ERF Trucks History

ERF

In 1933 , an English engineer and , as it turned visionary designer together with his son and two like-minded colleagues, Mr Foden , left the company earlier it is based , and moved to a new section of the production . It is worth noting. As previously founded the company was not only the starting point of a new biography.


The fact is that until pomjanutogo 1933 Edwin Richard Foden was one of the founders and head of the company for the production of steam engines and steam locomotives . However, his goal is not to become isolated by heavy smoke and steam units . Compact and powerful attracted his interest with each passing day more and more. After taking two of the company's successful employees , he organized a new company under the slogan - the future of commercial vehicles for diesel engines.


In 1933, a new company under the name of its founder, entered the market of the country. However, after some time , the company Edwin Richard Foden has changed its name , replacing it with initial capital letters . The new name of ERF helped avoid communication with the company Foden - still operating company for the production of steam units, which led the elder brother Edwin - William .


The first model of the newly formed company demonstrated at the British Motor Show in the commercial the same in 1933 . The presented model was called «ERF 63 ." room model was released in honor of the 63- ehletiya its founder. To date , the original number, the company issued 100,000 models should be clearly subject to certain serial numbers in the numbering produced chassis.


It should be noted that the diesel fired lot 2 -, 3 - and 4- axle crane capacity from 4 to 15 tons have been based on the model. Edwin developed in 1933 . which marked the beginning of a long collaboration of both companies . The economic crisis has suspended these works , but already in 1933, even later on the basis of the first model appeared the truck class «S» with a rectangular Cabover . But already in 1936 the entire range of this series has received a more attractive cockpit with characteristic rounded front panel. The new machines were index DG - because the basic engine of Disel Gardner. Another interesting feature of the company was the simplicity and accessibility of labeling - followed the letters are meant limit the number of cylinders and capacity. Basic models were DG4 / 6 , DG5/10, DG6/12 and DG5/15 with motors 68-102 hp, 4 - or 5 -speed main and additional 2-stage gearboxes . All models were installed power and air brakes that blah very prudently and to meet the modern needs of the consumer. They were a great resource for those times - up to 250 thousand miles.


During the Second World War, the company ERF retrained for military industry . In principle - such note or fate , was typical of all car companies in those years. Especially since the United Kingdom, under heavy pressure from Hitler's Germany , particularly in need of strengthening military capabilities. From 1940 to 1945, the company produced 1,750 ERF army trucks on the chassis of its basic model , 770 tanks brand Crusader and Centaur and more than 7.5 million shells . For several years after the war, the company continued to upgrade the pre-war series DG, but since 1949 , the production of a brand new FG series but based on the engine of the same company Gardner. From the new to the series added a simple cabin with curved front panel , a characteristic broad air intake slots and horizontal chrome bars.


In the same year there was a company logo , which resonated with the history of the company, and at the same time symbolizing the memory of the times of steam engines. From now on, the front panel of the car emblem adorned with a burning torch . The basic models of the series are 2 -, 3 -, and 4 -axle flatbed FG4 / 7 , K6/12 , FG6/15 and FG8/24 with engines capacity of 75 , 112 and 150 hp The most severe equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission main and 2 - or 3 -step further . Tractors of this series have been designed for operation in trucks full weight up to 100 tons.


In 1948 , while still in the wake of the military industry , ERF produces its first own 6 -cylinder 2 -stroke 126- tisilny diesel engine with a supercharger from the bulk of Roots. Successful completion and power allowed this creature to hold on conveyor belts to 1977 and take its place in the list of outstanding success of the company. Since 1949, this motor muscle from the Gardner established as a base for 2 - to 3 -axis machines, the new series of FE. The heaviest car with the engine was a ballast tractor FE6/70 ( 6x4) for trucks with full weight 70 tons.


In 1954 , the company decided to change the playing field , and if more precisely, the expansion direction. After that , conveyors breathed a sigh of relief, but not from the emptiness , and the changing of the mass produced models. The result of the new policy of the company has become a model FE4 / 8 gross weight of 12 tons with a fundamentally new aluminum cabin location and low diamond grille . This model marked the period of production of small city with a series of 84- 4- hsilnym htsellindrovym FD4 engine and 8 - mistupenchatoy manual transmission .


In 1956 , was carried out in-depth fundamental modernization of the early series of heavier and she was given the new name with the designation of KE. Externally it differed more simply designed cabin , maintain the shape and overall style . Two years later, Edwin Foden S20 introduced a new cabin with two curved side windows made ​​of glass reinforced plastic . It is curious that the letter «S» conceals encrypted and popular in those years Russian word "Sputnik", but preferred to call themselves Brits truck Mickey Mouse.


First otkidannaya cabin in the UK was used for the assembly of trucks is by ERF in 1961 on the model of the series S21. cabin had a more rounded shape, and the model was highly recognizable among all the trucks. Adds an unusual shape and ran down the side view - they had a panoramic form . The new cab cars gave a specific , well- recognizable appearance. Still later , continuing a branch of the company has launched a new range , which included a variety of models - from mild KE4/14 2 -axle and 4 -axle KE6/24 . They use the same motors Gardner, but the heaviest manned own dvuhsotdesyatisilnym 6-cylinder diesel engine and original mechanical power-assisted steering system. On this basis produced trucks, tractors , military vehicles and buses . Most of the units and components of the elements to the model produced by the company . Also , popularity and demand for the entire series were very high.


In the 60 years of the foundation of production remained KE series , consisting of flatbed trucks , chassis, trucks and tractors with different engines , components and cabins. It is noteworthy that despite the separation of the companies with the same last name , ERF predominantly produced models with marking without the " E" - Edwin . However , the demand for this model of self was great, and borrowed the pennant and the traditional standards of the firm to be the founding father of the entire production system of the company.


Early in the second half of the 20th century to the old companions supplied by diesel engines - Gardner and Rolls-Royce added of Leyland and Cummins. Nova acquisitions were more powerful and varied in the range from 145 to 420 hp Media innovation, in the same period , the company vented clutch friction pads , brake system of pneumatic actuators with two circuits , the mechanism of regulation of type of fuel used, a limited-slip differential pressure monitoring system and tire pump and automatic greasing system chassis.


Despite the flourishing of the world energy crisis , the company did not reduce the rate of production . The crisis does not become a hindrance to launch in 1972 a new "A" series . despite the fact that, technically , the model of the new series were not much different from the previous one , there were still differences. Series "A" was produced with two different cabins and four headlights , gave them the original look . Cab S39 was made of fiberglass and different headlights diagonal arrangement , model S40 has an all-metal . But for the special truck chassis and used single cab S50. The entire series of 15 soaoyala basic chassis - 2 -axle 4AS6 to 4 -axle 8HV6 with capacity from 15 to 40 tons. In 1974 , after the production company got used minor changes . The new series moved and was going on a modernized factory in Sendbeche on Moss Lane and the old production plant remains updated range of 2 - and 3 -axle dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 15-27 tonnes Leyland and Cummins engines up to 310 hp, 12 mechanical -speed Allison transmission or automatic with three steps .


From 1977 to 1979 , was opened by the production of a series of new models Fleet-master and Haulmaster. Both series were booths with all-metal design group of Motor Panels, but with different performances. So on models Haulmaster, intended for local traffic , used a more spacious cabin version - S90 Sleeper . It should also be noted that these were the last serials produced by companies in large numbers. I almost went bankrupt during the crisis , in 1980 the company joined the U.S. industrial group Paccar, having taken his place in line with the previously joined companies Kenworth and Reterbilt . This new period was marked by the release of a series of S106, named after the brand an updated cockpit, which is the basis of all modern products.


In the late '80s , with the financial support of partners Paccar - Dutch DAF, the company began development of a new heavy series " 4000" . In 1995, the company introduced The presented model in a very unusual , unexpected and ultranovom form. The new model is a rather advanced and powerful fast cars with the wheel arrangement of 4x2 to 8x4 and attractive streamlined cabin. The new series was marked 250, 4300 , 4350 , 4400 and 4450 (and later - 4500 ) - the latter figure means the engine power in horsepower .


Developers have created a series of 4000 , and an intermediate model - the average series 3000 . intermediate version was well in demand and widely used in all areas of the economy. Still later, in 1996, a small series in 2000 on the basis of a two-axle chassis , load capacity of 17.8 tons, with a cabin made ​​of composite material . In fact it was the British equivalent vehicles DAF- 65SR , 75CF and 85CF using mainly DAF engines power 428 hp, multi boxes. However, the feature of the series was its equipment - offers seven different wheelbases , with engine Perkins or Cummins power of 180-210 hp and 6 - or 9-speed speed transmission ZF.


The course of the internal market did not contribute financially, and so imperceptibly becomes the property of ERF Western Star, and in the first quarters of 2000 goes to the carmaker MAN. Since then, the company has become a subsidiary of the German ERF unit MAN Nutzfahrzeuge. However, ERF trucks have not lost their identity and British refinement. Cars are still available under the brand name ERF according to its traditions. Only now the new series have acquired a certain charm , modern cabins on the basis of MAN F2000 does not spoil , but rather decorated British trucks ERF.


The world are known for two major versions of trucks ERF ECS with a modified cab MAN and British units and a series of ERF EMC with its unique fiberglass cabin, manufactured according to their own development . Due to the fact that trucks ERF EMC still national as well as steering wheel of the car on the right, and very time-consuming rework , such a series for our buyer has no interest . What can be said about the cars ERF ECS.


These trucks with wheel equations 4x2 and 6x2 made ​​on the basis of hodoy MAN F2000. Equip their illustrious engines «Cummins», equipped with clutch and gearbox of Eaton. Engine power trucks ERF could develop up to 525 horsepower, which is similar to American norms .