track esting the Ica 300PC
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Trevor Longcroft
FIRST Fiat 6x4 30-tonne road tipper to arrive in the was shown to the Press week at a Fiat truck test at the Silverstone motor ing circuit. Although the icle was not bodied and not been checked over its arrival, I took the ,ortunity to get some imssions driving it around the k.
he Fiat 300PC (CM June has the same cab, engine I clutch as the 619TI 38ne tractive unit and, but the ratios, the gearbox is ) common to both models. chassis-cab form the Fiat 1PC weighs about 8.5 tonnes 1 tons) and when fitted with either a three-way or conventional rear-end Romanazzi tipping body, the standard for the chassis, it will carry payloads of nearly 19 tonnes (18.7 tons).
The Silverstone circuit is virtually fiat and the bends very gentle, and so once the truck had been accelerated to top gear there was no need to change down during the lap. The unladen truck pulled away easily in 3rd high and cruised effortlessly at around 40-45 mph in top gear.
Slick change
I made a point of using the four-speed with splitter synchromesh gearbox and despite the low mileage on the speedo the change was slick and easy. The splitter switch is nicely to hand on the gearlever and the synohromesh eliminates the need to double-declutch.
The steering tended to be stiff, but I was told that the pre-delivery inspection would cure this.
The handbrake is also confusing in that even when the brake is engaged the lever is in the down position. To release it the lever is pulled against the stop and then pushed down to the home position. This process may have to be repeated to ensure that the park-brake warning light goes out.
At around 40-45mph engine noise in the cab is higher than I would have expected, but It is not so high as to interfere with across-cab conversation.
Initially, Fiat is interested in testing the market reaction to this vehicle and so only a few are to be imported in the early stages. Two vehicles will be on show at the RHA Tipping Convention at Harrogate, July 2-5.