Trailing Truck Spring Saddle and Frame Mounts

    Once the spring design was completed the spring saddle was undertaken.  The spring saddle is mounted on the side frames extending outwards under the spring.  The spring is attached to a mounting plate on the saddle keeping it in position as the truck slides sideways under the spring.

    The saddles on each side are mirror images of each other and may swivel up and down to allow the truck to move up and down freely with only the spring pressure to oppose motion.  The springs are supported on the frame at the rear and by a rod extending downwards to an equalization bar at the front.

    The front of the saddle is mounted to the side of the back frame structure with a shaft permitting up and down rotation.  The rear of the saddle is likewise mounted to the rear spring mount.

    The springs and saddles are shown at left in a fit test assembly.  The back assembly will not have those parts in place during manufacture, they are separate and will be joined after independent assembly.

    The drawing at left illustrates the relative position of the springs, saddle and trailing truck under the back frame assembly.