Foden's latest 8x4
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FODEN'S 5108 8x4 rigid, the latest of a line of vehicles introduced by Sandbach Engineering during the past 12 months, gets its first showing at this week's Road Haulage Association TipCon exhibition at Harrogate.
The company believes that in offering a wide number of major component options with nine engines, four clutches, 13 axle ratios and any wheelbase within legal limits to choose from, the operator can specify a premium specification to match his needs.
The 5108 retains some of the characteristics seen on the previous S1 0 models but Sandbach has made further progress in weight reduction to give a potential body/payload of over 22 tons.
The cab's corrosion-resistant polyurethane front quarter panels produced by a reaction injection moulding technique (RIM) have been strengthened further to reduce the incidence of collision damage. Conventional bolted ladder frame chassis construction employs heavyduty chassis rails with a yield strength twice that of previous models.
Aluminium extrusion chassis cross-members combine with forged aluminium gussets and forged aluminium hanger brackets to give both strength and lightness. New front springs, developed in conjunction with British Steel, allow a higher load capacity giving 13 tons potential over the two axles.
Foden FF20 rubber suspension is standard on the S108 and the delta links used previously are replaced by threaded rubber bushed links which aid quick and accurate axle adjustment.
Braking equipment includes asbestos-free linings and Enox compression fittings are used on all air-pipe connections.