MAN drives in with Force

[rks]

Thanks for the pics. The rear wheels are indeed turning. Must be quite a complex steering mechanism, maybe computer controlled.

[greatmana2000]

I just hope the wheels turn for force and man joint venture . Both are totally different ..

[sajo]

I remember last year or so, a huge MAN truck(painted in a bright yellow colour) was trying to turn into the narrow lane leading to ARAI...and promptly got stuck. Blocking all traffic with it. The company Force-MAN had started setting up operations in '03.
There are some specialist Scania trucks which can be seen on the Pune-Bangalore bypass, having a single seat cab, LHD. All are privately registered.

[scorp 1]

MAN and Force showcased their joint-might in the AutoExpo last year.
Finally good things would come rolling. Trucking industry surely needs competition. I am more happy that we would see existing manufacturers pump up better design, convenience, and power to their lame trucks.
Tatas for example haven't invested anything substantial in terms of driver comfort and design upgrades (R&D - what is that?) - have been carrying over legacy of Mercedes Benz trucks.
At least we would see better designs off these monopolistic companies.

[w 12]

There is another Speciality , High technology truck manufacturer in India, Tatra. here is the Link http://www.tatraindia.com/

Infact the missile carriers of Indian Armed forces are based on tatra trucks..

They have innovative features like swinging half axles, independent suspension , all wheel drive and 4 wheel steering.. they are assembled in BEML . bangalore ... and are occassionally seen in Airport road, thippasandra on test.

[sajo]

A bit off-topic here, does anyone know what kind of tyres the Army trucks run on? (Not talking about the Shaktiman types here, the more modern ones). The Tatra trucks look great, especially in Army greens, with their slightly raised stance with those above mentioned tyres.

[w 12]

Sajo,

I have seen Tatra army trucks with Bridgestone & Goodyear Tubeless radials in Blr ..

These trucks have online management system for tyre pressure and tyre pressure can be increased / decreased for any wheel on the go , depending on the terrain.

( I supply products / services to BEML , Blr and see these monsters regularly at close quarters)

[sajo]

No.. I mean, those which look like they are used for off-roading. I think I have read that they were imported from somewhere in the Soviet block (Ukraine?), but I am not sure. I will take pics the next time I see them .
BTW, why do some army trucks have their rear tyres changed from a twin wheel setup (is that what its called?) to a single wheel one?
Oops...sorry, we are really going offtopic here .

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by w 12

There is another Speciality , High technology truck manufacturer in India, Tatra. here is the Link http://www.tatraindia.com/

Infact the missile carriers of Indian Armed forces are based on tatra trucks..

They have innovative features like swinging half axles, independent suspension , all wheel drive and 4 wheel steering.. they are assembled in BEML . bangalore ... and are occassionally seen in Airport road, thippasandra on test.

The most unusual feature of the Tatra range of trucks is that their engine is not watercooled but aircooled. Even then, they've had no problems in operating in the hot climate of India. Defies all reason and logic, doesn't it?

Tatra also produces cars in Europe. Even their cars have aircooled engines.

Surprisingly, while BEML continues to produce Tatra trucks in India with Left Hand Drive, the ones produced by Tatra's Indian subsidiary have right hand drive. Wonder why the BEML guys are lagging behind.

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by w 12

Sajo,

I have seen Tatra army trucks with Bridgestone & Goodyear Tubeless radials in Blr ..

These trucks have online management system for tyre pressure and tyre pressure can be increased / decreased for any wheel on the go , depending on the terrain.

Is it true that puncture in Tatra truck's tyre can be fixed without having to get out of the driver's cab? One army guy told this to me once. He also told me that as many as 4 people are required to run this truck. (I'm sure one guy must be required to sit on the co-driver's seat all the time, just to tell the driver about traffic coming from the opposite direction, the truck being Left Hand Driven.)

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by w 12

There is another Speciality , High technology truck manufacturer in India, Tatra. here is the Link http://www.tatraindia.com/

Infact the missile carriers of Indian Armed forces are based on tatra trucks..

They have innovative features like swinging half axles, independent suspension , all wheel drive and 4 wheel steering..

... and are occassionally seen in Airport road, thippasandra on test.

could you please elaborate on that ? because as far as i know, tatra is a czech company with assembling facility in hosur, TN. i am not aware of another plant in b'lore.

[w 12]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

could you please elaborate on that ? because as far as i know, tatra is a czech company with assembling facility in hosur, TN. i am not aware of another plant in b'lore.

Tatra Trucks for Commercial and Mining applications are made in Hosur plant ( bang Oppopsite Titans factory , Hosur ). this is an Indian subsidiary of Tatra AS.

Tatras for Military applications , in 8 x 8 , 6 x 6 or 4 x 4 platforms , for Indian Army / airforce , for applications like Missile carriers, rescue & relief vehicles, field radars , communication trucks , transporters etc are assembled by BEML , under license from Tatra , at their Bangalore Plant in Thippasandra. Some Tatras were aslo assembled in BEMLs mysore plant recently , when they had a huge order from the Army.

[esteem_lover]

thanks for the info w 12. i did not know that tatra had a plant in blore.
but tatra hosur is not bang opposite titan. it is somewhere in the vicinty of titan. bang opp. titan watches would be carborundun universal & bang opp titan jewellery would be a couple of old shut down factories (pipe mfrs.). the 3rd unit is also not bang opp. tatra. anyway )

[w 12]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

thanks for the info w 12. i did not know that tatra had a plant in blore.
but tatra hosur is not bang opposite titan. it is somewhere in the vicinty of titan. bang opp. titan watches would be carborundun universal & bang opp titan jewellery would be a couple of old shut down factories (pipe mfrs.). the 3rd unit is also not bang opp. tatra. anyway )

esteem_lover, can I request you to reread my post, before you comment?

1.I clearly mentioned Tatra has a licensed assembly operation in BEML , Blr .They do not have their own plant in Blr.

2. Titans main plant is No.3 Sipcot , phase 1 , hosur where as Tatra is No.7 & 8, sipcot , phase 1 across the road. If you think these plants are at different parts of Hosur, if not Tamilnadu , be my guest. ( tanishq is 29, sipcot in the vicinity)

To me , It is obvious that a huge plant like Titan will have plenty of factories , both working and shutdown all around it.So I am not surprised.

Anyways we think we are seriously , the original topic was Tatra trucks and its amazing technology.

Peace.