Narrow cab plan for Foden 8x4
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• Foden could move into the ultra-lightweight eight-wheeler market next year with a new 8x4 fitted with its recently introduced narrow cab.
The only cab currently offered on a Foden four-axle chassis is the full-width unit used on the 4000 Series. But if there is suf ficient customer demand the Sandbach truck maker will consider fitting the narrower cab, currently used on its 3000 Series six-wheelers and tractors and the 17-tonne 2000 Series. The narrow cab was developed for the 2000 Series and was extended to the 3000 range at this year's Tipcon show.
According to Foden's administration services manager Roger Beswick the narrow cab 8x4 would be a "logical" extension to Foden's multiwheeler line-up although he stresses that it depends very much on the state of the overall multiwheeler market, which is currently depressed.
A narrow cab 8x4 would offer advantages in reduced kerbweight and added manoeuvrability.
The 3000 Series 6x4 rigid is currently powered by the 198KW (265hp) eight-titre Cummins C Series which would probably be carried over on to the 8x4 — the same engine is used by ERF in its E8.275 fouraxle chassis.
However, there is room under the narrow cab for a larger engine, and following the existing options in the 4000 Series this could include the Cummins L10 and the 3306B Caterpillar diesel. Whether the narrow cab 8x4 would have a different frame is not clear.