Prototype Scania P114 saves 450kg
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• Scania distributor Derek Jones Commercials is to build a second lightweight P114 6x2 tractor. "It should be on the road by September," says sales director, David Hall. The first prototype is now with Scania's own demonstrator fleet, on trial with Wincanton on a contract with Carlsberg Tetley. Produced in conjunction with Scania (Great Britain), it features a tubular-steel pusher axle mounted on a 3.9mwheelbase 4x2 chassis.
The 5,5 ookg Hendrickson lifting, non-steering centre axle is equipped with disc brakes and 19.5in wheels. The system incorporates an automatic load-sensing device which lowers the axle when required and provides traction control on a time delay switch.
Complete with a sleeper cab, air management kit, suzie boom, a 350litre tank full of diesel and the driver, it tips the scales at 7,550kg—a weight saving of approximately 45 okg compared with an equivalent twin-steer tractive unit.
The project was instigated by Derek Jones in response to enquiries from hauliers involved in weight-critical operations. "By enabling us to offer an increase in payload on six-wheel tractive units, this vehicle will particularly benefit certain customers; bulk tanker operators who routinely run at top weight, for example," says Hall.
"We're getting a lot of inquiries," he reports. "We're hopeful that the fac tory will see the benefits of this idea and take it up, but I can't really comment as to whether they will or not."
Sales of new trucks are zooming ahead at Derek Jones, Hall reports. "We've achieved over 90% of our target in the first six months and we've already got three orders for the new V8," he says.
Tractor sales have been dominated by 6x2s, with increasing interest in 420hp engines for operation at 41 tonnes. Customers are also treating driver comfort as more of a priority.
"We've done quite well with the Topline cab," says Hall. "Compared with the standard R cab it comes with air conditioning, along with disc brakes and traction control. We're also enjoying some success in the eightwheeler market, and we've recently supplied fire engines to both the Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire services."