Scania Autos cut fatigue
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ONE OF the first Scania LB 81 Automatics to go into service with a UK operator has now been working for over five months in the fleet of the Multiple Fruit Co Ltd.
The Maltby-based (Yorks) subsidiary of the Glass Glover Group handles distribution work for the Littlewoods organisation, and the Scania 16-tonner, fitted with a Freight Bonallack demount body, is in a fleet of 46 vehicles which includes Leyland Clydesdales and manual-transmission Scania 80 and 81 artics.
As the new Scania is usually operating at well below the gross design weight over a relatively short route it is difficult to arrive at comparable fuel figures against the company's other Scanias on trunk work.
The real benefits of automatic transmission, -however, come out heavily in the drivers' favour with reduced fatigue and driving conditions approaching that of a car.
The UK introduction of the Allison MT 652-based transmission option was made only a few weeks before the last Earls Court show.
There is a weight saving of just over 27kg (601b) when the five-speed automatic box is fitted in place of the 10-speed manual version.
The unit requires little attention apart from a daily oil check and regular changes. In the case of the Multiple Fruit vehicle there is good access between the swop body and the back of the cab.