Tough little MAN looks all set for a big future
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by Bryan Jarvis • MAN's L2000 light middleweight range, launched in the UK last December, looks like becoming a worthy successor to the long-serving MT range.
The 7.153 FK tipper version which CM has recently driven through the Chilterns with 3.5 tonnes of sand ballast on board certainly gives a good impression. The gutsy little MAN charge-cooled four-potter performs well at its 7.5-tonne limit, pulling quickly and smoothly away with no fuss.
The 114kW (155hp) diesel is so torquey that if it's left to lug a little too deeply. to say 800rpm, its remarkable resilience soon has it climbing back into the 'green' segment.
On this demo truck with just 6,500km on the clock the gears felt stiff and the clutch unexpectedly ponderous. In addition to this the neutral detente on the ZF S5-42 five-speed gearbox has to be allowed to work in its own way.
When moving into third from second gear no pressure must be placed on the gear lever otherwise you end up struggling in fifth cog.
However, it surged away in second gear from rest and pulled like a train from an enforced stop near the foot of the hill out of High Wycombe.
The 3.35m wheelbase chassis sampled with its Edbro tipping body and hydraulics had the fast 3.90:1 axle which gives a geared top speed of 119km/h (74mph).
Between the 40 and 60mph (64/96km/h) limits the engine revs quietly in the green "economy" sector.
Only when it runs towards the 70mph top speed limit does the needle get into the black segment.
But for general delivery work such as tipping building materials into small sites the 4.44:1 differential is probably a better choice.
Its top speed is reduced to 104km/h (65mph) but there's a useful 12% improvement in gradeability.
It handles well driven hard around uneven country roads although there is some front end dip and the suspension seems a little OD the soft side.
There's plenty of feel to the steering which requires little in the way of driver effort and it manoeuvres easily within an 11.2m ( 36.7ft) kerb-to-kerb turn.
The two-seater Steyr-sourced cab looks compact but is actually quite roomy.
It allows the driver an easy step up behind the wheel into the spacious truck-like surroundings.
Should he need to cross to the passenger side there's room enough.
Interior cab trim is fairly basic but practical, its rubber floor covering looks durable and cloth-covered seats hardwearing but comfortable.The seat is fully adjustable.
All the controls are well positioned and the instrumentation is one of the best in its class.
There's plenty of stowage space between the seats, in the header rail and on the dash plus a long pocket against the cab wall.
It's also well insulated for a local delivery truck: as a tipper it really needs windows at the back to allow the driver to see body and load movement.
As the tipper control is mounted well to the rear of the gear lever the main mirrors provide only a limited view of the rear when tipping.
The L2000 is a chassis that should suit users of all sizes but Barnsley-based Allendale Building Supplies is typical of the smaller type operator.
Its well-worn five year old Renault Dodge Commando needed replacing so ABS went for the newest 7.5-tonner on the market. Director Paul Vickers and his drivers are pleased with it. "First impressions are that it's a well engineered truck with a build quality second to none. It seems a tough little workhorse " he says.