Oshkosh S-Series, an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the introduction of new Oshkosh S-Series Federal Bridge High-Lift Tag Axle configurations for front discharge concrete mixers.
Developed in response to extensive customer feedback, the new configurations provide concrete producers operating in Bridge Law states with a simplified approach to weight distribution, maneuverability and axle management while supporting the payload requirements of demanding ready-mix operations.
Concrete mixer trucks carry substantial payloads, making axle spacing and weight distribution critical considerations in states where Federal Bridge Law requirements influence vehicle configuration. Traditionally, the Oshkosh S-Series has addressed these requirements with a load-span tag axle extending behind the truck to provide the necessary axle spacing and weight distribution.
The new Oshkosh S-Series High-Lift Tag Axle configurations take a different approach. The rear tag axle is positioned close to the truck and beneath the frame rails, while the layout and capacity of other auxiliary axles have been reconfigured to effectively distribute weight across the vehicle. The result is an evolution of the Oshkosh S-Series front discharge mixer designed to make the truck intuitive to operate and maneuver while providing easy access for service and maintenance.
“Our customers operate in a demanding environment where regulatory compliance and operational efficiency must coexist,” said Sara Fedderly, general manager of the Oshkosh S-Series business. “With these new configurations, we've delivered a solution that meets strict Bridge Law requirements while simplifying daily operations for drivers. As the industry landscape continues to shift, we remain dedicated to evolving our products to support our customers' real-world needs.”
Key features and benefits of the new Oshkosh S-Series High-Lift Tag Axle configuration include:
• High-Lift Tag Axle: Positions the rear auxiliary axle close to the truck and beneath the frame rails, reducing how far the axle extends behind the vehicle and supporting maneuverability on active construction sites.
• Independently Controlled Auxiliary Axles: Allows individual auxiliary axles to be raised and lowered as payload changes, promoting simple axle management without requiring continual axle-pressure adjustments.
• Light Axle Warning System (LAWS): Monitors axle-pressure information and provides an in-cab warning if the system identifies a condition where tandem-axle pressure may be insufficient.
• Optimized Auxiliary Axle Sizing: Utilizes axles optimally sized for the new weight distribution which includes smaller wheels, tires and fenders for vehicle weight savings as compared to our other configurations.
• Enhanced Service Access: Provides easy access to the rear hatch area for DEF filling, battery access and electrical and hydraulic troubleshooting, while revised axle and fender placement helps make access around the center of the chassis easy.
• Simple Maintenance: High-lift tag axle results in a significant part number reduction compared to load span tag axle configurations, resulting in less parts to maintain.
Payload remained a central consideration throughout development. For most concrete producers, 10 yards represents the practical standard payload used in day-to-day operations. The Oshkosh S-Series High-Lift Tag Axle configurations were engineered around these real-world payload needs while providing the axle spacing and weight distribution necessary for applicable Federal Bridge Law requirements.
“The new axle configurations change how operators manage the axle settings across various load sizes,” said David Anderson, senior product manager, Oshkosh S-Series. “With a full load, the necessary auxiliary axles remain down to support weight distribution. With smaller loads, individual auxiliary pusher axles can be raised rather than requiring the operator to continually adjust axle pressure. When the mixer is empty, all auxiliary axles can be raised, allowing the truck to operate on its primary three axles.”
Further supporting operator awareness is the Oshkosh Light Axle Warning System. Pressure transducers monitor axle-pressure conditions. If the system identifies a condition where pressure on the tandem axle may be insufficient, the operator receives a warning through the in-cab display.
“This configuration is a great example of innovation through simplification,” said Anderson. "The development of LAWS promotes safety for concrete professionals — providing drivers of different skill sets the information they need to configure axles with ease.”
The Oshkosh S-Series High-Lift Tag Axle configurations are intended primarily for concrete producers operating in states where Bridge Law and axle-weight requirements make additional axle spacing and weight distribution useful.
For more information on the new Oshkosh S-Series High-Lift Tag Axle configurations, visit www.OshkoshSSeries.com.
