• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

Chassis makers rise to the challenge contd 73 MERCEDES-BENZ

Mercedes-Benz (UK) Ltd, Great West Road, Brantford, Middx The 1626S chassis on display is the British version of the new range from Mercedes-Benz announced earlier this year.. The German firm was very conscious of the visual image presented by a heavy long-distance truck and hence its new cab was designed to "look small" even though the interior cab dimensions have remained the same.

The tractive unit has a Wheelbase of 3.0m (9 ft 10 in) instead of the 3.5m of the German version. A diesel engine of V8 configuration giving 191kW (256 bhp) is coupled to a ZF six-speed constant-mesh gearbox via a 380 mm (15in) diameter single-dry-plate clutch. The first examples of the new-look cab are likely to be seen on operators' vehicles in this country early in the New Year.

The mainstay of Mercedes effort in the 32-ton market, the LPS 1418, is continuing unchanged and is on show at Earls Court. This is pdwered by an in-line six-cylinder engine which produces 143kVV (192 bhp) at 2,200rpm.

Two of the smaller members of the Mercedes range complete the display, an L608D van and an L306D light transporter with front-wheel drive.

The L306D is a 3.5-tonne (3.44-ton) gvw vehicle available in two van sizes, 6.4 and 7.7 cu m (226 and 272cu ft), and in chassis cab farm with three wheelbases. The power unit is a 44kW (60bhp) diesel engine. The larger van has more power — 63kW (85bhp) -and is available with gvw of 5.69 or 6.5 tonnes (5.6 or 6.39 tons).

74 MOSKVICH

Moskvich Ltd, Satre Motors Ltd, Carnaby Industrial Estate, nr Bridlington, Yorks, Y015 3QX All vehicles in the Moskvich range are powered by the same light alloy petrol engine of 1,478 cc (90 cu in) which produces 60kW (80bhp) at 5,800rpm on four-star petrol. A four-speed allsynchromesh gearbox is standard equipment as is the single-dry-plate 203 ram (8 in) diameter clutch. Two ratios are available for the hypoid-bevel rear axle — 4.22 or 4.55 to 1.

The van and the pick-up versions also share the same basic dimensions. The wheelbase is 2.4m (7ft 101/2in) and the overall length is 4.1 m (13ft Sin) for a claimed payload of 406 kg (8 cwt).

59 ROVER

Rover-British Leyland UK, Lode Lane, Solihull, Warwicks

Apart from minor detail improvements, the Land-Rover remains basically unchanged. A 2.77m (109 in) wheelbase 12-seater model is shown fitted with a two-stretcher installation by Spencer Abbott and Co Ltd and powered by a sixcylinder petrol engine.

An example of the shorter wheelbase 2.24 m,88 in) model is shown powered by the four-cylinder petrol engine and fitted out as a hydraulically operated mobile workshop by E. C. Hopkins Ltd. Extras on this Land-Rover include locks and security catches, an extra 46-litre (10gal)cluel tank and high-rate front springs.

A four-cylinder diesel version of the short wheelbase Land-Rover is fitted with an overdrive unit by Fairey Winches Ltd_ This is a fully synchronized device designeef-and developed exclusively for Land-Rover and can be fitted in two to three hours on any model having a standard gearbox.

Three of the permanent four-wheeldrive Range Rovers are on display, two as ambulance conversions by Spencer Abbott and Herbert Lomas and the third to police specification.

97 SAVIEM

c/o Nickerson. Commercial Vehicles Ltd, Grange Lane, North Scunthorpe

A subsidiary of the Renault group, Saviem is exhibiting for the first time at Earls Court. Although Saviem produces a complete rapg-e of commercial vehicles from 3.3 tons gvw, only one model is as yet available in the UK — the 32-ton tractive unit 8M32.240.

This track is a product of the cooperation between Saviem and MAN of Germany whereby MAN supplies engines to Saviem and the cabs are supplied by Saviem to MAN. At Earls Court two of the three Saviem trucks are shown with sleeper cabs.

The cab tilts to 45 degrees for routine maintenance but will go to 60 degrees for overhaul.

The engine is the MAN type-2156 which develops its peak power of 151kW (202bhp) at 2,200rpm. A ZF AK6-90 sixspeed splitter gearbox is coupled via a one-piece propeller shaft to a Saviem double-reduction rear axle which is available with a choice of five ratios. Saviem and MAN are unusual among commercial vehicle manufacturers in that a steering-column gear change is fitted.

The front suspension is by leaf-springs with telescopic dampers while slipper springs with an anti-roll bar are featured at the rear.

60 SCAMMELL

Scammell Lorries, British Leyland Truck and Bus Division, Leyland, Preston, Lancs.

The centrepiece of the Scammell stand is the Super Constructor 6 x 4 plant and equipment transporter with a wheelbase of 8.02m (261t 33/4 in). The power unit is a turbocharged six-cylinder Rolls-Royce C6 TML of 12.17 litres (743 cu in) capacity producing 205kW (275 bhp). The maximum torque is 1,057Nm (780 lbft) at 1,400rpm. a Fluidrive 550 coupling transmits the drive to a Self Changing Gears RV30 semi-automatic gearbox with eight forward and two reverse speeds.

The front axle is plated at 10.16tonnes 410 tons) and the rear bogie at 40.6tonnes (40 tons). The braking system is full air to all wheels and the fuel tank capacity is 455 litres (100 gal).

Two models from the Crusader range can be seen in 4 x 2 and 6 x 4 form. The former is powered by the 209kW (230 bhp) version of the Rolls-Royce Eagle and the three-axled model features two-stroke diesel 8V-71 from the Detroit Diesel division of General Motors.

A four-axled Routeman for 30tonsgvw is shown, again powered by Rolls-Royce, but this time the 220 naturally aspirated version.

17 SCAN IA

Scania (Great Britain) Ltd, 11 Mount Road, Hanworth Industrial Estate, Feltham, Middlesex The Swedish firm of Scania will be showing two tractive units and two rigids from its range. The LBS 85 HS52 is a three-axle rigid grossing 24.4 tonnes (24 tons) gvw on a wheelbase of 5.2 m (17ft). The engine is the six-cylinder turbocharged DS 8 unit developing 143kW (192 bhp) at 2,400 rpm with the maximum torque of 647Nm (477 lbft) occurring at 1,500rpm. This is mated to a 10-speed gearbox while the single-reduction axle is of the spiral-bevel type. The show model is fitted with an 8.5 in (28ft) platform timber body with steel side rails, built by N. Curtis and Son, of Outwell, near Wisbech, Cambs.

A platform body from Jonas and Bence Ltd, of Kingswood, Bristol, is featured on the LB80 HS54 16.3-tonne (16-ton) rigid. Powered by the same DS8 engine as the LBS 85, this model has a wheelbase of 5.4 m (17ft 9 in) and an overall chassis length of 9.3 m (30ft Gin).

The DS11 turbocharged engine provides the motive power for the LB 110 HS 31 tractor. This unit produces 186kW (250 bhp) with a maximum torque of 976Nm (720 lb ft). The show model is fitted with a York Big D fifth-wheel coupling.

The other tractive unit on the Scania stand is the LB 140 HS 34 which is shown in sleeper-cab form. In contrast to the rest of the Scania range the power unit is of V8 configuration and develops 250kW (335 bhp) at 2,300 rpm with a maximum .torque of 1210Nm (892 lbft) at 1,400rpm. The chassis consists of coldpressed frame-members of constant depth U-section and the cross-members are riveted to the webs of the sidemembers. The wheelbase of the show model is 3.1 m (10ft 2 in). Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd, Woodstock Factory, Oldham, Lanes 0L2 61.1 P The Seddon 16-Four is on display in drawbar & chassis form with a wheelbase of 4.88 m (16ft) at a plated weight of 31 tonnes (30.5 tons) gtw. The Gardner 6LXB is the power unit with an installed output of 137kW (184 bhp) at 1,850 rpm. Transmission is via a Line Rollway 356 mm (14in) diameter twin-dry-plate clutch to a David Brown six-speed gearbox. A spiral-bevel axle with hub reduction is fitted, the ratio being 6.12 to 1. Dual-rate springs are standard specification at the rear.

The Seddon 13-Four on the stand display is a 3.81 m (12ft 6in) wheelbase tipper chassis with an unladen kerb weight of 4.22 tonnes (4tons 3 cwt) for a plated gvw of 16.3 tonnes (16tons). A Perkins 6.354 engine developing 80kW (107 bhp) at 2,800rpm is fitted. The 330mm (13 in) diameter single-dry-plate clutch is from Borg and Beck and the fivespeed gearbox is from David Brown. The Eaton 18220 axle provides final drive ratios of 6.5 and 8.87 to 1.

The 32-ton tractive unit, the Seddon 34-Four is powered by Rolls-Royce and features a Fuller RTO 613 ten-speed gearbox. The unladen kerb weight is 5 tons 13 cwt and the wheelbase is 2.9m (9ft 6in).

The major attraction on the Seddon stand is the prototype of a full new vehicle range which is scheduled tic) begin production next year. It has a design weight of 38tonnes (37.4tons) and was first shown to the public earlier in the year at the Amsterdam Show although the Earls Court model differs slightly in that a sleeper cab is fitted.

The cab is hydraulically tilted to an angle of 60 degrees and the windscreen pillars are tapered and angled to appear slim to the driver's eye.

The power unit in the prototype is the six-cylinder turbocharged Cummins NTC335 which produces 242kW (328 bhp) at 2,100rpm from a cubic capacity of 14 litres (854 cu in). The clutch is a Lipe Railway twin-plate design which is coupled to a nine-speed Fuller RTO 9509A gearbox. The rear axle is of Seddon's own manufacture and is a hubreduction design with a rated capacity of 13 tonnes (12.6 tons). Colour-coded piping is used for the brake circuits to make life easier for the mechanics. A 364-litre (80 gal) fuel tank appears on the prototype.

64 THORNYCROFT

Transport Equipment (Thornycroft) Ltd, British Leyland UK Ltd, Leyland, Preston, Lancs Two models from the Leyland Special Operation Vehicles range are on display including a 20.8 tonnes (20.5 tons) gvw 6x4 Nubian Major fire crash tender bodied and equipped by Pyrene. Th is has a water capacity of 6,820 litres (1,500gal) and a foam capacity of 909 litres (200ga I). A Cummins V8 diesel engine is installed which produces 228kW (306 bhp) at 2,800rpm with a maximum torque of 908Nm (670 lbft) at 1,700 rpm: A 457 mm (18 in) fluid coupling is featured in conjunction with a semi-automatic main gearbox and a two-speed constantmesh transfer box. The overall length is 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in)for a wheelbase of 4.57 m (15ft).

The 65-tan-plus 6x4 LD55 Bush Tractor has a wheelbase of 3.86 m (12ft 8 in) and is powered by an AV 760 six-cylinder diesel engine giving 158kW (212 bhp) at 2,200rpm. A 432mm (17 in) diameter hydraulically-operated single dry plate clutch takes the drive to the five-speed constant-mesh gearbox.

98 TOYOTA

Toyota (Great Britain) Ltd, 320 Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey

Six bodywork variations and a chassis/cab version of the Toyota Hi-Ace are on display divided between the stands of Toyota (GB) Ltd, and three approved coachbuilders. Offering payloads up to 1116kg (2,460(b) depending on bodywork type, the vehicle is powered by a 1.6-litre (98 cu in) petrol engine developing 67kW (90bhp) at 5,400rpm to the SAE rating with maximum torque of 133Nm (98 lbft) at 3,000 rpm. Drive is through a single-dry-plate clutch to a four-speed all

synchromesh gearbox. The rear axle is semi-floating with hypoid final drive.

All models except the unitary construction panel van arid its caravan/light bus derivatives have a heavily braced channel-section frame. Front suspension is independent by wishbones and coil springs and the brakes have cooling fins on the 231mm (9.1in) diameter drums.

Along with the bare chassis/cab on the Toyota stand, a Hi-Ace pickup is featured providing a payload of 1118kg (22cwt). The load space is 2.62x1.57x0.38m (8ft 7in x 5ft 2in x 1ft 3in).

72 UNIPOWER

Unipower Ltd, 14 Aintree Road, Perivale, Middlesex

A vehicle designed specificallyfor airfield crash tender and refinery fire-fighting operation is on show from Unipower. Designated the R44; it can be operated up to a maximum of 16.3 tonnes (16 tons) with a 4x4 configuration, but the drive to the front axle can be disconnected by air pressure.

The power unit is an eight-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine from Rolls-Royce which develops 175kW (235bhp) at 4,000rpm from its 6.52 litres (398 cu in) capacity. The maximum torque of 485 Nm (358 lbft) occurs at 2,500rpm. An Allison MT640 automatic transmission is fitted with a Unipower sandwich-type pto mounted between engine and transmission. One advantage on this vehicle is that the drive to any of the auxiliary equipment can be engaged or disengaged while the truck is in motion.

The rear axle is rated at 10 tons and is of the double-reduction type with a 7.84 to 1 ratio while the maximum load on the front axle is seven tons.

Semi-elliptic springs front and rear with hydraulic lever-type dampers at the rear and telescopics at the front make up thee suspension specification. The frame side-members have a maximum section of 266mm x 6.5mm (101/2x1/4in) with 76 mm (3 in) top and bottom flanges. Each side-member is reinforced by an "12' section full-length internal flitch.

The 4x4 Unipower C44 20 is designed specifically for airfield crash tender operation at 20.3 tonnes (20 tonS) with a similar facility to the R44 in that the drive to the front wheels can be interrupted.

Horsepower is by courtesy of Cummins — in this case the NTF 365 six-cylinder turbocharged diesel of 14 litres (855 cu in) capacity. The maximum output is 272kW (365bhp) at 2,300rpm with a maximum torque of 1,268Nm (935 lb ft) occurring at 1,600rpm. The transmission is again Allison but this model used the CLBT750 fully automatic box with five forward speeds. A hydraulic retarder is incorporated in the transmission.

The vehicle on show is fitted with body and fire-fighting equipment by Chubb Security Ltd of Feltham. The water tank capacity is 6,820 litres (1,500gal) and the foam tank is of 910 litres (200gal).

49 BELAZ

Umo Plant Ltd, Blackhorse Road, Letchworth, Herts Limo Plant's show vehicle is a 24-tongvw Belaz 256B dump truck from the Soviet Union powered by a V8 diesel engine developing 198kW (265 bhp) at 2,100rpm. It has a five-speed gearbox with an auxiliary box giving 10 forward and two reverse gears driving through a twin-plate clutch.

The truck is normally supplied complete with a scow-ended steel tipper body of 7.6 cu m (10cu yd) capacity although alternative bodies are available with capacities up to 15.2 cu m (20 cuyd). The maximum tipping angle is 65 degrees and the claimed maximum speed of the vehicle is 65 km/h (40 mph). olvo AB Truck Division, c/o AiIse rucks Ltd, Station House, Stamford ew Road, Altrincham, Cheshire 'olvo is exhibiting the N10 on/off highiay tipper which was announced two ,reeks ago. This truck is offered with a omprehensive range of purposeesigned bodies of 9.2 cu m (12 cu yd) apacity with an optional body type of 5.3 cu m (20 cu yd) capacity for carrying cal.

The engine for the N10 is the Volvo D100A developing 172kW (230bhp) at ,200rpm. The eight-speed rangehange gearbox is standard equipment vith splitter or torque converter options.

A new eight-rod bogie, which Volvo laims give up to 12.7 degrees of articula Ion, is fitted — the top rods are in Varmation from the differential out to the ross-members while the bottom rods are ,arallel.

The show vehicle is fitted with body and nderbocly tipping gear by Edbro. The ngle of tip is 70 degrees.

The most popular truck in the Volvo ange, the F86, is now fitted with a more lowerful engine. Designated the TD70E, he uprated engine develops 150kW 210bhp) at 2,400rpm. Many new parts ire used in the manufacture of the ingine, but, where possible, the new larts will be interchangeable with existig An ATE regulator is a standard feature on the TD70E. It is used mainly as an exhaust brake in the usual manner, but it can also be used by the driver to increase exhaust back-pressure during the long periods of idling or engine warm up.

Two examples of the F86 are featured at the Show. One is a 6x2 rigid vehicle fitted with a Pengco demountable system and Load-O-Matic standardized body base frame unit and the other is a 4x2 tractive unit of 3m (9ft 10in) wheelbase which is shown in operator's livery. The 6x2 example is plated at 24 tons on a wheelbase of 5.5m (18ft lin).

The larger Volvo, the F88, has also received an uprated engine. Designated the TD10013, the new unit has an output of 217kW (290bhp) at 2,400 rpm. The compression ratio has been reduced from 15 to 12.5 to 1 in conjunction with higher turbocharger boost to enable an increase in engine output to be achieved without increasing the maximum cylinder pressure. This engine is also fitted with art ATE regulator.

The F88 on show is a 4x2 tractive unit of 3.2 m (10ft 6 in) wheelbase plated at 40 tons. The gearbox is the Volvo SR61 eight-speed with splitter giving 16 forward speeds. A double-reduction rear axle with differential lock is fitted.

Two F86 Volvos are in the demonstration park. An eight-wheeler fitted with a Neville tipper body is on display along with an F86 tractive unit and semi-trailer fitted with the TD7OD engine, Volvo's "City" environmental power unit.

82 'VW

Volkswagen (GB) Ltd, Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey Two new VW models are on show this year at Earls Court. One is a long-wheelbase conversion based on the pick-up model intended for use as a mobile shop or library. The interior floor length has been increased by 0.9m (3ft) which, coupled to a higher roof, gives a total load capacity of 9.8 cum (353 cu ft) — double that of the standard van. Loading is via the 1.5m (5ft) high by 1.2m (4ft) wide sliding side door and the floor height is 482mm (191n).

The other new model is a 1,220 kg (24 cwt) version of the standard one-ton van with the floor strengthened to take the extra weight. Radial ply tyres, servoassisted brakes and uprated suspension with progressive rate at the rear axle are standard features. Both of the new vehicles are offered with a 1.6 or 1.8-litre (98 or 110 cu in) engine.

Other exhibits include a 12-seater bus, a pick-up with extended rear platform, a double-cab pick-up and a high-roof van.