FODEN 4375 (6x2)
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CM test published 8-14 October.
Power: 273kW (366hp).
Average fuel consumption: 40.41it/100km (7.0mpg).
Average speed: 73.7km/h (45.8mph). Payload as tested: 23.98 tonnes.
• A Foden 4375 twin-steer courtesy of Railfreight gave us the chance to test another 12-litre Perkins lump at 38 tonnes; this time it was the Tx375. Installed in the Foden chassis it delivers 273kW (366hp) and 1,736Nm (1,300lbft) of torque.
It was all that torque that really won our tester's vote, and the Tx's bottom-end grunt was well in evidence: "It will happily lug down to 1,050rpm — below peak torque — and still hold top gear at 40mph." On our timed hill climbs the Foden was up with the leaders if not out in front.
However, its consumption was less spectacular at 40.4lit/100km (7.0mpg), behind the Volvo F12-360 and the Scania R113-360. Foden's reputation of building them light was maintained. Our 4375 6x2, complete with the latest ECAS air suspension, tipped the scales at a useful 7.52 tonnes which was lighter than some 4x2s. For the second time in as many years we noted that the second axle on the Foden twin-steer had a tendency to bounce. The steering was a little vague though it always left the driver in control. ECAS made for a good ride but we couldn't understand why you had to stop if you wanted to use the air dump.
We liked the progressive brakes but a fault on the sliding gate exhaust brake plagued our test tractor. The latest Foden interior was well up to scratch with tougher trim material, better lighting on the instruments and revised graphics.
The pendant clutch and brake pedals were too high for our taste although the Twin Splitter box meant we didn't have to rely too much on the clutch.