DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
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For this driving impression, GM took the 8x4 truck around Buckinghamshire. There was not too much to test its capabilities, but it did provide enough opportunity to see how the 3381m Kerax handles on the road.
The ZF four-over-four gearbox and drive axle ratio of 4.63:1 means that most of the time, even with 32 tonnes on board, sixth gear is the bottom line. This gear is powerful enough to see you around roundabouts, up hills and along A-roads. The 1,600iim peak torque sits between 1300-1,400m before dropping away. Running the revs down to 1,000rpm into corners and roundabouts allows the maximum torque to bring the truck up to speed as the road straightens out allowing it to retain momentum.
however, with no splitter, moves up and down the box are necessary. On one hiliclimb we found the revs began to climb past 1,400rpm in sixth„ but the leap to seventh with 32 tonnes would have proved fatal, whereas a split would have been just the ticket. A 16-speed box is available on the options Hsi.
The gearing may dent fuel returns on dual carriageways and motorways, but this is not perceived as a top priority for many 8x4 operators. At 40mph it sits around 1,350rpm, while 56mpb in top equates to 1,800rpm.
For quarry and site work, the Kerax has 378mm front and 296mm rear ground clearance and good manoeuvrability for a 831m truck. In case you do make contact with any protruding lumps of stone on site, the hinged lower step and steel bumpers should help lessen the damage.