Scania-Vabis 110 Arrives in Britain
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by Tony Wilding • As anticipated at the time of the introduction by Scania-Vabis of Sweden of the 110
model at the Amsterdam Show in February this year—this new model has now been introduced with right-hand drive in Britain. The first chassis destined for a British operator has just arrived in this country and was displayed by Scania-Vabis distributors at the East of England Show, Peterborough held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, this week.
The Scania 110 made the biggest news at the Amsterdam Show and while the models in the series are based mechanically on the earlier 76 Series, a completely new and luxuriously fitted tilt cab is employed. Except for changes to move the steering position from the leftto the right-hand side of the cab, there is no difference in the new version except that the 110 now has a simplified gear-change system. Instead of a second lever to change the splitter section of the gearbox this is now done by air pressure with a small control fitted to the main change lever.
There are both fourand six-wheeled versions of the 110, the LB110 and LBS110 respectively, the latter being a 6 x 2 design. Gross designed weights used solo are 16 and 22 tons respectively but when used with draw-bar trailers or as part of an artic, the maximum gross combination weight figure is 48 tons or in certain circumstances 55 tons for the 6 x 2. The tractive unit version of the four-wheeler has a wheelbase of 10ft and this is the dimension from the front axle centre line to the driving axle of the LBS110; bogie wheelbase is 4ft 3.77in. A longer LB110 has a wheelbase of 16ft 2.84in. and there are three other lengths of LBS110 with the dimension between centre line of front axle and driving axle I lft 1.86in., 13ft 9.36in. and 15ft 1.1in.
Like the Scania 76, the 110 has an 11 litre diesel which produces 188 bhp net when naturally aspirated or 256 bhp net turbocharged, in both cases at 2,200 rpm. Maximum net torque is 520 lb.ft. at 1,200 rpm and 708 lb.ft. at 1,500 rpm respectively. The basic gearbox is a five-speed synchromesh unit with direct top and 7.65 to 1 bottom and the addition of two-speed epicyclic splitter gearing is an option—there is a 1.36 to 1 step-down on each gear which makes bottom 10.37 to I. The standard rear axle is a single-reduction spiral bevel with three alternative ratios but there is the option of a double reduction, spiral-bevel and spur unit with air-operated differential lock and two alternative ratios.
Braking is by a dual-circuit BendixWestinghouse air system with spring brakes at all wheels for parking purposes. Hydraulic power-assisted steering is standard.
Tilting is carried out by an hydraulic pump and double-acting hydraulic cylinder and any desired angle can be held. The radiator tilts forward with the cab giving good accessibility to the front of the engine including the timing gear casing, water pump, fan and hydraulic pump. Tilting the cab is not necessary for routine maintenance as the front grille is in two pieces, hinged at the top and the bottom and gives access to various components and also allows the checking and topping up of engine oil.
The floor of the cab is relatively high but there is small intrusion from the engine cover and two steps ahead of the front wheel on each side, in conjunction with hand rails on both sides of the doors, make getting into and out of the cab an easy job. The cab is well sealed and insulated against noise and there is adequate storage space for documents and personal items.
As well as a normal cab there is a sleeper version (with two bunks) and both have had to pass the severe Swedish regulations on safety which include ,impact tests. The interior of the cab is finished to an extremely high standard with fully adjustable suspension-type seats. Staadard equipment includes an engine rev counter, cigarette lighter and a high output heating system with heater units on each side.
It is anticipated that the normal specification of the Scania 110 that will be bought by British operators will follow the lines of sales of the previous LB76. This would be the four-wheel tractive unit with turbocharged engine, 10-speed gearbox, double-reduction rear axle, normal cab and 11.00-20 wheels and tyres. Basic price of the LB110 chassis cab to this specification is expected to be £4,850.