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Feet at the foot of it . . .

2nd October 1982, Page 25
2nd October 1982
Page 25
Page 25, 2nd October 1982 — Feet at the foot of it . . .
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OVER the past years we have heard much about the use of the right-foot in the conservation of fuel. It is appreciated that other factors contribute to the overall necessity of obtaining maximum mileage in the interests of economic operations.

Lorry manufacturers are devoting much research on the use of energy from the exhaust, ceramics, two-stage turbocharging and turbocompounding, within the accepted limits of business prudence we may perhaps, assume that developments in these fields, and others still under wraps, will soon be more publicised in detail, and graduate from drawing board and test-bench proto-type to practical commercial usage.

For all this, we must be eternally grateful to those with our interests at heart. Yet overriding all this exciting future, one cannot escape the importance of the man-behind-the wheel, both now and in the future. A few weeks ago, I was most interested in the remarks of Bertil Haggh, chief engineer of the Volvo Truck Corporation at a talk in London. Apparently a 38ton five-axle tractive unit and semi-trailer being driven in top gear at between 70 and 80km/h (44 to 50mph) by a nervous driver who continually varied the speed would record fuel consumption 15 per cent poorer than that of a driver who kept at a constant speed within these Ii mits.

No less surprising was the statement that "if the specification of the tractor unit was badly chosen, maintaining this speed could also cost 15 per

cent extra fuel". This is all very enlightening, but likewise is the fact "that the feet have it". NIGEL BREEZE Southend-on-Sea

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People: NIGEL BREEZE
Locations: London

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