Better six from Mere EXCLUSIVE • Mercedes-Benz has launched a
Page 9

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
six-wheel tipper/mixer chassis with a bogie spread of 1.35m, a wheelbase of 3.85m and a Euro-1 engine for operation at the revised 26-tonne weight limit.
The 2527B's vee-six engine is rated at 203kW (272hp) to give a 21% increase in power over its old 24-tonne 2422 predecessor. Torque is up by 29% to 1090Nm (8041bft).
The vertical exhaust has been moved into a less vulnerable position close to the rear of the cab, and autoniatic chassis lubrication now comes as standard. A nine-speed, direct-top, synchromesh box drives through to hub reduction axles with interaxle differential locks. The 3.77:1 final-drive ratio gives a governed speed of 96km/h (60mph) at 1,900rpm with a rolling gradeability of 40%. Axles are plated at 7.5 tonnes (front) and 9.5 tonnes (rear).
An additional subframe is a mandatory fixture for both tipper and mixer applications, allowing a body payload capacity of 18.36 tonnes. The mixer variant, priced at £57,900, costs 11,200 more than the tipper chassis but incorporates a rear-facing, engine-driven, PT-0 and provides for a capacity of about 6.4m3 of concrete.
Haulage models on 4.2m and 52m wheelbases will be introduced by mid-summer, by which time Mercedes-Benz may have used up its old badges and redesignated the model 2627 to reflect the gross weight.