CAB COMFORT The Foden sleeper cab is among the roomiest
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in the business. In-cab noise readings show the engine to be louder than some, but the tone is quite acceptable and not at all tiring Visibility is excellent, with large clear mirrors and the useful rear window with its pull-down night blind. Entry and exit is easy too, which is particularly important to container drivers who are forever climbing in and out of the cab.
The Foden's cable gear linkage simplified the gearbox installation and this helps shield the driver from any torque-induced vibrations from the driveline. The throttle pedal is now electronic, of course, but you wouldn't know the difference.
The standard oil change interval is 32,000km (20,000 miles) with no special lubricants-and Detroit Diesel says that its Series 60 engines do not need to be run-in. Fleet engineers will also like DDEC's self-diagnosis capability. Faults can be recalled either through the on-board electronics or, with the latest software, downloaded to a computer.
Dashboard lights warn the driver of the seriousness of each fault so he knows when it is safe to continue. DDEC can even be programmed to limit power to a maximum of 800/ when certain faults occur.
SUMMARY Foden, ERF and Seddon Atkinson have no plans to introduce the Series 60 engine. With Cummins and Perkins so well established it is uncertain if there is room for another player in such a small market. The engine is quite tall and undoubtedly heavy, but there is no physical reason why any of the current models couldn't be powered with a Detroit.
The men at Railfreight Distribution are pleased with the truck's performance and economy to date: parts replacement beyond scheduled maintenance has been limited to a couple of water hoses and a cracked breather pipe. Fitters at the Birmingham terminal where the truck is based report the engine is oil and water tight with negligible oil consumption. They point to the stop/start nature of their container haulage operation, the nutnber of cold starts and long hours in service as a better testimonial to its reliability than the 350,000km on the clock might suggest. Driver opinion seems equally positive.
Last time round we concluded that the Series 60 was well suited to the needs of UK hauliers. The power and economy we have recorded second time around leaves us more convinced than ever.
E. by Danny Coughlan
Our thanks go to Railfreight Distribution and to Northampton-based Detroit Diesel for making the vehicle available again.