Hino hits new heights
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• Final type approval paperwork on the new Hino SH283 tractive unit (CM. April. 19) has still to be completed, but a demonstration vehicle was made available for a short test drive at Harrogate last
weekend by IICV Motor Vehicle Distributors of Warrington.
The cab styling has an Oriental look and its electrohydraulic cab tilt and mechanical over-ride is technically ahead of European standards Electronic variable fuel injection control — standard on the SH283 — is also being considered by some manufacturers, to give improved fuel consumption, but not yet available on any other production vehicle in the UK.
Entry to the cab is high but once inside the surroundings match European standards with a comprehensive instrument panel, adjustable steering column — for height and rake — and fully adjustable driver's suspension seat incorporating lumbar support.
Running at 33 tonnes gross, the six-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled 8.5-litre 209kW (280hp) engine pulled well through the gears with maximum torque at about 1,400rpm and maximum permitted engine speed at 2,40Orpm.
The nine-speed Fuller range-change gearbox, although with a strangely wide gate, is a joy to use, the clutch is light and the brake pedal gives a progressive feel. We did find the power steering very light, in part because of the non-standard 12.20 tyres and the rearward bias of the fifth wheel.
Partial engine encapsulation contributes to exceptionally low in-cab noise levels.