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PREVIEW

25th April 1991, Page 48
25th April 1991
Page 48
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Page 48, 25th April 1991 — PREVIEW
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TIPCON

MI Don't expect to find many tipper makers smiling at Harrogate. Last year multi-wheeler sales fell by over 46%, and so far the picture for 1991 is little changed with three and four-axle rigid registrations down by between 50 and 60% respectively.

That said, however, there are faint signs of improvement. The gradual nibbling away at interest rates has stimulated cautious suggestions that the market has bottomed out. More significantly, used truck dealers are having to pay more for their stock, so they must see a market somewhere, although there is little chance of a marked increase in sales before the end of the year.

Tippermen making the trek to Yorkshire expecting to find a bonanza of new models will be disappointed: and considering that Tipcon is a show which prides itself on the fact that it's a showcase for operators' vehicles, it will be intriguing to see exactly who has bought a new multi-wheeler.

Scania isn't too worried; one of its main Harrogate exhibits is a pre-production version of its P113-320MK 8x4, complete with the long-awaited two-spring bogie, which has already covered 150,000km in service with Yuill & Dodds.

Althoughlighter by 200kg, the two-spring bogie offers a stiffer ride than the standard four-spring bogie suspension on the ML 8x4 chassis and is meant for more arduous off-road work. Two-spring bogie multi-wheelers also have a tougher frame, parabolic springs on the front axles and raised fuel/air tanks and battery boxes to give maximum protection when ploughing through the mud.

Having tested the water with a two-axle bonneted T113 tractor at the NEC Motor Show last September, Scania has already gained a fair amount of feedback, not least from Dartford-based Ray Dorney (see page 54) who has bought the 269kW (360hp) NEC show model which can be seen on the Weightlifter stand at Harrogate.

Volvo Trucks (Great Britain) is also sticking a toe in the bonneted market. This week it demonstrated two examples from the new NL bonneted range to a dealer sales panel.

Whether Volvo will bring in a rigid 6x4 heavy tipper chassis, a tractor — or both — remains to be seen; obviously its dealers will influence any decision.

Greater commonality of components used in the bonneted NL and forward-control F and FL range means that there is greater right-hand-drive potential for the NL than there ever was with the old N range. Whatever the outcome Volvo's Tipcon line-up is strictly forward control, consisting of a 17-tanner, two 6x4s and an eight-legger. Volvo is now selling a lot more FL10 8x4s, reflecting the growing demand for more powerful tipper chassis.

Few operators are likely to put the latest and most powerful 298kW (400hp) Perkins Eagle Tx400 engine (CM 21-27 March) in a multi-wheeler, but it could well find a home in some artic tipper fleets. The Peterborough-based engine maker is unveiling the Tx400, with a peak torque of 1,810Nm (1,3351bft) at Harrogate. ERF has already confirmed its intention to offer the Tx400.

Given the success of the Tx the chances of a Gardner revival looks increasingly slim. Perkins, however, is still showing an LG1200 at Tipcon.

The demand for more power is noticeable in Seddon Atkinson's Tipcon line-up. The Oldham-based truck maker has 6x4 and 8x4 versions of its TC multi-wheeler range on show, both powered by an L10 Cummins (see Vehicle News).

The 205kW (275hp) six-wheeler comes with an optional Twin Splitter box and a Jake Brake. The Strato TC32.33L's 10-litre lump pushes out 242kW (325hp). Both vehicles have design weights which anticipate the day when an eight-legger will be allowed to run at 32 tonnes and a six-wheeler at 26 tonnes. In fact 32-tonne eight-wheeler's aren't due until 1999, when the UK will also accept 40-tonners and 11.5-tonne drive axles. Six-wheel 26-tonners are scheduled for January 1993, but only with double tyres and air suspension.

Foden's fortunes in the six-wheeler market have improved dramatically since the introduction of the 3000 Series two years ago. Its market share hit over 6% last year and it's still growing. From this month all 3000 Series models will be fitted with a narrower cab derived from the 2000 Series 17-tormer.

The 2.2m-wide cab shaves some 90kg off the six-wheeler's kerbweight, bringing it down to 6,512kg. This allows a body/payload of almost 17.9 tonnes; a sleeper version adds only 65kg. The 3000 Series comprises five base models but comes with the widest range of options of any 24-tonner. The 6x4 chassis can be specced for general haulage, tipper or 6.3m3 mixer work.

Foden recently introduced a package of product improvements on its tractor and rigid chassis (CM 11-17 April) which includes the option of a 205kW (275hp) version of the L10 Cummins in its 4000 Series along with optional vertical exhausts on the 2000 Series and a sandwich-type PT-0.

By now most operators will be familiar with the C-Series-powered 24-27 six-legger from AWD (a full test appears on page 28), which made its Tipcon debut in pre-production form last year. AWD's sister company Multidrive has two new artic offerings alongside the 8x6 MTL33-27, with conversions based on an ERF and Foden tractor.

MAN's 6.87-litre ECU engine broke cover at the NEC and is being shown again at Harrogate in the 142kW (190hp) 17.192 17-tonner. It's cleaner, quieter and more powerful than the old M90 middleweight engine. MAN's standard 17-tonne rigid wheelbases are at 3.6, 3.9 and 4.15, but the show chassis is a 5.05m model to accommodate an Effer 760 crane fitted ahead of a steel body.

Although MAN has pushed the power output of its five-cylinder 9.97-litre engine up to 235kW (315hp), for the moment it is still only available in right-hand-drive F90 tractors.

Tippermen wanting a lighter alternative to the big 11.96-litre lump currently used in the MAN eight-legger will have to wait quite some time — the five-pot is not expected in a RHD 8x4 tipper much before the end of the year.

The story is pretty much the same when it comes to new products from Mercedes-Benz. Although a new range of six and eight-leggers featuring the latest SK heavy truck cab, has been expected for some time, M-B (UK)'s Tipcon line-up is made up of existing 3025 and 2421 chassis, along with a crew-cabbed 709D.

Where M-B (UK) goes from here in the UK tipper market isn't clear. But the six-wheeler 2421 and 8x4 3025 are both in need of more power, which could eventually be provided by the latest vee-six and vee-eight LEV engines (see Vehicle News page 8) which were unveiled last week at the Hanover Fair.

Leyland Daf has dropped the old Scammell Constructor name and deleted the previously most powerful 224kW (300hp) Perkins Eagle 800-300T engine option from its recently facelifted four-axle range, now called the Series 80. If you want power at 224kW and above it's provided by the long serving Daf 11.6-litre engine, which pushes out 242kW (325hp) in the most powerful FAD 80.330 chassis.

Traditional proprietary engine buyers can still get a Cummins or a Perkins in the Series 80, but only at 186 and 201kW (250 and 270hp) respectively.

Leyland Daf has taken HGV braking safety to heart by fitting Grau's DGX category 1 anti-lock system as standard on both the 80 and 60 Series. The DGX comes with diagnostic display, as does Grau's Modal ABS package for semi-trailers.

Despite the arrival of the Euro Cargo (CM 18-24 April), Iveco Ford's Tipcon line-up is made up of revised rather than new models; namely the Cargo Q package and the recently introduced TurboTech 220.36 twin-steer tractor.

Renault's new B range six-tonner also gets its first airing at Tipcon complete with a K&J Withey tipper body.

Aside from the major chassis manufacturers there is the usual conglomeration of components.

Rockwell's new range of single-reduction hypoid tandem-drive axles supersedes the long running SRHD/SSHD tandems. Offering load ratings of 18.8 tonnes to 23 tonnes, all four models are engineered to match increased power outputs, heavier operating weights, more stringent legislation and the need for a further reduction in downtime.

Lipe has signed original equipment contracts with both AWD and Seddon Atkinson and is specified by ERF, Iveco Ford and Foden. The company's 15/380 push-type single and twin-plate metric clutches are now in full production.

Holland Hitch, the world's largest manufacturer of fifth wheels and associated equipment, makes a welcome return to the UK through its newest manufacturing subsidiary, Eurohitch. The FW3500 stationary fifth wheel is the first cast steel fifth wheel to be imported from its new German plant.

Fontaine, like Holland Hitch is of North American parentage. It is launching a new range of long-life, minimum maintenance, easy operation landing legs available with either square or round tube legs and cross bearers.

A growing demand for lightweight landing legs used in conjunction with aluminium tipper trailers can now be satisfied by the Jost E100 aluminium leg. Weight has been reduced by about 30kg without compromising stability.

El by Bill Brock

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Locations: Dartford, Oldham

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