Lowdown on the 115.11
Page 20
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• lveco Ford has developed a lowered version of its powerful — 130kW (177hp) — 175.17 17-tonner for the brewery and drinks distribution market.
The chassis features an airsuspended drive axle conversion, by York Transport Engineering of Corby, which reduces the standard steel-leafsprung 175.17's 1.070mm frame height to 955mm.
The bellows on the Dunlop Pneuride air suspension can be inflated to increase the chassis height to 1,080mm or deflated to lower the frame to 880mm for easier unloading or matching the truck to a loading dock.
The standard 175.17's 11R22.5 radial tyres on 7.50x 22.5in rims all round have been replaced on the low height chassis by 315/70.225 tyres on 8.25 rims on the front axle and 275/70 low-profile tyres on 7.50 rims at the rear.
York has also moved the fuel tank and battery box. Location of the drive axle is provided by quarter-eliptic leaf springs and shock absorbers.
The low 175.17 chassis is being shown for the first time at this week's IRTE exhibition in Solihull (see preview, page 66). The day-cabbed demon strator has a Lawrence David curtain-sided body and a kerb weight of 6,580kg.
lveco Ford now offers the option of a faster 3.96:1 rear axle ratio on its 188kW (255hp) Deutz-powered 300.25 eightlegger chassis. The 3.96:1 ratio (already available on the more powerful 300.30 model) gives a maximum geared speed of 111km/h (69mph) on standard tyres, or 114km/h (71mph) on 12R22.5 tyres. The new option helps reduce engine revs and offers better fuel economy on motorway running. The 4.26:1 and 4.82:1 ratios will still be available.
The twin-steer 3828 Cargo tractive unit — revealed exclusively by Commercial Motor — goes into production next month. The 208kW (283hp) Cummins L10-powered Cargo 3828 has a kerb-weight of 6,557kg and is fitted with the Eaton Twin Splitter gearbox.