Comfortable SA 16-former
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The Seddon Atkinson 200 was loaded to 16.3 tonnes (16 tons) and carried a 10.1-tonne (9.9-ton) payload. It is fitted with an IH engine rated at 100kW (134bhp) at 3,000rpm (BS AU141a:net installed) and the driveline consists of a 330mm (13in) dry-plate clutch, five-speed Eaton gearbox and Eaton rear axle. The vehicle odometer read 8,204km (5,100 miles) at the test.
The engine fitted to the 200 is very quiet for a diesel and it is difficult to accurately gauge engine speed by engine note. In the absence of a rev counter easy gear shifting is, initially at least, difficult without grating of gear teeth. Fitting a rev counter would make it much easier for the unfamiliar driver and enable the best use to be made of the engine's working rev band.
In the light of the engine and rev counter comments it was difficult to know whether I had changed gear at the appropriate speeds and though I suspect that the gaps between ratios, especially high up in the box, are too wide I would reserve judgment until we can carry out a full test.
The change on the Eaton gearbox is very sloppy and the gate pattern not clearly distinct. On one or two occasions I wrong slotted.
The cab is quiet and comfortable, inheriting the excellent features of the 400 cab.
For personal preference I would like the gear-lever shifted closer to the driver; lever travel is long and with the seat fully back one has to reach forward to engage the forward-gate positions.