[SirAlec]

This Saturday me and a friend went to buy a bike he wanted to gift it to somebody. Well i have been part of all of my friends auto buying spree. I hate Bikes but this is one of two occasion I agreed upon. Nearest Bajaj showroom is on the side of a Highway about 32 kms away from our place. One of the disadvantage of living in a small towns.

After choosing a Pulsar, and completing all the formalities bike went for a wash. What next!? a long wait. Had it been a Car dealership I would have enjoyed, toying and lending a hand with cars that came for service. Just when I was feeling really bored, I chance upon these two beasts just parked beside the showroom. To my dismay, both disabled. I was really having a bad day with temp soaring 45 deg.

I have very little knowledge about this model except for those very prominent trailing axle. Both had some electrical problems and whole dashboard was open. Driving them was a far cry also I thought not to disturb, already behind schedule two very distressed driver in those unbearable heat. However asked one of them for permission to peek and take some images. He was very courteous Punjabi dude and answered many of my queries.

Some features of 3118c.

• It definitely has a Cummins motor, but which one.? Nomenclature suggests it develops 180 hp.

• No info about gearbox but the lever is all different with 6 fwd and 1 rev. 1st goes upfront in this one and reverse is just opposite of 1st.

• The standard chassis length is same as 2213 but with that extra axle now the GV has increased from 25tons to 31 ton.

• The third axle can be lowered according when in need. It do has tierods but it is not steerable with steering. The tierods are connected to a contraption which has a gas filled shocks. WHen the vehicle is turning this axle will turn accordingly to some degree on its own.

• You have to raise this axle up while reversing, or it will turn the opposite way putting the driver and vehicle in a really funny situation.

• This uses 24 volts system, two 12 volt battery used in series.

• Has three air tank. one at the standard place and two at the back.

• Uses a uniquely designed space saving exhaust muffler.

• Fuel tank capacity is 345 litres. You cannot increase the tank capacity like previously. Simply there is no space and exhaust lies just back of tank.

• There is a switch to lower the axle. hence I think its electrically operated. An Anchor household switch was fitted suggesting the quality of original switch to be flimsy or it takes lot of current to operate.

• Strangely the retarder switch was there on dash, but driver insisted it does not work and has never used it. Maybe he might not have driven in hills. i could not test as vehicle was inoperable. Anybody please confirm this.

Here are the Images. Enjoy!

Front insignia



The helpful Dude!


This is all the curiosity about, the third axle.


345 liters square fuel tank




Two 12 volt Battery in series.


Single air tank up front


Two air tank at the edge of chassis, i am not sure what is the advantage of this.


Uniquely designed space saving exhaust.




Cont...

[SirAlec]

Some more images.

Power steering pump, ZF make.


Rear suspension setup. check the linkage between the two leaf sets.


Its embarrassing, but i really don't know what this is. Those pipes are coolant pipes though.


Prop Shaft.


Third axle suspension setup

[raj_5004]

a stupid query: what advantages does the third axle have?

[kuttapan]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

a stupid query: what advantages does the third axle have?

He already mentioned it in the original post. It increases payload capacity.

[raj_5004]

ok, my mistake. i meant- what other advantages does the third axle have? is it only the increase in payload?

wont the fuel efficiency suffer a bit because of the additional axle?

[SAHIR.KITTUR]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

a stupid query: what advantages does the third axle have?

To get a GVW of 31 tons. Indian RTO rules

The Thirdaxle works Pneumatically, Hence the extra air tanks.

[DRIV3R]

Are those black balloon like things the air balloons? Do trucks also come with air suspension?

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

ok, my mistake. i meant- what other advantages does the third axle have? is it only the increase in payload?

wont the fuel efficiency suffer a bit because of the additional axle?

Raj, as a bus owner your concern is fuel efficiency but as a truck owner load carrying is primary concern and next comes the fuel efficiency.
You will be surprise to know the FE of these trucks. There are reports that Ashokleyland 3116, which is a grand success gives upto 2.75 to 3.25 KMPL. This is been sold with a premium upto 50000 in the market.
Let me add some more light in to this 8x2 segment.
The 8x4 - 31T payload ,is the highest available rigid trucks in India.
Multi axle segment is the rapidly growing segment in the M&HCV segment.Of this the 8x2 segment is the recent addition and have received a greater response from the market. Tata Motors and Ashokleyland put together are selling close to than 3000 vehicles/month.

[tsk13]

Is the Third Axle retro-fitted or is an optional arrangement by the truck manufacturer? I saw a similar truck which had a third axle with Hankook tyres.

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by tsk13

Is the Third Axle retro-fitted or is an optional arrangement by the truck manufacturer? I saw a similar truck which had a third axle with Hankook tyres.

check the images man! do you think it looks like a retro fit.

[tsk13]

It surely doesn't but owing to miniscule number sporting the third axle I thought it to be some aftermarket arrangement. Thanks for the clarification.

[raj_5004]

@ ashley: you are right. thanks for the info buddy.

[Transsenger]

Some details about the Tata LPT3118.

1. Its the first offering from TML in 31Ton GVW range.
2. The chassis is available in 2 different wheelbase with cowl & cabin options respectively.
3. Its fitted with Cummins B series 180Hp BS2 engine and has water cooled air compressor unlike normal LPT2515. Its also has Tata 750GB gearbox with 6 forward gears.
4. Its a 8x2 configuration vehicle, with second axle being "lift axle". Its working under normal condition is purely controlled by electro-pneumatic system, which automatically lowers the axle when the load is above 19Ton. And when unloaded the axle automatically lifts. But a manual switch is provided in the instrument cluster for the driver to lift the axle when reversing the truck under loaded condition. The pressure control setting are placed in a box behind the rear most tyre on RHS of the chassis.
5. The lift axle mechanism consist of 4 air bellows, 2 each for lowering & lifting. AFAIK TML have taken this from Novus range in Korea and integrated into 2515 model and tyre life can be saved in return trip or less load trips with this "lift axle" system unlike competitors....
6. The silencer, air tanks etc are placed at unusual positions due to the space constrain in the chassis.
7. Competitors....AL3121 (205HP) & AL3116(165Hp), AMW3118, Eicher33.35.

[dkamath]

Thanks again, for all the info., SirAlec!

I guess this model comes with headlamps slotted into the bumpers as standard, and the owners fit additional ones into the grille later on?

[silversteed]

@ Transsenger
That was quite some info for me.

I have seen many LPT3118s on the highways. But do the competition have this lift axle mechanism? I doubt. Because all the AL 8x4s and Eicher 8x4s I've seen have the second axle fitted just behind the front axle, is steerable, and remain planted on the road all the time.