MoD dumpers up for grabs
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by Charles Young • Volvo, Foden and Iveco Ford have tendered for the supply of 121 self-loading dump trucks for the Royal Engineers. The all-wheeldrive six-wheelers will replace Scamell S26s; they are on a four-month trial with the Moll.
The Royal Engineers' main requirements are payload, mobility and durability. They need a truck that can take a 12-tonne payload on the battlefield but also a 10-tonne payload without exceeding the peacetime GVW of 26 tonnes: the army no longer has crown exemption from legal GVWs during peacetime.
The mobility requirements centre on the need for sharp angles of departure and approach as well as a high under-body clear ance. The trucks also need to last far longer than those in the commercial market.
Volvo's solution is based on the FL12. It has a 4.3m wheelbase and will be available in either left or right-hand drive. The driven front axle is rated to eight tonnes; the rear bogie to 20 tonnes. Battlefield payload is 12.8 tonnes or six NATO pallets.
The self-loading equipment is manufactured by Hiab/Kinshofer and made by Partek Cargotec. The body is by Edbro.
Iveco Ford has supplied a EuroTrakker 380E37W 6x6 with an Italian Fassi crane. It can handle a 12tonne payload on its Edbro body. The maximum permitted weights are 8.5 tonnes at the front and 30 tonnes at the rear; extras include a vehicle blackout switch and recovery eyes.
Foden's contender is a 6x6 with a 3000 Series cab. It includes automatic transmission, which it says the RE specified, although manual transmission is an option if the auto proves too expensive. Bodywork is by Edbro.
The trial involves three months at the military testing ground at Chertsey followed by four weeks' operational field trials designed to simulate battlefield conditions.