Chapter 27. Four or More Axle Dump Service Vehicles
Regulation .01 Scope and Application.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Operating Requirements. This chapter establishes the:
(1)
Operating requirements for a vehicle with four or more axles, one of which shall be a lift axle, operating with a dump service registration at a maximum 70,000 pound gross vehicle weight (GVW); and
(2)
Requirements for the lift axle to be used on this vehicle.
B.
A new manufactured or modified vehicle subject to these regulations shall meet or exceed all applicable federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (49 CFR 393, 567, and 568) and appropriate State safety laws and standards.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Authorized dealer” means a Maryland dealer licensed as a truck inspection station.
(2)
“Dump service registration” means registration of a vehicle under the provisions of Transportation Article, §13-919, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(3)
“Gross vehicle weight (GVW)” means the total vehicle weight, including load, as designated by the vehicle manufacturer.
(4)
“Lift axle” means a variable load suspension axle that can be raised and lowered, and is capable of carrying a minimum axle load of 13,500 pounds to support the weight of a loaded vehicle operating with a gross vehicle weight of 70,000 pounds, with a maximum tolerance of minus 1,500 pounds when the lift axle is fully engaged.
(5)
“Second-stage manufacturer” means a person who performs operations on an incomplete vehicle, or retrofits an existing vehicle, so that it becomes a complete vehicle in accordance with these regulations and with Transportation Article, §13-919, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .03 Incorporation by Reference.LinkCopy Citation
In this chapter, 49 CFR 393, 567, and 568 (1993) are incorporated by reference.
Regulation .04 Three-Axle Vehicles — Repealed.LinkCopy Citation
Regulation .05 Lift Axle and Vehicle Design Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
New Vehicle.
(1)
The lift axle installed on a vehicle shall have a manufacturer's, second-stage manufacturer's, or authorized dealer's certification to carry a minimum axle load of 13,500 pounds, with a maximum tolerance of minus 1,500 pounds, or higher if the load imposed by design is greater.
(2)
The lift axle shall be designed to ensure sufficient air pressure which will maintain a minimum axle load capacity of 13,500 pounds, with a maximum tolerance of minus 1,500 pounds, when fully engaged on an evenly loaded vehicle with a GVW of 70,000 pounds.
(3)
All components on the vehicle shall be certified by the manufacturer, second-stage manufacturer, or authorized dealer that they are of a design and type capable of safely carrying the load induced by a four or more axle vehicle with a minimum load capacity of 13,500 pounds, with a maximum tolerance of minus 1,500, pounds on the lift axle when fully engaged at 70,000 pounds.
(4)
The lift axle shall be designed so that when in the down position the axle can only be fully engaged.
(5)
Switches and Controls.
(a)
A switch capable of only fully engaging or disengaging the lift axle may be located in the cab of the vehicle.
(b)
An air pressure adjustment control may not be located in the cab of the vehicle.
(6)
A standard automotive air pressure valve for the lift axle shall:
(a)
Be supplied on each vehicle that uses a lift axle;
(b)
Have an external valve stem;
(c)
Be located on the outside of the passenger side of the vehicle towards the rear of the cab; and
(d)
Be readily accessible and visible for examination.
(7)
A vehicle shall be certified by a manufacturer, second-stage manufacturer, or authorized dealer to be in compliance with the provisions of this section.
B.
Existing Vehicles.
(1)
All components including a lift axle added on a retrofitted vehicle shall meet the design requirements specified in §A of this regulation.
(2)
The owner of a retrofitted vehicle shall comply with the provisions of COMAR 11.15.20.05.
Regulation .06 Certification.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Certification of compliance with Regulation .05 of this chapter shall be:
(1)
Documented on letterhead stationery by the manufacturer, second-stage manufacturer, or authorized dealer and shall include, in addition to information required by 49 CFR §§567.4 and 567.5:
(a)
The lift axle air pressure in pounds per square inch for an axle load of 12,000 pounds when the vehicle is evenly loaded between 65,000 and 70,000 pounds GVW, and
(b)
The manufacturer's, second-stage manufacturer's, or authorized dealer's license number; and
(2)
Carried in the vehicle at all times and produced upon the demand of a law enforcement officer.
B.
The certification completed by the manufacturer, second-stage manufacturer, or authorized dealer in accordance with the provisions of §A of this regulation shall be submitted to the Motor Vehicle Administration at the time of registration.
C.
The owner of a vehicle, when applying for a dump service registration, shall certify that the vehicle shall be operated in compliance with the requirements of these regulations and complies with the provisions of COMAR 11.15.20.05.
Regulation .07 Vehicle Operation.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The lift axle shall be fully engaged by a dump service vehicle, which is registered for 70,000 pounds, when operating with a GVW above 55,000 pounds.
B.
Lift Axle Loading Requirements.
(1)
When fully engaged in accordance with §A of this regulation, the lift axle shall have certified air pressure to assure the minimum load of 13,500 pounds with a maximum tolerance of minus 1,500 pounds for an evenly loaded vehicle with a GVW of 70,000 pounds.
(2)
A vehicle operating with a GVW of less than 70,000 pounds but more than 55,000 pounds shall have a minimum lift axle loading of:
(a)
10,000 pounds for GVW of 65,000 to 69,999 pounds; and
(b)
8,000 pounds for GVW of greater than 55,000 to 64,999 pounds.
C.
The lift axle may be disengaged during:
(1)
Turns at intersections;
(2)
Turns at sharp curves with a posted speed limit of 15 mph or less;
(3)
Entering and exiting delivery or loading locations;
(4)
Movement on driveways;
(5)
Unloading; or
(6)
Travel on routes with a snow emergency declared in accordance with Transportation Article, §21-1119, Annotated Code of Maryland.
D.
A lift axle disengaged under §C of this regulation may be disengaged for 1/4 mile before and 1/4 mile after the authorized raising of the lift axle during operation.
Regulation .08 Enforcement.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A dump service registration vehicle registered for 70,000 pounds GVW, traveling with a GVW over 55,000 pounds without the lift axle being fully engaged shall be in violation of Maryland law and subject to a recommended fine of $500.
B.
A dump service registration vehicle that is operating over 55,000 pounds GVW and displaying the proper reading on the air pressure gauge in accordance with the provisions of Regulation .06A of this chapter, but found to have a weight below the minimum required on the lift axle, as specified in Regulation .07B of this chapter, shall receive a safety equipment repair order, as defined in COMAR 11.14.01.01B(17), for an inaccurate lift axle air/weight ratio.
C.
A dump service registration vehicle that receives a safety equipment repair order in accordance with the provisions of §B of this regulation shall be inspected during normal business hours by:
(1)
A Maryland manufacturer;
(2)
A Maryland second-stage manufacturer;
(3)
An authorized dealer;
(4)
A Maryland licensed truck inspection station; or
(5)
A State-operated weight facility.
D.
A dump service registration vehicle suspected of operating in violation of §A of this regulation may be weighed by a law enforcement officer.
E.
Enforcement of Air Pressure Requirements.
(1)
Enforcement of proper lift axle air pressure shall be by measuring pounds of air pressure on the lift axle and comparing this figure with the air pressure certificate.
(2)
The air pressure gauge used for enforcement shall:
(a)
Have an accuracy of ±0.5 pound per square inch;
(b)
Be measured in 1 pound increments between 0 and 100 pounds;
(c)
Be equipped with an air pressure release system capable of retaining the reading until purged; and
(d)
Have calibration traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(3)
The air pressure gauge used under the provisions of §E(2) of this regulation may be calibrated on a daily basis and shall be certified on not less than a semiannual basis.
F.
If a law enforcement officer determines that the lift axle is operating below the required minimum air pressure and in violation of Maryland law, a citation may be issued with the recommended fine in accordance with the schedule shown below:
Chapter annotations
Authority: Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 13-919, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: Regulations .01—.08 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 1, 1995 (22:2 Md. R. 74); emergency status extended to August 29, 1995 (22:9 Md. R. 643)
History: Regulations .01—.08 adopted effective August 14, 1995 (22:16 Md. R. 1222)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 725)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 725)
History: Regulation .04 repealed effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 725)
History: Regulation .07A, B amended effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 725)
History: Regulation .08A amended effective July 30, 2018 (45:15 Md. R. 725)