Steel makes Alpha toub on the mu
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by Peter Lawton Peden is beefing up the Alpha for muckaway work with steel rear suspension.
The F520 set-up is designed to improve the Alpha's suitability for off-road work by optimising traction and ground clearance.
High levels of articulation are achieved with the suspension moving about central trunnions, which help deliver equal wheel-loading across rough ground.
Springs are inverted and fit
ted above the Mentor RT52153P axles to give more ground clearance, while brake chambers are also mounted as high as possible.
Springs have six 26mm-thick leaves each, while eight torquereaction rods work to control axle location and movement Foden has designed the FS20 unit for use with Dana S75FB straight-beam front axles and heavy-duty clrivehnes.
Alphas powered by Caterpillar 3126B or Cummins C-Series engines get the 1760 driveline in place of the 1710; those equipped with Caterpillar C10/C12 or Cummins ISM units get the 1810 series.
Unladen weight increases by 330kg on three axles and 360kg over four axles with this system, which has a technical load limit of 21 tonnes. However; this is restricted to 20,3204 because of brake Type Approval limits.
The FS20 system will be offered as an option on the Alpha 3000 range of three and four-axle rigids for £2,050 and 21,540 respectively.