TRACTIVE UNITS
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(Up to 400hp)
Winner:
MAN 18.343
Other contenders:
Foden 4350 Renault Major 340
power limits were pushed ever upwards in 1995, but sales of 500hp-plus vehicles are small beer in relation to other tractive units. Sub-400hp machines account for the bulk of tractors and no less than seven such vehicles set off around our three-day Scottish test route last year.
In truth, there were only six: two Fodens we tested were actually the same vehicle with a different engine. Foden launched its revised 4000 Series, tagged "New 4000" at TipCon in the spring. And we whisked a Cumtnins 1.10350 Celect-powered model around our Scottish test route as soon as we could.
With Euro-2 emissions limits looming, we knew the L10 was a stop-gap, due to be replaced by the 11-litre MI I engine. The same 4000 was re-powered with a 380hp M1 1 for our Euro-2 group test in the summer, before a
repeat run of the Scottish route. If fuel • • .
.•• consumption was the only score the
Foden would have won hands down. We achieved fine results with both engines but the revisions to suspension and interior still leave the Foden wanting. Although better, the improved ride can't match the best in class, and noise levels inside are among the highest. Renault's ageing Major turned in good fuel consumption. Our basic fleet-spec vehicle, provided by hire company Fraikin, lacked the frills of the latest Majors, but it was a no-nonsense package.
The MAN F2000 series appears to be to the F90 what Foden's New 4000 is to the 4000: little exterior difference with some under-theskin revisions. In practice it goes a lot deeper than that, to include revised interiors and exteriors, new engines and new gearboxes.
Fleet entrant is the 18.343 with its fivecylinder 10-litre Euro-2 engine revised to develop 335hp (250kW). Our test vehicle got off to a poor start with unimpressive productivity [payload (tonnes) x speed (km/h) / fuel consumption (lit/100km)] but scored highly enough elsewhere to offset this handicap.
It lacks the sophistication of the higher spec models, but offers decent handling and good driver and fleet appeal. Reassuring stopping power from its front disc brakes also earned brownie points.
It was closely fought, but the 18.343. after starting as an outsider, just snatched the prize.