Eicher 35.31

August 10, 2016: Eicher 35.31 is the tractor-truck option for medium and heavy load applications with one wheelbase option of 4,700 mm and two body variants of CAB and COWL. Priced at INR 24.7 lakh (ex-showroom) and backed by 4.9 Litre 4,948cc 6-Cylinder Water Cooled Turbocharged Intercooled Direct Injection Diesel engine, this Eicher truck churns out 151 bhp power and 569 Nm torque. It’s GVW of 31,000 kg has payload capacity between 21,000 to 22,000 kg. It’s fit for applications like general goods, FMCG, grocery, small machinery, containers, small vehicles and more. Eicher 35.31 has power steering, seat belts and 18% gradeability to make life of driver easier and safer at all terrains. The cabin features include sleeper berth, standard seat, telematics, instrument cluster and ergonomic design.

Eicher 35.31 Truck - Expert Review

Overview

Eicher trucks have become one of the know entities in the Indian market with their classy performance, hard-core long life chassis, low running and maintenance costs, multi application support and cozy interiors. Among the fleet, the 35.32 Truck, which is the first 12 trye truck introduced in India and has twin steered axles to make the maneuvering easy for drivers.

Talking about the applications, there are many for which it can be used like carrying manufacturing goods, mining material like coal, steel and ores, FMCG goods and other market loads. Its decent mileage also chips in with low running cost to make the overall profit grow substantially.

Specs:

Engine - 6-Cylinder 5.0 Litre Water Cooled Turbo Charged Intercooler BSIII

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 31,000 kg

Wheelbase and Turning Radius - 4,700 mm and 10,350 mm

Power Steering - Yes

Engine and Performance

Fitted with 6-Cylinder 5.0 Litre 4,948 cc Water Cooled Turbo Charged Intercooler BSIII engine, 35.31 is able to pump out a maximum power of 154 hp @ 2,400 rpm and a pounding maximum torque of 569 Nm @ 1,400-1,600 rpm.

Speeding up to a top limit of 77 km/h and with gradeability of 18%, it can somehow be useful with heavy loads on both steeping roads and straight highways. Helping it to achieve these numbers and make the transmission process smooth is 6-Speed Synchromesh gear box and 330 mm diameter Single Dry Plate Diaphragm type Hydraulic Actuated clutch.

Vehicle Built and Load Capacity

Eicher has made 35.31 available in 4,700 mm wheelbase with large turning radius of 10,350 mm, which is essential for a truck with 12 tyres to make it move easily. The body types available for this truck are CAB with chassis, Cowl with chassis and a fully built option. The ground clearance for all the variant is 252 mm with load body length spanning up to 7,315 mm for Fully Built option. Talking further about numbers, the overall length, width and height of 35.31 is 9,350 mm, 2,360 mm and 2,995 mm respectively.

Coming to the load capacity, it has Gross Vehicle Weight of massive 31,000 kg with payload capacity of 21,000 - 22,000 kg for Fully Built option and thus the kerb weight lies somewhere between 9,000 - 10,000 kg.

Handling and Suspension

Packed with Hydraulic Power Assisted Re-Circulating Ball & Nut Type steering with the ratio of 20.2:1, 35.31 truck drivers could move the vehicle swiftly on any given terrain. Coming down to suspension, it has Semi Elliptical Laminated Leaf Springs with Bell Crank Mechanism in rear and Hydraulic Double Acting Telescopic Shock absorbers at front only.

Further improving the drive are its Heavy Duty Forged I Beam Reversed Elliot Type Twin Steered front axle, Heavy Duty Fully Floating Banjo Type Rear Axle and a Trailing axle which is a tag axle linked with drive axle by means of Bell Crank Mechanism.

Braking and Safety

The combination of Dual Circuit Full Air S Cam with Auto Slack Adjuster service brakes and Spring parking brakes acting at rear wheels which are pneumatically controlled on rear axle works efficiently to give driver enough time for stopping this huge truck with even full load.

Thinking more on safety aspects, it has C Channel Ladder type frame with additional 5 mm reinforcement, seat belts and lab tested material with optimum strength to bear collision impact up to certain level.

Design and Comfort

The design part has nothing to discuss as Eicher 35.31 is mostly purchased in Cowl option and then get customized. However, a few things like broad radiator grille, aerodynamic shape and subtly changed headlights are there.

Inside, there only are things which are necessary for long drive like spacious cabin, useful instrument cluster, standard seats and others.