Rigid eight-wheeler has 30ft-long body
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20-ton payload with off-road capabilities
• Possibly Britain's longest rigid eight-wheeler, a one-off Atkinson Defender with non-standard wheelbase of 25ft and an overall length of 36ft, has just joined the fleet of Henley Transport Co Ltd, Spelmonden, Goudhurst. Kent. This vehicle, the fifth Atkinson in the fleet, is fitted with a 30ft-long timber and aluminium platform body built by Ellis and Son (Vehicle Builders) Ltd, Five Oak Green, Tonbridge. Four twist-locks are fitted in the platform so that it can, on occasions, carry a 20ft ISO container.
Many of the heaviest artics in Henley Transport's 60-strong fleet are under contract to Charcon Buildings Ltd, Tonbridge, carrying concrete beams, lintels and other large parts of prefabricated industrial buildings to customers all over Britain. Recently the need has arisen for a long rigid vehicle to do this work as well, for deliveries to places where a vehicle has to be driven some distance off the road in order to drop its load. Artics can be at a disadvantage in such situations, particularly when the going is rough and slippery. So the extra-long Atkinson eight-wheeler was purchased. Its body is a foot or two longer than necessary for these types of loads, but 30ft was considered essential for carrying a profitable payload of fruit on other occasions.
Apart from longer chassis frame and wheelbase, some steering modifications, and an extra propeller shaft, the Atkinson has a standard specification, being powered by a Gardner 6LXB engine. Licensing weight is 8 tons 18cwt and 891b, while the kerb weight of 9 tons 3cwt provides for a payload exceeding 20 tons. Ample margin against overloading any axle is ensured by ratings of 61 tons for each steering axle and tons for each driving axle. An air-actuated lock is fitted in the inter-axle differential.
Because of the vehicle's extra-long wheelbase, the steering linkage employs an extended and repositioned drop arm so that the front wheels can be turned through a larger angle. A further refinement is the addition of a hydraulic ram on to the intermediate drag link, to assist the servo action provided by the ZF power-assisted column steering gear. Turning circle diameter is said to be 91ft (between kerbs).
The Atkinson's steel-braced, hardwood framed cab, panelled with glass-reinforced plastics, is to latest Mark IIA specification, featuring better seating and additional sound-proofing trim on bonnet and ceiling.