Mercedes set for 38-tonne flood
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MERCEDES-BENZ expects the number of tractive units operating at 38 tonnes gcw in the UK to increase dramatically during the next two years.
Speaking in Stuttgart last week, Alan Grigg, Mercedes UK's product marketing manager said: "We see 50 per cent of the total UK 29 tonnes-plus tractive unit market in 1984 being 38-tonners. Of these, probably two thirds will be 4x2s and one third six-wheelers.
In the next 12 months Mercedes plans to widen the range of six-wheeled tractive units available in Britain. In the autumn the 2028 LS which is already on sale here will be joined by a 2025 and then "in early 1984" the right-hand-drive 2033 will become available.
The 2025 is being introduced in response to demand for a lighter 6x2 says Mercedes.
The kerbweight of the present UK specification 2028 without fifth wheel installation but with 400 litres of fuel, oil, water and tools is 7,930kg (7.8 tons). It is expected that the 2025's weight with "L" sleeper cab will be 7,100kg (6.99 tons), the weightsaving resulting mainly from the 2025's lighter chassis frame.
It is likely that the right-handdrive 2025's standard suspension will be parabolic leaf springs for the front and drive axles with air suspension for the second steer, while interlinked air suspension for the two rear axles, as fitted to the 2028, may be offered as an option. Both the 2025 and 2033 will have an outer axle spread of 3.8m (12ft 6in), giving each a maximum legal gvw in the UK of 22.36 tonnes (22 tons).
Mercedes now has three twoaxle tractive units type approved at 38 tonnes gcw in the UK, the 1625S, 16285, and 1633S. The 1621S is no longer offered as a 34-tonne model but has been type approved at 32.5 tonne gcw only, while a version of the 16255 has also been type approved at the lower weight.
Like most manufacturers caught up in the confusion over UK weight compared with design weight, Mercedes is unwilling to reveal exactly what "material change" has been made to the 1625 to satisfy the Department of Transport, but the 32.5 tonne model has 11-22.5 tyres, a 6,100kg front axle, 10,170 kg rear axle and an eightspeed gearbox in place of the 16-speed component on the 38tonne 1625.