Glossary › B

B-Drum

Type of axle drum manufactured by the German company Kässbohrer that provides balance between twin wheels when turning.

B-Trains

Term used for a road train comprising 2 connected semi-trailers. Not used in Europe at the moment.

Back draught temperature

Critical temperature in refrigerated vehicles which provides information on the temperature of the cargo.

Baffle wall

Used in tankers to control movement of fluid loads during transport especially during braking and accelerating. The walls are not full height. The gap at the top allows goods to flow from chamber to chamber when loading.

Bar

Pressure measurement unit.

Bär

Tail-lift manufacturer

Bar trailer

Trailer fitted out for the selling of drinks.

Barn doors

General term for hinged doors full or part height at rear or in side walls.

Base frame

Longitudinal and cross members comprising base of a body.

BDF / BDF-Norm

The BDF is a German road haulage organisation. BDF-Norm is a standard system for swap bodies.

Beckumer roof

Ridged tilt roof with a central beam and steep pitch to protect goods usually carried in open top vehicles in particular for cement. The name comes from the town of Beckum in Westfalia where cement is manufactured.

Behrens

Supplier of ‘Eurolift’ tail-lifts.

Bekamax

Manufacturer of lubrication equipment.

Belau

Hardwood floor material e.g. for low loaders.

Beral

Leading German manufacturer of brake linings.

Bevelled ball bearing

Part of axle hub and uses conical shape to ensure safe seating of the wheel.

Bitumen tipper

A special tipping semi-trailer that is used to tip bitumen into road finishing machines.

Blind coupling

This is a three-inch connector coupling and is a part of the loading dome of a silo transport container.

Blind rivets

Used instead of nuts and bolts for bodywork assembly.

BO turning circle

Vehicles must be able to turn 360° within two circles with outer radius of 12.5m and inner radius of 7.2m

Body

Term used for various kinds of bodywork (tipper body, swap body, tank body)

Bogies

Additional axle groups used on heavy low bed loaders.

BON printer

Quantity measuring equipment for tank vehicles.

Bonanza lock

A method of closing tilt covers using a zig-zag pattern.

Bordmatik

System that automatically opens and closes drop-sides when tipping.

Bosch

Manufacturer of air brake systems for vehicles.

Bottom-Loading-System

System for filling tanks from below.

BPW

Leading European axle manufacturer in Germany.

Brake cable

Cable which transfers load from over-running brake to wheel brake drums.

Brake diagram

Technical drawing for brake installation.

Brake drum

Used to brake the vehicle. Brake drums have various widths and diameters. The brake area of the drum is directly related to the braking effectiveness. Brake drums are manufactured from various materials e.g. cast iron and steel. Brake drums can be turned several times to re-establish a flat surface.

Brake lining wear indicators

Found on the brake adjusters. Used to indicate the wear on brake linings especially on newer vehicles with disc brakes. Wear is viewed through a inspection window. A red marking is visible when the wear limit is reached.

Brake load balance

Balance of brake and axle load between several air suspension components.

Brake load controller

Load sensitive valve on trailers which controls the brake pressure required.

Brake size

Diameter and width of the braking surface of a brake drum.

Brake Unit

Term used by a leading German axle manufacturer to describe their disc braking system.

Brake-by-Wire

Electronic brake system without need for pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

Brinell hardness (HB)

Classification of steel hardness e.g. steel used for tipping vehicles.

Brush seals

Brush seals are used a dirt seal between moving parts for example internal walls and lifting floors.

BSK

German technical group for heavy transport.

BSU

Special brake test which must be undertaken annually by an approved testing organisation.

Building material trailer

Open container trailer that has dimensions, weights and construction which suits transport of building materials.

Bulk crate

Used on stone semi-trailers.

Bulkhead spoiler

Aerodynamic profile on a vehicle bulkhead. Improves fuel efficiency.

Floor load

Load capacity of the vehicle floor usually measured per square metre. For swap bodies the European Standard EN 283 requires a floor load of 5460 kg/m².