Difference in translation

"Cé hé sin" (michael-m-mouse) 04/22/2015 at 16:06 • Filed to: Volvo

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Here we find a conventional Volvo truck, albeit with added axles:

While here we find an American Volvo with a sticky out front:

Mechanically they’re quite similar now that Volvo use the same engines on both and have persuaded the Americans to move away from manual boxes (yes, really!). They also use much the same dash, global one first:

But not quite. Most of us get a conventional handbrake, sticking out of the dash to the right of the wheel.

The Americans get red and yellow knobs which look rather like valves instead.

So there you have it. Things can never be the same everywhere.

thebigbossyboss > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 16:08

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The red and yellow have been in Merican trucks a looonnngggg time. I would not swap those out, due to all the potential mistakes that could be made.

Also still many many manual trucks here.

atrombs > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 16:11

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Can someone tell me why I see mostly “sticky out front” trucks in the US? Is it just because we have more space for bigger trucks?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 16:14

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The red and yellow things are for the air brake or something I think.
*Something I learned along time ago and forgot about since*

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > thebigbossyboss 04/22/2015 at 16:35

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Yup, air brake controls. They must be that color and shape by law.

ly2v8-Brian > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 16:35

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They look like valves because they are.

Cé hé sin > ly2v8-Brian 04/22/2015 at 17:11

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Well yes, air brakes are air brakes wherever you are, although some makers have moved to car type electric handbrake switches now.

I was wondering though why American makers use - or are required to use - two of them when others can get by with just the one.

Cé hé sin > atrombs 04/22/2015 at 17:17

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Tradition and legislation. Much of the world limits overall length (tractor and trailer), North America limits just the trailer. Also American drivers often spend long periods on the road and appreciate more living space. There’s no particular reason why you couldn’t use American type trucks elsewhere - it’s not as if anyone is going to want to drive one through some medieval city centre - but public opinion is against them and truck owners don’t want to waste money and weight on longer cabs.

ly2v8-Brian > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 18:06

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Government standards I believe. Yellow is the parking brake and red is an on/off for the trailer line. It's been like that so long that simple familiarity for these important functions is another reason.

desertdog5051 > Cé hé sin 04/22/2015 at 21:05

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Don’t forget aerodynamics. American truck travel at greater speed and the aerodynamics of a “conventional” are much better.

Cé hé sin > desertdog5051 04/23/2015 at 04:58

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Yes, they don’t have to use speed limiters. In the EU you’re limited to 90 kmh, in Australia 100 and so on. Limiters were originally introduced to reduce fuel consumption and emissions and in the current climate there’s no prospect of an increase in the mandated limit. In fact some truck buyers voluntarily opt for lower limits - 80 or 85 - because they find that the fuel savings are worth the longer journey times.

atrombs > Cé hé sin 04/23/2015 at 08:03

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Thanks! learned something new.