|
Freightilner's revolutionary new Argosy cabover prime-mover has headed up the first maximum weight B-triple test on the Hume Highway in New South Wales.
One B-triple can replace two conventional articulated trucks and would significantly reduce truck numbers on the Hume Highway which carries one third of all interstate truck traffic in Australia.
B-triples are already in use in the Northern Territory and all mainland states except New South Wales.
They operate only on special routes deemed suitable for long vehicles.
The Albury to Campbelltown "Trial Evaluation" of the 33.5 metre long combination vehicle was under the close supervision of the NSW RTA and Police in mid-May.
The Argosy on the test was Freightliner's original Australian engineering prototype, now in Linfox colours with a 600 hp, 16 litre Caterpillar engine.
Big power and torque gave the Argosy B-triple ability to maintain speed on hills which is crucial in reducing the need for motorists to overtake the 33.5 metre combination vehicle.
"I wasn't below the speed limit on most of the two lane stretches", explained Linfox National Linehaul Manager Mick Best who drove the B-triple throughout the test. "I was amazed by the power on the hills", he added. "The test unit at 76 tonnes on 12 axles matched the road speed of half the B-doubles on the Hume."
The B-triple also stopped and did a "no problem" lift-off on Wagga Hill as part of the test. And at Marulan, the big unit demonstrated a 25 metre wall-to-wall turning circle for the RTA and Police.
The B-triple Trial Evaluation went off without any apparent problems, bringing Melbourne Sydney B-triples operation a step closer.
And the Freightliner Argosy will play a significant role when the barriers to B-triples operations fall.
Argosy comes with a 90t Gross Combined Mass rating which makes them B-triples capable in standard form.
|
