AEC Mammoth
| AEC | |
|---|---|
 AEC Mammoth Major 8
|
|
| Mammoth | |
| Manufacturer: | Associated Equipment Company |
| Production period: | 1930-1978 |
| Previous model: | none |
| Successor: | none |
| Technical specifications | |
| Engines: | Diesel engines |
The AEC Mammoth was a heavy truck that was produced in various designs by the British manufacturer Associated Equipment Company (AEC) from 1930 to 1978. A distinction must be made between the three-axis AEC Mammoth Minor with the wheel formula 6 × 2, the likewise three-axis AEC Mammoth Major 6 with the wheel formula 6 × 4 and the four-axis AEC Mammoth Major 8 with the wheel formula 8 × 4 × 4.
history
The first AEC Mammoth , still without the addition of Minor , appeared in 1930 with the type designation 667 . The Mammoth Major followed in 1931 with the type designation 668 . The trucks were as axle vehicles with forward-control - cab designed. The Mammoth Major was built under the type designation 266 / O266 as a long- nosed car. With a wheelbase of 16 feet and 7 inches, they weighed about 7-8 tons when empty. The vehicles were powered by a six-cylinder engine with an output of 110 bhp . In 1934 the four-axle AEC Mammoth Major 8 followed , which could carry a payload of 15 tons. Neither the condition of the roads at the time nor the existing technologies allowed high axle loads . The only way to increase the payload, therefore, was to increase the number of axles. The concept of the four-axle truck was first introduced in 1929 for steam-powered vehicles. The Mammoth and AEC Mammoth Major 8 remained in production until 1935, and the Mammoth Major until 1939.
The first generation was replaced by the 366 (three-axle) and 386 (four-axle) series from 1935, which were produced until 1948. This series, also known as the Mk II, was replaced by the Mk III in 1948. With a similar design, the new vehicles now had a front control arm structure from Park Royal . After taking over the competitor Maudslay in 1948, AEC also offered the Mammoth under this name for a while. At the 1958 Commercial Motor Show , AEC presented the Mk V series (there was obviously no Mk IV series). The Mk V differed from its predecessors with a new driver's cab, new engines, recessed front axles, an improved braking system and a new rear axle construction. The older Mk III was manufactured in parallel to the new version for 18 months before production was finally discontinued. British Road Services were one of the four-axle vehicle's biggest customers . More than 6000 pieces of the Mk V were built.
In 1965 the last series of the Mammoth appeared with a new cab. AEC had already presented this cab, known as ergomatic cab , which can also be supplied for other trucks, at the London Motor Show in 1964 . A three-axle vehicle with two steerable front axles was also offered for the first time.
During the long production period, the vehicles were equipped with various four, six and eight-cylinder diesel engines from AEC , Leyland Motors and Gardner . Various four-, five- and six-speed transmissions with and without overdrive were used. Older vehicles were often re-engineered, and components of different types were often installed in order to better adapt the vehicles to the requirements of the respective owners. In addition to the widespread forward control arms, the chassis was also offered as a long-nosed truck. In addition to flatbed trucks, tankers and dump trucks were particularly widespread.
literature
- Pat Kennett: AEC . Series World Trucks No. 10 . Patrick Stephens, Cambridge 1980, ISBN 0-85059-398-0 (English).
Web links
- AEC series overview (English)