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D utch treat
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Europe's road transport industry gathered for its biennial visit to Amsterdam's RAI Exhibition Centre. If there were no real surprises from the heavy truck sector there was still plenty for show-goers to see in the flesh for the first time, including the new Iveco Stralis, Mercedes Axor and Volvo FH and FM. Lower down the weight scale there were the debuts of the Ford Transit Connect and the latest Sevel partnership range. As ever in the bodybuilding and trailer halls in Holland it was all about payload, payload and payload. Composites feature strongly among the more go-ahead trailer makers, even if operators aren't exactly rushing to buy these ultra-light products. And with tighter enforcement of overloading laws, Dutch operators are having to look to some weird and wonderful trailer axle options to stay legal within the maximum weights.
• Show report by Brian Weatheriey, Colin Barnett. Kevin Swallow arid Bryan Jarvis. Photography by Tom Lee.
• Pride of place on the Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot stands was reserved for the world premiere of the new Sevel van range. Commercial Motor will be covering the new line-up in more detail in next week's issue.
• Dhollandia's new fast-mounting tail-lift system fits trucks a trailers; it's based on a pre-assembled underfloor lift whi slides on to chassis hanger brackets via locating channels on t twin alloy subframe rails. As a result fitting time is said to bejt 90 minutes. Among the prototypes on display was this new DH unit with 1,500kg capacity and 1,600mm platform.
• Floor BV reckons that composites are fine for bodywork but prefers a conventional
galvanised steel undertrame on its 6,750kg potato carrier. The composite bodied triaxle features an enclosed rear discharge and a cablesteered rear axle. The Belgian trailer maker is quietly eyeing up the UK market, having already started talks with potential servicing agents. • illIT's vision of a high-mobility eightwheeled tipper is based on fveco's EuroTrakker. With all wheels drivingand all bar the third axle steering, it rides on 445/75R22.5 tyres on the front two axles with dual 12.00R24s bringing up the rear. Volvo had its latest FM and FH ranges on display. If the last kilo of payload is important to your operation, it would like to tempt you with this FM9 380 4x2 tipping the scales at a sylphlike 6.140kg. Behind the scenes. Volvo was heralding its new webbased services. Ilynafleet, used truck data, dealer location, vehicle specs and spare parts ordering are among the services available on-line now or in the very near future.
The RAI show marked the first real sighting of the longwheelbase version of Renaults Trafic. Expect to see it and its Vauxhall Vivare counterpart on UK roads by the summer.
LAO's oval five-compartment 47,500-litre capacity It-supporting aluminium triaxle petroleum tanker iighs in at 6,400kg and features a gooseneck to lower e centre of gravity, The use of Wabco's EBS/RSS roll
—...11111111Mer..— stability braking system on the SAF triaxle bogie helps to ensure superior handling. The 3,55m-tall bottom-loading tanker has FMC Mu!Mow electronic controls and runs with a normal height tractor.
• With patents pending, Spiro's latest moving-floor design will certainly make the competition sharpen their pencils. Instead of using three hydraulic cylinders to drive the triple floor plank sets, Spiro makes do with just two—and without any adverse effect. With new floor-mountings and fewer components the floor is easier and quicker to fit, and saves around 150k (or up to 1,000kg on a steel trailer). With a slightly higher working pressure of 250bar the floor will handle anything from woodchip to heavy compost. The first user, Groanewold, carries bulk material to Sweden and returns with furniture packs.
• Owner-drivers will have the opportunity to buy a Oaf 95XF Limited Edition cab-200 units are being made with 25 of them in right-hand-drive. It will cost buyers an extra 16.100 (ex -VAT) on top of the price of a new 95XE: this gets you leather upholstery. DIM video equipment and navigation system. nearside blindspot camera (activated when the truck is indicating), a choice of metallic paints, and a six-speaker audio system.
• Schmitz is planning to add triaxle tipping trailers to its UK trailer range (CM 22-28 Nov 2001), The 7.2m/24m3 example at the RAI was sitting on top of a brand new Schmitz skeletal with revised front locks and air-powered extending front bolster specifically designed for handling 45ft high-cube boxes within the normal swing clearance regs,
• The new-look Renault Magnum cut an imposing figure o the stands, even after 12 years in the spotlight. The 4x2 flat ship is fitted with the Mack [-Tech B 441hp engine writ develops its 2,050Nm peak torque between 1,100 an 1,400rpm, driving via a ZF 16-speed direct-drive gearbo) The show model sits on 315/70R22.5 Michelin Energy tyre and is fitted with the Classic Pack cab.
The Mercedes-Benz Axor proved to be one of the major attractions at the RAI Show. On display was a 4x2 Amu, 1835 fitted with a nine-speed box, featuring the shorter (3.6m) wheelbase. and standard roof height. The 12-litre 353hp (260kW) version has maximum torque of 1,850Nm at 1,100rpm, cruise control, variable maximum speed limiter and disc brakes all round.
II A right-hand-drive Stralis ook centre stage on the Iveco Auld. Iveco's UK arm believes .hat the 430hp 6x2 with the kctive Space cab on a 3.Bm mheelbase will be its top seller. vlaximum torque is 1,900Nm, lenerated between 1,050 and 1,570rpm. It has the Euro Ironic I2-speed direct-drive transmission with steel suspension on the front axle and air on the rear oair. Chassis weight is 7,900kg. • lveco also had a low-profile Stralis 400hp 4x2 tractive unit on its stand at RAI. The show model runs on 295/60R22.5 XDA tyres and is plated for 44 tonnes with steel suspension on the front axle and air on the rear. The transmission is the 12-speed EuroTronic automated system from 7F: chassis weight is 6,870kg.
• SAF's Intradisc-plus axle range has new 9.0-tonne on/off-road and 10.5 tonne 'on-road-only' variants and later this year it will feature the Integral combined brake disc and hub adaptors. These are splined together as a compound casting with 10 ventilation channels under the disc; spoked wheel hub plates will also be added, all to increase air circulation. Both new axles have sturdier 111mm wall) beams and strengthened suspension arms with reinforced top flanges. Compared with on-road versions the 9.0-tonne axle is 15kg heavier with another 8kg for the steel plungers. While the 9.0-tonne off-road axle has 19 Sin disc brakes for use with 22.5in single wheels (for greater brake caliper-to-rim clearance) the 10.5-tonne 'en-road' unit gets 19.5in or 22.5in disc brakes for 22.5in wheels. Both are covered by a 500,000km/three-year warranty and will be available in April.
• With the Dutch government targeting roaddamaging overloads by installing underground axle weight detector loops at 35 strategic locations, manufacturers like Roosendaal-based Hertoghs are designingtheir own avoidance solutions. Normally. Ada ntra Eede's Volvo FH124604x2 and triaxled Chereau reefer would run at 46 tonnes GCW, but off-load several pallets from the rear and the outfit's balance is lost. Extra weight over the pin leaves the leadingtrailer axle grossly over-laden and the owner open to prosecution—Hertoghs' countermeasure to this is to position a BPW lifting axle just behind the landing legs and using a selfsteer unit. It also complies with turning-circle laws. II Ousters Hydraulica BV has developed a 10m working height Taurus cherry picker with a 500kg loading capacity for short (3.0m-wheelbase) 3.5-tonne chassis fitted with single rear wheels. Outriggers sit within the vehicle width—the system features in-cab controls next to the drivers' seat.
• VB-Techniek, better known for its lightweight air suspension systems and its miniantic tractors, showed this unusual US-inspired M-B Sprinter pickup. On this example the smoothly styled fibreglass body incorporates a swan-neck fifth wheel coupling and, of course, air suspension.
ROUND THE SHOW..
Pacton has applied for a patent for its Nosewheel load distribution device, seen fitted here on one of its conventional triaxle platform chassis. The Nosewheel has been developed in conjunction with BPW and is intended to reduce kingpin loads by between 2,000 and 2,500kg. The twin 17.5in wheels are air suspended; they are mounted to the trailer via a simple column fixed to a turntable. A standard Discos TE5 9-tonne trailer axle appeared with Weweler air spring suspension as part of DaimlerChrysler's wider range of options. To differentiate it the axle will be coded 0IS9 (Discos Leaf Spring) and offered with 22.5in wheels; the 1E4 version is for 19.5in rims. The suspension, which is offered alongside the Hendrickson design in Holland, can be mounted in over or underslung fashion depending on application. Daf will add the FAN LF55 6x2 rigid with air-dump rear steer and plated at 21 tonnes to its UK urban distribution line-up. It begins production in April with first deliveries during the
summer. On the stand was the 250hp day-cab version which has disc brakes all round with low-profile 285/701119.5 tyres. This vehicle has a 000 VED rate
In the UK. Terberg doesn't just build monster offreaders: it's just as active in the light vehicle bodywork and equipment markets. This unusual three-way tipper body with its high sloping ally plank sides was fitted to the Mitsubishi L200 chassis-cab. • After making its debut at last year's Kortrijk Trailer Show (CM13-19 Dec 2001) Compositrailer BV showed two new all-composite semis at the RAI including this 61m3 triaxle potato carrier. Complete with a Cargo Floor moving floor weighs just 5,380kg. Also on show was a single axle B+E licence urban delivery trailer with a kerbweight of 2,820kg including a tail-lift.
• Scania revealed an addition to its 12-litre engine lineup to partner the 420hp and 470hp lumps. The highpressure-injection turbo-compound 440hp (324kW) engine qualifies for four ECU-points, according to Austrian regulations, whereas Scania's other Euro-3 engines require five ECO-points. Maximum power is rated at 1,900rpm with maximum torque of 2.100Nm generated between 1,100 and 1,300rpm.
• Nooteboom has made some important detail changes on its low-loader trailer design, including improved load retention, better flooring and concealed neck loading ramps. Anti-slip metal grids cover most of the floor area, but instead of sunken floor rings and individual side hooks there are longitudinal open floor rails behind the side raves and down the centre containing rows of closely spaced tie-down points, Behind the neck area aluminium loading ramps lay inside channels, flush with the floor and ready for use. Nooteboom offers a hydraulically lifting loading-floor option. Also new is the demountable quickcouple generator set, for use with its Flexitrailer skeletal and capable of powering one 40ft or two 20ft reefer boxes. Rowan Transport in Ireland has just bought five, complete with 32k VA gennies.
Dutch cheese distribution is labour intensive: typically a driver handballs 37 tonnes a day. To reduce driver strain, control equipment specialist AUG Control and trailer maker Van Eck have devised a less demanding computerised loading and distribution system. ADC's AutoLoader links with the storage depot. Using electro-pneumatic, chain-driven mechanisms with infrared sensors it can load and store up to 2000 cheeses an hour. The temperature-controlled body's controller accommodates them on 12 levels, using the 336 shelves stored in the roof. Normal back loads can be accommodated by first stowing the loader section up top, At 2310,000 it's an expensive trailer fitment but Van Eck reckons on selling 25 in Holland and a good many more in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
ROUND THE SHOW..
Scania used the RAI show to launch a fleet management scheme. The system includes one or twoway communication between the driver and headquarters, and a messaging system. The web-based office interface is linked to the Scania dealer's websites; it can produce engine performance charts to assess fuel results. Daf Trucks (UK) has confirmed that it is to offer a 6x4 CF85 tractor for waste operators running artics on to landfill sites. It will also sell a 380hp eight
c-"mermen looking f-r maximum power. General Trailers showed an all-aluminium platform dropside Multiloader trailer at the RAI as part of the European Aluminium Association's display. The 13.6m triaxle air-sprung semi equipped with SMB axles and Alcoa wheels tips the scales at just 4,800kg. For more information on the weight saving use of aluminium in trucks and trailers visit www.vd1p.ni/movingup. Hissan's version of the Renault Master, the Interstar, was seen in the metal for the first time. Interstar marks the beginning of a programme to market the Renault light van range with Nissan badging—next up will be the Primastar, aka Tra Ford is consid
ering introducing a six-seater crew-cab Transit to the UK market, although its leather interior is unlikely to be specced by many of the utilities forming the potential buying audience. Other Transit news was the debut of the 4.25-tonne "Jumbo" van and confirmation that the first common-rail engines will appear later this year.