Glossary › H

Flush rear frame

The rear end of a container chassis may finish flush with the container so to allow easy reversing to loading bays.

Hamburg tilt cover

This type of tilt body was developed in the Hamburg dock area in the 1930s. It has a slightly sloping roof on 5 longitudinal beams with numerous cross members. This design was the basis for the current standard tilt body that usually has a flat roof. Less common since the advent of modern sliding roof systems.

Hand brake

A hand operated braking system to secure the trailer when at rest. Usually operates on one axle only.

Hand pump

Various hydraulic systems use hand pumps e.g. lightweight tippers and demountable body systems.

Hand release valve

Pneumatic valve.

Hand-hydraulic

Hand-hydraulic systems have many uses e.g. ramps on low loaders, locking cylinders, etc. In particular the system is used for lightweight tipping bodies.

Hanging deck

Animal transporters with multiple load decks may have a cable or chain suspended deck for small animals e.g. piglets, goats, etc which is hung below a main deck.

Hanging meat transport

Animal carcasses are transported hanging from a cargo track under a vehicle roof.

Harass

Trailer for roll-on containers from the manufacturer Hüffermann.

Hard chromed

Surface finish of garment carrying rails and tipping cylinders.

Hard rubber damping

Used on the eyes of parabolic suspension and removes need for lubrication of wearing components.

Hard top container

Standard containers with removable solid roof for loading from above.

Hardox sheet metal

Sheet metal with high Brinell hardness – used for heavy rock transporters.

Hasp length

The hose connection system on tank vehicles e.g. petrol or oil tankers.

Hastelloy

A special stainless steel alloy which is used for particularly aggressive products e.g. in tankers.

HDB

Maintenance free axle system from Daimler Chrysler/Henrickson.

Head Unit

Term used for wheel head.

Heating system

Heating may be achieved by hot water or solar power e.g. for tankers carrying temperature sensitive cargo or box bodies for flower transport.

Heavy duty

General term used for stronger than standard specification e.g. semi-trailers which are designed for use on poor road surfaces.

Heavy duty turntables

Heavy-duty turntables for long material vehicles.

Height adjustable towing equipment

Tandem trailers have height adjustable towing equipment, which allows the trailer to ride horizontally when, coupled to the tractor unit. Height adjustment can be hydraulic or mechanical.

Hella

Leading European manufacturer of lighting equipment for trailers.

Hinged towing eyes

Construction trailers may be fitted with hinged towing equipment that comprises both a 50mm eye and a 40mm eye which allows the trailer to be universally used with both heavy construction and normal trucks.

Hook coupling

Military vehicles have an international trailer coupling which is different from the civilian standard. The military system (also known as a Nato coupling) comprises a hook that engages the trailer towing eye. This coupling system performs better off-road.

Hook height

The standard height of the hook on lifting hook vehicles. The DIN standard height is 1570mm.

Hook lifting system

The hook lifting system is used with demountable containers that are pulled on or pushed off the vehicle chassis on rollers.

Hose pack

Telescopic vehicles have a hose pack that allows electric cables and hoses to be extended with the trailer.

Hose storage

Storage equipment (hooks or closed containers) for tanker discharge hoses.

Hot galvanised

Zinc coating of steel for corrosion prevention. Used extensively for bodybuilding components.

House colours

The colours used for a company livery.

Hubodometer

Distance recorder for trailers usually fitted in the axle cap. Often found on rental trailers.

Hydraulic steering

Hydraulic steering of one or more axles – usually used on special low loaders and semi-trailers.

Hydraulic steering

The front half of a low-bed trailer’s swing axles is steered mechanically by the draw bar via the front steering yoke; the rear steering yoke is connected to the front steering yoke with double-acting hydraulic cylinders in such a way that the steering angle of the rear half of the swing axles is in the opposing direction (>> also see: Hydromechanical steering).

Neck (main beams)

The front section of a semi-trailer chassis where the main beams are reduced in height. This area has been increasingly important with the growth in popularity of Jumbo and high cube trailers because the depth of the neck has a critical influence in the internal height of the trailer. Improved design and materials have lead to necks which are now as thin as 40 mm – this was considered impossible a few years ago.

Scissor lifts

Component of a lifting mechanism with which a roof tarpaulin can be folded. Scissor lifts move the cross braces up and run in steel rails. They form part of a curtainsider frame.