tiller operators

[KyleWickman]

Can you get a tiller anywhere an engine can go? I know with straight trucks you need a lot more room. With a tiller does it make a huge diffence?

[JohnM]

I would say yes in most cases. I know our tiller can pull a u turn on many streets that would require a y turn from an engine. Our new tiller has power steering in the rear (the old one did not), and that allows the back end to get around quite quickly. A good cramp angle on both ends is helpful also. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

[KyleWickman]

so lets say the engine has a hard time making a right turn. Would it still be easy for the tiller?

[JohnM]

If there is room to "swing out" the trailer before the turn, the tillerman would be able to follow the front end in a real tight turn. I think the steering cramp angle is the biggest factor. Our new tiller is longer than our old one, but will outperform the shorter old truck because the tractor and tiller wheels can cut much sharper. If you are on a very narrow street and need to make a tight turn onto another narrow street, some of the tiller advantange is taken away. However, a 10 wheel aerial would be in a real jam in that situation. A good rule is that if the tractor will make a turn, the trailer will usually be able to make it also. If the tractor wheel base is kept to a manageable size, it will help make those tight turns.

[Staylow]

Kyle,

Tillers can get ALMOST everywhere the engines can. They are longer so there are some limitations. Here in SF they can get down 99% of the streets. If an engine has a hard time making a turn it will probably be impossible for the truck. Its just too long. JohnM makes a good point. If the tractoe can get through, then most times the trailer can follow. If you have narrow winding streets they are the only way to go.

[seanbrooks]

I'm a big fan of tillered trucks. Generally, if you have a good driver and tillerman who have worked together, they can get just about anywhere the wagon can, though they may have to take more room to do it... by which perhaps the wagon can turn into an alley from the right hand lane, the truck might need some of the other lane to do the same thing. The other advantage of TDAs over rearmounts in confined areas is the location of the turntable. Where the TDA only has to get the tractor in position, such as in the aforementioned alley, the rearmount would have to negotiate the entire length of the apparatus to get the turntable in positon.

Having said all of that, I've seen some smaller rearmounts that could do almost as much as a tiller, (Boston comes to mind) though the current trend seems to be bigger is better.