Cummins powers Kirby
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• The first two ERF E-Series tractive units fitted with Currunins Super E 400 engines have gone into service with Mike Kirby of Burnby, Yorkshire. The Super E 400's maximum gross power rating is 298kW (400hp) at 1,900rpm, and its maximum gross torque, to EEC 80/1269 is 1,654Nm (1,220Ibft) at 1,300rpm.
Kirby says that he can make good use of such relatively high power and torque at 38-tonnes gross because of the timecritical nature of his groupage work.
The ERFs are the first British-built tractive units that Kirby has bought, and will be operating alongside Volvo F12 six-wheelers, a Volvo F10 4x2, and an Iveco 190.38.
Kirby put a Daf 3300 in part exchange for one of the ERFs. He expects the long-term running costs of the ERFs to be better than those of his current fleet and is planning to keep them five years while the vehicles he currently operates are sold generally after about three years. engine, the 336kW (450hp) NTE 450 will become generally available from September, says the engine manufacturer.
No British-based truck manufacturer has yet announced any new NTE 450 powered models, but it is likely that ERF will be among the first to use it_ Sisu of Finland has already begun to fit the engine.
Compared with current 14litre Cummins engines, the most powerful of which is the Super 400, the NTE 450's distinguishing features are its new cylinder head, pulse-type exhaust manifold, new turbocharger, new piston and cylinder liners, more efficient air-to-water charge-cooling (similar to the type used on the charge-cooled 10 litre engine), and its new "step timing control".
The STC system employs a hydraulic tappet in each injector actuating assembly. A control valve in the system senses fuel pressure and controls injection timing by varying the tappets' lubricating oil pressure.