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COMPONENTS
Page 94
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• It would be too easy to assume that all the best exhibits are on the truck makers' stands. But there are plenty of innovations among the component manufacturers too, many of which are aimed at cutting down service times.
Lipe and Spicer have new clutches. The latest 380mm push-type Lipe unit is interchangeable with most of the 380mm clutches fitted to Volvo and Mercedes trucks.
There is also an all-new 430irun singleplate, direct-pressure spring clutch from Lipe designed for use with engines pushing out up to 1,695Nm (1,2501bft) of torque.
Meanwhile Spicer has new 356mm and 394mm twin-plate units featuring new pedal-assist springing, self-locking adjusters and for the 394mm clutch, positive plate separators. According to Spicer, pedal pressures on the latest clutches have been cut by as much as 50%, which will no doubt be welcomed by drivers having to slog their way through city traffic.
On the axle front Rubery OwenRockwell will be showing off its latest TE9000-Series axle. Its brake camshafts can be removed without touching the hub and sealing has also been improved.
Phoenix Truck and Trailer Equipment has its SK drop centre one-piece tubular non-steered axle at the NEC — and a self-tracking version is expected to break cover next year.
Multi-wheeler operators, however, are more likely to be attracted to the company's latest air-suspended, double-drive bogie which is designed to handle the rigours of off-road tipping.
Staying with axles, SAF's Supercompact nine-tonne trailer axle is another arrival with a pre-sealed hub and nonadjustable bearings. On SAF-importer IMS's stand will be an axle with a hub cap incorporating the ABS exciter ring sensor unit making it easier to get to. BPW claims that its latest ECO-system hub
cuts the time needed to replace brake shoes by some 30%.
Grates new semi-trailer ABS system, called Modal, has its debut at NEC. According to Grau it is interchangeable with competitive systems and compatible with all truck systems. The company plans to have it in production in time to meet ABS regulations due in October next year. Also on the Grau stand is a new automatic slack adjuster.
Particulate filters have been cropping up in increasing numbers at truck shows throughout Europe this year. At Birmingham Webasto will be showing its latest Soot Convertor which collects the carbon particles, adding a small quantity of diesel. The accumulated soot is then burnt off at temperatures up to 700°C. The burning cycle is completely automatic and only takes place when the filter is full.
Eberspacher is displaying a similar device but its version is activated when the ignition is switched off.
Voith has no less than four new products at NEC for the first time: the Midimat T midibus automatic gearbox; the Optimat auto transmission for delivery trucks: the Diwa low-floor angle drive for rear-engined buses; and the R115 integral retarder which can be fitted to trucks and buses without having to shorten their propshafts. According to Voith this product quartet will be arriving in the UK from early 1991.