Double-drive Volvo FBI
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from our Scottish correspondent THE FIRST Volvo F88 6x2 tractive unit in the UK to be fitted with Robson third-axle drive and an hydraulic bogie lift has been supplied to David Brown & Sons, timber merchants, by C. & R. Briggs of Kirkcaldy.
The Robson unit consists of two hollow steel wheels, one at each side of the chassis, which can be powered down between the pairs of tyres on each axle to transmit drive from the driven leading to the trailing axle. Fully loaded on the road the standard 6x2 configuration is used, the double-drive being selected for arduous forest operation. When unladen the trailing axle is lifted to reduce tyre scrub.
The Robson drive unit and the third-axle lif t are hydraulically powered from an electric/hydraulic pack and it is estimated that by fitting the Robson unit which is built in Sweden, the operator has saved about £800 over the cost of a conventionally driven third axle.