ino is back in the green
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by John Kendall
• The first new Hines to arrive in the UK will be the FS 6x4 and FY 8x4 rigids; the SH1 tractive units will follow a few months later. When complete the Hino range will include the 382kW (512hp) Super Dolphin seen at the Tokyo Motor Show (CM 28 Oct-3 Nov).All models use the same Super F Series rest
cab apart from the SH1K tractive unit which is offered with a high roof; apart from this the tractors are only distinguished by different grille designs. One trim level is used throughout.
Standard specification includes four-point cab air suspension, air suspended driver's seat, electric windows, remote control central locking, pushbutton heating and ventilation,
and a radio/cassette player with remote station seek and alarm clock. The 500 tilt cab has an electro-hydraulic tilt mechanism with manual back-up. Extensive rust-proofing is used on the cab.
The lack of Euro-1 engines has delayed these trucks' arrival in the UK. The 8.8-litre PO9C-TA is available only at 220kW (295hp); the 12.9-litre K13C engine is available with 257kW (34511p) and 280kVV (375hp)—the single rating for the PO9C engine makes the 26tonne 6x4 chassis one of the most powerful in the UK. Multiwheeler mixer chassis are fitted with a flywheel-driven P1-0 as standard.
Most powerful
The tractive unit is offered with either the PO9C engine or the most powerful 280kW (375hp) version; the lack of a 257kW (345hp) variant for 38-tonne operation seems a curious omission_ The two engines have similar design characteristics,
with fourvalves-percylinder heads and electronic diesel control systems. The four-valve design with centrally positioned fuel injectors makes unit injectors a possibility for Euro-2 and Euro-3 versions.
According to Harris Group president Robert (Pino) Harris, Euro-2 engines will be available in the next six or seven months". Hino may wish to prove the engines in Japan before supplies are made available in Europe.
Only the top-of-the-range tractive unit is offered with a synchromesh gearbox; Eaton constant mesh is used elsewhere. The lower powered tractive unit gets the Twin Splitter and the multi-wheelers are fitted with the overdrive-top RTX 1160913 with gear-lever-mounted clutch brake, Tractor drive axles are single-reduction hypoid units with a design rating of 13 tonnes. Drive axle air suspension is standard, while the 7.5-tonne rated steer axle is suspended on semi-elliptic leaves. Anti-roll bars are fitted front and rear.
Multi-wheelers use the same single-reduction double-drive bogie rated at 20 tonnes. Interaxle diff-locks are fitted as standard but cross-axle locks do not appear on the spec sheet. Suspension is by multi-leaf twospring bogie with torque rods. At the front the 6x4 and 8x4 models use parabolic springs and anti-roll bar. Axles are rated at 7.5 tonnes. All models use a dual-line airbrake system with drum brakes all round. Drive axles carry a load sensing valve. An exhaust brake is standard on all models, activated automatically by one of the steering column multifunction stalks.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS Only a handful of vehicles have been assembled so far: we drove a 295hp tractive unit and 345hp 8x4, fresh from the Harris workshops. Both were bare chassis cabs—we'll be taking roadgoing vehicles around the CM test routes as soon as possible.
Our first impressions were of the good quality fit and finish inside the cab. The push-button heater controls, air vents and some switchgear is straight out of the Toyota parts bin, which is no surprise as Hino assembles several thousand Toyotas every year. Stowage space abounds with lockers and bins in the centre console, dash and header rail, although there is no space under the bunk.
Curving dash
The two column stalks seem a little overloaded with functions (everything from indicators to exhaust brake) but the curving dash panel puts all relevant controls in easy reach. The headlamp level adjustment and remote-control radio tuner are welcome additions and add to the car-like driver environment. The parking brake lever resembles a car handbrake lever and operates in just the same way, except that it operates air valves.
Bodied vehicles may reflect more sound back toward the cab, but the tractive unit and 8x4 were both impressively quiet. The automatic exhaust brake works just like that in the Volvo FIT: switch it on and it will cut in automatically a second or two after lifting off the accelerator. It's much better than shuffling your feet around in search of the button, but we'll
reserve judgement on its effectiveness until we've driven laden vehicles. The airsuspended cab and seat gave a respectable ride even in our vehicles' unladen states. An accurate assessment of performance, ride and handling will have to wait for a full test, but our first impression is of a well-thought-out vehicle with light controls that's easy and pleasant to drive.
Harris will not be assembling enough Hinos to give rival Europeans sleepless nights. Even so, the new Hino has the makings of a vehicle which could give a few of them a serious run for their money.