Jump to content

Recommended Posts

https://www.aeronewstv.com/en/industry/commercial-aviation/3764-whats-this-bizarre-road-machine-used-by-boeing.html

 

Many of us have seen fire departments utilize tillers to move ladder truck operations down tight streets. The steerable rear axle allows the truck to take sharper turns and navigate otherwise impassable streets with relative ease.

This technology is used in other applications—like oversized load transportation. With production facilities scattered across the state of Washington, Boeing relies on a modified version of a tiller to transport 100+ foot plane parts for 777s, 767s and 747s. Rather than having the steer car driver perched up above the part being transported, the driver is actually housed in a small cabin within the rear chassis.

Equipped with everything a normal vehicle has (except a throttle and a brake), the steer car driver carefully communicates with the primary driver and pilot car to navigate the multi-million dollar parts down Washington’s highways and side streets. In order to safely transport each part, all three crew members stay in constant contact at all times. If one team member makes a wrong move, it can damage the part and ruin everyone's day.

Boeing Long Load Crews spend a good portion of their day on the road, making upwards of five 70 mile round trips a shift to ensure timely aircraft production. Now all I can think about is how the steer car driver has to reconfigure his brain every time he hops between his personal vehicle and steer car,

 

Edited by 41chevy
  • Like 2

"OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK"  Thomas Edison

 “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’

P.T.CHESHIRE

Link to comment
https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56174-boeing-kw-steercar/
Share on other sites

On 3/18/2019 at 8:49 AM, j hancock said:

That is one hell of a ride!!!

Reminds me of the Strick Cab Under tractors that were tried years ago.

 

I think the last place I'd want to be in a wreck is underneath a loaded trailer...that just looks scary.

Link to comment
https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56174-boeing-kw-steercar/#findComment-418634
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, h67st said:

I think the last place I'd want to be in a wreck is underneath a loaded trailer...that just looks scary.

Same here!  There was supposedly lots of strength and safety built into the product but.... 

Lack of good visibility for the driver was a detriment.  Nothing is more exciting than maneuvering a trailer when you are sitting as low as a sports car.

 

Jim

It doesn't cost anything to pay attention.

Link to comment
https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56174-boeing-kw-steercar/#findComment-418640
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...