TEST I

Despite the widespread use of natural gas technology throughout mainland Europe, the uptake of gas-powered commercial vehicles in Ireland has made slow inroads in the transport industry. There were a few early adopters who were looked upon with some reservations and scepticism. Others felt the vehicles were underpowered and untried, and - ‘sure there is nowhere you can fill them’, were comments often heard. Over time the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks have proved to be fit for purpose, while the refuelling network has begun to expand, making the prospect of this cleaner fuel more of a genuine alternative for operators. Unfortunately, just as the gas movement was gaining traction political events brought the rollout to a shuddering halt.

One company decided nonetheless to continue with its commitment to transition its fleet to include a greater percentage of environmentally friendly vehicles powered by more sustainable fuels. Importantly, this move to environmental sustainability also includes an equally large commitment to enhancing the safety of the company’s employees, as well as the people their employees engage with during their work.

In order to highlight these commitments, ’Fleet’ was invited to drive an example of a specific project vehicle developed and completed by Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) which will be deployed in a variety of conditions assisting with the groundworks necessary to service the nation’s gas infrastructure. The test truck as driven is an unusual combination that to the casual observer may appear to be a regular three-axle tipper with a crane. However, on closer inspection, there is a bit more to this particular Scania than the unusual low-entry cab.

At first glance, it is a three-axle Scania L340. The L designation is Scania’s two-step low-entry cab. Actually, describing it as two-step is somewhat disingenuous, as the steps are more like platforms when compared to regular steps, and one quickly appreciates the benefits they bring, especially as they are well-lit at night. Entry and exit could not be simpler and is aided by extra-large bright yellow handrails. Once inside, the cab is large and could easily accommodate a seated crew although for this application GNI decided on the regular two-seat option. The trim is, as one would expect, perfectly functional and easy cleanable. The high-roofed L cab comes with ample

storage overhead and behind the seats with a sturdy rail mounted on the back wall. All fixtures and fittings including the dash are as found across the Scania range and finished with the same quality. While entering and exiting couldn’t be simpler and is more in keeping with a coach, the driving position is surprisingly high. This delivers a bonus as it further enhances visibility while giving the driver the strange sensation that they are behind the wheel of a normal cabbed tipper.

In its primary capacity, i.e. that of a tipper, the L340 CNG is a delight to drive. Despite its configuration as a highroofed, tri-axle 6x4, the truck is light and nimble on the road. This includes a surprisingly tight turning circle which makes the Scania highly manoeuvrable and fulfils another pre-requisite for the nature of the work. The 6x4 configuration with differential and cross locks was opted for as the truck may well have

to work off-road in some quite remote settings. One small downside is that for this driveline an engine brake is not available, and while it is possible to fit an external electromagnetic or hydrodynamic retarder this would tend towards a costly overkill for a 26-tonne tipper and the expected areas of work.

Because Scania has been at the forefront of developing gas-powered engines for a long time, the five-cylinder OC9 105 could well be described as a finished product. The unit is quiet and in reality few drivers, (if not told), would realise it was a CNG Bio-Methane

engine. The performance of the 9 litre unit is responsive and on par with the horsepower equivalent diesel. This is especially true thanks to it being wellmatched to the two-pedal 12-speed Opticruise transmission. With Scania’s credentials in the development of alternative-fuelled engines, performance and reliability have never been an issue and so this type of vehicle should serve GNI and its contractor well.

One of the main aims of GNI’s project was to bring together a range of safety features gathered from a number of providers and assemble them on one vehicle to make the operation of the truck as safe as possible for all involved. In this case ‘all involved’ include not only the driver and any crew members, but also extends to the groundworks crew and importantly to any member of the general public who may be in the area where the truck is working. The reason is that this truck could be required to operate in areas where the general public would be at large, and the motive behind this was to make the truck as safe as possible for all concerned.

GNI researched a wide range of systems and products before installing the most suitable systems found on the L340. In reality, this truck is a working tool that arrives on site wherever that may be, with its mounted Palfinger crane and the 500-litre bucket ready to deliver or remove whatever is necessary. Therefore, while the driving is similar to a normal tipper the working aspects of the truck are completely different and separate. Once the truck stops in many ways it becomes a site vehicle, and here GNI has invested a great deal of effort in ensuring the site vehicle operates as safely.

The Palfinger 12.501 can be operated remotely from a handheld unit. Though, if the driver must climb onto the gantry to look inside the lightweight Gleeson half-pipe tipping body, there are a myriad of safety systems apart from the hydraulic outriggers to ensure the crane cannot be operated until all is secure - including the driver! Nevertheless, it is also the simple things that GNI has included that are equally important, such as well-positioned working lights to assist the driver/ crane operator in darkness or poor light. That’s all in addition to a number of OEM safety systems such as Scania’s blind spot awareness system that illuminates a warning light on the nearside A-pillar, and a forward collision warning system. Many other high-end warning technologies are featured. One system worthy of note is supplied by Brigade Electronics. GNI opted for Brigade’s highly sophisticated 4-camera Blackeye 360 which provides a birds-eye view of the blindspots around the truck, as well as sounding different audible warnings for turning and reversing. Other enhanced systems include onboard weighing and a TipSafe feature that restricts the tipper body raising if it senses a potential rollover.

This is the first tipper of its type in Ireland or even the UK to include all the aforementioned safety features and operate on Biomethane. It clearly shows what can be done to reduce an operator’s environmental footprint, but also to greatly enhance safety for all while doing so. In addition, we are sure that GNI’s, high-roof, low entry CNG powered 6x4 will - grab people’s attention.

Text & Photos: Paul White – paul@fleet.ie

make / model /Cab Scania L340 / 6x4 Double Drive /High Roof Low Entry Day Cab Engine (OC09 105) – 9.3 Litre - Inline Five Cylinder - CNG – Euro 6 Power / Torque 340 hp (250 kW) / 1600 Nm from 1100 to 1400 rpm Transmission Scania 12-Speed Opticruise (+ 2 Crawler Gears) braking & Stability Discs all round - EBS - ABS – ESP - AEB Suspension Front and Rear Air Suspension Fuel Capacity 8 x 118 dm3 Steel CNG Tanks – 4 Left Side & 4 Right Side Axle Ratio / PTO Axle ratio 3.42:1 / Gearbox Mounted PTO Safety Features Auto Dip Beam, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Support, On-Board Weighing, Brigade 360, Vision Door. Front collision Warning, Tip Safe, Blind Spot Warning, LED light-bars & beacons, Step Lights, Safety rails including fall protection wheels / Tyres Steer Axle: Bridgestone: Duravis R/Steer - 385/65 R22.5 Drive Axle/s: Bridgestone: L355 EVO - 315/80 R22.5 body/Trailer/Ancillaries Gleeson Half-Pipe Tipping Body with Pneumatic Tailgate and Binotto Single Ram, Palfinger PK 12.501 Remote Control Crane 500 Lt Bucket Empty/Payload/GVw 26.000 / 11.000 / 15.000 - Kgs