Big brother for rear-steer dray
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by Brian Weatherley • Iveco Ford has developed an uprated version of its 6x2 rear-steer rigid low-height brewery dray to complement the 150E23FP (CM9-15 March 1995).
The GVW of the 170E23P is up slightly to 21 tonnes but its steel sprung front axle is rated at 6.5 tonnes. Shod with 295/60R22.5 tyres instead of 285/70 R19.5s this gives greater tolerance to accommodate diminishing loads.
Other innovations include the replacement of the hydraulically activated, positively-steered Battaglino axle. The new version uses a Girelli steering axle linked to the front axle's drop arm by an 8m sealed-for-life "zero loss" cable.
According to Iveco Ford's Ken Brewis, the cable steer will become standard on the lighter twin-steer.
The new 6x2 starts life as a 4x2 with a 6.57m wheelbase.This is reduced to 4.59m and the extra axle added to the rear. A prototype is still undergoing trials in Turin but Coca-Cola has already placed an order for 39 vehicles.
Both versions of the rear-steer dray have been engineered and built by Iveco Ford main dealer North East Truck & Van. Brewis says that Iveco Ford hopes to sell up to 150 rear-steer drays a year—production could be moved to Langley, if volumes dictate.
LJ North East Truck & Van's approved mid-lift pusher-axle conversion is now available on the EuroStar as well as the Seddon Atkinson Strato and Strato Cruiser. The non-steering conversion uses a Phoenix air-sprung drop beam axle, costs £6,800 and is 50kg lighter than the twin-steer EuroStar. Iveco Ford is developing its vehicle recording systems so that dealer conversions will be held on the computerised build records.
Iveco will show three new models at the Amsterdam Show next month: a crew-cab EuroCargo; an air suspended EuroCargo; and a lowheight EuroTech with a 950min fifth wheel.