Team-BHP - The Heavy Trucks thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by D33-PAC (Post 2345544)

Some very interesting news indeed. Could the availability of finance have anything to do with it?

I suspect these figures include passenger chassis as well. If so, this may be more due to "hey, this March, and end of the financial year, spend as much as we can from the budget allocation before March 31st" syndrome, typical of all govt. establishments.

That is why you have a 5 digit figure for March.

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani (Post 2335167)

Well, all I can say is the information that I have provided is to the best of my knowledge and I am pretty damn confident about it as my info is largely based on contacts at the manufacturing base.
so like I said earlier there is no specific model called a 3518, unless you get it as a fully built vehicle.

Relevant sources from TML has confirmed the existence of a specific model LPS3518. Its available with & without trailer.

Similarities with LPS4018:
Engine: Both these models use same Cummins 6BT 180HP BS3 9134.3Kw@2500rpm)
Electrical Systems: Both use 24v, 100Ah.
Clutch, Steering, Brakes, Wheel & tyres and Chassis Dimensions - all are same.

The Difference with LPS4018;

1. Gearbox - Both use GB750, but with different gear ratios;
(4018 with PTO option and 3518 without PTO option)
Gears Ratios: (LPS4018) : LPS3518
1st : (9.197) : 8.47
2nd : ( 4.98) : 4.58
3rd : (2.97) : 2.73
4th : (1.93) : 1.78
5th : (1.39) : 1.28
6th : (1.00) : 1.00
Rev : (8.13) : 7.48

2. Rear Axle:
4018 - RA109RR with 6.83 (c/p ratio)
3518 - RA109RR with 6.42 (c/p ratio)

@ Transsenger: Nice comparison though.
I was actually trying to get those details but you have posted them. Good!
Even my sources from TM confirms the availability of LPS 3518.
I was concerned why should TM offer both these tractors with 180Hp engine. I think LPS 4018 should be replaced with LPS4023 like AL.
Any confirmation of SK1613?

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani (Post 2344191)

What could have precipitated such a massive fall in numbers??? It is definitely not something across the market as Tata have been able to register a decent (very low compared 6% growth in M&HCV segment. Though even Tata have taken a fall from the extreme high of March when everybody was buying before the rise in prices from April.

Heavy vehicle sales lose steam in April - Money - DNA

Quote:

According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), medium and heavy (M&H) goods carriers — trucks and trailers — grew just 4.37% to 19,724 units last month over 18,899 units in April 2010. And M&H passenger carriers, or buses, declined by a massive 20.08% to 2,667 units (3,337 units).

It is obvious that last year's sales growth of consistently higher than 20% could not be sustained. Also April is a traditionally low sales month in years when price hike is expected, like it was this year.

The point I was raising is, the 4.37% growth rate of M&HCVs is highly skewed among independent manufacturers. That is Tata has raced ahead to an almost 75% market share last month for some reason, clocking a considerably higher growth rate than everybody else. While Leyland has registerd a slow down even in trucks. Independent sources for sales data of all the other smaller manufacturers are not known.

The surprise is not that growth slowed to below 10%, that was along expected lines. But why Leyland slowed down so much more than the rest??

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani (Post 2339013)

@D33

Attachment 540477

The amount of tilt seems pretty scary, especially on a cab this big,....

Hope they have provided enough straps, nooks & corners to keep everything that our drivers carry around in place when the cabin is tilted like this.

I cant imaging them tossing everything around everytime they want to check whats under the hood. Or does this show how confident TATA is, With PRIMA you tilt the cab only for regular service, PRIMA the one that will never leave you stranded...

I dont think with the Prima, Tata expected the drivers to leave stuff lying around the cabin. Also there are quite a few places in the cabin to keep your stuff. Though in India, I dont think the truckers will use them.

As for service on the road, it is highly unexpected. Also like modern cars, you cant have a Prima with its extremely complicated systems, can be handled by the crew or any roadside local mechanics. As of now Tata provides roadside assistance themselves when required, is what I had heard.

Here are some interesting snaps...
First the new Kamaz Vectra 8x4 tippers in Cochin.
Second a brand new Tata Prima on its way from plant to the local dealer here.
Thirdly, an information plate found fitted on an AL Taurus2518 tipper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger (Post 2351383)

I saw two of those Kamaz tippers on the under construction Vallarpadam bypass from the NH. They look like the Tatas as far as general shape goes.

Dear All.

I saw some discussion going on on Tata models. To clarify

SK1613, LPS 3516, LPS 4018 used to be the BS 2 models of Tata in their respective segments

Post implementation of BS3 norms, Engine power of all thrse models was increased and 3516 became 3518. Similarly, 1613 became 1616 but 4018 was kept at 180 hp hence the name 4018.

The Mighty MAN on duty. A MAN 25.280 mining tipper at a granite quarry in central Kerala. (notice the rock body with rock breaker strips)
MAN tippers was an instant success here in Kerala from the time of it launch. Having established themselves in the tipper segment, they are now turning to haulage segment. Below is one new multiaxle fully built truck at the MAN dealer.

MAN may be an international brand, but they have entered India in the way Mercedes Benz will do, and unlike Volvo has done. That is instead of introducing their international range of trucks in India, like Volvo, they have gone in for something that is sort of Indianised.

I dont think these MAN trucks are pretty much similarly priced as the MNALs, ALL U-trucks or AMWs. They may be slightly costlier, but they do provide more powerful 280hp engines. So they are well worth the slightly higher price that you have to pay for it.

MAN and AMW habeen able to get 20% share in tipper market (25t) market in short span of four years. The key reason has been offering higher hp engines at a narrow price premium. MAN earlier had same international products but recently (2010) they completeky revamped thier product range and achieved 85% localization to compete agressively. On the other hand ALL and Tata were left behind in this segment as they continue to iffer lower hp tippers.