The history of the development of trucks is closely related to the specifics of the activities of transport companies in certain countries. That is why the design of truck tractors of the European and American schools of mechanical engineering is somewhat different, each of them has its own special features. Which ones - we will consider in this material.

Cab layout

In the US, the most common type of truck tractor is the heavy truck with a hooded cab layout. Such cars, as a rule, are equipped with a powerful power plant of large volume and at the same time have a lot of space for drivers. European models, on the contrary, are most often found in a compact design and do not have a hood. In such tractors, the cabin is less spacious, since part of the usable space is occupied by the engine tunnel.

Such differences are associated with the American and European specifics of cargo transportation, as well as the approach to the automotive industry, which was formed back in the middle of the 20th century. So, in the USA in the 50-60s of the last century, the efficiency of power plants was not given much attention - manufacturers preferred to increase the displacement of cylinders to increase the power of equipment. That is why the cabover layout has not gained popularity here.

The distances on the American continent, which were covered by road trains, are much greater than in Europe, and often the highways passed far from large settlements. Therefore, the developers did not face the need to improve the maneuverability of the rolling stock. The need to overcome many kilometers of routes prompted engineers to expand the space inside the cabin to increase the comfort of personnel.

In Europe, which has a higher density of settlements, as well as a developed network of "old" roads, it was important for the automotive industry to create compact and more maneuverable trucks that can move freely both on highways and in urban areas. This led to the emergence of such a class as medium tractors, unfamiliar on the American continent.

Inner space

Truck tractors of the American automotive school have a larger cab equipped with additional seats, a spacious berth (often more than 1 m wide with 70–90 cm for Europeans), and can also be equipped with household appliances. But such functionality also imposes certain limitations: it is harder to drive a car in difficult areas, bottlenecks (for example, in tunnels) are difficult to overcome, and high altitude limits the ability to drive under low bridges and into garages.

In tractors from Europe, as a rule, there are 2 or 3 seats (for the driver, his shift, as well as the forwarder). The technical equipment of the cab is less rich than that of the Americans, but in modern models it is able to provide a high level of comfort for drivers. But such trucks are able to overcome difficult sections more efficiently.

Technical features

In addition to noticeable differences between American and European tractors, there are less obvious design features. So, the brake system of the first, as a rule, is disc. European ones are equipped with a drum braking system. With similar sizes, the rims of these two types of machines are incompatible due to differences in bolt pattern and other technical nuances.

Rolling bridges are practically uncommon for American models. At the same time, the third axle of many European tractors is made in this format.

Semi-trailers made in the USA are not equipped with protective bars between the axles, which prevent small vehicles from getting under the truck. At the same time, almost all trailers in Europe are equipped with underrun protection.

Due to the high level of additional equipment, the onboard electrical network of American tractors has an operating voltage of 24 volts. In Europe, where lower currents were required to be carried through it, 12 volts was established as the de facto standard.