TELFORD FIRSTS
Page 64
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I/ The change of venue for this year's Institute of Road Transport Engineers conference and display on 11-12 May has won the support of the vehicle manufacturers, with many showing models for the first time in this country.
The Telford Exhibition Centre will house 180 participants occupying 290 display areas, making this easily the biggest IRTE show to date.
One of the most significant new vehicles on show is the new S104 tractive unit from Foden, the purpose-built 28-32tonner added to the 3000 Series. Powered by the 198kW (265hp) 8.3-litre Cummins 60TAA charge-cooled diesel, the S104 promises to be fierce competition for ERF's successful E8.
Newcomers can also be found on the Iveco Ford stand, where the 190.32 and the 190.48 are being launched into the UK market. The 190.32 (and its twin-steer stablemate, the 220.32) is replacing the heavier and less powerful 190.30, while the 17.2-litre 190.48 takes Iveco Ford into the power race, competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz 1948, the Scania 143 and Volvo's F16.
Big news on the Leyland Daf stand is its new FTD 95.380, an 8x4 tractive unit for the heavy haulage industry (CM 12-18 January). With the fourth axle being a second steered axle, the 95 has hydropneumatic suspension on its rear three axles, and has a GVW of 57 tonnes.
MAN plans to show a series of vehicles developed from the G90 series, including a prototype right-hand-drive 4x4 model designated the 9.150 with an MAN G300 transfer box, an inter-axle lock and rearaxle diff locks. Also on show are a reeferbodied rigid with an uprated front axle and a parcel van with aerodynamic panelling — both based on the 8.150 (the latter being shown on the stand of the bodybuilder Vaile).
Other highlights for the show-goer include a Pegaso Troner on the Seddon Atkinson stand, the powerful R420 tractive unit from Renault (expected in the UK later this year in left-hand-drive form), and the environment-friendly "Green Lorry" from Steyr, based on its 17S21 17-tonne rigid.
James Jones & Sons from Stirlingshire is showing a Paffinger demonstration vehicle, showing the latest models from the company's range of lorry loaders, which includes units with ratings from 3.5tonne/metre to 45-tonne/metre. James Jones is also presenting the capable, but expensive, specialist off-road vehicle from Austria, the Steyr Puch Pinzgauer 6x6.
Bodybuilders and reefer operators will be interested in the display from Frigoblock-kuk Grosskopf, exhibiting at the IRTE show for the first time. The company is the largest German manufacturer of refrigeration equipment, and incorporates a number of interesting design features in its products, including a patented tilting device, to allow the refrigeration unit to be mounted closer to a tilting cab.
Another essential stop-off for reefer buyers is the Southfields stand, where the first results of the company's venture with Manton International of Ireland are unveiled in the shape of the new Icestar range. Southfields is showing a 12.2m triaxle semi-trailer from the range.
Don-Bur is exhibiting the new Spacemaster II pillarless distribution vehicle along with its Slide-A-Side curtainsider body. Two versions of the Spacemaster II are on display: a temperature-controlled semi-trailer with a front frozen goods compartment and a rear chilled goods section; and a model for
the drinks distribution market, which is mounted on a Volvo FL6 chassis.
An expanded range of trailer landing gear and fifth wheels can be found on the Dayton Walther stand. Two recent additions to the landing gear on offer are the "Kangaroo" leg, which has a hinged lower section for reduced coupling time, and an air-suspension leg which is reinforced to cope with the stress caused when air bags are deflated.
Longton Commercial Vehicle Services (LCVS) is showing an example of its cab conversions at the show, in the form of a crew-cab based on a Leyland Daf Constructor six-wheeler chassis. The company offers all-steel sleeper and crewcab designs on a range of vehicles.
The latest addition to the Granning range on show is a trailer axle/air suspension unit incorporating Stemfast Type 100 10,170kg axles and Granning ST17/80 air suspension. The unit is based on an integral steel channel frame and is intended to be mounted directly to the trailer frame.
Joloda of Liverpool is showing its new lightweight all-aluminium cantilever tail-lift for the first time. Designed with the small-vehicle market in mind, the lift weighs only 280kg, and requires a platform length of 1,500mm.
Operators who encounter problems with air brakes will find an exhibit on the Bendix stand of interest. The Bendix Test Case is an air-brake pressure test and monitoring device, comprising pressure gauges and associated connections supplied in a portable plastic case.
Anyone with doubts about load straps should consult the Association of Webbing Load Restraint Equipment Manufacturers (AWLREM), who are first-time exhibitors at the IRTE show.
by Peter Watt