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Now a 36-ft.-long Leyland Leopard

6th October 1961, Page 44
6th October 1961
Page 44
Page 44, 6th October 1961 — Now a 36-ft.-long Leyland Leopard
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IT has been known for some time that Leyland Motors, Ltd.. were to introduce 1 a 36-ft.-long version of their Leopard underfloor-engined single-deck bus and coach chassis, for which orders have already been placed for over 140 by 21 British operators.

Details of this model, designated the Leopard PSU3.1R, have now been released. As the continued use of the model name implies, it has been evolved from the existing 30-ft.-long Leopard. The new chassis is available in bus and coach versions of similar general specification and having a gross weight rating of 111 tons, although heavy-duty springs can be fitted to allow this to be increased to 13 tons.

18-ft. 6-in. Wheelbase The wheelbase in both cases is 18 ft. 6 in., and the figures for maximum front and rear overhang are 7 ft. and 10 ft. 6 in. respectively.

Each model has the 9.8-litre Leyland 0.600 engine in horizontal form, incorporating the spheroidal cavity combustion chamber introduced last year on the Power-Plus range of engines. The bus version of the engine develops 125 b.h.p. at 1,700 r.p.m., but the coach engine is set to give 130 b.h.p. at 2,200 r.p.m.

Features of the engine installation are a " no-loss " pressurized cooling system, shaft or gear drive for all auxiliaries, and a large-capacity oil bath air-cleaner with forward intake.

Similar to Royal Tiger The standard transmission incorporates a 161-in, clutch and four-speed gearbox. All gears are in constant mesh, with synchromesh cones for third and fourth speeds. Ground gears are used throughout, those for the second and third being of the helical type to promote quietness. Basically similar engine and gearbox units were used for the Leyland Royal Tiger. PSU1 model of some years ago.

A fluid coupling ,with lock-up clutch and semior fully automatic four-speed Pneumo-cyclic gearbox can be supplied as an alternative.

The standard rear axle for the new models is a single-speed spiral bevel unit similar to that employed on existing a I 0 Leopards, with alternative ratios of 5.143, 4.625 or 4.111 to I. An Eaton 18800 two-speed axle can be supplied, however, with the following alternative ratios: 4.5 and 6.14, 5.14 and 7.02, 5.57 and 7.6 or 6.5 and 8.87.

Compressed air brakes based on those used for the shorter Leopards are employed. The system incorporates a 10-cu.-ft. compressor, diaphragm brake chambers and a DI type control valve operated by an orthodox pedal. Bendix-. Westinghouse slack adjusters are used in conjunction with "S "-type cams. The total braking area is 623.3 sq. in.

Marks Steering Marks cam-and-double-roller type steering gear is employed with a steering wheel diameter of 22 in. and a ratio of 28.5 to I. The swept turning circle is quoted as being within 71 ft. diameter.

Three-inch-wide leaf springs are employed, those for the 1-section axle beam being 60 in. long and the rear ones being 62 in. long. Lever-type hydraulic dampers are employed for the front axle.

The frame is of bolted construction, employing parallel 9/32 in, deep channelsection sidemembers of 8 in. depth and straight-topped over most of their length but tapering to a depth of 6 in. forward of the front axle. The provision of an uninterrupted level floor is facilitated by the way in which all units are mounted below the level of the top of the frame. A drop rear extension can be fitted for the coach version.

Other Features Other features include a 33-gal. fuel tank, 10.00 x 20 tyres on B.7.00 x 20 wheels with 6 in. offset, 24-volt electrical system with 7 in. 1390 watt dynamo and 121 amp. hr. batteries.

The chassis weight, complete with equipment, fuel, oil and water is approximately 4 tons 15 cwt.

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