Bendi came up with the principle articulated design in about 1982. Their first truck was an electric RWD and it was this principle that was first patented. Articulate trucks are the reverse of conventional machine with regards to the stability triangle. They get their stability from having more weight at the rear of the truck per say than an equivalent capacity counterbalance. The net effect of this is that most of the weight remains at the back even when loaded so RWD is the most effective solution for traction/braking. Aisle-Master built their first gas machines as front wheel drive to avoid patent issues but the its traction was compromised so a later collaboration with Bendi allowed Aisle-Master to use Bendi's 4WD patent and built trucks with four separate drive motors. After a split between Bendi and Aisle-Master in 2004, Aisle Master had to either revert to the twin front wheel drive or come up with another solution and they chose a three motor option to avoid the patent issues, missing out one of the rear drives.
I'm not Leon, but I get my LPG parts mostly from SMH. There are afew places where we get new carbs built (for the older trucks) out of the midwest.
Hi Leon, who do you use for your LPG in the north East?
Leon,
Are they rear wheel or front wheel drive? Also the leaks you had, where was the origin?
JOHN
From looking at the parts list it looks like both sides have a drive motor and the front has an optional drive motor on the right to make it 4 wheel drive.
Leon,
I saw a video an it only showed front wheel drive on the LP verson, is there an additional transmission on 1 of the rear wheels?
Bendi does have a pat. on the rear drive wheels. Many problems w/ the 1st verson (DP gear box? series III trucks), replacing the oil regularly helps offset the issue
The LPG aislemaster build is 3 wheel drive. At one time Translift bendi used to buy there lpg trucks from aislemaster then add the 4th motor and call it 4wd. I think Bendi might have had the patent. i could be wrong.
Thank you leon,
I never heard of a 4 wheel drive verson of a VNA machine. Most likely special application, difficulty on up/down ramp when wet, or mountian climbing.
Hi 7777, From my experience the Electric aislemasters are good but the LPG are forever having oil leaks. Althought the one we have most trouble with was supplied through translift bendi and they modify them to make them 4 wheel drive.