F0 FODEN

22nd September 1972, Page 125

22nd September 1972

Page 125

Page 125, 22nd September 1972 — F0 FODEN

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'dens Ltd, 'worth Works, Sandbach, Cheshire.

?dens have the unique distinction of being le only manufacturer at the Show with a sw cab. The cab, which is made from grp, as been designed to give a driver comfort vel comparable to the best Europeans and at ie same time provide adequate accessibility ir servicing. Minor day-to-day servicing can S done via hinging panels designed for the b and for more major work the whole cab ts.

A split screen has been chosen as favoured y some American and Continental lanufacturers. The flat glasses do not warp le view or create reflections as some curved .1reens tend to do, and replacement of a -oken pane is quicker and cheaper. An lequate description of the cab is impossible this guide and this exhibit is one that aserves a special visit. The chassis on show as a Rolls-Royce Eagle 220 Mk II engine and Foden nine-speed gearbox. Wheelbase is 9ft in. and front arid rear axles have plated 'eights of 6 and 10 tons respectively.

Every bit asnoteworthy as the new cab is ie model 6AC/75.100 three-axle tractive lit. This model is powered by a turbocharged ummins engine which produces 335 bhp id is capable of operating at up to 100 tons cw. The front axle is rated at 8 tons and the agie at 32 tons. Power-assisted steering sing a hydraulic ram is fitted. Tyres are 2.00-20 (18-ply). Frame size is 12in. x in. x 5/1 Sin, and the material is a igh-tensile steel; wheelbase is 15ft lin.

Seen for the first time is a new Brockhouse )rque converter which is used on this model conjunction with the Foden nine-speed box. he torque converter to some extent works ke an automatic gearbox in that it greatly icreases the starting torque in any gear and scluces the number of gearchanges the driver as to make, especially when running light. Last of the three Foden chassis exhibits is a 30 tons gvw eight-wheeler. This model uses a Gardner 6LXB engine and is mated to a new eight-speed version of the Foden gearbox. This new version of the gearbox is likely to become very popular with drivers and operators as it has the full gear ratio of the original 12-speed box and the range-change advantages of the nine-speed box introduced it last year's Scottish Show:This model has two 6-tons front axles fitted with power-assisted steering, and a 19-ton bogie which together give a useful one-ton loading leeway.

Fodens will have two vehicles, a two-axle Cummins engined tractive unit and a 30-ton eight-wheeler, in the demonstration park over the period of the Show and anyone wishing to drive them should make inquiries at the stand.