Mere introduces 6 x 4 tippi
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id new tractive unit Extension to UK vehicle range by Gibb Grace • Mercedes-Benz (GB) Ltd is to launch a major selling campaign for its commercial vehicles. The campaign, which gets under way at the time of the London Commercial Motor Show, will be strengthened by the introduction of two additional models to be offered in the UK range. These are the LK 2624 6 x 4 tipper and the LPS 1924 two-axle tractive unit. Together with the small L 206D and L 306D vans announced recently (CM July 28) Mercedes-Benz has the widest range offered by a foreign manufacturer. Both new models will be at the show.
Model LK 2624 The LK 2624 (6 x 4) tipper model has a heavy duty specification and is particularly suited to quarry and arduous off-road conditions. It can be used legally on the road but, because of its high kerb weight (8 tons, plus body) payload at the legal maximum gvw of 24 tons is on the low side. Gvw can be as high as 30 tons for oft road conditions with the right tyres, for the drive axles are 13 tonne designs. Running on the standard 11.00 x 20 tyres, front and rear, gvw is 26 tons.
The LK 2624 is available in two wheelbases, 16ft 2+in. and 1711 6+in., i.e. centre of front axle to centre of bogie: Bogie spread is 41't 4fin. (1.34 metre) and is thus limited to 18 tons under the latest C and U regulations (1.35 metre spread is
needed for .18.5 tons). These wheelbases will accommodate bodies up to 10 cu yd and allow good load distribution.
The chassis has pressed side members and riveted construction. Between the rear hangers of the front springs and the bogie mounting trunnion the side member section is constant; the channel section frame is 11.25in. deep and tin. (9mm) thick. Forward and rearward of this centre section, the side members taper off. Turning circle, between walls, of the 1611 2+in. wheelbase chassis, is only 5611.
The bogie axles are carried on the ends of inverted semi-elliptical springs and are located by links mounted above and below the axles. Drive to the bogie is through a transfer case and then via separate prop-shafts to each axle. The axles have secondary reduction at the wheel hubs by spur gears and, therefore, have small differential cases giving good ground clearance. Drive to the rearmost bogie axle is taken over the forward one, thus further helping ground clearance. A differential in the transfer ease prevents wind-up between the axles, so reducing tyre wear.
Power for the LK 2624 is provided by the Mercedes-Benz QM 355 engine. This unit is an 11.6-litre six-cylinder direct injection diesel giving 240 bhp at 2200 rpm to BS AU141a 1971, and 586 lb/ft at 1300 rpm. The gearbox is a ZF six-speed design, the AK 6-80. Model LPS 1924 The LPS 1924 is a two-axle tractive unii with a wheelbase of 9ft 10in, complete wit1 sleeper cab. Although designed for use at 3f tons gcw, and thus expensive, these heaviei models are becoming increasingly populai in the UK as they generally offer superioi driver comfort, and performance wit!. comparable fuel consumption to the lightei 32 tonners. The same engine, the OM 355 powers the LPS 1924 and the LK 2624 tipper, but in the former model the gearboi is a synchromesh version of the 6.80 type This box, which has six-speeds, can bc specified with a splitter giving 12 speeds.
The front axle is fitted with powei steering as standard; the long, single-rat( springs are fitted with double-actinl dampers and an anti-roll bar. again a! standard. The rear axle has two-rat( semi-elliptic springs; the shorter springs which become effective only at the highei loads, have slipper ends.
The standard rear axle ratio is 5,77 to 1 but options of 6.46 and 5.26 are available. Tyres are 12.00 x 20 18-ply rating as standard, suitable for operation at 38 tom gvw and bigger than strictly necessary for operation at 32-ton gvw.
Kerb weight of the LPS 1924 withoui spare and fifth wheel is 6.10 tons, sc payload at 32 tons could be as high as 21 tons and. at 38 tons, 26 tons.