Modular axles in Albion range
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by Colin Sovvman • Albion Automotive, the independent axle and engineering interest bought from Leyland Daf's receiver, has launched a range of steering and drive axles for vehicles up to 18 tonnes, or 32 tonnes for multi-axle applications.
The modular range of TruckDrive axles are specified on the new Daf 55 Series and are now being made available to other vehicle manufacturers.
Four front axles are rated between 3.2 and 7.5 tonnes with seven hypoid rear axles from 5.25 to 11.5 tonnes and a fivetonne front drive/steer axle (as used on the military four-tonner). Rear drive axles can be specified in one of seven ratios from 3.31:1 to 6.33:1; the 4x4 range runs from 3,31:1 to 5.13:1.
Albion says its compact differential, which uses the rear cover as a support, is smaller and lighter than other designs. The maximum torque of 26,000Nm is the factor limiting the vehicle size; this figure equates to engines of about 250hp.
Maximum wheel turn angle on the non-driven front axle is 520 and 500 on the lighter and heavier versions respectively—on the front drive/steer axle this drops to 350.