Bedford's export-only bus
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BEDFORD COMMERCIAL Vehicles has developed a new 16-tonne heavy duty front-engined export-only bus chassis, based on its TM 17-tonne gvw truck-range chassis, which is designed to cope with severe operating conditions in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.
It has been designed with a 6.05m (20ft) wheelbase to accept current 11m bodies and is capable of carrying 100 passengers.
The new range is called BOV and has two models: one has an automatic gearbox and the other a manual one. They will make use of three engines from the Blue Series of 8.2 litre units.
The automatic transmission version, designated the SVOS 8786, has the 8.2/160D naturally aspirated 119kW (160bhp) engine driving through the Allison MT643 gearbox. This seems to be an ideal match for use in heavily congested cities such as Lagos, Nigeria where constant stop/start operations over short distances wear clutches out quickly.
Extra power is available for this version in the form of the optional 8.2/17 5TD turbocharged 129kW (173bhp) engine.
The other model, the manual SVOS 9790, which uses the ZF S6-65 6 speed synchromesh box, has an air-assisted clutch and is powered by the 8.2/205TD turbocharged 154kW (206bhp) engine. This was originally developed to Ministry of Defence specification for the TM four wheel drive vehicles. Bedford envisages it being used on longer inter-city operations at a lower 14 tonne gvw.
A four-piece Spicer propshaft transmits the drive to Bedford's own fully floating heavy-duty hypoid rear axle, rated at 11 tonne (introduced earlier this year), which has a 5.29 to 1 ratio for the automatic transmission and 4.38 to 1 for the manual version.
Its multi-leaf semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension is designed for 16 tonne gvw although by fitting lower capacity springs, this can be reduced to 14 ton gvw to give a softer ride over long distances. These springs are attached to the extended TM chassis via rubber-bushed spring eyes, front and rear.
Double-acting hydraulic dampers are fitted all round while an anti-roll bar is attached to the 6.6-tonne-rated front axle to further improve the ride.
A cam gear recirculating-ball steering box with integral power assistance is used on both models.
The braking system is a full-air type with independent circuits and with an air-operated but terfly valve exhaust mounted in the manifold.
Routine maintenance c carried out by raising th4 panel to check engir coolant, clutch and power ing levels.
Bedford has reverted t oil-bath air cleaners whi, mounted along the righi side of the chassis. The air is routed to the front vehicle.
Access to the engine fa: detailed work will be from the bus itself.
The bodywork is of a design based on the Alu concept of modular framE with aluminium extrui which permit quick, low-c pairs.
Bedford expect oversee tomers, being less labour sive, to fit their own coac so that the majority of un be produced in comp knocked down form.
Prices are not yet availa will be competitive enot make this a positive and dent step towards reestab the company's positi countries in which Bedfol once a major force.