Light Cat in ERF
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al Stroud quarry owner and haulier MC Cullimore has taken one of the first Caterpillar 3126-powered ERFs. Its EC7C 6x4 26-tonne GVW tipper uses the 275hp (205kW) version of the engine; 210 and 300hp (156 and 223kW) applications are also available.
At less than 600kg, the weight of the electronically controlled, air-to-air chargecooled engine is a major factor in the truck's excellent body/payload allowance of 19.2 tonnes. The SDC 15m3 alloy body is lifted by Edbro front-end gear and gives a payload of 17.3 tonnes.
Power is transmitted through an Eaton ninespeed synchro gear box to a rear bogie incorporating Mentor single reduction axles equipped with cross and interaxle diff-locks.
The truck is fitted with the rest version of the EC composite cab, chosen for the durability needed to survive Cullimore's policy of extracting a service life of at least 10 years from its 40-strong, mainly ERF fleet. It has operated ERFs since 1967; the oldest currently in service is a 1985 tractive unit.
Stobart's fleet might have its girlie names, but Cullimore has a tradition of naming its trucks after Dickens characters; this latest addition carries the name of Don Bolara Fizgig, taken from the Pickwick Papers.