Society of Automative Engineer Standards
Did you know that fifth wheel lubrication plates should be specified and installed as part of the original manufacturing process?
The reason for this is relatively simple. The fifth wheel and kingpin work together based on specific SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards. These standards control the proper engagement of the fifth wheel lock jaws around the kingpin neck. A lubrication plate may act as a shim and create a situation where the fifth wheel lock jaws are no longer in proper engagement around the kingpin neck.
If you want to run your new Cottrell trailer with a lubrication plate, it must be specified as part of the original manufacturing build. When a lubrication plate is specified, Cottrell incorporates a longer kingpin so that proper engagement of the fifth wheel lock jaws is maintained.
If your Cottrell trailer, old or new, was originally manufactured and delivered without a lubrication plate and you wish to install a lubrication plate, the original kingpin must be cut out and replaced with a longer kingpin. This is required in order to maintain the proper relationship between the kingpin jaws and the kingpin neck.
Cottrell warns against the installation of these “Add-On” lubrication plates in the Cottrell Operator’s Manual. In addition, Cottrell ships every unit with a warranty packet which includes Fontaine literature also warning against these aftermarket lubrication plates. The warnings are included in this posting for easy reference.
Please contact Cottrell if you have any questions. From the Cottrell Operator’s Manual, p 17:
Use of Fifth Wheel Add-On Lube Plates (Teflon disks)
An add-on aftermarket lube plate is a lubricated, impregnated plastic disk which is placed between the fifth wheel top plate and the trailer bolster plate to eliminate the need to lubricate the top plate with grease.
If an add-on lube plate is to be installed, the kingpin must meet the SAE J700 kingpin dimension standards AFTER installation of the lube plate. If the kingpin does not meet SAE dimensions standards (see Holland Fifth Wheels Service Bulletin contained in the Appendix), a new kingpin must be installed to accommodate the lube plate thickness.
Failure to comply with SAE kingpin dimensions after the installation of an add-on lube plate to the trailer bolster plate could result in coupling difficulties, premature fifth wheel lock and kingpin wear, and the potential for tractor/trailer separation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
See Holland Fifth Wheels Service Bulletin contained in the Appendix.
From the Cottrell Operator’s Manual, Appendix A-3:
From the Fontaine Fifth Wheel Custom Duty Instructions included in the warranty packet: