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We have a thread here by yours' truly.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commer...lpt-3118c.html

They are being used to ferry ballast and pre-mixed Asphalt mixture for road works.

Here is one:

That's right mate. There is a rule in the Southern states (am sure of KL and TN) that the front and rear should be yellow.

As for the bumper being white, well, the owner is cutting corners :)

You can find 407s with just the bonnet painted yellow, and the bumper, A-pillar of the cab, the side panels surrounding the bonnet all colored in green, white, blue et al.

EDIT:

I'm wondering why all truck manufacturers (except TML) are going for a 2 axles in the front + 2 axles in the rear configuration for an 8x2 truck (Mining trucks excluded)? The FM-7, AL 3118, AMW 3116 etc, just to name a few all have this configuration. While TML 3118c alone has the lift axle mechanism. Is it a patented technology that TML have developed? (Doesn't look so sophisticated to me - a layman's thoughts).

First of all, the FM7 is a mining application truck and not a haulage model like the LPT3118C.

For all mining applications with a 31tonne GVW having twin steerable axles is important. Thus all manufacturers including TML with its Prima 3128K has the extra front axle positioned right behind the primary front axle.

But for haulage models, having twin steerable axles is not important. Thus TML has gone in for a lift axle configuration for the extra axle. The actual placement of the axle is not that important at all from the payload point of view. The lift axle allows you to decrease the wearing out of those 2 tyres, by keeping them raised unless they are actually needed. As tyre wear is a pretty major cost in truck's operation this is a very useful feature, which the customer has appreciated.

And no its not a patented technology at all, lift axles are used in CV's all over the world.

No idea about Patent but 31T rigid trucks in Prima is available with steerable front axles only unlike the existing 3118.
A Pic for you from Auto Expo - though my friend is posing.
As far us the lift axle mechanism is concerned its neither a sophisticated not a highly required while operation. But its highly useful in certain segments like cement, coal where one way is empty. So that as pointed by julupani the tyre wear can be reduced to some extent.
But even with loaded condition the two axles upfront model has a better load distribution compared to the rear three axles.
And fyi the mining trucks are also a part of this(2+2) where axle load distribution is very essential. A much more advanced model in this is the front axle load compensation seen in Actros range of Mercedes. ( Like a non reactive suspension in conventional multi axle trucks). A very sophisticated in deed

Yes, the 3118 is a big hit among the operators who operate one way empty, or some low tonnage hauling, where savings in tyre wear become significant.

The truck seen above, the Prima 3128T is set to be launched in a few months time acc to my sources, may be even before the next financial year. Though the question remains as to whether a chassis only option will be available for this model, though I doubt it.

Had an opportunity to visit the Mercedes plant in Pune and see the assembly of the Indian range of Actros trucks.Im at loss of words.There were two models.The 4841 and 4641.

Sweet looking trucks. Post more pics if you have. Would love to see it in full.

Sorry dude.Just have these.No snap of the full truck.Inside the plant they had raised the dumping bed to its full height.Damn it was tall!

Damn, that's huge. The Innova looks like a scale model when put beside these giants.

AL 4019 carrying 1616.

That is a 2axle trainer, making me thing it is a 35ton model and not a 40ton one.

The trailer is such a massive wastage of space and loading capability, the trucks together would not even weigh more than 10tons. The trailer for carrying these trucks should be made longer, allowing for at least 3 chassis to be transported together. That would make it way more efficient.

adding more to Julupani's point. From my view i think they can transport 4 16 tonner trucks chassis in one single trailer if it was double Decker open trailer and also the chassis being without the driver canopy.

You are right about the axles but this is a 4019 only as 3516 was not available with Newgen cabs earlier.

I thought a U3518 was available with New Gen cabs.