Foden is waiting on a big Cat
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by Brian Weatherley • Foden Trucks will offer Caterpillar's latest low-emission 10.5-litre diesel as part of its new engine line-up for Euro-l—but it has yet to decide on what highpower Cat it will offer, if at all, after the Euro-1 emissions deadline in October.
The Sandbach-based truck maker has told its dealers that it will be taking the 10.5-litre 3306C engine, although no word on timing has been released. However, it is being coy over its plans for the more powerful 14.6-litre 3406 straight six.
The 3406B currently offered in Foden chassis is not Euro-1 certified and while Cat has a low emission replacement waiting in the wings in the shape of the 3406C, Foden has so far not said it will fit it.
While continuing with the 10.5-litre Cat Foden acknowledges that there have been some cooling problems on the previous 3306B model which have yet to be totally resolved. According to Paul Dornberger, OEM sales manager for Caterpillar Overseas SA the problem "was a combination of a whole list of things, including the antifreeze being used. New head bolt torque ing procedures have also been introduced."
Foden has also fitted a revised spec radiator on some Cat-powered models to resolve the matter.
Some 20% of all Foden 3000/4000 Series chassis are currently fitted with Cats; the ratio increases in the C ompany's eight-wheeler build_
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However, Foden will obviously be looking at Cat's pricing along with customer demand
—not least because of new high horsepower products from both Cummins and Perkins. If demand is low for the 14.6-litre 3406 engine Foden could well decide to delete it.
Both the 3306C and 3406C engines meet Euro-1 without any electronic control on their fuel injection system. "We've chosen to introduce the C engine in Europe as a mechanical, rather than electronic engine," says Dornberger.
The smaller 10.5-litre 3306C develops 224kW(300hp) while the 3406C is rated at 261kW(350hp) and 317kW(425hp), in-line with existing Cat engine ratings in the Foden 3000/4000 chassis.
D Caterpillar is developing a Green version of its 3306C straight-six engine which will run on CNG, LNG or propane. It will have a rating of 187kW(250hp) at 2,100rpm.