Bedford, ERF 6x2s
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TWO NEW British-built 6x2 tractive unit models were among the 33 vehicles competing at the Gordon Goddard fuel economy trials at the Motor Industry Research Association's Nuneaton test track last weekend.
Bedford has introduced a 6x2 with a trailing, lifting axle and ERF has just put into production a new tandem steer variant, with mechanical (tapered leaf) suspension on the second steered axle.
Clearly, Bedford has had second thoughts about the importance of the three axle, 38 tonne GCW tractive unit market sector in the UK which, shortly after the maximum weight uplift in 1983 it described as a "passing phase'. Until now Bedford has had no 6x2 tractive unit.
The General Motors subsidiary's latest TM model is a Norde 6x2 conversion, with a trailing, lifting, non-steered third axle, of its 3m wheelbase, 4x2 TM 3800 with either sleeper or day cab and a 250 or 290 hp version of the Cummins LT10 engine.
The additional axle is a Norde tubular beam with Bedford hubs, mounted on Norde assyrnetric beam tandem rubber suspension. tandem rubber suspension. ERE has moved away from rubber bogie suspension with its latest 6x2, though the familiar 10/6 ERF bogie using Norde rubber blocks will continue to be available.
The latest ERF, now type approved and in production, has long tapered leaf springs on its second steered axle, and conventional tapered leaf springs front and rear.
The second steer axle has Dunlop air bellows linked to a levelling valve. They are used to vary the proportion of the bogie load carried the drive axle.
Probably the biggest ads tage of the new model is suitability for lighter king loads.