All-Ford six-wheelers for maximum weight
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• A new range of singleand double-drive six-wheelers designed for operation at 22 tons—and 24 tons when regulations allow this weight on three-axle rigids--have been introduced by the Ford Motor Co. Ltd. Model designations are DTI 500 for 22-tongross chassis and DT1700 for models designed for operation at 24 tons and they will be marketed as additions to the 12-, 17-, and 20-ton six-wheel ranges produced by Ford.
Unlike the existing three-axle models, the new chassis have been designed completely by Ford and will be built at the Langley factory. There are two basic model types-6 x 2 and 6 x 4—each with a four-spring suspension at the rear bogie designed to give non-reactive characteristics. Both 6 x 2 and 6 x 4 models are available with alternative wheelbases-1211 3in., 14ft lin. and 16ft 3in. for tippers and 16ft 3in. and 19ft 9in. as the basis for haulage vehicles. The range of wheelbases provide for body lengths from 15ft 6in. to 29ft 6in.
The DT1500 models are plated for 22 tons although the two shortest-wheelbase tippers are limited to 20 tons by UK axlespread requirements. Unladen chassis weights range from 5.3 to 6.1 tons. The engine used in these lighter chassis is the Ford turbocharged 360 cu.in. diesel as used in the D1000 and DT1400 20-ton gross six-wheelers; it produces 150 bhp gross.
Transmission is through a 13in. clutch and a Turner five-speed synchromesh gearbox to a Ford single-speed driving axle on 6 x 2 models and an Eaton leading axle and Ford rearmost axle on 6 x 4 chassis in the case of single-speed bogies. Two-speed final drive is optional on both versions with Eaton axles used throughout. As an option to the standard Turner gearbox there is a version of the same unit with ratios which make it suitable for use with two-speed rear axles, and other transmission options are wideand close-ratio versions of a ZF six-speed gearbox.
Rear bogies are plated for 18 tons with 6 tons the figure for the front axle used and these weights apply to the DT1700 chassis also. But the DT1700 have either the Perkins V8.510 diesel or the Cummins Vale V8. Both these engines are quoted as producing 185 bhp gross—at 2,800 rpm in the case of the Perkins and at 3,300 rpm for the Cummins. The Cummins-engined DT1700 6 x 4 have the ZF six-speed synchromesh gearbox as standard but other versions of this model follow the DT1500 and there are the same options. There are also identical rear-bogie arrangements.
A standard fitting on 6 x 4 versions of the new chassis is a third-differential lock and 6 x 2 models can be supplied with a loadtransfer device to increase weight on the driving axle and therefore improve traction under bad road conditions. Up to 1 ton can be transferred from the trailing axle and this is achieved by pressurizing air bellows fitted between the driving axle and a special chassis cross-member. There is a hand control in the cab for the purpose and the operation can be carried out when the vehicle is moving; a warning light indicates that the load transfer is in operation.
Service brakes on the DT1500 and DT1700 are full air with dual lines and diaphragm /piston chambers on the first and third axles to provide for the necessary secondary system. An improved 'design of handbrake is introduced for the range and this gives full power release and application of the linkage to the rear-bogie brakes. Front brake sizes are 15.5in. by 7in. with 15.5in. by 6in. at the rear and an exhaust brake is optional. Frames used on the chassis have a depth of 12in. with riveted cross-members and no ffitching is necessary to obtain the strength required. Worm and peg steering with power assistance is standard on all models and standard tyres are 10.00-20 at the front and 9.00-20 at the rear. The standard fuel tank on haulage models has a capacity of 50gal with twin 50gal tanks optional but the tippers have a 20gal tank as standard and a 50gal tank optional.
The current D1000 Series Custom tilt cab is fitted on the new six-wheelers with a dual passenger seat standard on trucks and a single seat on the tippers. A new option introduced with the range is a "package" which provides high front ground clearance and this consists of a revised front axle with 14in. of ground clearance (3in, more than standard), a heavy-duty protective "shield" at the front of the vehicle to safeguard engine, radiator, steering and other chassis components and a stirrup on both sides of the cab. The front bumper and valances in the wheel arches are also lowered.
As examples of chassis/cab prices of the new six-wheeler range, the DT1500, 6 x 2 in basic form with 12ft lin, wheelbase costs £3,068 while the most expensive DT1700, the 6 x 4 with 19ft 91n. wheelbase, and Cummins V8 and six-speed gearbox—is listed at £3,988. The basic DT1500, 6 x 2, 1611 3in. wheelbase truck costs £3,128 and the 6 x 4 tipper with the same wheelbase is priced at £3,468. The DT1700, 6 x 2, 1911 9in. wheelbase , truck chassis costs £3,428 with the Perkins V8 and the 6 x 4, 1611 3in. tipper with the same engine costs £3,428, specification of the Cummins V8 (and mandatory six-speed gearbox) adding £200 to these prices.