TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 TRACTORS 4 O ALL SHAPES AND SIZES 6 O TANKER 8 TRAILERS 10 ODUMP TRUCK 12 O WORKING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES 14 9 TRUCK DRIVERS 16 9 CRANE TRUCK 18 LO PICKING UP LOADS 20 O SWIMMING TRUCK 22 O NOT JUST ON ROADS 24 O RACING TRUCK 26 OTHER JOBS TRUCKS DO 28 GLOSSARY 30 AFINR INDEX 32
TRACTORS The front part of the tractor trailer truck is called a tractor The driver sits inside the cab at the front of the tractor From here the driver can steer the trucks along the road Some cabs may even have beds in the back where drivers can sleep see pages 16 17 Beneath the cab is the engine The engine needs to be very powerful to drive the tractor and pull its load This engine is as strong as the engines of ten small cars E ORD BOBTAILING When a tractor trailer drives without its trailer above it is called bobtailing Fifth wheel skid plate Behind the cab is a device called the fifth wheel skid plate that connects the tractor to a trailer This special link lets the truck bend in the middle allowing the truck to turn very tight corners Axle seal The axle seal keeps oil in the gears that turn the wheel to help it move smoothly It also keeps dirt and debris out of the gear Fuel tank The fuel tank holds the fuel for the tractor s engine It can hold up to 300 gallons 1 136 liters Shock absorber Trucks need shock absorbers to prevent any bumps or holes in the road from causing damage to the truck Wheels A tractor has two or more sets of els The front set steers the tractor The rear sets push the tractor along and carry the weight of the trai
Horn Exhaust Fumes are created by the engine as it converts fuel into energy They are then carried out of the truck by the exhaust pipe A loud horn warns other drivers of any danger Radiator grill This is where cool air can enter the truck to help keep all the hard working parts from overheating Engine When the engine has trouble the whole cab is then tilted forward to let the mechanic reach the engine to fix
