Drivers like Britain's new long-distance runner
Page 72
Page 73
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Gordon Murray
HGV DRIVERS are having more and more influence on operators' purchasing policy. What better opportunity to test their reactions to the latest British "heavy" — Leyland's newly announced Marathon — than the National Finals of the Lorry Driver of the Year competition?
BLMC was prevailed upon to supply a TL12-engined 4x2 tractive unit and loaded trailer, and this was parked at a spot outside the Bramcote competition area, to which drivers picked at random were invited to go once they had completed their class tests.
CM selected nine drivers — with over 170 years of truck experience between them — to test-drive the Marathon and give their immediate reactions.
The chosen drivers turned out to have had experience covering a very wide spread of rigids and artics, including AEC, Atkinson, Bedford, ERF, Guy, Leyland, Searnmell, Seddon, Scania and Volvo.
Before taking a test drive, each man was asked what he would most like to see in a British-built truck. Top of the list were increased driver comfort — notably seating, heating and ventilation —reduction of noise, and better visibility. Interestingly, only two drivers said they would like more power, and power-assisted steering.
Let loose
When they were let loose with the Marathon, to match their requirements against what the truck offered, the praise came long and loud — though there were some points of criticism too.
Perhaps the most volubly enthusiastic was Robert Dunton, a driver with Midlands British Road Services, Wolverhampton, who after lunch brought along Jerry McMullen and Dave Tarbuck, respectively driver instructor and driver training manager, BRS Birmingham, to have a go in the new truck. Robert — who was driving a Guy in the Finals — said: "Scania will be sweating a bit over this, it is the ideal motor for the British driver; it feels nice and does just what you want it to. What a world of difference — it corners well, really hugging the road, and I like the small steering wheel (I8in. diameter), especially when reversing. Driving position is comfortable, control layout very good and you can go through the gearbox like a piece of cake; it's about time someone thought about the drivers for a change."
Dave Tarbuck commented: "Fitted with a third seat (optional) it would make an ideal training machine." However, he thought that the addition of a rev counter would be a big improvement; and he found the operation of the flashers too light — but added that perhaps he was heavy handed.
Mr Dunton could think of no improvements which he'd like to see—and remarked that the chicle was a uieter to drive than his car.
Said Mr McMullen: "I couldn't get used to the smaller steering wheel, but was very impressed with the low noise level and thought the layout of controls and seating were excellent."
He thought that a better mirror was required on the right-hand side but apart from that was very pleased with the lack of blind spot and with vision to the rear.
Post Office driver David Griffiths -another Guy artic driver — was similarly stumped when invited to list any improvements he'd favour. His comment on the Marathon: "Fantastic; I've never driven anything like it."
Mr Griffiths who thinks that British vehicles in general should provide more driver comfort, particularly liked the interior finish of the Marathon's cab but thought the controls initially a little confusing. Improvements? Perhaps the vehicle could do with a little more soundproofing, he said.
Also enthusiastic was Donald Durrant, who drives a Volvo artic for Hargreaves Transport, Rothwell, Yorks. He particularly mentioned the grouping of the lighting controls around the steering column.
The general reactions varied from pleasantly surprised to delighted that BLMC had built so good a machine. But there were adverse comments as well.
These centred mainly on the advisability of fitting the Fuller range-change gearbox, rather than a straight-six box and two-speed rear axle. Also Mr D. P. Ottewell (who drives an ERF for Allied Breweries, Burton) would have preferred the parking brake to be mounted on the steering column, rather than in its present position on the dash panel.
Until he tried the Marathon, Mr Ottewell had reckoned Fords were the most comfortable vehicles and ERFs had the best performance. He found the Marathon's mirrors well placed and mentioned the good seating position and sensible control layout — apart from the parking brake. And he wanted a larger diameter steering wheel.
Mr Ottewell, too, found the clutch and accelerator pedals stiff.
The lack of a cab fuel gauge and rev counter on this model was criticized by two other drivers.
Critical assessment The most critical assessment of the Marathon came from Mr G. T. Botting, not in this case a competitor, but senior driving instructor with Heavy Transport ECC Ltd, who did not feel that the new vehicle was superior to the Scammell Crusader, which he rated as one of the finest lorries built. He complained generally of the difficulty of obtaining spares from British manufacturers and wondered if the new Marathon would be any different in this respect.
Mr Botting would also like to sec safety belts and interior crash padding introduced in commercial vehicles. He disliked the footrest fitted to the Marathon, which he thought was too near to the clutch, and was particularly critical of the type of gearbox fitted. Nevertheless, after his brisk test drive. he remarked: "I'd have my licence endorsed after one trip in this machine!" Although he..did not rate the Marathon as highly as the Crusader, he reckoned the two machines had a great deal in common.
Cadbury Schweppes driver E. Farley — his regular mount is an Atkinson — had only two points of criticism of the Marathon: stiff clutch and accelerator pedals.
Previous LDoY champion Lloyd Richards, who drives for ECC Ltd, liked the Marathon but was not particularly happy with the range-change gearbox.
I found that the views of the drivers were equally divided for and against this gearbox.
But summing up, if the reaction of these nine drivers is anything to go by, British Leyland are on to a winner. The last word should perhaps be Mr Tarbuck's: "I think Leyland can now go back to using their old phrase, 'She's a lady'."