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A mighty Major joins the ranks

8th April 1993, Page 11
8th April 1993
Page 11
Page 11, 8th April 1993 — A mighty Major joins the ranks
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Keywords : Axle, Tractor

• Heavy haulier Parrys of Shawbury has put the first righthand drive Renault Major 6x4 heavy-haulage tractor in the UK into service.

The front axle is rated at 7.5 tonnes, but with a PMR 2032 double-drive bogie, incorporating two 15-tonne axles, the R385626TD is suitable for STGO Category 3 operation up to 90 tonnes. Managing director Terry Parry expects most of his work to fall within Category 2, up to 80 tonnes with the Major hauling a Nooteboom low-deck swan-neck semi running on three 16.5-tonne axles.

Equipped with Renault's optional Turboliner cab the tractor has an unladen weight of about 9.5 tonnes; the complete rig is 213m long.

The specification also includes inter-axle and cross-axle difflocks and 315/80 R22.5 tyres. Parry's 11-vehicle fleet is dominated by Mercedes-Benz, but the German manufacturer was unwilling to Type Approve a suitable model for the UK. The deal with Renault includes three-year 'Diamond' cover for parts and labour.

CM has been able to assess how the vehicle performs at almost 80 tonnes all up. The 240mm twin-plate clutch, which is now standard, fed in smoothly, whole-gear changes through the manual B18 box brought no complaint from the 12-litre engine while staying well within the solid green band on the tacho.

A low final-drive ratio of 6.83:1 gives a theoretical top speed of 881trn/h (55mph): at 48km/h (30mph) the engine is pulling at about 1,10Orpm--just below maximum torque. Claimed restart gradeability is 30% (1-in-3) and some fairly steep hills hardly slowed our progress.Most of the check braking down hill and approaching roundabouts can be accomplished with the four-stage Telma electronic retarder.

Perry expects it to extend brake life enough to pay for itself within a year.

With steady cornering there is very little roll and Pan3 that the ride is as good ur we found it to be fully loa

It's early days yet, but Major is returning 45.611 (6.2mpg). If that figure r be consistent its twin 325 tanks should give it a more than 1,4001cm.

Tags

Organisations: US Federal Reserve
People: Terry Parry

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