Modifications Increase Thornycroft Range
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
APART from introducing the Nubian 6 x 6 cross-country vehicle, which was briefly described in last week's issue of The Commercial Motor, Transport Equipment (Thornycroft), Ltd., have made several modifications to their range. These have resulted in a longwheelbase heavy-duty load carrier and a lighter and more powerful general purpose chassis.
A long-wheelbase version of the Big Ben 6 x 4 chassis has been developed and has enabled the gross vehicle rating to he increased from 22.3 tons to 31.3 tons. Heavier axles have been used. The two driving axles have a hypoidgear primary reduction, with a further reduction through epicyclic gearing in the hubs. The chassis has been generally strengthened to cope with the increased payload and all wheels carry 12.00-24-in. (16-ply) tyres.
The power unit is a Thornycroft KRN,6 11.3-litre oil engine, with an output of 155 b.h.p. at 1,900 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of 508 lb.-ft. at 1,000 r.p.m., as fitted to the shorterwheelbase versions of this vehicle. Air braking, four-speed gearbox and twospeed auxiliary box are also included in the specification.
A supercharged version of the Big Ben engine, rated at 200 b.h.p., will be on show at Earls Court. The torque output is 625 lb.-ft. at 1,000 r.p.m. and the blower is of the exhaust-turbo type. It is air cooled and adds only 40 lb. to the weight of the engine.
The latest example of the Sturdy Star has a 13-ft. 6-in, wheelbase and weighs under 3 tons when fitted with cab and lightweight body. Weight reductimt has received primary consideration, and to this effect 7.500-20-in. (10-ply) tyres are fitted, allowing a payload of 51 tons. The TR6/131/2 oil engine has been uprated to develop 68 b.h.p. at 2,200 r.p.m., and the increased engine speed now permits a top-gear road speed of 47 m.p.h.
A new gearbox with a constant-mesh overdrive top gear is fitted tothe 16-ft. 6-in.-wheelbase Trident chassis. This will not only increases road speed, but also improve fuel economy when running unladen. The power output of this engine, the CR6/1 5.51-litre unit, has also been increased. It now produces 90 b.h.p. at 2,200 r.p.m.
An addition to the Trident series is the PG/CR6/1 chassis. This is a 13-ft. 6-in.-wheelbase vehicle specially developed for use over bad roads.' Longer springs have been fitted and axle tracks increased.