75 ALBION

20th September 1968, Page 121

20th September 1968

Page 121

Page 121, 20th September 1968 — 75 ALBION

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Albion Motors Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, W4.

THE four chassis on the Albion stand include the new 6 x 4 chassis for truck-mixer operation, a new version of the rear-engined Viking p.s.v. chassis, a six-wheeler with the new Leyland 401 engine and Ergomatic cab and a Clydesdale four-wheeler.

Albion continues to use the earlier design Leyland Group cab -the Panoramic—and as well as being on the Clydesdale this is also used on the truck-mixer chassis. This model is now the most powerful truck chassis in the Albion range as it is fitted with the AEC AV 505, 151 bhp gross (BS AU 1411 diesel engine. The clutch and gearbox are also of AEC manufacture, the latter being the new constant-mesh 10-speed range-change type. An Albion relay gearbox with air-operated lockable third differential splits the drive to the twin Albion hub-reduction rear axles, the rear suspension system being the Albion four-spring non-reactive type.

The Viking shown on the Albion stand is an addition to the range of Viking models made by the concern, the difference being that it has a Pneumocyclic gearbox in place of the Albion constant mesh gearbox. The vertical rear engine is a Leyland 0.400 with an output of 125 bhp gross (BS AU 1411. Normal fitting will be the four-speed Pneumocyclic unit but the Show exhibit has the optional five-speed.

The chassis with the Ergomatic cab is the Super Reiver 20 six-wheeler with double-drive rear bogie and four-spring non-reactive rear suspension. The main difference between this model and the new Reiver 129 is at the front end for apart from the cab, the Super Reiver 20 has the new Leyland 401 engine with an output of 138 bhp gross (BS AU 1411.

Another feature of this chassis is the use of the new 10-speed Synchro-Splitter gearbox which is based on a current Albion unit but incorporates pneumatic control for normal or low ratio in the secondary section of the gearbox. Change of this ratio is by a trigger on the main-speed change lever and this alteration has been made possible by the use of synchromesh for engagement of the low ratio.

The brakes of the Super Reiver 20 are on a split system with the forward axle of the bogie independent of the other two and triplediaphragm chambers at the bogie provide for power assistance to the handbrake application. This is different to the new Reiver 129 which has spring chambers at the bogie for handbrake and secondary brake requirements.

The Clydesdale for BRS has a platform body by Pennine Coachcraft Ltd. and completing the Albion exhibits are sectioned examples of the new Synchro-Splitter gearbox and the Albion hub-reduction rear axle.