Volvo N10-38 6x4 on/off-site tipper
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THE VOLVO NIO 6x4 tipper is a good tip for the operator who needs an on/off site vehicle and can justify the investment in quality involved In buying this truck.
It is primarily designed for arduous site and quarry work at up to 26.9 tonnes (26.5 tons) gvw. But it also conforms to Construction and Use Regular tions for on-road operation at 24.4 tonnes (24 tons).
The N10-38 version that we have just tested was fitted with an Edbro body and Edbro underfloor gear ; and unladen it tipped the scales at 11.5 tonnes (11.3 tons). This permits an on-road legal payload of 12.9 tonnes (12.7 tons). Offroad, however, the design weight seems to be purely academic as the vehicle runs well within its performance capacity at 30 tonnes gvw plus.
Fuel consumption, both onroad and on-site is about right for its vehicle class. With its synchromesh gearbox, easy steering and general handling and a comfortable cab the Volvo is a difficult vehicle to fault. The construction is based on proven components from the popular F88 vehicle range and the bonneted N-Series models that are marketed throughout Europe. The turbocharged TD100A engine develops 172kW (230bhp) and 881Nm (6501b ft) torque, both net installed, and drive is through a twin-dry-plate clutch and eight-speed range-change gearbox to single-reduction with hub-reduction rear axles.
Locks are standard for each of the three differentials in the bogie drive, one lock being across each axle, the other on the third differential between the two axles. The front axle and the rear bogie are plated, to C and Regs, to 6.6 tonnes (6.5 tons) and 18.8 tonnes (18.5 tons) respectively. This gives a useful one-ton tolerance for carrying unevenly distributed loads at the legal maximum gross weight.
Performance
The test was split into three sections ; on-road running both laden and unladen ; rough-road operation at the MVEE proving grounds at Bagshot Heath ; and finally an on-site test. Except for the latter all laden running was at 24.4 tonnes (24 tons) gvw.