Everything’s covered up these days! Don’t worry, I’m just talking about most modern, heavy trucks and tractors. You can barely take a close look at their stout undercarriage. But this 1993 Renault on-highway tractor is a fine mix of old-school and modern; a fully exposed chassis, yet far from being outdated, technology-wise. Now let’s get to the bottom of it.
Zooming in on the mechanical rear cab suspension and Renault’s B18 synchronized manual transmission with 18 forward gears (two crawler gears included).
The tractor is powered by a Renault 9.8 liter, inline-six diesel engine, turbocharged and intercooled. Its maximum power output is 249 kW/339 DIN-hp.
During its working life, the tractor was rated at a gross combination weight of 50 tonnes (110,000 lbs). Evidently, a 4×2 tractor chassis doesn’t mean it’s only suited for light- or medium-duty hauling jobs.
A longitudinal and transverse torque rod keep the drive axle under control.
Long time no see, a 4×2 chassis with a planetary drive axle.
The tractor was ordered with the optional Airtronic air suspension on the rear axle.
Business as usual at the front, long parabolic leaf springs on the steering axle. Air suspended front axles have become common in the more recent past.
The 1990-1996 Renault R-series Major featured the final edition of the Berliet KB 2400 tilt cab, unveiled in 1970. Four years later, Renault took over fellow French truck manufacturer Berliet, the highly modern KB 2400 cab came with the package and was used for many years to come.
On a related note, the illustrious 1975-1984 Ford Transcontinental also had that Berliet cab.
A more than 30 years old tractor that isn’t a DAF, Scania, or Volvo! ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3’, to quote Ian Dury.
At the temporary truck stop, it was sitting comfortably between the youngsters of the family, next to a fully electric Renault E-Tech T-series and a towering T-series High (though not more towering than the competition).
Much more information -with numerous pictures and factory specs- about the 1993 tractor in particular and the history of the R-series in general can be found on the website of the Renault’s owner, Mr. Eddy Lenders.
Good machine
I was always intrigued to know why Renault builds heavy trucks and Peugeot doesn’t. At least they make bicycles and coffee grinders.
Peugeot almost had a heavy truck division. Berliet had been acquired by Citroen in the 60s.The merger/reshuffle of the French car industry in the 70s, partly prompted by then Michelin owned Citroen’s woes led to Citroen selling Berliet to the newly formed Renault Vehicles Industriels before forming PSA with Peugeot. FWIW RVI is now owned by Volvo.
As for why they didn’t build trucks historically, I guess the market was crowded and Peugeot preferred to focus on cars, bicycles and mopeds.
Around 110 years ago…
https://www.galerie-roger-viollet.fr/fr/photo-camions-peugeot-lors-un-concours-de-1403400-302280430
Nice Ian Dury reference. Not the first time here at CC; I think someone, maybe even me, quoted his Ford Cortina reference from another song once.
Thanks for the data on this truck which, as you know, does not come to the U.S.
Great example – and thanks for the link to the owner’s website too. It’s amazing to see pictures of the truck’s restoration.