Lawson pioneers retarder for car transporters
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
EXCLUSIVE by Bryan Jarvis
• A Mercedes M-cabbed 1834L drawbar unit in the Richard Lawson fleet has become the first UK car transporter to be equipped with a Telma CC250 retarder.
In use, the CC250 produces 528hp of retardation at 50mph in top gear. There are 30 drawbar outfits, all rated at 38 tonnes currently using the Granning pusher axles. Wheel sizes of 215/17.5 are identical to those on the tandem-axle trailers.
Group fleet engineer Stuart Hedges says all new drawbar outfits in the Richard Lawson fleet will in future have retarders fitted. In addition to the safety considerations, they are expected to solve some of the problems relating to excessive lining wear on the trailers. At present, he says, the frequency of brake shoe replacements is running at three relinings per trailer to one set on the prime mover.