Mercedes-Benz LP 333, a truck that looks like a caterpillar
Hans-Kristof Zeebom, German Transport Minister from 1949 to 1966, he went down in history as sworn enemy of road transportconsidering that it has put in place a number of very restrictive measures against weight and length trucks, effectively hindering the development of road transport.
It began in 53 with a ban on the second trailer, which was in widespread use at the time, and reduced the overall length of the tractor / trailer combination from 22 to 20 meters. Next year the price has risen sharply automobile diesel engine. Two more years and authorized overall weight loss a tractor with a trailer from 40 to 24 tons, and in 1958 decided to further reduce the length of a tractor with a trailer from 20 to 14 meters.
Did the law find a deception
In addition, under the new law, trailers could not be heavier than tractors. From the streets biaxial tractors disappeared 16 ton with 24 ton XNUMX axle semi-trailers, which were very popular in Germany at that time. Of course, as with almost everywhere else, German transport officials have also included an infinite number of executive and transitional rules which left a few spaces e plenty of room for different interpretations.
And then the designers of Mercedes-Benz very skillfully used a number of tricks, and that was LP 1958 was born in 333., an engine that, despite deviating legal provisions, could offer buyers maximum lifting capacity and great performance. The advanced cockpit with beautiful rounded lines gave this caterpillar appearance and soon earned Thousandfussler nickname, Milllepiedi.
Nice, comfortable and modern
The LP 333, in addition to being a stylistically correct truck, was also comfortable and modern for its time. From his two front steered axles, each with a carrying capacity of 4 tons, was significantly lighter than a three-axle tractor... With a two-axle trailer of 16 t, it reached a combination of 32 tons is required by lawproviding the customer with the opportunity load 20 t.
Of course it was a remedy improved cabNot only because of the length restrictions, but also because the audience seemed to appreciate this technical-stylistic decision more. An advanced cab appeared in Germany in early 50s to be successful in the second half of the decade, when (in 55) the first Mercedes with a cab on an engine, the LP 315, was produced, the body of which was made by Cassbohrer or Wackenhuth.
Big bonnet
Therefore one cabin which suggested certain comfort despite the time, but with a driver who should have been one with 200 hp enginethe noise of which was barely audible at idle, but turned into an impressive roar as soon as the revs increased. The salon was dominated by huge engine hood which almost reached the level of the dashboard. For each type of inspection and maintenance of the engine, it was necessary to remove the hood and take it out.
Il dashboardfrom which the four-spoke steering wheel protruded almost horizontally, some innovative features were introduced, especially with regard to the signal lights. The most original one was the one at the end of the arrow bar, on the left side of the steering wheel, which lights up red when the direction indicators are turned on. There most innovative spy was the one that indicated insufficient tire pressure; it was, of course, not very accurate, but it worked well on the bad German roads of the time.
Essential engine brake
L’LP 333 he didn't have modern brake system double-circuit, in which the supply of compressed air was provided throughout the entire braking. Instead, he had single circuit whose resources were easily depleted on long descents after a lot of braking. Therefore indefatigable and inexhaustible engine brake, included as standard, was very important.
With standard engine brake LP 333 introduced very efficient braking system, whose effectiveness has now reached such a level that over the years it becomes completely unimaginable. Fifty.
