Constructor gets tough
Page 13
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• Leyland Daf has gone ahead with plans to manufacture a modified chassis for its Constructor 6x4 models, and to build the lightest 24-tonne 6x4 tipper on the market. The modifications are in response to a growing number of cracked Constructor chassis being reported, though Leyland Daf says that the new range is almost 30% stronger than previous models.
The 6x4 chassis has been strengthened and the frame material upgraded from 3.6 tonnes/cm to 4.5 tonnes/cm2. New full-length external ffitches have been incorporated in the main chassis members of the tipper and haulage models.
Leyland Daf says: "Another improvement unique to the mixer chassis is a change in flitch specification where new flat plate flitches with top and bottom flanges have been added to the main chassis members. The webs have been designed with carefully positioned holes to keep weight to a minimum. As a result, the previous Latches have been deleted."
The suspension has also been modified: changes include 25% higher spring clamping through new U-bolts and nuts. A new two-spring suspension system comprises a two-leaf main spring with an additional single-leaf helper spring. Each of the rear bogie's two axles has been fitted with a pair of shock absorbers.
Haulage and tipper Con structor models have also had modiflcatons made to their suspensions: they are now fitted with two-spring bogies as standard, with the option of rubber suspension. The mixer chassis is specified with a four-spring bogie as standard.
Leyland Daf's improvements extend beyond the chassis. A new cooling system header tank, says Leyland Daf, allows easier and quicker checks on coolant level. New wheels with twice the number of vent holes should improve both unladen weight and brake cooling.
Both 6x4 Constructor models have a much reduced unladen weight due to the modifications. The 134kW 24.17 tipper has an unladen weight of just 6,156kg, making it the lightest 24-tonne 6x4 chassis on the market.
The powerful 177kW 24.23 starts at 6,602kg.