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Bedford
Tasker urban artics
• Production begins in August of two new Bedford artics. Plated at 9.7 tons (payload allowance 6.14 tons) and 10.6 tons (payload allowance 6.88 tons) gross train weights, these artics, designed specifically for urban use, have been under development since the autumn of 1967, and an early example made an appearance in Glasgow during last year's Scottish Motor Show.
Close collaboration has continued since between Vauxhall Motors Ltd. and Taskers of Andover Ltd., resulting now in the announcement of these two variants.
The smaller of them is based on the Bedford KCC 10, 135in.-wheelbase chassis, which has the 220 cu.in. four-cylinder diesel engine, while the other is based on the KDSC 5 chassis which has the same wheelbase, but is fitted with the 330 cu.in. sixcylinder diesel unit.
Both models have the four-speed synchromesh gearbox as standard with a fivespeed box as an option. On the KC, a 10in. clutch is used while the KD takes a 12in. clutch as standard and a 13in. unit as an option. The rear axle on the KC is spiral bevel, ratio 6.2 (5.43 optional). On the KD a hypoid bevel rear axle, with either 5.3 or 5.8 ratios, is fitted. Front axles on the tractive units at plated at 2.0 tons, and the rears at 3.8 ton: The tyre equipment is 6.50 x 16 radials, an these are fitted to 5.50F x 16 -4.7 offse wheels.
For operation as articulated vehicle: both chassis are shortened to 84in. wheel base, with Taskers automatic coupling gea installed as an integral part of the chassi: The side-members are re-shaped at the rea ends to suit the coupling gear and th ramps.
Completing the outfits are matchinl semi-trailers of 3-, 5-, and 6-ton capacity and of 15ft to 20ft bodylengths. Provision is made for three-line braking, with refine. ments such as a load-sensing valve on the tractive unit rear axle for anti-jack-knifing automatic air-tank drainage; and audibl{ and visible signals in the cab for air-pressure drop.
Coupling to almost any make of toile within the capacity range is allowed for including trailers not fitted with ,double air line brakes. This permits operations witl mixed trailer fleets.
Recommended UK prices for the tractive units complete with Taskers coupling geal and three-line braking system are: KCC I( (9.7 tons, plated), £1,384 15s; KDSC (10.6 tons, plated) £1,511 10s.