Foden first with E465
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• Foden Trucks has beaten its UK rivals in the performance stakes by taking orders for 4000 Series tractive units equipped with the recently launched 347kW (465hp) Cummins Super E465 engine for delivery in October.
ERF has confirmed it will be offering the E465 14-litre engine in its heavy tractor before the end of the year. So far no firm date has been set, but it will be showing an E465 tractor at the Motor Show in September.
Oldham-based Seddon Atkinson says it also expects to have the specification for an E465 17.47C Strato finalised and out with its distributors by the end of July, when it will start taking orders.
In keeping with the Sandbach truck maker's "custom build" philosophy, the latest Foden 4500 tractive unit will be offered as either a 4x2, a twin-steer or 6x4 double-drive tractor with a choice of transmissions and operator options.
In the Foden 4500 the Super E465 will be coupled to either a non-ceramic Spicer clutch or a Lipe unit driving through to a standard Fuller lax 14609B nine-speeder. However, there is also the choice of nine, 13 and 15-speed Fuller transmissions including the RTX 15715 for heavy haulage applications.
Final drive is provided by the Rockwell S108E axle in the 4x2 and twin-steer tractors, while the 6x4 gets the Eaton DS401P double-drive bogie.
All 4500 tractors come with a high specification sleeper cab complete with radio/cassette player, electric passenger window and heated mirrors.
Other standard items include alloy air tanks and a Bendix air dryer, Grau DGX Skidchek and a Jost fifth wheel kit with lead on ramps. Following in the Lightweight Foden tradition, the new 4500 artics have highly attractive kerbweights. Foden quotes a figure of 6,790kg for the air-suspended 4x2 4500 S104, ready for the road complete with mudwings, catwalk and full 314-litre alloy tank.
The twin-steer S106TS in similar specification tips the scales at 7,528kg, while the double-drive S106T weighs in at 7,850kg fully fuelled with Paccar Air Trac air-suspension on the back bogie.
Cummins' six-cylinder in-line E465 has a maximum gross torque rating of 1,939Nm (1,4301bft) at 1,250rpm and features Cummins' own Step Timing Control (SIC) injection system with revised injectors.
Foden lists the 4x2 4500 tractor at 251,000 (ex-VAT); the twin-steer costs 254,315 ; and the 6x4, 258,580