New Atkinsons for export
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• New Atkinsons, specially developed for export, and using the pressed steel cab at present used by Seddon, have been announced by Atkinson Vehicles Ltd.
The new models, which are basically Atkinson chassis with the Seddon cab will widen, it is expected, Atkinson's sales opportunities abroad where some markets have a definite preference for steel cabs instead of the reinforced plastics material used in the normal Atkinson cab. The vehicles can be marketed as Seddons where selling conditions are appropriate.
The changes have not been restricted to the introduction of a new cab, and among other improvements is an increase of chassis frame torsional stiffness, especially by local boxing at the spring anchorages, and by having a heavily gusseted, fulldepth cross-member opposite the forward brackets of the rear springs.
More supple suspension is fitted to these vehicles, the first batch of which has been shipped to Jamaica, to cope with the expected rougher roads. For the tractive units' rear suspension progressive-rate slipper-ended springs of the CaryLaminaire-type are used which give a softer ride than usual when running empty while effectively doubling spring stiffness when a heavy load is carried.
Driving axles are Seddon doublereduction 13-ton units having epicyclic secondary gearing in the hubs.
There are four basic models available. A two-axle truck in three wheelbases is also • suitable for drawbar operation and is rated at either 16 tons gvw or 32 tons gtw while a three-axled vehicle, also in three wheelbases, is rated at,24 tons gvw. Eaton double-drive rear bogies are specified for the three-axled vehicles. Tractive units are offered either in two-axle form, rated at 35 tons gtw or in three-axle form when they are rated at 45 tons gtw. Power is from a choice of three Cummins engines (205, 230 or 270 bhp) or the Gardner 240 bhp 8LXB.
A nine-speed Fuller range change gearbox with Lipe Rollway 14in. twin-plate clutch is used except with the 205 bhp engine when a 10-speed Fuller range gearbox and 17in. single-plate clutch is specified. ZF power-assisted steering is standard on all models.