§2354. Six-axle limits

Notwithstanding any provision of this subchapter other than section 2354-D, a combination vehicle consisting of a 3-axle truck tractor with a tri-axle semitrailer may be operated with a maximum gross vehicle weight of:   [PL 2013, c. 565, §1 (AMD).]

1.  90,000 pounds.

[PL 1999, c. 580, §7 (RP); PL 1999, c. 580, §14 (AFF).]

2.  100,000 pounds.  One hundred thousand pounds, as long as the vehicle meets these requirements:

A. The distance between the extreme axles, excluding the steering axle, is not less than 36 feet as measured to the nearest foot. The maximum gross vehicle weight permitted is reduced by 2,000 pounds for each foot the distance is less than 36 feet between the extreme axles, excluding the steering axle, measured to the nearest foot;   [PL 2001, c. 267, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 267, §16 (AFF).]

B. The minimum distance between the steering axle and the first axle of the tandem-axle group is at least 10 feet as measured to the nearest foot; and   [PL 2001, c. 267, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 267, §16 (AFF).]

C. The maximum weight on the:

(1) Tandem axle does not exceed 41,000 pounds; and

(2) Tri-axle does not exceed 50,000 pounds.   [PL 1999, c. 580, §7 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 580, §14 (AFF).]

D. [PL 1999, c. 580, §7 (RP); PL 1999, c. 580, §14 (AFF).]

E. [PL 1999, c. 580, §7 (RP); PL 1999, c. 580, §14 (AFF).]

Nothing contained in this subsection applies to vehicles using the Interstate Highway System as defined in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.

Except as provided in section 2360, subsections 4 and 5, for vehicles operating under this subsection, gross vehicle weight violations are fined in accordance with the following schedule:

For all vehicles manufactured, modified or retrofitted with liftable or variable load suspension axles after October 30, 1991, liftable or variable load suspension axles are permitted only under the following conditions: only one liftable or variable load axle may be present on the truck tractor and only one liftable or variable load axle may be present on the semitrailer; liftable or variable load axles must be located on the vehicle so that they are legally part of the tandem axle group or tri-axle group as appropriate; and the axle weight rating of liftable or variable load axles must conform to the expected loading of the suspension and must be 20,000 pounds or more.

[PL 2001, c. 267, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 267, §16 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 580, §7 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 580, §14 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 261, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 261, §16 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 267, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 267, §16 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 565, §1 (AMD).