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Battling binwagons!

18th June 1998, Page 14
18th June 1998
Page 14
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Page 14, 18th June 1998 — Battling binwagons!
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Wellies, Pacamacs and sou'westers took on World-Cup ticket status in Torbay last week as a rain-sodden !WM show became a mud and tree bark wallow, writes Bryan Jarvis. Holidaymakers showed not a shred of sympathy; one small group of elderly trippers taking light relief in demonstrating over the loss of their sea-view.

Others were obviously intrigued by the huge variety of foreign equipment on show. But importers, unlike our Riviera tourists, are attracted to the Devon shoreline by Sterling's great strength.

The show highlighted the impending battle between Dennis and Mercedes over the low-entry municipal truck market. Market leader Dennis has upgraded its high-quality Elite, but Mercedes' new Econic range has raised the stakes. As well as a superbly finished cab the Merc features air-suspension, disc brakes on all axles and M-B family Telligent electronics. But two other contenders are also poised to enter the fray.

ERF has two low-entry RCVs on the stocks: an EM conventional right-hand drive rig and the EU version, with its centre-steer arrangement, based on the former Jack Allen tapered cab which Seddon Atkinson used in its Leader range. The EM stems from a recent deal with Marshall over its novel forward-control cab.

lveco's massive investment at Oldham has enabled 62 Seddon to build its own low-entry chassis for pan-European and UK use. With its projected Euro-3 driveline and ,2 Allison transmission, the new range, -! should surface by late September, with deliveries starting early next year.

By then municipal truck buyers should T-c) have an amazing choice before them.

• Its a two-step entry via the folding door to the Econic's flat floor and driver-plus-three seats. More • UK Waste operates six drawbars using specially built Truckmate tandem-axled skip trailers which can take a pair of Chem or Dinasaur containers from the front or the rear. The tow beam retracts from 1,750mm to 650mm and locks in place using standard brake chambers thus allowing the skips to be loaded over the front.

• Mercedes took Actros, Atego, Unimog and Vito models on an outing to Paignton seafront, but its main attraction was the latest low-entry Econic municipal. This newcomer will also be offered in fire-fighting, airport support, road tanker, drinks and car-delivery guises. All versions have the Allison five-speed autobox with disc brakes and air suspension on all axles which lifts (by 200mm on the 4x2 and 80mm on the 6x2s) to offer some belly protection on landfill sites. Leading the attack next month will be the 230hp (170kW) 1823 17-tonner. It will be followed in September by the 279hp (205kW) mid or rear-steer 2628 6x2. Merc offers its usual 12-month unlimited distance warranty with 24 months' driveline cover. It defends their price tags of £63,690 and £73,680 respectively by predicting a service life of up to 12 years, depending on their use. • Dennis's facelifted Elite cab now has the benefit of an on-board computer which is designed to manage the engine's response to body power demands, cutting fuel consumption and noise. The Eagle Brain replaces the standard accelerator linkage with an electronic pedal and engine actuator to regulate fuel delivery. Based on data received, the computer maintains a constant engine speed by varying the throttle enough to meet changes in power demand. The Brain prevents unnecessary overrevving and monitors engine and compactor system condition. If oil or coolant systems overheat or drain away the computer protects the engine by dropping the revs to tick-over or shutting down after 20 seconds or so. The latest Elite also has an immobiliser and LCD display which shows any system malfunction. • ERF exhibited its new centre-steer muni' cab range, mostly in Jack Allen livery and all bodied for use as demonstrators or for contract hire. This true one-step entry model now features a direct-line steering linkage, a steering box repositioned inboard of the chassis and a brand new fascia with larger, easy-read dials, dashmounted radio control and even an hour meter. The EU range comprises two, three and four-axle chassis with day or crewcabs; the 4x2 and a 22-tonne GVW 6x2 being are available with standard or narrow track. As well as mid and hydraulicrear-steer 26-tonners there's a double-drive 6x4 and a mighty 8x4 32-tonner.

• Marshall's stainless-steel-framed, GRP-clad cab and Cummins/Allison/Rockwell driveline are gaining in credibility. Many councils have sampled it and now Glasgow plans to put its Norba-bodied 6x4 through the mill. It won't be any easier for this Haller wheelie-bin emptier, which is en route for St Edmundsbury in Suffolk to join a fleet of Dennis Elites. The Haller-bodied 26-tonner sports a Terberg binlift, PM On Board 1200 weigher and Brigade Backeye CCTV.

• Heavy truck 4x4 conversion specialist Trent Industries of Kingswinford has developed an option for the LDV 400 chassis. It uses a new front axle with standard LDV disc brakes; Trent has also added LDV's optional Quaife torquesensing differentials, front and rear. The transfer box is the Steyr VG80 which was previously used in the Pinzgauer. Trent normally supplies steel bodywork but for this lightweight drop-side tipper it chose recycled plastic planking. • With around 25 of its Compact bin emptiers in use, Linktip sees a niche emerging for larger midrange 4x2 rigids. With this in mind it has beefed up the design to suit chassis in the 11-14-tonne range, the first of which went straight from the show to start trials with Torbay council. Linktip has also developed a Leyland Daf 45-Series with a three-man crewcab, side bin-lift and leaf suction clearer especially for Douglas council in the Isle of Man. Having closed its Broxburn factory, Linktip has appointed Airdrie-based Flemyng & Taylor as its sales, service and warranty agent for customers North o' the Border. • This MacLift tipper-bodied Iveco 180E23 6x2 is heading for the Isle of Wight where Island Waste Recycling will deploy it on glass recycling duties. The 30m3 three-compartment body is MacLift's first of this type. It's made of high-yield steel with underbody tipgear. The Iveco's positively steered twinwheeled trailing axle will enable it to make tight turns in reverse as well as forward gears to iron out some of the islands narrow, twisty roads. Tyre wear should also be reduced. • Unimog's Eco-Waste Shuttle is made for hauling waste along roads and straight across rough landfill sites. It looks more than capable of handling adverse terrain. Based on the 240hp (177kW) U2450 4x4 with specially made Gull trailer, it can haul 19-tonne payloads at up to 80km/h then dive straight into the rough. The twin-ram tipping operation is controlled directly from the cab. Unimog's UK director Seppo Hakkinen says: "The concept has been developed specifically to cut out transfer from normal road-going trucks to a tractor and trailer, thus reducing the number of vehicles required for the job." Six have been sold to an operator who shifts waste paper on and off road, and there were many enquiries throughout the show.

• Johnston's Danish agent Beam paid a surprise [WM visit to show off a huge Volvo F I 6x4 based S10000 10m3 sweeper truck. After a few demos it will head off for Trondheim, Norway where it will be used for long-distance highway cleaning. Although Johnston is based in Them, in Denmark, most of its heavy sweepers end up in Norway, especially where there are lots of road tunnels to clean out. The concept is also attracting interest among UK contractors. • A series of mild winters have forced Econ to diversify; hence this new Volvo FL618-based Unibody special for Trafford Metropolitan Borough council. It's one of a batch of five, all built onto TVAC-converted 4x2s with mid-lift Hendrickson axles. The three-way underfloor tipper has a number of uses. The insulated double dropsider can be divided for split loads or, with its underfloor auger uncovered, used as a blacktop handler, salt or grit spreader. An HMF 850 self-loading grab crane further enhances its versatility. • Riverside Truck Rentals has supplied Serviceteam with one of the first Volvo FL626 6x4 B-ride rigids with a Longton (Don-Bur) crew-cab conversion. The cab was specially developed for this and the FL618 17-tonner; it has room for a driver and five crewmen. The 250hp (184kW) 26-tonner uses an Allison automatic box and carries a Jack Allen Power Link body with Zoeller bin lifter. • Lincoln-based Overton showed a cluster of neat gadgets designed to take the back and heart-ache out of truck/trailer maintenance. The Back Buddy is a portable frame for pulling off heavy hub and brake assemblies, while the Clever Lever is a Yshaped wheel and roller frame that eases wheels from or onto hubs in situ. The Balance Master is an active wheel balancer that fits behind the wheel and uses mercury to reduce centrifugal bounce. It's said to increase tyre life and to give a smoother ride. Lastly there's the Crossfire, a twin tyre pressure equalising device that is claimed to increase tyre life and safety alike.

For details contact 01522 723773.

• This US Ford truck-based aircraft wing de-icer has been bought by Reed Aviation for service at Luton airport. The whole operation depends on the massive 5,000BTU heating boiler system located at the rear which can bring the spray mix up to 80°C within three minutes. Buying the entire package from the US is said to be a sight cheaper than sending a right-hand-drive truck over the pond to have it bodied.

• British Gas has begun offering LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) alongside CNG (compressed natural gas) as a road vehicle fuel. The news has been welcomed by Vauxhall, which is already including LPG in its bi-fuel range of small vans and cars. BG is setting up a large CNG station on Sutton Borough's vehicle site, capable of supplying up to 25 RCVs but with extra capacity if needed. To date there more than 100 sites around the UK; eight motorway sites will also be ready by Christmas. Clean Exhaust Emissions of Luton is also helping by introducing the Canadian Diesel Dual-Fuel system as an alternative to spark-ignition engines running on natural gas.

• Better known for its compaction and recycling bodywork, MacLift has added a new mini/midi-skip loader system to its range. The new design operates on a single-lever 7.5tonne hydraulic lift arm; the only mechanical adjustment is with the chain lengths. The Easilift 75 Maxi-Reach is made for 10-13-tonne chassis with a wheelbase of 3.1-3.7m. It can accept skips from 2.0yd3 to 14yd3, and can also take two 4.0yd3 containers on the bed.

• Air around Westminster will be all the fresher for the council's use of Semat's diesel/electric Cargopac 337 RCV. Its on a six-month trial alongside a fleet already fitted with Eminox continuously regenerating particulate traps and running on ultra-lowsulphur diesel. The stylish Puncher cab and fairings are by Ponticelli's; Renault supplies the chassis and driveline. It has to carry 3.5 tonnes of electric batteries and fittings...but what price fresh air? Rumour has it that the Bi-Mode concept is being eyed from as far away as Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and maybe Edinburgh. Oh, by the way—it also empties rubbish bins!


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