Ballast tractor

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ballast-tractor

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the vehicle category?N3 Category (Heavy Goods Vehicle)
2. What is the drivetrain configurations?Commonly 6x4 and 6x6; also available as 8x6 and 8x8
3. Why do ballast tractors have extra weight called ballast?The extra weight, called ballast, helps the tractor grip the road better and stay steady when moving very heavy loads. It makes the tractor more powerful and stable.
4. How do ballast tractors move really heavy things like bridges?Ballast tractors use a strong hitch called a drawbar and a very sturdy frame. They can pull or push big trailers that carry parts like bridge pieces or turbine parts, using their extra weight and strong engine.

Tractive Effort: The force exerted by a vehicle's wheels to move a load forward.
Hydraulic Modular Trailer: A versatile trailer system with independently controlled modules for carrying oversized and heavy cargo.
Center of Gravity: The point where an object's weight is balanced; crucial for vehicle stability under load.