It's easier for bodybuilders
Page 60
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ALL THE integral van and chassis-cab models in the Fiat OM range are fitted with body mountings riveted to the chassis frame. This makes life easier for the bodybuilder as the brackets can accept a variety of differing bodywork ranging from boxvans to tippers without the need to fabricate special adaptors.
A number of bodybuilders have developed a range of bodies tailored to fit the OMs and of these Besco Bodies of Northampton is a bank stockist. This means that Besco is supplied with chassis by Fiat ahead of demand which are banked and held in stock. The advantage of this system is that dealers and operators can have access to ranges of standard-bodied vehicles without the need to wait for the chassis to be ordered, delivered and then fitted with a body.
Besco not only manufactures Luton and boxvans, but also builds tippers on both the 0M55 and 75. Mild steel sectioning with welded steel panels forming the floor is used for the underframe, and the body sides are manufactured from pressed mild steel. The sides can be dropped and are corrugated for maximum rigidity and appearance. A pressed steel tailboard is used which is top and bottom swung. Mild steel is again used for the headboard and this is folded to form the front corner posts.
Tipping is by means of a front-mounted single ram which is driven by a pto. Optional extras on the tipper include a ladder gantry. With the 2.6m (8ft 6in) wheelbase OM, the tipper has a capacity of 2.8cum (3.7cuyd) while the 3m (9ft 10in) wheelbase model can take 3cum (4cuyd). Unladen weights are 2.6 tonnes (2 tons 12cwt) and 2.7 tonnes (2 tons 14cwt) respectively.
Both the box and Luton vans built by Besco are constructed on alloy underframes. Alloy longitudinals and 100x 50mm (4 x 2in) bearers are mounted to the chassis. Tongue and grooved deal with a thickness of 22mm (kin) is used for the flooring and the body sides are made from aluminium panels fitted to an extruded aluminium alloy frame. A one-piece translucent fibreglass roof is used and an alloy full-width and depth roller shutter completes the body.
Among optional extras available from Besco are side shutters and a plywood lining. The bodies can also be built for TIR traffic. In Luton form on the 3m (9ft 10in) wheelbase chassis the body has 24cum (855cuft) of usable space and can carry a payload of approximately 4.6 tonnes (4 tons lOcwt).
Three-way tippers based on the 0M55 and 75 are also available from Besco. The equipment weighs 1,140kg (1.1 tons) and allows tipping on either side or at the rear. Like the conventional Besco tipper, the side panels and tailgate are corrugated for strength.
Another manufacturer offer
ing bank stock on Fiat vehicles is Imperial Coachbuilders (Basildon) Ltd. This company's CD range of box and Luton bodies is available for both the 0M55 and 75, but the most popular of these, says Imperial, is the 0M75 fitted with a 4.7m (15ft 4in) long body, based on the 3.6m (lift 10in) chassis. This body is 2.2m (7ft 3in) wide and 2.2m (7ft 3in) high and offers a loadspace of 22cum (780 cuft) in boxvan form and 29cum (1025cuft) as a Luton.
Softwood is used for the flooring of the Imperial bodies and this is fitted to 76nnm (3in) deep bearers at 456mm (1 81n) centres. Alloy folded wings are used and extruded split corner posts are fitted. The vertical posts are made of 152mm (6in) wide extruded alloy and the body panels are flat alloy sheeting.
A rear opening measuring 1.8m (6ft) high by 1.9m (6ft 3in) is achieved using a roller shutter, and the roof is onepiece grp bonded to the tophat roof sticks with a 13mm (bin) camber. If required, a heavy-duty underframe ca be specified for heavy poir loads and alloy planking c hardwood flooring is availabl( Other options include Jolod tracking and side shutters.
Imperial also offers its CD range of insulated/refriger ated van bodies for the OM These are built around thi standard dry-freight van she but, depending on degree o insulation required, specie depth low heat conducto spacers are fixed to the insidi walls, roof and floor. Polyura thene foam is sprayed int( place on all surfaces and thil forms the insulation.
High capacity mechanica refrigeration units are stand• ard on the Imperial bodies, bu liquid nitrogen systems can IDE fitted as an alternative. Al joints are sealed with a bitumen compound to maintair the temperature, and dooi seals provide an airtight joint. Finally the insulatec bodies are lined with exterioi grade ply although alternativ€ interior linings are optional.
• Stephen Gray