Tools for tippermen
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Speaking at the TipCon show in Harrogate, Volvo Trucks general manager, Alistair Robinson described the tipper market as "demanding and competitive". With sales running 30°-'0 down on last year some would say that was putting it mildly but, as Robinson added, the market is very difficult to predict at the moment. Generally the mood at the show was "wait and see", with prospect of change this side of a general election. Even so, new products were to be found on many manufacturers' stands, including the first UK appearance of Renault's Premium and Foden's high-roof double-bunk XL sleeper cab.
The main theme among the trailer and bodybuilders at TipCon was saving weight.
Fruehauf, for example, showed its 57yd.1 aluminium 'bathtub' tipping trailer which, with three RO-R axles and T-air suspension, was down to 6.04 tonnes, while WBS's 55yd3 triaxle stepped monocoque tipper came in below six tonnes including a PME weigher kit and Dawbarn sheeting system.
There was no shortage of innovation either. Edbro's latest CS front-end tipping ram is a three-piece design using less oil and designed for long life and easier maintenance.
Harsh showed its new cylindrical load cell which suits any of its underbody hoists and can also be fitted to new or existing tippers. It was developed by Safeweigh, a company formed by Harsh and PME.
WBS claims to have solved the problem of fitting and plumbing in tipping controls with a small switch linked to a solenoid control unit against the chassis. It operates three air sensors to engage the PTO, tip and then lower the body.
• Seddon Atkinson's stand contrasted a brightly painted lightweight Strata 26.275C 6x4 tipper (powered by the Cummins C-Series) with a basic black LA17.210 owned by builders' merchants Brown & Potter of York. This 17-tonner is the first to be used for commercial rather than municipal work: it sports a body and front-end gear by Jespro of Bradford, while the spartan, hose-clean interior lacks even a revcounter—the dash displays only a tacho, a couple of gauges and warning lights.
• Volvo's best selling FLIO eightwheeler was much in evidence at Harrogate. On the Volvo stand was one of the FL1Os recently acquired by Yorkshire operator Ken Longthorne (see CM 2-8 May). Longthorne has opted for the six-speed fully automatic Powertronic transmission fitted with integral retarder to handle the hills of his North Yorkshire working environment.
• Somehow Butch & Cornell of Preston managed to shoehorn a Holmes blower under an MAN 22.403FVLT 6x2 for MitchelIs Transport of Grangemouth. The Eaton S-Series gearbox has a rear-fit Hydrocar PTO but Stallion will soon have a bottom-mount unit. This is the fourth of its kind for MitchelIs, which will use it to haul granular plastic products across the UK and the Continent. • Last year Foden used Tipcon as the launc pad for its 4000 Series heavy cab; this year company was beck with its biggest ever cal the high-roof 4000X1. Extending the compa push into the general haulage market, the c ble-bunk XL is designed to offer long-haul d vers the space and comfort of its big-cab ri Headroom over the engine is 1.8m, while o head lockers give the XL generous stowage space. The cab is also deeper by 133mm, g ing a wider bottom bunk: other features inc an electrically operated sun-roof, extra cab insulation and on illuminated headboard. 11 show vehicle was fitted with Cummins N504 500hp 14-litre engine and an Eaton S-serie: 16-speed synchromesh gearbox but the full range of 4000 Series engines from Cummin Perkins and Caterpillar is available.
U See next week's issue for a full breakdov the new model.
• Weightlifter has a waste haulier in mind for the 71.5yd3 (5: tri-oxled stepframe bulker it showed coupled too Scenic 1441 demonstrator. It tips via the new Edbro CS17 ram and has Edl own load-cell equipment. Body height is 7.5ft-8.5ft but its wid the old 8.2ft norm.
• Iveco had a full range of its tippers on show at Harrogate, from the best selling 7.5-tonne Cargo per to a sleeper-cabbed 8x4 Eurolrakker. Two an three-axle SuperCargos on display included a 260E27 with HMF crane and grab loader and a Transweld body in Mansfield Self Drive livery. A three-way dropside tipping Welford body with Ed tipping gear gave added versatility to the SuperCargo, resplendent in the bright yellow live Edmund Naftali. lveco Ford also announced a 2! order for 650 vehicles from Darlington-based Northgate Motor Holdings. The 400 Cargo 75E15 150 SuperCargos and 100 EuroTechs will operate from Northgaters 18 depots.
ta On most tippers side guards are simply functional frames. But those on Eddie Stobart's new Montracon semi-trailer are adorned with shapely outer panels and a curvaceous nose panel to make the 60 cubic yarder quite an eyeful. The smooth outline, which is helped by its aluminium planked sides and tailgate, is not just aesthetic; it is designed to cut wind resistance and fuel bills. A doorway in the nosepanel lets the driver sheet-up safely or check the Edbro ram; the show model was the first of 10 from Montracon's Garstang factory.
• MAN's latest offering is the air-sprung 32.343VFL "Highway" model. The 8x4 F2000 chassis is equipped with front disc brakes with i four bag air suspension at the rear. It was shown at TipCon with a Wisbech aluminium body and Edbro front-end gear and is also available with the 394hp (294kW) 12-litre six. The steelsuspended 35.403VF off-road tipper was also displayed, in the colours of Chapman of Brighton (for driving impressions of this vehicle see CM 2-8 May).
• Renault's facelifted MicIliner did not appear at Harrogate, but the all-new Premium range was there in its Long Distance and Distribution cabover variants: the 17-tonne day-cab Distribution model, filled with a Teleclac body and Edbro gear, has been bought by Tulip. The 6.2-litre Euro-2 engine is rated at 210hp (155kW) and is mated to a B9 synchromesh box. CM was impressed by the cab's access, stowage space and visibility, with three wide-angle mirrors on the nearside, as well as the glazed "Vision" door the nearside electric window slides horizontally). Future options will include a Japanese-style front-mounted mirror and a rear vision camera,
• An unusual split-body tipper on a Leyland Daf FASO at TipCon is one of 19 bodied by Bodibuilt of Erdington for Birmingham City Council. It will be used to deliver road making materials to motorway sites. Stallion rams tip the front end to left or right while the rear half end-tips„ enabling it to work in any lane. • Renault's Premium again: the red tractive unit is a Long Distance 385 model with the standard-height sleeper cab and the new, Euro-2-only 11.1-litre 380hp (283kW) engine. The yellow Distribution model is lower, and shows off the glazed nearside door. Both cabs are 2.5m wide: a narrower version could form the basis of a new Midliner cab; the same components will also be adapted to the heavyduty Maxter chassis. • The WES-built insulated tipper for local haulier Longthorne showed great attention to rear-end detail. Taildoor locking bars are fully enclosed and the rear cross-member is tapered for clear discharge into a BarbourGreene tarmac layer. The roar door has an adjustable locking device to adjust the amount of effort needed to open or secure it.
• ERF's theme at the show the company's "Satisfactio Guaranteed" campaign, ai ability to fit optional equip on the assembly line. The s the stand was the first cost EC11.41ST 4x2 tractor (se, week's CM road testl, bou, Peterborough haulier PJ Th
• Scania showed a P113-: 8x4 in the new Tarmac By( announced that the 4-Serie rigids will be available froi or July. The full 4-Series ra will become available "aft, summer", superseding the Series in time for the Eurodeadline in October.
• We'll have to wait until autumn for Mercedes SKIN of heavies but in the mean the company is not negleci old stagers. The 2527 6x4 sis was shown with Hendr rubber suspension on the bogie, a Weightlifter body Edbro front-end tipping ge future the rubber option is to be extended to the 8x4 chassis.
• Michelin's range of XDY tional-drive axle tyres for I launched last year, has be extended to include 11R ai
sizes to supplement the 29 Series low profiles. The ne ers offer better ground clei than the 80-profile; for les ous on-road use the XDE1 axle range gains standard 11R and 12R tyres,
• A restyled front bumpei improve ground clearanc( rough terrain is the latest cation to Hino's six and ei wheel tipper chassis. Euro models should become av in July with a new range i powerful engines.
• Volvo's top-rated FL I 2 eight-wheeler has the electronically controlled 12litre engine from the FH, with a hydraulic gear linkage. The show model, an FL 1 2.380 in Tarmac Roadstone's new livery, is operated by owner-driver Tony Pugh. It is rated at 374hp (279kW) and equipped with Volvo's RI 700 nine-speed rangechange synchromesh box. Specification is completed with Wisbech insulated tipping body and Edbro front-end tipping gear.
Matlock Transport celebrated its golden jubilee by showing off its latest asset: on MAN twin-sleepercabbed 18.403 with a new Bridge Bodies Inaxle step-frame trailer. Despite being beefed up with 1,300mm floor bearers, extra vertical posts and an 8.0mm floor For carrying heavy scrap metal, the 60yd3 tipping semi tares at just 6,360kg.
• Among the debutantes at Harrogate was Leyland Daf's new mid-range 55-Series: the show model was a Telehoist skiploader-equipped FA55.210, in Trio Containers livery. The 18tonne rigid, rated to take advantage of the weight increase due in 1999, has a 3.9m wheelbase and is fitted with a six-speed overdrive gearbox. On the nearby Welford stand {below) was another 55; a 160 with Welford steel tipping dropside body and Edbro 3LNC tipping gear. • Rolatip's R1T32 demount body was shown on a Foden eight-legger with Fdbro's latest sheeting system supplied to UK Waste by Manchester Trucks. The Rolatarp powered cover has double folding side arms that stow below container level to avoid damage when lifting misaligned bins.