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"It took me quite a while to get used to the TwinSplitter box but I wouldn't want to be
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without it now" Mick Gorman
Mick Gorman started MG Bulk Haulage in 1986 and now runs two Seddon Atkinson Strato multi-wheelers, an 8x4 and a 6x4, both with bulk bodies. "I used to have a Volvo Fla° but the local Seddon Atkinson salesman was so persistent that I gave in and bought one and that was followed by a second one," he explains.
"We run all over Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset delivering animal feed to farms. With the blower and the original steel wheels the payload is limited to 20 tonnes but I'm happy enough with that. The 8x4 Strato is rated at 38ohp and gives a fuel return of 6.7 to 7.4mpg and that includes blowing for up to an hour at a time. That's up to half a mile per gallon better than I got from the first Seddon Atkinson eightwheeler I bought in 1995, which was powered by the 350 Cummins Celect engine.
"I had an accident in that one and it was doubtful that I would ever drive again. But as you can see I did recover and I replaced it with a 380 two years ago. That's plenty of power but it makes me think I should consider a 420 next time round to see if it could make an even bigger improvement to the fuel consumption.
"It's not had too many problems. A wiring loom was replaced after it wore through on an engine mounting and then, about 18 months ago, the steering went very heavy. I lost the power assistance and I was only just able to steer it. It needed a new steering box, which was also replaced under warranty. The dealer, Pannells, has given me first-class backup.
"The engine is fitted with a Jake brake, which is excellent. It is set up to work as I lift off the accelerator and I use it all the time I am loaded but I switch it off when I run empty. The truck does about too,000lan a year and I've just had the brakes relined at the rear at about zoo,000km. It came with
Dunlop tyres. They lasted for 130,000km on the front axle, 135,000lcm on the second axle and 145,000km on the third, but just to8, 000lcm on the back axle. I replaced them with Michelins.
"It took me quite a while to get used to the Twin Splitter box but I wouldn't want to be without it now. It gives a very quick change so you only lose a fraction of r road speed on the hills.
"The day cab is big enough and, with • exhaust mounted under the chassis it's I too noisy. It's better than the old one wh was rusting under the rubbers around • windows. There is not a bit of rust on this o It's a bit limited for stowage and there's 4h room on the chassis but I did find .ce at the rear to mount my own box, ich is big enough for wet gear and boots. th the blower we need to carry pipes so blower, fuel tank and air tanks had to he rend to accommodate them.
I might have asked for air-con but it was : even an option. It would be nice to be able to close the windows and keep the dust out—there are lots of nooks and crannies across the dash that harbour the dirt I specified the composite bumper, which incorporates the fog and spot lights, because I thought it looked better, but I have to be a bit careful of the steps in and out of the farmyards."'