AXLE CONVERSIONS
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• Many ageing tractive units are being reborn as 4x2 and 6x2 rigids. Euro Axles reports that 60% of its business is stretching tractors into rigid chassis.
"Even with the cost of the conversion there's still a £12,00015,000 saving compared with a new chassis," says managing director David Stubbs. "Ex-distribution fleet tractive units with 280-360hp-rated engines are under-powered for higher weights. As rigids, though, they are attractively high-powered."
On 6x2 conversions Euro Axles usually fits a Granning Lynx fixed or lift axle with Gigant suspension behind the drive axle.
Hendrickson reports demand for mid-lift axles has rocketed with the company now producing 800 a month compared with 200 four years ago. It designs and builds bolt-on midlift axe/suspension unit for fitment either online at European truck factories, or at its own Sywell plant. Axle spindles and suspensions are compatible with the OEM, to retain commonality of parts.