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Terberg’s diesel Drive by Wire tractors
Some of our customers are considering implementing autonomous operation or tele-operation at their container terminals or distribution centres. Both forms of automation require “drive-by-wire” (DbW) vehicles, which can be controlled by an automation kit.
safety grade. Wouter Bosschieter, Manager Engineering Electric Vehicles and Automation “In our view that is essential to guarantee safety and CE compliance. We are aware that there are suppliers offering cheaper DbW retrofit kits, but those do not offer full integration and the type of sensors we feel are required. By specifying a factory-fitted DbW kit our customers are assured of a certified, safe and reliable product, and have a single point of contact.” Applications DbW tractors can be combined with automation kits from third-party suppliers for autonomous or tele-operation of the vehicles. You can read more about that in the Automation article in this magazine.
DbW kits and upgraded sensors Terberg currently offers a DbW kit for diesel YT tractors as a factory-installed option. A kit for YT-EVs will become available in the near future. The kit provides external control, via the CAN bus, of functions such as steering, braking, throttle, fifth wheel, etc. It also implements a range of safety functions. Because of the differences between manual and automated operations a number of vehicle sensors (e.g. the fifth wheel sensor) are upgraded from automotive grade to
DOT-spec YT ready to hit the road in the USA In the EU and the UK our standard yard tractors can generally be used on public roads, operating at speeds of up to 40 km/h across shorter distances. However, in the USA vehicles driving on public roads need to comply with the Department of Transport (DOT) regulations. In essence, the manufacturer has to self-certify compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Terberg has developed the YTxx3-DOT model to meet the need of our USA customers for a yard tractor which can operate on public roads as a Class 8 Heavy duty vehicle with a top speed of 33 mph (53 km/h). This took a significant engineering effort, covering components such as the driveline, steering, lighting and brakes.
will be assembled there. This development demonstrates Terberg’s commitment to serving customers in the USA with products tailored to their requirements, combined with local production and support.
The first pre-series of 10 YT193-DOTs has been built in Benschop and the vehicles will soon be delivered to customers. Once the new production plant in Columbus Mississippi is up and running the DOT models
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TERBERG SPECIAL VEHICLES MAGAZINE 2023/2024
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