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Designing in the dark
Page 73
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Chassis to be exhibited in the heavyweight classes at the Earls Court Show which opens next Friday provide physical evidence of the harm which is being done by the failure of the authorities to come to a decision on higher maximum vehicle weights. Manufacturers are anxious to have the right vehicles ready, and operators are keen to use the most productive vehicles available: but everyone is working in the dark. Among the Commercial Motor Show exhibits will be two-axle tractive units for 32, 34, 36 and 38 tons gross train weight and double-drive or twin-steer models for 38 and 44 tons from British manufacturers. No doubt the diversity is valuable in showing alternative solutions, each of which may suit a particular application; but there must also be a great deal of wasted engineering and design time and effort when there is no clear target to aim at.
Knowing that weights are almost certain to rise—it is six years since the gross limits were increased manufacturers have produced whole ranges of more powerful engines and the generally available power band (not including the gas turbines) for the heavies now lies between 220 and 290 bhp, compared with 180 to 200 bhp two years ago. But these powerful new units will only be widely adopted when new weights of vehicle can be offered simultaneously. Since the new engines are designed not only to give more power but also to have cleaner exhausts and—operating generally at smaller throttle openings—can be quieter, there are good environmental reasons, as well as .a productivity argument, for taking the next step up the maximum-weight scale.
Despite all the aid given to the railways, and technical developments such as the Freightliner system, British road transport carries more each year: the annual tonnage is now around 1,650m, and growing by 100m tons a year. Heavier gross weights could mean fewer vehicles for a given tonnage —a development that would be welcomed not only by those concerned about congestion and environment but also by operators facing a shortage of skilled drivers and a continuing sharp rise in wages.