One man's meat...
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Iwas interested to read your test of the Foden eightwheel tipper (CM 4-10 September), but the comments regarding the Eaton/Fuller gearbox made me wonder about the qualifications of your tester, Dan Gilkes.
While any driver who has never driven with a Fuller constant-mesh gearbox will need an introduction to it, once mastered it's a joy to drive and a far better box, in my opinion, than anything else on offer today.
I do not believe the technology is dated; on the contrary, modern gearboxes seem to offer complexity with no obvious benefits.
When I was an owner-driver I had a Ford Transcontinental with a 13speed Fuller and it was perfectly matched with a Cummins 14-litre engine, as it should be in the Foden. When Dan has a similar combination to test in the future, I will be happy to demomstrate its virtues. Alan Shaw, AG Haulage, Marston Moretaine, Beds.
Ell In response, Mr Shaw, as I mentioned there are plenty of drivers who probably get on with the Eaton box very well What I question is the need for additional training to be able to get in and drive with this gearbox. As the Driver's Verdicts panel in the roadtest shows, I was not alone in my criticism of this particular installation.
With regard to the technology being dated, I'm afraid the Transcontinental argument holds little water as Ford stopped building thern nearly 20 years ago!--Dan Gillres