“The additional weight permitted on the steer axle on Euro 4 vehicles will be used for additional fuel capacity – operators will be able to specify up to 1100 litres on their trucks,” said Scania Australia National Manager Sales and Marketing John Kananghinis.
He said Scania’s adoption of SCR technology on high-horsepower prime movers meant plenty of spare tare weight capacity.
“There is none of the additional weight that EGR puts onto the steer axle through larger and heavier cooling systems,” he said.
He said the move to 6.5-tonne steer axle mass limits was vindication of Scania’s strategy of crash-tested cabs, long front springs on the steer axle and wide access steps.
“For years, Scania operators suffered under regulations like the 25-metre B-double length laws and the 6-tonne steer axle mass limit.
“This restricted wheelbase and ultimately, fuel capacity, so operators were being punished for choosing vehicles that were safe, rode smoothly and had easy cab access.
“I’m delighted that the move to 26-metre B-doubles and 6.5-tonne steer axles has levelled the playing field somewhat. A crash-tested cab will no longer present steer axle mass limit challenges. Wide access steps will no longer be seen as a handicap. Long steer axle springs will be seen for what they are – one of the keys to better handling and a smoother ride.”
Operators ordering a V8-powered Scania prime mover with a 3300mm axle distance – an R 500, R 560 or R 620 – will be able to specify either 1000 litres of fuel with 150 litres of Adblue or 1100 litres of fuel and 75 litres of Adblue.
Models with 850 litres of fuel and 75 litres of Adblue are also available.
V8-powered Scania prime movers with a 3100mm axle distance will be available with either 970 litres or 850 litres of fuel and 75 litres of Adblue.
The additional fuel capacity has also been made possible through the relocation of the batteries from the chassis rail to the rear of the cab. Additional cooling has been plumbed to the twin 12-volt batteries.
John said the addition of extra fuel capacity on the R 500, R 560 and R 620 completed what was easily Australia’s best-specified line-haul and B-double prime mover.
“If operators had a complaint about our specification in the past, it was generally about tare weight and fuel capacity – which were the fault of restrictive mass and length limits.
“Now that those restrictions have been lifted, the package is complete – Australia’s most comfortable, most fuel efficient and best-backed prime mover is here.”