II-terrain Birkie Beast in Esarco's tracks
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IT ON TI if HEELS of 8x8 Esarco (CM July 6) ncs a new all-terrain tide — the eight-wheel re Birkie Beast — which is aufactureci by James Reid 3irkhill, Tayside.
he 10-seat high-mobility ionnel carrier is powered a front-mounted Deutz L.912 air-cooled diesel which develops 49kW (65hp) and has a maximum torque of 230Nrn (170 lbft) at 1,60Orpm.
Instead of a conventional gearbox and drivetrain (as used in the Esarco and receptly launched Veepee 8x8) the Birkie Beast has a Rexross hydrostatic drive system which powers motors situated in each wheel hub. 'Fop speed is 20mph.
There is no suspension as such — each set of wheels pivots on a rocking beam to allow up and down movement. The front four wheels are on a bogie which pivots in the centre of the vehicle to allow lateral articulation.
Ground pressure of the wheels, owing to large Avon tyres, is a very low 24 kN/sqm (3.5psi).
The 8x8 has a conventional steel ladder chassis and body frame, clad in marine ply. Overall length is 4.59m.
A prototype personnel carrier is currently undergoing evaluation trials in Scotland on a large estate. J. Reid is also planning to develop a flat bed version with a 1.5-tonne payload and powered by a turbo-charged Deutz engine.
Price for the personnel carrier has not been determined.