Seddon Atkinson 301
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In March Seddon Atkinson provided us with a double bite of the cherry in its new 301 tractive unit, powered by and designed around the new Cummins LT10 10 litre. Built to a light kerb weight of under six tons and a high specification incorporating the Spicer SST 8010-4B 10speed constant-mesh splitter box or the alternative Fuller RT7609 nine-speed range-change 11-tonne rear axle, the 301 was all set to take on Volvo, Mercedes and Daf's models.
Over CM's Scottish test route at 32 tons it returned an impressive fuel consumption of 39.241it/100km (7.2mpg) at a high average speed of 65.81km/h (40.94mph).
The 10-litre engine has a usable speed range from 1,3 0Orpm (max torque) to 2,100rpm (maximum power) but best fuel consumption returns are obtained with the engine humming between 1,550 and 1,90Orpm.
Seddon Atkinson has the 401 cab shell mounted much lower on the 301 chassis, giving a noisier ride than the L10's earlier reputation had suggested.
The 301's brakes were well balanced and our tester was impressed by the fine degree of control available for gentle braking.
Seddon Atkinson's installation of the 8010 Spicer gearbox does not include a preselect facility but proved none the worse for that.