Ultra Pacific
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
If you’re handing out medals for long service, then step forward the mighty Pacific 6x4s run by South African heavy-transport specialist Rotran. It still runs eight of the venerable beasts (which were originally built in the mid-1970s by the Canadian manufacturer) comprising four Pacific P12W3s powered by a 650hp Cummins K19, and four Ultra Pacifics, completely rebuilt with mighty Cummins VTA28 locomotive diesels producing a whopping 950hp – de-rated from the original 1,250hp!
Behind sits a Clark 16,000 series heavy-duty transmission rated to a maximum of 1,000hp, while at the back is a Rockwell/Meritor tandemdrive bogie. Fuel consumption on an Ultra Pacific is typically 8-10 litres/km when climbing steep gradients, and one Pacific on its own can haul 231 tonnes on the flat. However, in 1995 Rotran linked five Pacifics together in Lesotho to move a 420-tonne tunnel boring machine on a Cometto girder trailer. Despite the presence of more modern trucks in the fleet, Rotran’s Pacifics aren’t due to be mothballed until 2016/17!
Brian Weatherley (former editor, Commercial Motor)