[deepclutch]

^Yes. I remember those front housing AL lorries during start of 1990s.pretty much standard for log carrying Lorries as TATA here.but then this AL Lorry with "nose". .but wasn't it a flop that time?

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

^Yes. I remember those front housing AL lorries during start of 1990s.pretty much standard for log carrying Lorries as TATA here.but then this AL Lorry with "nose". .but wasn't it a flop that time?

I would not call AL long nose trucks a flop. Small numbers, yes, but a flop? Certainly no. They did not sell anything, to start with. Whatever small numbers they sold was a bonus, that AL could not capitalise on the initial advantages, was its failure.

And here is the wikipedia article on trucks. Truck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia So you have the "long nose" and "cab over engine" trucks. And Daimler started off as a truck builder. So Tatas had much in common with Daimler, hun? (semi-joke). And hey, Tatas are now the 5th largest manufacturers of trucks? Now, that is something.

And deepclutch, "housing" is the rear axle (or more accurately, the "differential housing"). The "room" where the driver is seated is called the "cabin".

[Transsenger]

It has been some time since media reports suggested AL's entry in South Africa where Tata has a strong presence.
Here is one of the models AshLey 1518 Truck/Cab-Chassis. It seems to be a varient of 1613 supplied in Sri Lanka. Also notable features are radial tyres, tilt cab, aluminium wheel rims etc.

Also AL in association with ABC Coaches is offering 12M buses in S.African market.

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Yes you are partly correct. Ashok Leyland introduced semi forward truck way back. The first was "Comet NC". This was not so successful. Later came "BISON" and again no way near Tata SE/SK. Both CometNC & Bison had a boxy design cowl.
Later during the end of 90's, AL developed a new design with the help of some european design agency. But this model was not launched in the market. And now the subject vehicle in discussion "SFC1613 & ST1613" was introduced during 2008. It has 130hp Hino BS2 engine. This model is comparitively successful. We find a lot of tippers in Kerala. Market feedback - good mileage, better in case of overloading as its heavyduty aggregates, etc.
Here are some pictures from AL website.

Here is somemore of Leyland "Semiforward" truck.
It is to be noted that the initial attempts by AL - CometNC (Fig.2) and Bison (Fig.3), both were not "Semi Forward trucks". The engine in these trucks was mounted completely ahead/infront of the cabin. Such design was known as (Normal Control Trucks). The initial model from Telco - TMB312 is another example.
Later Telco launched 1210SE/SK. These are known as "Semi-Forward", as the 1/3rd of the engine is inside the cabin. The latest launch by AL 1613ST(Fig.1) in 2008 is of this type. This design is based on the concept developed by AL in Fig. 5 & 6.
Before 1990s, 1210SE typeof trucks dominated the short haul market. There are many reasons for this and one of them is the "sudden pickup" of Tata1210 engines. They were widely used in hauling construction materials like stones, sand, wood etc,as tippers were very few. It was only during the 90's Tippers slowely dominated the market. Even today, we find a large number of Tata1210 in riverbed sand mines across Kerala, TN, Karnataka etc.

An intresting fact is, the first Leyland vehicle to rollout of AL Madras plant in 1951 was 4 Comet Tippers, which was delivered to Mangalore Tiles.

Also Fig4 - Chassis of AL HYBRID Bus displayed at AutoExpo98/2000. There has been media reports of DTC conducting trial of this bus. But NO news afterwards!
Finally, an AL Rapid Intervention Vehicle used in airports.

[fx45]

Those AL LPT 1518 trucks look waayy better than what is sold here. Why dont we get such good quality stuff in India.

[deepclutch]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

And deepclutch, "housing" is the rear axle (or more accurately, the "differential housing"). The "room" where the driver is seated is called the "cabin".

.I am not so about the term.but while travelling in tata "nose" lorry to highranges(Hilly areas),I learned these terms.they prefer "nosed" lorries ,because the drivers claims this lorries got better road grip when loaded preventing the lifting of front side.hence the "front housing" term.it may be wrong!.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

...drivers claims this lorries got better road grip when loaded preventing the lifting of front side.

Funny. And incorrect. That is all I can say.

The load will have to project at least 80% after the rear wheels for a typical 10 tonne truck, which has a typical wheel base of less than 200 inches. (sorry for the Brit. units, that is what Ihad read in the leaflets I had access to, way back). Even Ash.Ley Viking (passenger chassis) has a maximum rear overhang of 50%. A typical truck will have around 20% rear overhang.

As posted by Transsenger, factors in favour of Tatas / 1210 was its better pick up in lower gears, and (I may add) better FE at slower average speeds. Both were important in short haul and city operations. Hence Tatas were more popular in short haul operations within cities (See Ernakulam city buses) and AL found favour on long haul - see TN and Kerala's long distance buses.

But Tata spares were priced lower, and hence sometimes, SRTCs found it better to go with Tatas, either due to costs, or due to extra economic factors - like being fair to all manufacturers etc.

[Trapezio]

I remember seeing the AMW Pug a couple of times on the road. It was shown with fanfare in AutoExpo. But nothing has been heard ever since. Anybody know about this truck?

[fx45]

AMW's trucks are selling quite good,i see a lot of them in MUmbai. all sizes, Gravel mixers, Tankers etc.

[Trapezio]

I see them also once in a while... But what happened to the tiny one they showed?

[Transsenger]

Tata Motors has significant presence in South Africa. Here is one of the models LPT1518 & LPK1518 fitted with Cummins 180Hp engine.

Also some reports suggest TML is launching a new tipper LPK2523 similar to LPK2516/2518 with Cummins 232Hp engine and optional a/c & sleeper cab. AMW & MAN is to have tough time ahead.

[14000rpm]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Tata Motors has significant presence in South Africa. Here is one of the models LPT1518 & LPK1518 fitted with Cummins 180Hp engine.

Also some reports suggest TML is launching a new tipper LPK2523 similar to LPK2516/2518 with Cummins 232Hp engine and optional a/c & sleeper cab. AMW & MAN is to have tough time ahead.

these new tata trucks look smart now.

[fx45]

Originally Posted by 14000rpm

these new tata trucks look smart now.

those new style wheels do make it look awsome.. rest packaging are almost similar to INdian versions.

[vharihar]

The "Products in India" section of Tata Motors web site seems to have been updated. Under "Trucks", you can now see Prima, Construck and Novus in the "M&HCV" section; each of which takes you to their respective web sites. The Prima one seems to be for the World Truck series. The Prima web site doesnt seem to be fully ready with info though.

[hanmust]

Some multi-national brand buses on B'lore roads, Mercedes Coach & Volvo B7R city bus.