eludes fills Powerliner gap
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A road speed limiter holds maximum geared speed to 112km/h (69.5mph). This in effect restricts engine speed to less than 1,750rpm, the point at which the power curve flattens off. At the legal speed limit engine speed reaches the mid point of the torque plateau at 1,470rpm.
The 3.2m-wheelbase model has been in production for almost a month, but the 3. 8mwheelbase 4 x 2 model has also been type-approved for operation at the forthcoming longer limit, when its production begins at the start of the new year.
The Powerliner 2 cab, introduced in September 1988 with 216-358kW (290-480hp), makes extensive use of plastic material in areas that are subject to stone chipping.
Galvanised steel panels are used at the front, in the doors and other areas exposed to moisture.
As with earlier Powerliner models, service intervals have been extended to 45,000Iun (28,000 miles) for long haul operations, or to 30,000km (18,000 miles) on stop-start work. Mercedes claims a lower routine service cost than any other premium heavy duty truck on the UK market.
Automatic chassis lubricafion, fitted as standard, uses liquid grease to lubricate 20 basic points and eliminate manual greasing, except for the prop-shaft bearings which haN been designed to suit the extended service intervals.
Basic specification also includes EPS (Electronic Powe Shift) on Mercedes' own 16speed synchromesh gearbox driving to hub reduction axles
The short-wheelbase 1733! weighs in at about 5,690kg (without fifth wheel); 200kg lighter than an equivalent 1729S and almost 300kg light. than the 1735S. This gives a payload capacity of 24.5 tonnt when coupled to a modern tri axle van or curtain-sided sem trailer.
Mercedes' UK market shat has grown this year by 0.7% 12.4%. Next year sales are e pected to fall by about 12% overall, but the market will re main strong with the best fi gures for any year during the last decade except for 1988/8 Aware of a hardening market, further aggravated by un
favourable exchange rates, Mercedes is offering a delete. option package which will reduce the purchase price for ti shorter single-bunk M cab models by £1,600 (0,000 for the S day cab models) with weight reductions of 110kg at 230kg respectively.
FUTURE PROSPERITY
Mercedes-Benz believes that drawbar operation is essential to the future prosperity of the UK haulage industry.
The 1733 prime mover, wit a GTW design of 40 tonnes, shares a driveline with the 1733 tractors, but to allow foi maximum load space it can be specified with a short cab and factory-engineered roofmounted sleeper pod which doubles as a wind deflector.
The short Si cab, derived from the standard S day cab with a bbc dimension reduced by 110nun to 1,460mm, retail its frontal impact strength and fore-and-aft seat adjustment. Four-bag air suspension, with two bags placed either side ol the drive axle, is standard on the rigid chassis, serving to raise and lower chassis height for operation with demount bodies.
During the coming year Mercedes-Benz plans to revis its rigid and multi-wheel range between 17 and 30 tonnes an will incorporate the Powerline 2 cab along with improved engines and drivelines.
0 by Bill Brock