NEW FORD 'BABY' ARTIC
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From Ford/Hands comes 9.1-ton g.t.w. off-the-peg outfit
RD today announces the intro duction of a new "baby" artican addition to its D Series commercial vehicle range. Called the D300, the tractive unit is plated for a gross train weight of 20,500 lb. and costs approximately f1,300.
The unit has been designed by the Ford special vehicle order department and has been developed in conjunction with Hands Trailers Ltd.
This joint development has permitted the design of new automatic coupling gear and a range of semi-trailers specially matched to the D300 artic in terms of weight distribution and braking performance.
But although the D300 is being offered as an off-the-peg matched unit with these new Hands trailers, the automatic coupling fitted as standard will also accept all other 3/5-ton trailer couplings of other makes such as Taskers, Scammell and Brockhouse. This is to enable operators to integrate the artic into their existing fleets.
The D300 tractive unit takes its major mechanical components from the existing D300 truck but these are installed in a modified frame from the former D500 tractive unit. This frame is shortened to give a 76 in. wheelbase.
The vehicle is powered by the Ford 240 Cu. in. four-cylinder diesel engine which produces 83 b.h.p. at 2,800 r.p.m. and has a gross torque of 186 lb. ft. at 1,700 r.p.m. It is coupled to an 11 in. single-dry-plate clutch and a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. A 14 gal. fuel tank is standard.
The front axle has a capacity of 5,500 lb. and the rear single-speed spiral-bevel axle has a capacity of 13,000 lb. Front spring capacity is 1,900 lb. and rear 3,100 lb. To give an extra low cab step height and a low loading height on the semi-trailer, 16 x 5.5F six-stud wheels with 6.50-16 radial steel cord tyres are offered as standard.
Dual air/hydraulic brakes are standard. A new third emergency brake system is also incorporated and this emergency system gives 50 per cent braking effort on the tractive unit front and rear axles and full braking on the semi-trailer axle. It is actuated by a separate hand lever on the left of the driving seat and operates through a mechanical linkage to an air-hydraulic transfer valve. The parking brake is the Ford multi-pull mechanical unit, mounted below the dash.
The mechanical braking systems fitted to many existing semi-trailers can be used with the D300 air/hydraulic system by plugging the service air line on the tractive unit back into the secondary system. This operates the linkage through the spade of the tractive unit coupling gear. "C" type. couplings are fitted to both tractive unit brake lines as standard and these incorporate automatic shut-off valves.
Also fitted to the tractive unit rear axle is the new Clayton Dewandre load sensing valve, which is now standard on all Ford prime movers. A similar valve is fitted to the axle of the matched Hands semi-trailer range for even greater braking stability.
The D300 is being offered with a 12V electrical system, and the lighting coupling is by a jumper cable and multi-pin socket. Fixed rear lamps, stop lamp and flashers are provided as standard.
The new Hands coupling tailored for the D300 artic is a development of the Hands Autosafe unit. Large "C" hooks engage .around the semi-trailer ramp rollers when coupled. Wedges automatically keep the hooks locked in position. Disengagement of the coupling is by a hand release lever in the cab. In the event of a mis-couple the unit is designed so that even when fully loaded, the trailer drops on its loading legs at a height which keeps the load safe and enables the tractor to pick up again.
The coupling itself has a capacity of 2+ tons and weighs only 268 lb. Apart from a single grease point serving the rubbing surface of the turntable, the coupling is lubrication free.
Hands has introduced a new range of 5-ton-capacity flat platform semi-trailers specifically matched to the Ford D300 artic. These semi-trailers, type 13SSF5, have a maximum width of 7 ft. and are available from 15 ft. to 23 ft. in 1 ft. increments. The height of the platform at the axle is 39 in. unladen and 36-1in. laden on 6.5016 twin tyre equipment. Wedge brakes, 12+ in. by 3-1 in., are linked to the Clayton Dewandre load sensing valve.
There is a choice of headboards with the new Hands trailers—timber or interlocking alloy sections made by High Duty Alloys.
Hands will soon introduce a further range of D300 matched 5-ton drop-frame trailers for 3 and 4 tons payload.