loading flexibility
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• Designed to provide flexibility in load distribution on a vehicle employed for retail delivery work, a new Bedford twin-steer three-axle truck has sufficient front-axle capacity to accommodate additional loading when goods are removed from the rear of the platform. It is particularly suitable for brewery work and the distribution of soft drinks. Rated at 14.5 tons gvw, the vehicle is based on a Bedford KG chassis and can carry a payload of around nine tons depending on the type of bodywork employed. A favourable loading height 42in. is made possible by the use of 17in. wheels which is facilitated by the three-axle layout. A number of twinsteers have been in service with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Ltd.
Identical axles
The steering bogie comprises two identical I-beam axles each rated at 3.75 tons and features hydraulically operated powerassisted steering, the rear axle being rated at seven tons. Mean wheelbase of the vehicle is 188in., while the kerb-to-kerb turning circle is 68ft. Of the air/hydraulic type, the service brake system incorporates dual actuators and tandem master cylinders that independently operate the first and second axles. A separate master cylinder engages the rear axle brakes and spring parking brakes act on the rear wheels. Modified to reduce body overhang at the rear, the KG chassis frame is flitched to give additional strength. It will accommodate bodies with lengths up to 21ft 61n.
Detail features include double-acting shock absorbers on the front axles and road springs of increased length at the front and rear designed to improve the ride of the vehicle. It is powered by the Bedford Mk II 466 cu in. diesel that has an output of ,116 bhp at 2650 rpm.