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• All Seddon Atkinson twoaxle rigids, from the older 201 and 200 haulage and tipper chassis to the latest 211 range, have design weights which will allow them to operate at 17tonnes GVW when the new two-axle rigid gross weight limits come into effect on 1 April next year.
The Oldham-based truck manufacturer reports a growing number of enquiries from hauliers planning to run at 17 tonnes next year, and says that those wishing to up-rate their vehicles above the current 16.26-tonne limit will be able to do so easily by changing tyres and submitting a VTG10 notifiable alteration form to the DTp goods vehicle centre at Swansea.
All Seddon Atkinson twoaxle rigids can already be plated at 16.60 tonnes (based on a 6.1-tonne front axle and a 10.5-tonne rear axle) by fitting 11R22.5 tyres all round, or with 11/70s or 275/70s. In addition the company is to increase the front axle plated weight on its latest 2-11 models to 6.3 tonnes following a decision by a number of tyre manufacturers, led by Michelin, to uprate their 11R22.5 tyres.
This will give all future 2-11s an overall plated weight of 16.8 tonnes, based on a 6.3-tonne plated front axle and a 10.5tonne rear axle. This configuration will be retained when the new weight laws come into force.
Operators wishing to run at the full 17 tonnes — based on a 6.61-tonne front axle and a 10.5-tonne rear axle — will be able to order a 2-11 with 12R22.5 tyres all round; or with 12R22.5s on the front and 11R22.5s on the rear; or with 315/70s on the front and 275/ 70s at the rear. Earlier 201 and 200 models can be retrofitted simply by using the uprated tyres to allow higher gross weights.
The only exception is the old 200 Series R17N358 model which has a front axle limited to 6.5 tonnes.
1:1 Seddon Atkinson has confirmed that it will begin fitting the newly-launched Cabtec heavy truck cab, developed jointly by Daf and SA's Spanish parent company Enasa, in the spring of next year — but it is not saying which of its models will get it first.
The company does say that the Cabtec will only be suitable for the current 4-11 and 3-11 trucks as it is too big for the 2-11 model, which will continue with its Motor Panelsassembled cab for some time to come.
While Seddon Atkinson is keeping quiet on any plans to increase the number of Enasaderived components used in its trucks, it says it has been carrying out trials with one of its operator evaluation trucks which has been fitted with a Pegaso 12 litre engine.
Seddon Atkinson already uses a Pegaso axle on its 2-11 rigid range as well as a ZF gearbox which is produced by Enasa under licence.