fl-B promoting drawbars
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I Mercedes-Benz is calling r longer drawbar combinams as a more practical way achieving the 120m3 Philips mcept-type dimensions withit having having to use intricate exmding towing mechanisms. With its 2.25m-long sleeper b, Mercedes says it will be tssible to carry up to 36 Euro Bets (1.2 x 8m) in a pair of 42m bodies using a normal awbar. With a close-coupled ,ntre-axled trailer, 38 pallets n be accommodated in two 82m bodies,
With M-B's 1.65m short cab rth top sleeper pod, a couple 8.22m bodies will take up to 'pallets.
According to Dieter Forth, ercedes' heavy-duty truck 'velopment engineer, two 22m bodies will fit on an 18.75m combination comfortably, with no need for complicated mechanisms.
Porth is dissatisfied with the performance of some of the extending mechanisms on the market, particularly when changing lanes at speed such as in motorway contraflows. He wants tighter controls over such systems.
Mercedes hopes to encourage UK operators to consider drawbars carefully, particularly for their impressive turning cirdes.
0 At present, 74% of all European operators use drawbars in their fleet. West Germany with 78% has the most; Italy is next with 47%, followed by the Netherlands with 24% and France with 20%. In Britain the proportion is 6.0%.