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MAN's back-up plan
Page 14
Page 15
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There is a growing demand for 8x2 rearsteers in the UK and MAN is the latest marque Looking to get a piece of the action.
Words: Kevin Swatiow / images: Torn Cunninghar FLEET AND VEHICLE utilisation is vital for hauliers as they fight to keep themselves solvent in these most testing of times.
As they raise new questions, truck manufacturers are moving to provide the answers. The 8x2 single-drive, rearsteer/lifting axle rigid is a growing market, and now accounts for 10% of all four-axle registrations.
Obvious applications are: in the milkcollection market; rigid vehicles with front-mounted cranes moving oversized non-divisible loads such as portable buildings; and flatbeds that are hauling static caravans.
DAL Scania and Volvo have entered the sector. They agree the cut-off point is construction because a single drive axle won't meet on-site traction needs. However, interest has come from the hook-loader market, where recycling and skip collection is concerned.
Rear-steer is already popular on three axles compared with a 6x4. and MAN is looking to exploit that trend on four axles. Here, its existing 6x2 chassis has had a second steer axle added to the front to become an 8x2,
Improved capacity
Rather than replace the 6x2, the design is to counter diminishing 6x4 sales for milk collection, explains MAN. So far, it has produced two 8x2 in right-handdrive, both of which have been sold to Payne's Dairies, which is based in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire.
Mark Pickering, fleet engineer, says the dairy will change the nine remaining collection vehicles from 6x4 to 8x2. That will improve capacity by 5,000 litres to 20,000 litres, he says, and the rear-steer means drivers can access narrow lanes with greater manoeuvrability. With a single drive axle, the rolling resistance is also reduced, and it should provide better fuel economy than an 8x4.
The 8x2, at 8,960kg with the M day cab. weighs 155kg less than the doubledrive eight-legger, and offers 23,040kg body/payload potential. The 6x4 chassis with M cab comes in at 8.454kg, just over half a tonne lighter, and only offers 17,546kg body/payload, or just over 15,000 litres of milk. An equivalent 6x2 weighs 7,919kg and boasts a 18,081kg body/payload potential, and at Payne's Dairies offers 16,000 litres.
Parking
The TGS comes with the M day cab, D20 394hp Euro-4 engine using EGR and 12-speed automated Tipmatic with 3.08:1 rear axle drive. Its front axles are on steel suspension and the drive and rear-steer/lift axles are on air.
Compared to a 6x2. the twin-frontbogie steer option isn't as responsive as a single-front-axle steer because of the extra tyre scrub, but compared with an 8x4 the steering is much smoother.
In tight situations, which meant a series of several right-angle junctions and Charnock Richard southbound services, we found it easy to move around with the 8x2 pivoting on the third axle. This helps to reduce scrub, and the rear bogie tyres should last a little longer than on a double drive. Backing into a parking space, no easy thing at Charnock Richard service area where while lines were last seen before the recession. the 8x2 doesn't need the space to manoeuvre like an 8x4.
Comfortable handling
On the road, its handling is comfortable without being too eager. It provides the driver with balance and assurance. One area where it did impress was running into and out of roundabouts. It is a thin Line with three steering axles out of four, since the potential to overdo the manoeuvrability can lead you into a bit of trouble.
At the moment, MAN doesn't have a price for its 8x2, because only two right-hand-drive versions have been produced. The vehicle comes with 12 months' warranty and 24 months' driveline cover. Oil and filter service intervals are 80,000km and fuel filter intervals are 40,000km. •