ERF revamp pours on the power
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• ERF has extended its truck range for next year with new Cummins-powered El4 tractor units in the growing 298kW (400hp) — plus sector, a lightweight E8 38-tonner and more powerful E8/ES8 rigids.
Its new generation E-series trucks launched in October will have the latest, improved version of ERF's SP4B cab, and there will be environmental benefits in the form of reduced gaseous emissions, lowered noise levels and improved braking performance.
The higher-powered E14s are available in 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 configurations and with a choice of Cummins air-to-air, charge-cooled Super E410 or E465 engines.
Other Super E engines offered in the E14 range are the E320 and E365 for use in 8x4 rigids and tractor units.
All E14 models have upgraded specification that includes the internally revised ERF steel-framed SACpanelled cab, QHV (Quiet Heavy Vehicle) packs and Lucas Simplex self-adjusting brakes.
The unladen weights of 3.8m (outer axle spread) 6x 2 artic units are typically 7,351kg (sleeper cab) and 7,271kg (day/ night cab) with oil and water but exluding fuel.
With 3.71:1 final drive and on 12R 22.5 tyre equipment, the E14.46 with its Eaton RTO 14613 gearbox has a theoretical top speed of 124km/h (77mph).
Performance from the E14.41 is much the same with the numerically lower overdrive ratio of the Eaton TwinSplitter box.
Both are held at 105km/h (65mph) by a road speed limiter and give a restart gradeability of 33% (1:3).
ERF has become the first to offer Cummins' latest 8.3-litre, C-series engine, recently uprated from 198 to 205kW (265 to 275hp). It will be available in 6x 4/8 x 4 rigid chassis, topweight drawbars, and 38-tonne artic units.
The 6CTAA 8.3-275 engine develops its maximum power 200rpm lower down the rev band at 2,700rpm and its 1,111Nm (8201bft) of torque 100rpm slower at 1,400rpm.
All E8/ES8-275s have the nine-speed synchromesh ZF 95109 Ecomid direct-top gearbox as standard. The ZF ninespeed Ecomid in overdrive form is an option on all EIO models.
While the air-to-air chargecooled 205kW C-series provides a high power-to-weight ratio in 6x4 and 8x4 rigid chassis, it also gives a high payload potential in the E8 4x2 38-tonne tractor unit.
A day-cabbed 3.4m E8 artic has a dry weight of 5,315kg, the sleeper-cabbed version, is 5,395kg.
Longer 3.8m models add 120kg in each case.
Newcomers to ERF's ES8 range are two specially
engineered chassis for 6m3 concrete mixer application.
ERF's steel-framed, SMCpanelled cab has been revised with a new instrument panel, improved seat materials and printed circuit-board electrics. Interior noise levels have been lowered thanks to the use of deeper inner cab wing valances and 35% higher volume silencers, in all but the ES6/E6 ranges which have a new single-pass box. All E10, E12 and E14 rigids and the 6x4/ 8x4 tipper chassis have the latest HN460 rear bogie from Hendrickson Norde. This is said to give more articulation at lighter loadings and a longer life.
ERF's ES8-21 and ES8-27 mixer chassis keep the standard four-spring arrangement for lightness.