Is the tractor towing the semi-trailer or is the semi-trailer pushing the tractor? The AWD-Bedford TM tractor unit is powered by a Caterpillar 3406B truck diesel. From 1988 to 1992, it was the final reincarnation of the 1974 – 1986 Bedford TM-series, the ol’ truck maker’s flagship back then.
Like this fine example, a Dutch registered 1979 TM 3800 (as in 38 tons gross combination weight), powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V-71. Screaming, not purring.
(Some more AWD-Bedford MTM 55 information and pictures on TrucksPlanet.com)
Still see the odd TM surface from hibernation people drag them out of the trees and restore them there were a lot about back in the day.38 tonnes and 425hp is little underbaked now
You have a good nose for finding interesting trucks Johannes. Thanks for sharing.
That’s some serious hill climbing ability. The British military version just goes right up that thirty degree knife edge hill like nobody’s business. If a guy had one of these and a thirty or forty foot shipping container he could make one helluva unstoppable RV.
Interesting concept that’s about to be revisited in a different application. ‘E’ axles on semi trailers that can provide auxillary power and utilize regenerative braking to charge a battery pack. Can also be used to power a refrigeration unit. Any old tractor could be turned into a hybrid semi. Couple a trailer with E axles to an EV or hydrogen fuel cell tractor and be just that more efficient.
https://trans.info/en/this-innovative-solution-will-allow-for-considerable-savings-axles-of-a-semi-trailer-generate-electrical-energy-157514
Interesting, I hadn’t heard of the E-axles for semi-trailers before, though I’ve read about these recently: https://smesh-e-axle.com/en/
Some questions – as ever! – Mr Netherlands.
I didn’t know such a drive system existed to trailer wheels, so that’s new to me to begin with, but this term “AWD” has me curious: does it mean front wheels of the tractor too? I ask mainly because that Brit military job appears to spin up dust from the tractor front as well, though it may be an engine fan turning fast that does that.
Second, do you know if the driven-trailer idea is still used? I ask only because i can only imagine the universals having a very, very hard life in that set-up (not only up and down forces, but big foward-back ones too).
Thirdly, when did the rear-steering stuff begin, because I can’t recall it existing at all in this more spacious land? (Perhaps Bryce can help enlighten me on that too).
Your time starts now.
Too late! Never mind, see Bernard’s reaction below. AWD Trucks was the company name, they used former Bedford models as starting point for their range.
AWD was the name used for the former Bedford range of lorries in 1986 after it was sold by GM. Not all AWD’s were all-wheel drive, but considerable numbers were as a lot were sold for military use. After another takeover in 1996 the AWD brand was dropped in favour of Bedford again but that only lasted until 1998.