Kelvin Hall bow for Mem vans

11th November 1977, Page 59

11th November 1977

Page 59

Page 59, 11th November 1977 — Kelvin Hall bow for Mem vans

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Replacing the front-wheel drive L3060 models, the new Mercs are railable with gvws of 2.55, 2.8, 3.2 and 3.5 tons with the lightest .rsion taking the three-pointed star into the one ton payload category w the first time.

The L306D was originally a Hanomag-Henschel design which was icorporated into the Mercedes-Benz range after the take over of H-H. !hen the design study for its replacement was begun about five years Jo, it was decided to move away from the fwd layout and revert to a lore conventional front engine/rear drive design.

The main reasons for the decision were that the Daimler-Benz igineers considered a rear drive made it easier to position the door and ep behind the front axle and, secondly, it allowed the extensive use I engines and transmission parts from other models without alteration.

As far as Mercedes are concerned, the positioning of the door and Bp behind the front axle is a must for a local delivery vehicle being iecl in city traffic.

Two engine options are currently available for the UK in the new remen-built vehicles.

The four-cylinder OM 616 diesel engine has a capacity of 2.4 litres 146 cu in) and produces 48 kW (65 bhp DIN), while the M115 petrol -igine, again a four-cylinder design, delivers 63 kW (85 bhp DIN) from .3 litres (140 cu in). These engines are not new; they have been used

the car range and the Dusseldorf transporter range for some years.

The four-speed all synchromesh gearbox has also been borrowed .cm the car range and modified for commercial vehicle use.

Leaf springs are used fore and aft with the front springs two-le parabolic design. The rear axle uses a threeor four-leaf convention spring depending on the gvw. An anti-roll bar is standard fitting at tl front and an optional extra at the rear.

Compared with the old L3060 design, the front track has be increased from 1.37 to 1.6m (4ft 6in to 5ft 3in), and the rear from 1 to 1.61m (4 ft 7 in to 5 ft 3 in).

To cope with stopping the new vans a vacuum-assisted hydraul braking system has been specified with four-pot fixed-caliper discs the front and drums at the back. Depending on the gvw, the rear bral drum sizes vary from model to model. With the 2.55 and 2.8t machines, the drums are 230 mm (9 in) in diameter and 35 mm (1.4 i wide. On the heavier models, these dimensions are increased to 260m (10.2 in) and 55 min (2.2 in) respectively.

The brakes have a split circuit arrangement with one circuit actir on the front wheels and the other at the rear. All the range have a loa sensing unit on the rear axle.

A lot of attention has been paid to the servicing requirements the new vans from routine maintenance to major overhauls.

Checking oil, water, brake fluid and windscreen washer levels is dor by opening the front flap while, for more extensive work, the comple front end panelling, along with the grille, can be folded upwards aft loosening four screws; the engine cover in the cab can also be remove All that remains to allow the complete engine and gearbox assemb to be removed from the front is to unbolt the front bumper and fran cross-member.

The cab corner panels—the ones most likely to suffer accident—a easily replaced.