Project Zetros

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

Right then, time to make a start.

Had the chassis cab delivered on Monday and have been faffing about with paperwork for first registration and MoT exemption. Got all that away and had a bit of a go up the lane with it. Bit of a niggle, it won’t change into low range on the transfer case. Electrical gremlin I’m thinking. Bit of a fly in the ointment but trying not to worry.

Quite determined today to get the Bredal body dangled over the chassis for some idea what it will look like. I fetched that back on Tuesday from being shot blast and powder coated in JCB yellow, pleased with it.

So we get the fifth wheel ball hitch thing off it, plus a thick aluminium tread plate and a group of plugs and air lines on a frame. Just tied these to one side for now.

Had a feeling the exhaust might be in the way...,

 

[Bob lincs]

Your powder coat guy must have a big oven . Really looking forward to seeing this truck finnished. I hope it all goes well for you .

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It was nearly dark before we had done, but you get the idea. As expected, the exhaust will need moving, so the body will actually be around 10” further forward than it looks here, which will be ideal. That will place it in exactly the same place as it was on the Xerion in relation to the rear axle. I took it round the corner to be weighed the other day. There is 3.3 tonnes on the rear axle with the bare chassis and 5.5 tonnes on the front. To cut a long story short, I did similar with the Multistrife and Xerion so I know an absolutely full body of lime will impose 8 tonnes on the rear axle, putting it well within its 13 tonnes max rating, so I’m pleased with that.

Not been a bad start. Long way to go yet though.

 

[Mr beef]

Top job there sir she’s some bus. All the best with the renovations

 

[mf7480]

Excellent stuff. What’s behind the seats in the cab? Looks like lots of space there

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Not a lot except fresh air, but there isn’t as much room as there looks from the outside. The doors aren’t over big so you kind of sit with your shoulder behind the panel slightly.
I think the doors are Unimog doors.

 

[grainboy]

Good luck, hope to god this is the one.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

You and me both!!!

I’m not changing again, it’s like it or lump it!!

Other contractors seem to get on very well with trucks and it will be better equipped tyre wise than some others as long as we can work something out. There’s more tyre choices for them than there was even a couple of years ago.

I’m hoping at the very least to put the 600s off the back onto the front and get something monstrous on the back.

We’ll see.

 

[wdah/him]

would you be able to fit a mid lift axle if needed ti spread weight or would the scrubbing be not wanted and safer running the Big A in them circumstances

 

[Farmer Fin]

Like the number plate PRK!

 

[Cab-over Pete]

would you be able to fit a mid lift axle if needed ti spread weight or would the scrubbing be not wanted and safer running the Big A in them circumstances

I’ll leave it on four wheels. I may consider changing the rear diff to get something slightly bigger on the back if I can’t get anything wide enough for my liking.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Like the number plate PRK!

That’s the German number, it’ll be gone as soon as DVLA get around to it.

 

[PSQ]

Where on earth did you find a Zetros?!
Ex military?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

No, it’s been registered as a tractor since new in 2015 pulling trailers on maize by the look of the equipment on board.

If I’m honest it would be perfect if it was just 8-10 inches longer, but you can only pi$$ with the cock you’ve got so it’ll have to do.

 

[mf7480]

There can’t be many black Secutor Zetros with four chrome spots on top- so presumably this is yours?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It’s the same spec by the look of it, but mine has different brackets holding the spotlight bar on.

They’re not particularly rare on the continent but, as I’ve found before, MB don’t want to sell them in the U.K. at all.

 

[Spud]

@limey2450 any advice for Pete?

 

[nick...]

The sleeper cab will be handy for late nights
nick...

 

[Cab-over Pete]

No, I didn’t enjoy those even in a smart road truck

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Your powder coat guy must have a big oven . Really looking forward to seeing this truck finnished. I hope it all goes well for you .

It’s huge. They get whole artics and tank chassis in there.