Member Article

Morris Lubricants helps turn the wheels of Trojan Truck

A leading oil blender has cemented its relationship with a specialist transport provider by supplying products for a new truck capable of pulling loads of up to 300 tonnes.

Leading heavylift transport provider, ALE, has unveiled the latest addition to its transport fleet, the highly anticipated Trojan Truck.

Heralded as the first in the next generation of vehicles in the heavylift industry, the Trojan truck signals a major breakthrough in capability, fuel efficiency and reliability.

UK oil blender Morris Lubricants has a 29 year affiliation with ALE, supplying specially engineered oils and lubricants to cope with the extreme pressures experienced by its heavylift trucks.

And ALE has opted for Morris again to supply most of the products for the Trojan Truck.

Gary Butler, ALE Project Manager and designer of the Trojan truck, said: “ALE has always had the upmost confidence in Morris Lubricants regarding the quality and range of products and their technical assistance.”

Mike McGreevy, business development manager at Morris Lubricants, said: “ALE has stayed loyal to Morris because of our vast range of specialist engine, transmission and ancillary oils and our service and technical support, which are necessary for the successful maintenance and running of such critical, heavy duty, and bespoke equipment.

“One example of the way in which Morris has worked alongside ALE came a few years ago when ALE was transporting a 100 tonnes load across a mountain range in Swaziland in ambient temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius.

“In the extreme heat there were problems with a mineral based product. A change to one of our synthetic products alleviated the problems and the journey was completed with no further concerns.

“Many of our competitors have attempted to win the ALE supply position, but ALE are not prepared to compromise a winning partnership.”

Designed by ALE engineers and produced in the UK, the Trojan’s unique feature is its ability to link up multiple tractor units in a command and drone convoy. The command vehicle controls not only itself but all tractors in the convoy linked mechanically, by air, and by the Electronic Can Bus System.

The steering, vehicle braking, electrics, engine and transmissions on all tractor units are synchronised by computer which ensures each vehicle is in a matched gear, matched RPM and matched torque. Vehicle braking, engine compression braking and transmission retardation can be controlled identically and there is no limit to the number of vehicles that can be added to the convoy.

Based on a concept conceived in 2012, the Trojan truck’s design weight is 72,000kg. Its maximum geared road speed is 48mph/77kph, and it can pull a gross combination weight of 300 tonnes at its maximum gradient of 14%. The bespoke engine and transmission performance reduces emissions and provides a fuel saving of 40% compared to that achieved by previous models.

This is the first of a fleet of six new trucks to be built by ALE. Four will be retained in the UK, with two destined for the United Arab Emirates.

Morris Lubricants is a British company that has been manufacturing lubricants in Shrewsbury since 1869. Over 140 years of development has seen the company grow to become one of Europe’s leading oil blenders and marketers, with a reputation for quality and service.

The company offers an extensive range of performance lubricants covering a wide variety of application areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sean Wozencroft .