Ford uprates its 'baby'
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VORD'S D300 "baby" artic is to be uprated from 9.15 tons to 10 tons g.c.w. which will give a payload potential of up to 6 tons. Mechanically the unit remains the same but changes have been made in tyre equipment to meet increased trailer axle loadings.
Introduced in March this year, the D300 was a joint development between Ford and Hands Trailers Ltd., of Letchworth.
Standard tyre equipment on both tractor and trailer on introduction was 6.50-16 size and this was selected for maximum interchangeability between the D300 tractive unit and existing trailer fleets. In line with the Ministry of Transport's new plating and braking regulations to be introduced on January 1, 1968, this tyre size limited the gross weight of the outfit to 9.15 tons.
Since introductiorr of the model, operator experience has indicated a demand for a higher gross weight rating and Ford has met this demand by re-rating the outfit to 10 tons g.c.w. At this new rating the 6.50-16 steel cord radial tyres fitted as standard to the existing tractive unit fully meet the new axle loadings but heavier loads on the trailer axle mean that 7.00-16 8/12-ply or steel cord radial tyres must be fitted to the trailer. If an operator does not object to different tyre sizes, 6.50-16 tyres can still be specified on the tractive unit but 7.00-16 tyres should be specified for the tractive unit if same-size tyres all round are required.
When operators use the D300 tractive unit with their existing trailer fleets, which will almost certainly have 6.50-16 tyres, the outfit will be limited to operation at 9.15 tons g.c.w. Operators who do not require the higher payload offered by the new rating can specify new matched Hands trailers with 6.50-16 tyre equipment and run at the lower 9.15 tons rating.
Operators already running 0300 matched artics can, through the Ford truck specialist dealer network, get the vehicle identification plate uprated to 10 tons in line with the tyre changes. Standard equipment on the delivery vans includes a dual-circuit brake system, mounting points for seat belts, large exterior mirrors, and a sliding door giving access to the load compartment. Capacity of the rearmounted engine has been increased by 91 c.c. to 1,584 c.c. raising the net output by 4 b.h.p. to 47 b.h.p. at 4,000 r.p.m.
Some modifications have been carried out on both axles to increase roadholding characteristics and the instrument panel has been redesigned. Existing models have the fresh air intake at the top of the windscreens which is controlled from inside the van by a lever on the roof, but on the new models the fresh air intake is under the windscreen and the vents are controlled on both sides of the dashboard. The fuel tank capacity has been increased by 5 gal to 13 gal which should provide for a laden range of 300 miles on a full tank.
The body capacity of the normal delivery van in the new series is 177 cu.ft.-7 cu.ft. more than the earlier model.