Re: [MV] Bridge Plate Help.

From: Geoff Winnington-Ball (gwball@sympatico.ca)
Date: Fri Apr 14 2000 - 16:42:58 PDT


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Richard Notton wrote:

> To assist all concerned there is an expedient formula to use.
>
> W = (A*P*N)/2000 where
>
> W = gross weight of vehicle
> A = average tire contact area in square inches (tires on hard surface)
> P = tire pressure in PSI
> N = number of tires
>
> then round the number up to nearest whole number.

For those of you who forgot your sliderules (;-b), you can also hazard a good guess
by taking the absolute published maximum load for your vehicle in pounds, and
rounding that figure up to the nearest ton. That's your approximate bridge class.
While I have no idea of the fully-loaded weight of a Deuce, I know this formula
works - worked, in WW2 - for British/Canadian vehicles - for example, a laden Ford
15cwt CMP GS truck weighed 9,160 lbs, rounded up to 10,000 even, or five tons -
Bridge Class 5. The ubiquitous Ford 3-tonner, 16,770 lbs laden, rounded up to the
nearest ton, 18,000 lbs, or nine tons - Bridge Class 9. There are exceptions, of
course, as for instance the Chev equivalents of both weighed a bit less, but the
rule-of-thumb was for general type of vehicle rather than make, with attention to
the mission-related load. The idea was to anticipate the maximum possible load in
any vehicle and allow for extra.

So, if your Deuce (presumably a GS model) weighs 13,500 lbs, and is allowed a 2
1/2-ton load - 5,000 lbs (check your manual) - your all-up weight is 18,500 lbs...
rounded up to the nearest ton, 20,000 lbs, or 10 tons - Bridge Class 10.

Just a guideline, but if you're so inclined... any other comments, anyone?

--
Regards,

Geoff Winnington-Ball MAPLE LEAF UP! ==> Zephyr, Ontario, Canada ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maple Leaf Up - The Canadian Army Overseas in WW2 http://www.mapleleafup.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment http://www.1cacr.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



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