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24th October 2014 ALE UNVEILS ITS FIRST TROJAN TRUCK Leading heavylift and specialised transport provider, ALE, has unveiled the latest addition to its transport fleet, the highly anticipated Trojan truck.
Heralded as the first in the next generation of vehicles in the heavylift industry, the Trojan truck signals a major breakthrough in capability, fuel efficiency and reliability. Designed by ALE engineers and produced in the UK, the Trojan’s unique feature is its ability to link up multiple tractor units in a command and drone convoy. The command vehicle controls not only itself but all tractors in the convoy linked mechanically, by air, and by the Electronic Can Bus System. The vehicle braking, electrics, engine and transmissions on all tractor units are synchronised by computer which ensures each vehicle is in a matched gear, matched RPM and matched torque. Vehicle braking, engine compression braking and transmission retardation can be controlled identically and there is no limit to the number of vehicles that can be added to the convoy. Based on a concept conceived in 2012, the Trojan truck’s design weight is 72,000kg. Its maximum geared road speed is 48mph/77kph, and it can pull a gross combination weight of 300t at its maximum gradient of 14%. The bespoke engine and transmission performance reduces emissions and provides a fuel saving of 40% compared to that achieved by previous models. A key design consideration for ALE was to ensure that the power could be delivered effectively, producing significantly improved tractive effort compared to other standard
market products. Critical to this was to ensure that the trucks provided a significant and balanced footprint which would also assist with retardation.
“We wanted to replace our current fleet of trucks with a specification that improved on vehicle performance, capability and fuel efficiency but there was no other truck on the market that delivered this”, said Gary Butler, ALE Project Manager and designer of the Trojan truck. “We therefore designed our own based on our specific requirements which included computer synchronisation, future-proof electronics, automatic gear change, ABS, transmission retardation, a good footprint for power and torque, and a stainless steel cab. “Through the custom drive and transmissions, we are now able to deliver the required power to move abnormal loads more efficiently, more smoothly and in a more environmentally friendly way. It was very much a team effort and without the hard work from everyone involved the truck could not have been created.” This is the first of a fleet of six new trucks to be built by ALE. Four will be retained in the UK, with two destined for the United Arab Emirates. ENDS Issued by the ALE Press Office. For more information or images, please contact Sarah Maia on 01889 272 545 or email
[email protected]
Trojan Truck Specification Gross combination weight 300t at a gradient of 14% fully loaded Maximum geared road speed: 48.mph / 77.kph Design weight 72,000kg 1st Axle 12,000kg 2nd Axle 12,000kg 3rd Axle 24,000kg 4th Axle 24,000kg
Where the name code comes from:
(Trojan 8870 (88 = 8x8 i.e. 4 axles with 8 wheels, that all drive) & (70= 700hp engine power) Engine: Volvo Penta TAD1662VE, Six cylinder inline, Euro 5, Turbo, intercooled, 700 HP / 515Kw at 1,800 RPM (3,220 Nm torque at 1,200 RPM). Water cooled, Ambient range -31ºc to +55ºc. Main transmission: Allison M6620AR full automatic 6 speed. Integral torque converter, PTO, & retarder. Auxiliary Transmission: Kessler VG2500, 2 speed transfer case, with built in torque proportioning 1/3 to the front 2 axles, 2/3 to the Rear 2 axles. Low range = 2,07:1 High range = 1,03:1 Front axles: Dana twin steer, bevel hub reduction type, Inter-axle & cross-axle differential locks. Front suspension: slipper-ended semi elliptic parabolic leaf springs with heavy duty hydraulic telescopic dampers. Rear axles: Kessler manufactured tandem, spiral bevel, hub reduction, 25,000kg capacity per axle. Pneumatically operated inter axle & cross axle lockable differentials. Rear suspension: Hendrickson 48t, ‘6 rod, twin high articulation semi elliptical, multi leaf springs, trunnion mounted. Braking system: All axles, duel circuit, ABS, S cam drum type, with emergency spring brakes, & parking brakes on all axles. Compressed air operated via heated air dryer to service & secondary reservoirs, High output auxiliary compressor, hydraulically controlled. Front tyres: XZL 24R21 on / off road singles. Rear tyres: 1400R25 twin assembly Steering: Integral power box with direct operating drag links and hydraulic rams, plus emergency backup. Cab: ‘Penman, 2mm stainless steel, corrosion resistant walk through military cab with seating for 2 persons. Heating, aux night heater, and air conditioning as standard. Electrics: 24 volt. Winch: Single 8,000kg hydraulically driven horizontal drum. Fuel capacity: 1,400 litres.
