Cabover tractors in the United States have ceased to be produced for a long time – the last two years ago, the Freightliner Argosy was discontinued. But in some places such machines still exist and are in some demand. Yes, just now Kenworth unveiled its latest cabover K220 for the Australian market. Interestingly, forty years ago, the program of the head concern included a model with the same index, but it was a small-scale urban medium-duty truck with a Volkswagen cab.
It is, of course, difficult to call a completely new tractor – it is rather a deep modernization. The exterior has changed little, only the headlights have been updated (now they are LED) and the radiator grille. Behind it is a radiator of a larger volume than before. This is due to the upgrade of the air conditioning system: now the airflow has become 60% more, which is important in the Australian climate.
For better thermal insulation, the novelty also lost the upper windows in Aerodyne branded sleeping bags. And the new roof profile improves aerodynamic efficiency. According to the manufacturer, all this reduces aerodynamic drag by a couple of percent.
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The new eight-inch audiovisual navigation box (AVN) with controls can be integrated with up to six external cameras. The main instrument panel is, of course, digital, with a 15-inch screen. But at the request of the drivers, the developers have retained the traditional analog sensors for air pressure and transmission temperature. The K220 comes standard with a proprietary telematics system that monitors driver and truck performance and location. And of course, a full range of modern active and passive safety systems.
The K220 will be available with Cummins X15 (Euro V or Euro VI) engines ranging from 525-565 hp. There are two transmissions to choose from: the classic 16-speed Eaton RoadRanger manual or the new 18-speed Endurant XD Pro automatic. Production will start next April and the K220 will be produced in parallel with the current K200 for 12 months.
For many years, the main chassis for fire trucks of the forestry was GAZ medium-duty all-wheel drive vehicles, starting with the GAZ-63 and ending with the 3308. But more and more often they are being replaced by the products of the Kama Automobile Plant.
The last example is forest patrol complex Krona produced by Miass Priority. It was built on the all-wheel drive chassis KAMAZ-43502. Among the advantages is a well-known design: a 260-horsepower diesel engine, a gearbox and axles of our own production.
The forest patrol complex is designed to prevent fires and quickly extinguish them: direct extinguishing of ground fires, including fires in motion; creation of “wet” support strips; patrolling support lines and quickly extinguishing fires; delivery of water through main lines from reservoirs; creation of fire barrier strips from fire extinguishing solutions.
The vehicle is equipped with a three-ton water tank, a 180-liter foam tank and a 50 l/sec fire pump. Like all modern counterparts, outwardly the forest fire truck is distinguished by powerful protective grilles.
The city bus fleet of the English Nottingham was replenished with twenty-three buses at once, of course, double-decker. double deckers wear the famous brand Alexander Dennis. Moreover, surprisingly, these are not electric buses produced jointly with the Chinese leader in this segment BYD, but gas vehicles. The chassis and engines bear the Scania brand, which is explained by the type of fuel used – biogas. It is produced naturally by anaerobic digestion using food and agricultural waste.
The methane released during the fermentation process is captured, processed and turned into fuel. And one of the leaders in the use of such fuel is just Scania – we got acquainted with a biogas bus for Stockholm back in 2005.
The 72-seat bus is equipped with a 280-hp nine-liter engine, a ZF Ecolife transmission and carries five 515-liter biogas cylinders. After replenishment, the Nottingham fleet became the world leader in the use of these machines, there are a total of one hundred and twenty-two.