Truck Shite

[cms206]

The Irish were known for "fiddling" their limiters and tachos in the 80s and 90s but it's a rare phenominon now. EU limits are 56mph/90kmh for HGVs, 59mph/95kmh for buses without seatbelts and 62mph/100kmh for belted buses and coaches, though UK rules state 60mph for HGVs and 70mph for buses and coaches. That said it's not unknown for an HGV operator (I can think of two offhand) to calibrate tachos on 275/70R22.5s then fit 315/80R22.5s when they hit the road.

 

Interestingly, although a speed limiter must be fitted it does not have to work; if it has been tampered with then it is an offence and immediate PG9, but if it is genuinely broken then it's advise only.

 

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[Split_Pin]

Yeah i suppose there's no way of actually 'testing' it at the time so if it's just the casing of the unit (not sure if that's what it looks like or not, I worked with much older lorries at the time that didn't have them) then I suppose nobody would be any the wiser if the tachograph settings were pointing to a different tyre/ wheel combo.

 

Seems crazy that they'd take the risk with the tachograph readings though!

[gordonbennet]

If i recall correctly the tyre size, and tread depth measurement, is noted on the speed limiter/tacho calibration certificate.

 

I got a right high horse bollocking off a mod who branded me a racist on a Merc forum i no longer bother with for mentioning the Irish lads elastic speed limiters a few years ago, which was ironic considering it's the truth and i'm half Irish anyway and might have had some interesting limiters on stuff i drove in the past.

Best was an F90 MAN, circa 1987, if when you get it unwanted but by default (it was a killer, literally, and the other depot wouldn't have it on the premises) you find it won't pull your hat off cos it isn't getting full throttle, you then lift the bonnet and by judicious use of 2 x 17mm spanners adjust all the free play out of the cable, it transpires that once you reach normal limit (which was set at 71mph) if you gave the throttle a slight kick it would click past the limiter at the pump, and cruise quite gracefully at 95..so i'm told.

 

You get the odd older Irish or private (owner driver/small haulier) plated artic come thundering past, but doing a steady 70+ now you stick out like a sore thumb so very risky i wouldn't do it any more, now my own lorry has been recilbrated its doing a genuine 55 (satnav) even with half worn tyres i find myself passing quite a lot of modern Irish motors, the days of the elastic limiter are nearly over, pity.

 

Don't know about the speed capability of the tanker that harrassed you IanL (was it a mid noughties Scanny by any chance, you could pedal them following a downhill overspeed if you knew how and keep that speed up for several miles), but you'd be surprised how stable a low line tanker can be, empty or loaded, i'm no mad thing any more but on the open road empty its not unusual to find cars that were jammed up yer arse on the straight (though too close and clueless about overtaking) gradually disappear behind on a series of long bends, its all about maintaining momentum, though i obviously can't speak for the bloke that was tailgating you, tailgating is something i hate but it's on the increase in all sorts of vehicles.

[Guest Hooli]

There was nowt funnier than overtaking a car in a double decker coach because they were getting in the way, never did it loaded but empty it happened a few times. I had one favourite place where I could see over hedges & straight line it safely but doddery giffers would do about 25mph for no reason at all.

[Pillock]

Seems to me that trucks have a lot less suspension travel, bigger tyres, more contact and if you've got something like a low tanker or a empty open trailer you've got a decent centre of gravity to help. And seeing over hedges too, that's got to help on the twisties.

[CreepingJesus]

Top suspects are Irish and Dutch registered motors: been overtaken at 56mph by both like I was standing still. Eastern Europeans seem not to bother so much these days, they're more likely to be pootling along at 50 saving fuel.

Anyway, I digress...there's electronic interrupters/data benders available, if you know where to ask. They're fitted under the dashboard with one hidden switch to activate, and if you've got a good 'un, your tacho will never show or record anything it's not supposed to. Never.

Throw in acquiring a new digi card when your old one gets damaged/goes missing (all firmly asterisked) and quite a few Brits driving for Irish/Dutch (sometimes Belgian) companies and acquiring 'secondary' passports...that's how. Margins have been squeezed to the point where risks like that don't just pay, they're how some people get paid full stop. Better enforcement would sort some of it out, but UK PLC recognising that rate slashing has consequences would be good.

Like the Dead Kennedys sang in Holiday In Cambodia "it's tough kid, but it's life..."

[Jim Bell]

Just a few more pinched from Facebook

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[CreepingJesus]

 

Remember Humphrey's shocking pink Scanny 141 being in the magazines years ago. He kept those motors well over 2m kms each!

Here's one I spotted up Stobart's shitehole truckstop in Carlisle the other day: still working for a living, with a shiny new Nooteboom four axle low loader on its' back. It and the newish Scanny R500 beside it were Swiss registered, from the same company.

[willswitchengage]

This is why they close bridges to high side vehicles...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38940832

[CreepingJesus]

See also Forth Rope Bridge, and what happens when you're a fucking clown who thinks they know better...

 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-38583964

[CreepingJesus]

It may be me reaching an advanced stage of Manual Gearbox Withdrawal, but I've started seeking out obscure gearbox videos on YaTubeYe. Y'know just in case the opportunity to drive a 70s Kenworth comes up.

I had no idea about this one, until I realised it was a (slightly) modernised version of the ancient Spicer 4x4 non-synch box.

 

 

More mad Aussie, in case one wasn't enough...

 

 

And a temperamental Italian.

 

 

Wonder how much I could get one of those for? They're RHD and Italy isn't that far...

[worldofceri]

Loving those gear change videos, Jesus.  Thanks for posting those up!

 

In other news, a mate at JCB sent me this:

 

 

A load of old (and new) shite going for auction including the DAF pictured and half a dozen late nineties ERF EC11s.

 

 

[Split_Pin]

I was in the Pound Shop today looking for a Matchbox Volvo but came across this instead. It's the South American/Turkish Ford Cargo. It's based loosely on the 1981 original and seemed an odd subject so I had to have it of course!

[CreepingJesus]

Nice find! I thought those Ford Cargos were the same as the VW Constellation which they sell in S America (made in Brazil iirc), but I don't think they are. Random pound shop stock is brilliant, isn't it?

 

I reckon one of JCBs ERFs and a display trailer would make a great motorhome. Why are they selling stuff off though? I thought they kept stuff forever...!

[Felly Magic]

I don't think things are doing too well for old JC Bamford atm, esp as the bloke running the show is a bit mental

[Vin]

I read an article in C&VC all about the JCB fleet. They go to great lengths sourcing older ERFs and putting them through full refurbishments in their own workshops, keeping a mass of spares too, as you would expect. The older fleet is mainly used for demonstrator deliveries and local work...

 

Seems odd they are disposing considering the effort they put in...

[scruff]

Maybe they are just surplus to requirements? They only do internal work or between premises do they not, and the demo situation isn't as busy as it once was either in plant or on the agri side. Having said that I was tipping at one of our dealers last week for an open day and a JCB ERF growled in with two of the new silver jubilee Fastracs on the back.

 

I'd love to give one a home

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[Richard]

SPD! That brings back memories. They used to deliver to my local grocer's shop.

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[mercrocker]

SPD! That brings back memories. They used to deliver to my local grocer's shop.

 

Speedy Prompt Deliveries!  

 

Yep, really, that is what it stood for.   They were part of the Unilever group (hence the grocery runs).   I worked at their local depot down here for a while.   Brings back memories seeing railway sleepers to barrier off roadworks, too!    Brilliant.

[worldofceri]

What's that last 'Lep' wagon?  Can't make out the badge.

[Inspector Morose]

Seddon-Atkinson.

 

Or just Seddon? If it is, it's a late one.