Bedford goes for comfort and power
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Bedford has caught the mood of the moment with its new TL range. British manufacturers have been made starkly aware that driver comfort is now a prime consideration in vehicle purchase and operators have come to realise that a comfortable cab must be paid for.
The new Bedford range cabs meet the demands and requirements of both operator and driver. Bedford says ''Inside the cab our primary objective was to provide a warm, agreeable driver environment and good ergonomics plus generous stowage facilities." This has been achieved.
From the moment of entry the concept is apparent, The step height is unlikely to cause discomfort even to those drivers on a 20 drop delivery run.
Even the most awkwardly built long bodied short legged man should be comfortable in the 3ft 6in space between seat cushion and roof panel, More important perhaps is the good
upward vision of 14 degrees. On local delivery work this is a big plus point when street. names have to be read. That is the detail that Bedford has taken into account.
The seats are contoured and behind them there is a wide compartmented shelf. This successfully seals off the "rubbish tip" between the seat and the back of the cab and provides useful storage space.
The TL range covers rigids from 5.7 to 16.3 tonnes, there are two tractor units at 16.3 and 19.3 tonnes gvw and the top weight outfit can operate at 24.4 tonnes gvw with a drawbar trailer.
TL is designed to fill the gap between TK and TM. The TK will continue in production and in addition to the home market TL will attack in Europe.
It has a wide range of wheelbases from 115 inch (2.921m) to 224 inch (5.690m). These lengths can take bodies up to 22ft (6.7m).
Axles have been designed to bear weights by as much as 3/4 of a ton over the permitted gvw. This should aid the load distribution problems which beset the local delivery operator. It could also lead to overloading.
The engine variations give reason for confidence in the TL. The six cylinder Blue series 8.2 litre with an output of 150.5 bhp (112kW) is used in the 14.7 and 16.3 gvw vehicles. It is also used in the 19.3 tonnes tractor unit at 128 bhp (95kW) and the 12.5 tonne gvw machine.
The 98 bhp (73kW) is offered in TL variants from 7.5 to 12.5 tonnes gvw and is the power unit in the 16.3 tonnes tractor unit. This is the Bedford '330' 5.4 litre six cylinder.
The Bedford "300" 4.9 litre six cylinder petrol is also available in the same chassis range as the 330 but not in the TL 16.30 tractor unit.
The "220" 3.6 litre four cylinder diesel and the "214" 3.5 litre six cylinder petrol are both available in the 5.7 and 7.5 tonne vehicles.
The Bedford Blue series diesel which was announced in March is from the same stock as the 202 bhp turbocharged development.
TLs' transmissions are well tested. They are Bedford four speed and Turner and Eaton five speed synchromesh gearboxl up to 12.5 tonnes gvw. Aboi that the five speed box standard either in wide ratio overdrive form. Two speed axli are options above the 9 tonr weight range.
Bedford has thereto' matched well proven units to new cab concept. This is a cor bination that should appeal • operator and driver.
The TL cab is heavier than T but the weight penalty has bee offset principally by the use taper leaf front springs.
In addition to 'their weig saving properties the taper le suspension gives a very smoo ride. The springs are almost feet •(1 .8m) long. The two ta ered leaves reduce frictic potential. The pins are rubb bushed and the tails slippl ended which of course elimi ates spring lubrication.
The clutch is hydraulical actuated, piping is reinforce plastic, the wiring loom sleeved in convoluted flexib waterproof nylon. All mode have hydraulic braking an spring brake, fail safe parkin brakes.
The TL should do all th; Vauxhall Motors are looking fo They have built in years of or' ven engineering expertise to cab unit that will more tha please the driver.
Down through the yeai Bedford cabs have been moi than a match for the most ru' ged operations. The TL shou be a worthy addition to the fan ily tree. We will publish drivir appraisals when the vehicles ai made available for the purpose