BRITISH HT-WHEELERS COMPARED
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DESPITE the trend towards articulation for heavy goods operation, particularly in some of the larger fleets, rigid eight-wheelers remain very much in demand. This latest in The Commercial Motor series of market surveys takes a look at the British eight-wheeled rigid vehicles at present available. The principal models listed by each manufacturer are tabulated below, but in almost every case a number of alternatives arc available to the standard specification and these are reviewed manufacturer by manufacturer.
Of eight manufacturers building eight-wheeled chassis, only one offers a tilt-cab at the present time, and this same manufacturer is the only one offering a two-stroke diesel engine and, indeed, offers the widest range of engines-including the Cummins diesel. Again, only one manufacturer offers a petrol-engined model.
The trend recently has been towards lighter chassis, some still with only six wheels braked, although heavier models are still offered by these chassis builders for those demanding vehicles for operation under particularly arduous conditions, It is interesting to note that only Leyland standardize on pressed-steel cabs, four of the remaining manufacturers supplying all-plastics cabs and three plastics-panelled cabs, whilst even Leyland offer a plastics-panelled cab on the same sub-frame as the pressedsteel cab as an alternative to the latter.
THE principal model offered by A.E.C. Ltd. is the Mammoth Major 2G8RAS. The chassis listed is also available in 14-ft. 8-in. and 16-ft. wheelbases, when the body.space is reduced to 20 ft. 101 in. and 22 ft. 10i in. respectively, and the kerb weight is reduced by 2 qr. and 1 qr. respectively. Power-assisted steering and eight-wheel brakes are optional on all three versions.
A double-drive model is also available, designation 2G8RAD, adding 4 cwt. 1 or. to the respective unladen weights. This model employs worm final drives, and a third differential is fitted. Finally, there is a chassis with two-spring, fully-articulated rear bogie, model 2G8RAB.
ATKINSON
Atkinson Vehicles Ltd., Winery Lane, Walton-le-dale, nr. Preston, Lanes.
ATKINSON VEHICLES LTD. manufactures two eight-wheel rigid models, as listed. These give a choice of single
drive and double-drive bogies, and are models L1786XTA and L1786XA respectively. Both are powered by the Gardner 6LX diesel engine, the double-drive model being 3 cwt. heavier than its singledrive counterpart. Various wheelbascs are offered in addition to the standard 17 ft. 84in.
E.R.F.
E.R.F. Ltd.,
Sun Works, Sandbach, Cheshire,
.1---d R.F. is the only British manufacturer
• to list a petrol-engined eight-wheeler chassis for the home market, although this vehicle was specially developed foi one particular operator in the first place. A Rolls-Royce B81 eight-cylinder engine is fitted, which develops 195 b.h.p. at 3,750 r.p.m.
The standard, diesel-engined eightwheeler is powered by a Gardner 6LX engine and has a David Brown six-speed constant-mesh gearbox and double-drive rear bogie. Two alternative gearboxes Ehvorth Works, Sandbach, Cheshire.
THE widestrange of standard models
is quoted by Bodens, the only chassis thanufactOrer offering both a tilt cab and an in-line two-stroke diesel. Although the fixed cab model is listed as standard, the tilt cab may well completely supersede it shortly. An auxiliary epicyclic gearbox is offered as an option with the Gardner 6LW and 6LX engines, and the Foden two-stroke engine in non-turbocharged form, giving a total of 12 forward speeds. A double-drive bogie is available as an alternative on all models, and a two-spring bogie can be provided.
For really heavy work, a stronger chassis frame can be supplied (12 in. by 4 in. by 114 in.), and hydraulic powerassisted steering. Standard tyres are Michelin X 9.00 x 20, although various alternatives are available to customers' requirements.
GUY
Guy Motors (Europe) Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, THE only variation from the standard
Guy Warrior Light 8 is the option of a 15-ft. 3-in, wheelbase, in place of the usual 17-ft, 9-in, wheelbase, though this model is available with either an A.E.C. 7-68-litre engine, or a Gardner 6LW. A 6LW engine is also available as an alternative fitting in the Invincible Mk. II, which can also be supplied with a 15-ft. 3-in. wheelbase. Overhead-worm driving axles are a further option, with a limited-slip third differential available on the longer wheelbase model, but standard on the short wheelbase one. Two alternatives on the Invincible are braking on all four axles, and hydraulic power-assisted steering. Either Michelin X or textile ply tyres are available on all models.
The Guy Warrior Light 8 is, in fact, one of the lightest eight-wheelers listed in the specification tables, the 17-ft, 9-in. wheelbase model with A.E.C. 7-68-litre engine and Eaton 2-speed axle returning a kerb weight of 6 tons 2 cwt. 1 qr. This compares with • a kerb weight of 7 tons 6 cwt. 1 qr. for the lightest of the 17-ft. 9-in.-wheelbase Invincibles.
LEYLAND
• Leyland Motors Ltd., Leyland, Lancashire.
-THE standard Leyland Octopus model 1 is designed for haulage duties, and is also available with a 14-ft. 9-in, wheelbase, which reduces the body length to 21 ft. 4f in. A special tipper version of
the Octopus is also available, again with a wheelbase of 14 ft. 9 in., and body space of 19 ft. The 0.680 Power Plus diesel engine is a specification alternative, and a sixor seven-speed gearbox can be provided. A power-assisted hydraulic clutch is fitted in conjunction with the larger engine, whilst a rear bogie with non-reactive bell-crank-lever suspension is an option on all the haulage models.
A lighter eight-wheeled Leyland chassis is the low weight heavy-duty Octopus, available in two form; model 24LW0.1R (haulage) and 24LW0.2R (tipper). The former is listed in the specification table, whilst the latter has a 14-ft 9-in, wheelbase, and body space of 19 ft. 10* in. A Z-section flitch extends from the rear of the cab to the end of the frame to give additional stiffening on the tipper. Both models can be supplied with a six-speed constant-Mesh box with overdrive top gear, in place of the five-speed constantmesh gearbox with direct-drive top gear which is the standard fitting. Seamen Lonies Ltd., Watford, Herts.
ONE of the lightest eight-wheelers listed is the Scarnmell Routeman, with a kerb weight quoted as 6 tons 1 cwt. 1 qr. when the Leyland 0.600 engine is fitted. The Routeman is also available in 16-ft. and 14-ft. 9-in. wheeibases. When the latter is specified, the body space becomes 21 ft 3?-6 in. and the overall length 26 ft. 7* in., and the kerb weight is 6 tons 0 cwt. 3 qr. The full range of engines available is listed in the tables, and the only other standard option is in the choice of tyre sizes. Normally 9-00-20 (12-ply) tyres are fitted, but 10.00-20 (12-ply) front and 9.00-24 (12-ply) rear can be provided, or 9.00-24 (12-ply) front, and 14.00-20 (12-ply) single rear.
Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd., Woodstock Factory, Oldham, Lancs.
A LIAOST as light as the standard Scammell eight-wheeler is the Seddon 24-8-6LW model, which has a kerb weight of 6 tons 2 cwt., despite the provision of an Eaton two-speed rear axle as standard in addition to hydraulic power-assistance to the steering. A very effective method is employed for classifying the models, the first number quoting the maximum gross weight, the second the number of wheels, and the third the engine model number.
One of the models is the 24-DD8-6LX, " DD " denoting the fact that a double drive bogie is fitted, arid whilst the Seddon Maxartie two-spring bogie is again the standard, a four-spring bogie with balance-beams is an optional alternative on this model only.'
On all Seddon 24-ton eight-wheelers, 9.00-20 (12-ply) tyres are listed as standard.