Scoop - 49 Ton Tractor from Eicher Trucks & Buses caught testing

Commercial Vehicle industry in India is booming month on month for few quarters now. The government’s focus on infrastructure development has given a much needed boost to the Indian truck manufacturers. On the other hand, stricter overloading regulations is shifting the Indian trucking industry towards higher tonnage rigid trucks and tractor trailers. This is the biggest reason behind increase in numbers of 37 Ton long haul rigid trucks and 49 Ton GCW tractors. Eicher Trucks & Buses is planning to make an entry in the 49 Ton tractor trailer segment (mass market value segment)  asap. A lot of transporters buying 40 Ton tractor trailers in the past, are upgrading themselves to the new 49 Ton GCW tractor trailers. 6x4 or 6x2 axle configuration tractors offer 49 Ton GCW and higher payload as compared to the 4x2 axle tractors which offer 40.2 Ton GCW.

Spied - 49 Ton Tractor from Eicher trucks and Buses

Caught in the image above is a multi-axle tractor based on the modular Pro 6000 Series platform from Eicher Trucks & Buses. A close look at the image also reveals that it has a separate ad-blue tank adjacent to the diesel tank, thus confirming that its powered by SCR technology. This new Eicher truck may get rechristened as Eicher Pro 6049. Read More : Signa 4323.T – India’s first 6 axle rigid truck from Tata Trucks Tata Signa 4923.S Tractor currently ruling the roads of India Competitors to this new Eicher Truck : All the other Indian truck manufacturers have a product to offer in the 49 Ton GCW category. The new offering from Eicher Trucks & Buses will compete with the likes of :

• Signa 4923.S from Tata Trucks stable
• Ashok Leyland 4923 from Ashok Leyland Trucks stable
• New emerging players in Indian Trucking like Mahindra Truck & Bus (with its Mahindra Blazo 49) are also gaining traction on account of their mileage guarantee and best in class warranty.
• 4928T from BharatBenz trucks stable

The operating power range of different manufacturers at this 49 Ton GCW tonnage point ranges between 230 HP to 280 HP. Eicher Pro 6040 Tractor - Currently the highest GCW offering tractor in Pro 6000 Series from Eicher Trucks & Buses VECV already has Eicher Pro 8049, a 49 Ton tractor in the premium high performance category, based on the Pro 8000 series platform. This Pro 8000 Series based Eicher truck is available in both 6x2 and 6x4 axle configurations. But, to compete in the mass market segment, Eicher Trucks & Buses definitely needs a vehicle beyond the currently available Pro 5040 and Pro 6040 tractors, which offer a max GCW of 40.2 Tons. While the Eicher Pro 5040 is powered by E694 CRS engine based on i3 EGR technology (Exhaust Gas Recirculation), Eicher Pro 6040 is powered by VEDX8 engine based on SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and produces 250 HP. Heavy duty Eicher Trucks gaining traction : It is to be noted that the heavy duty range of Eicher Trucks is doing considerably well post the BSIV emission norms implementation (w.e.f. 1st April 2017). Part of this success is on account of production constraint at bigger Indian truck manufacturers especially Tata Motors. And partly on account of the company strategy for adoption of dual BSIV technology (EGR as well SCR). This dual strategy has helped Eicher trucks & Buses to cater to both kinds to customers, the modern as well traditional ones who are adamant to switch to ad-blue based SCR technology Indian trucks.