in New York. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 What is the weight limit on 4 axles plus steer on a dump in New York.For a tri axle with a type two permit its 79000,not sure about a quad axle.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260522 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Thought it was 72 or 74 for a quad. Think laws are different for upstate. Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Thought it was 72 or 74 for a quad. Think laws are different for upstate.Yes they are a lot of us are using the old grandfathered down state permits, these are the permits that will not renew unless we meet the new requirements and convert to tri axles.No way in hell am I going to let them take my grandfathered permit away! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260596 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 For a tri axle with a type two permit its 79000,not sure about a quad axle..Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-260678 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dondiesel444 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 my CL713 is good for 67,500 with my NY overweight permit. it goes by wheelbase of the truck, as long as your axles and tires are capable of carrying the weight, there is a form you haveto fill out while applying. my truck weighs about 27,250 empty so I can legally carry just over 20 tons.my old western star tri-axle was longer so the permit on that truck was good for 70,000 but it was heavier empty so legally it was good for just under 21 ton Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/34436-making-a-steerable-lift-axle-from-a-steer-axle/#findComment-261430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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