GENERAL PERSPECTIVE

It had been at the back-end of 1995 that Scania pronounced its 4Series longhaul tractive models to the planet. Having a new cab plus an extra 12-litre motor it guaranteed to perform more economically than its forerunners. The cab provided more lebensraum and relaxation; new seats included more comfy and far better, integrated seat belts. Gear in the cab contained a front-mounted best bunk through a spacious70x200cms reduce bunk along with the windshield over stowage lockers.

Scania's moves to decrease drag began using the 3 Series Streamline array; the 4Series carried this procedure a period or two additional. Even though the windshield was placed in a more perpendicular plane than preceding versions, increasing the understanding of greater inside space, this cab was more round at the sides and its own breadth rose by a200mm from entrance to back. Scania insisted using of its own outdoor sun visor smoothed the passing of air around the cab's roof and enhanced air flow total, however, the flush-mounted aspect windows and encapsulated minors likely had more impact.

Launch automobiles were supplied having a stage that folded level against the body work when the doorway dosed. Since then the linkage was changed and is supposed to be more trustworthy and sturdy.

Introducing the 1 2-litre motor with 400bhp on spigot was a far sighted conclusion. In the time o nly global hauliers employed that much electricity, but operators are requiring more and more ability to manage lower velocity limits, limited driving hrs, heavier weights and heightened fuel prices.

The 360hp mechanical-injection and 400bp EDC six-cylinder cost-cooled engines included four valves per cylinder in individual cylinder heads with injectors placed vertically in the middle of every cylinder. Designed using a hot and chilly side, the motor layout divided the fuel system from your exhaust.

EDC (Electronic Diesel Handle) ensured that gas was injected in exact amounts to burn economically in redesigned combustion chambers.

Scania has employed a centrifuge to filter motor oil because the conclusion of the fifties. o n the 1 2-litre motor this was supplemented with a complete-flow oil filter to expand oil change times-service times of 60,000kilometers were potential for practically all route-going programs. A level-toothed poly-V drive belt and automated tensioner were released to provide a positive-drive for the coolant pump, alternator and ac compressor: the cooling fan with thermostat-managed hub fitted straight in the crankshaft.

Scania's 1 2-pace GR900 transmission was released in 1991; this is consistent.: Against the corporation's policy of supplying synchromesh gearboxes using an immediate top equipment to minimise electricity losses. Single-reduction drive axles were steadily updated through the decade to manage raising degrees of torsion.

In a shift towards Eur-3, a revised power-line-up premiered in April 1998, against the 1 2 litre motor topping 420hp. However, the important change was that the brand new 11 litre Euro 2 models at 340hp as well as 380hp and the 1-2 litre at 420hp all included unit injectors, changing the in line injection pump. The injectors were managed through an ECU (electronic control device) on the great left hand-side of the motor.

As with EDC, this administration system may be incorporated with several other sytems for example adaptive cruise-control, stability-control and electronnic brakes.

Scania claims that growth of its UK community is a higher precedence; it started its 80th service this past year point

Benton Bros is a household business situated in Lincolnshire with storehouses at Sibsey and Boston. "We took our first 400hp 4Series o n Ep-reg and took the 420 eco-friendly engines whenever they became accessible," states Benton. "We understood they were better on taxation and we were informed that they'd be better on fuel also, which has been shown to function as situation. The 400s reunite 8.6mpg while the 420s are only a few of factors better at 8.8mpg, but every small helps the main point.

"We're running on six axles at 4 1 tonnes with a curtainsider we could load around 25.8 tonnes," Benton includes. The Scanias price slightly more but we anticipate to get a great deal. They are kept by us for five years: previous experience has indicated that is when servicing prices and downtime will likely begin to rise. So it's somewhat early to share residuals we've not offered any however nonetheless they're still rather great. Scania is promoting more into large fleets now and also the amount in the used truck marketplace is starting to rise. In time this will definitely bring the re sale values down.

"While we have our very own workshops the Scanias were purchased with five-yr mainteance contracts v electronic administration systems-the sellers won't sell us the diagnostic gear to utilize ourselves. Even though they did we will have to send our automobile mechanics away for instruction, and o nce supplied with all the knowledge they'd take it to new pastures.

"The Ep Series are set against the high cab however, not the Topline version," he states. "Our motorists discover they're large enough. Otherwise the specs is pretty normal except that we set twin gas tanks to hold 100 gallons.

"On domestic work-there isn't much should purchase fuel outside. We had o ne or two slight teething problems to start with but over all the 420 as well as the 400 s are really dependable.

OPERATOR COMMENTS - ROBERT HOPKINS

"The Mercs were offering us some troubles and I had been becoming dissatisfied with all the service I had been getting from your local vendor," he claims. That car covered more than 100,000kilometer in the first year initial apart from having a single just one it has not overlooked a beat.

This is a bit quicker compared to 360, primarily since it holds 56mph along hill through the motorways. It aids in satisfying customer deadlines. The excess torque assists pull away from relaxation, defeating that little spike you get from a virtually total tank trailer.

"We operate totally load for around 70per cent of time and we're getting about 10.0mpg, which can be substantially a lot better compared to 8.0mpg we were obtaining from your MB 2544," he includes. "The 380 is usually used for marginally lighter work-but fuel use of between 9-10mpg is great also. Initially several touches of trimming in the taxi came free but that was repaired at the primary service. There are instances where the motorist must be accompanied and the double berth cab has its own when they need to stay away overnight. It has loads of room for 2 individuals.

"I'm not altogether pleased using the color but that has been my pick," Hopkins declares. "It's a bit lighter in relation to the Oxford blue we usually set. It isn't an inexpensive truck , and so I've understood prices however, everything is covered by the lease agreement except tyres. The area dealer is only a mile farther down the route and he's there to provide backup twenty-four hours per day, seven times per week. Both other things we need are dependability plus a truck that provides my business an excellent picture. The four-Set 420 offers us equally so we intend to turn all fleet around to Scania."

OPERATOR COMMENTS - RAWLINGS TRANSPORTATION

After 27 years in highway transportation Terry Rawlings, controlling director of Rawlings Transportation of Hook, isn't scared to test something new. "We now have 40 trucks taken for basic haulage and professional uses," he states. We're still developing and we plan to change four or five trucks per year.

"We'd not observed a Scania sales man for decades but o ne arrived through the doorway last March, only in the correct time," Rawlings comments. "I've always liked the appearance of the 4 series Scania and we strive to perform at least o ne topoftherange truck as a main. The truck is our best advertising since the fleet seems smart and work has been picked up by us. The sales man was from Southway, which includes three car dealers within around 20 miles people.

"Initially I used to be contemplating the 400hp design but the 420hp variation had arrive by next," he states. "The cost, including a bundle for 3 years' total care, was really great-it needed to fit what I was investing in a Mega Room Cab Actros. It had been delivered in Oct and coated over 48,000kilometers by Christmas. We journey around great BRITAIN at the same time as performing international function.

"Our functioning is just not weight delicate," his son Paul describes. "Our typical payload is between 1 5 and 18 tonnes and we don't never have to go above 2 1 tonnes." Picking right up a computerised spreadsheet Rawlings senior reveals us the fuel yields for the last quarter; they common out at 10.0mpg. "That's regarding equal for the Mega-cabbed Actros," he states. It'll be replaced as it begins to really cost us down-time. Franchised sellers are not necessarily enthusiastic about trade in relates to vehicles that outdated and remaining values aren't high afterward so we market quite them Top of the range vehicles do maintain their worth somewhat better.

"For now support and components are included in the seller," he reviews. "We run-up to Heathrow plus they give you the motorist using a courtesy vehicle. After 3 years we'll take care of it in our personal workshops. So significantly it is been almost trouble free: we've o nly required a light change relay changed. The truck was shipped o n the day it had been sworn and so far the seller has sent everything that it stated it might."

Paul reasons: "The motorist likes it. The cab feels as though quality it's comfortable with lots of space to put equipment away. That motivates the motorist to have a delight in taking care of it. Mercedes support has gone down. o n the foundation of the Scania's operation so significantly we are purchasing another-when the purchase price remains aggressive."

Scania 124L 420 HPI Topline