MAN TGM 18.340 4x4 truck spreader review

"To fully appreciate how well this machine works, wait till we’ve had a decent downpour of rain," says David Cruthers from Deloraine(TAS) based Earley Spreading. "Then you’ll be able to appreciate how the AIR CTI central tyre inflation system reduces soil compaction in the paddocks."

Sure enough, a few weeks later, the rain arrived and dumped almost 100mm over the following three days, ensuring the paddocks would be suitably wet enough to witness the new MAN spreader demonstrate its features.

Cruthers has spent more years than he cares to remember spreading fertiliser throughout most of the northern part of Tasmania, and reckons he knows where every bump and tree stump in each paddock is located. He, along with owner Bill Earley, has been instrumental in adapting new efficiencies and technologies to spreading in the state.

Solution to soil compaction – AIR CTI

Farming, like road transport, has its unique idiosyncrasies that play a role in the profitability of the business and one of the pressing issues for farmers is soil compaction.

According to David the MAN 18.340 ticks a number of boxes, which is why they’re the preferred truck with bulk spreading operators across the nation.

"For starters, the MAN is up to a tonne lighter than some of the competitor vehicles," Cruthers says. "We use the big Michelin 495/70 24XM47 flotation tyres which helps improve traction and spreads the load over a wider area compared to traditional truck tyres."

However, in wet soft going, the MAN needs an even bigger tyre footprint to reduce its impact on the paddock. Thanks to the AIR CTI central tyre inflation system, Cruthers can adjust his tyre pressures with the touch of a button. By reducing the tyre pressure to 30 PSI in the paddock, the tyre’s footprint further increases, greatly reducing the impact to the soil.

Field trials by an Ontario farmer in 2013 revealed that deflating tyres from road pressures to lower field pressures used 14 per cent less fuel, as well as reducing compaction and improving traction. On the other side of the globe in Scotland, Michelin recently ran similar field trials that revealed a 36 per cent reduction in soil compaction and nine per cent reduction in fuel.

"There is plenty of information and evidence available that shows the benefits for running a central tyre inflation system," Cruthers says.

"I’ve used the AIR CTI system for years now and as well as the obvious benefits for the farmers, reducing compaction and keeping soil and crops healthy, there are significant benefits for us as operators. Lowering the tyre pressure when in the paddock gives a much smoother ride," Cruthers explains.

"One thing we’ve noticed is that by lowering the tyre pressure in the paddock, we are seeing a significant reduction in wear and tear on the truck’s chassis components, spring bushes and the spreader bin."

Cruthers adds the bearings and seals used in the AIR CTI system are of great quality and that he never had any issues with them. "If you look after them and service the unit regularly, there is no reason the system won’t function as it was designed for many years," he says.

"Another important aspect of the AIR CTI system is being able to adjust tyre pressures on the fly which adds significant productivity to my day," Cruthers adds.

"These big Michelin tyres are not cheap and looking after them is important for our profitability. There are three preset pressures programmed into the control unit, and I can fine-tune the pressure up and down 10psi (69kpa) with the plus and minus buttons.

"Having lower tyre pressure in the paddock with the wide tyre footprint means I get far better traction and importantly use a lot less fuel than the truck that is running higher pressures.

"Importantly I’m not digging wheel ruts up and down the field which can cause drainage and erosion issues later on."

MAN 18.340 details

Phil Salter from Weststar Trucks, is the MAN representative in Tasmania and explains that the MAN TGM 18.340 is a versatile vehicle that has been tailored to suit spreading and mine service vehicle applications.

It is powered by MAN’s D0836, six-cylinder, four-valve in-line engine with common-rail fuel injection and is twin turbocharged and intercooled. It comes standard with the MAN Engine Valve Brake (EVB) and cruise control.

A feature on the MAN TGM is the electronic transfer case and lock management. This helps the driver to operate the vehicle on- and off-road as the conditions require and takes some of the load off the power train.

The MAN TipMatic transmission, (ZF AS Tronic) is especially tailored for vocational applications such as agricultural and mining, which permits the use of automatic mode even in off-road environments.

"The off road functionality of the MAN TipMatic transmission gives the driver the option of simply rotating the transmission selector dial to 'Dx' which activates noticeably faster gear shifts utilising a wider engine rev range," Salter explains.

"This gives 4x4 TGM greater functionality when used in off road applications."

Salter says the 'SmartShifting' function increases the shifting speed by adapting it to the respective driving situation and depending on the driver‘s request, the mass of the vehicle and the driving resistance.

"The advantages are an extremely fast and convenient gearshift process. SmartShifting works even faster when skipping multiple gears and on steep uphill gradients with upshift assistance.

"Here, the engine speed drops faster when the clutch is disengaged, due to the closing of the exhaust throttle valve. This realises a shorter interruption of the tractive force on uphill gradients because the frictional connection can be restored quickly. The truck retains momentum.

"In this way, SmartShifting supports fuel saving operation with lower engine speeds in the higher gears. In the traction segment, shorter interruptions of tractive force are noticeable on inclines."

A rotary switch for differential locks and transfer case is located next to the rotary gear selection dial.

Spreader Bin

Southern Spreaders' 750 Chain Contractor spreading bin is designed specifically for contractors or large scale farmers who require a multi-purpose machine to spread a variety of products, from heavy rates of manure to light rates of urea.

The Southern Spreaders 750 chain spreader is ideally suited to hilly terrain due to its consistent spread pattern up and down hills, as well as along the sides of hills due to the chain minimising product flow from side to side of the machine.

"It’s a versatile spreader for heavy products like we’re using today that can compact in the bin,” David Cruthers says.

"On this unit, the conveyor removes the product with ease, due to its positive hydraulic drive system. We can achieve great spread widths allowing less passes in the paddock, which translates to less compaction in the field and greater productivity."

Cruthers adds the spreaders are easy to maintain as there are fewer moving parts than a conventional belt spreader.

"We have a GPS unit coupled to the spreader, which regulates the amount of product being spread," he says. "So if I slow down for some rough going, the GPS automatically adjusts the fertiliser feed to suit the speed of the truck."

"Conversely, it also tracks and logs where the product has been spread in the paddock. At the end of the job the farmer is emailed this information, which he can store and use for accurate future orders. This gives valuable proof of placement records and helps to prevent farmers from double spreading."

Cruthers adds the GPS system saves him time as it tells him where to spread product before arriving at the job site.

"Prior to when we had the GPS system fitted, we’d often be waiting at gate for a farmer to turn up and tell us where to spread the product and sometimes, that could take hours. Thankfully those days are behind us."

When asked about the reliability of the MAN truck, Cruthers says: "They must be good, we have six of them now and they don’t miss a beat."

"Sure, we are picking up some savings with the new MAN 18.340 4x4 and the AIR CTI central tyre inflation system, but it’s our clients, the farmers, who are reaping the biggest benefits," he says.

"Personally I wouldn’t operate a truck unless it had the AIR CTI fitted to it, it just saves us and our clients so much."

Truck Specifications

Model: MAN 18.340 4x4

Engine: MAN D0836 6.9L

Horsepower: 340hp (250kW) at 2300rpm

Torque: 921lb/ft (1250Nm) at 1200-1750RPM

Gearbox: ZF AS-Tronic 12 AS1210 OD

Transfer Case: MAN G102 2-speed (Low1.6 & High 0.98)

Electrical: 28V 80A 2240W alternator

Front Axle: MAN VP-09 9000kg

Front Suspension: Parabolic 7000kg with stabilser

Rear Axles: MAN HP-1333 hub reduction with diff locks.

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.83

Wheels: 24 inch

Tyres: Michelin 495/70 24XM47

Rear Suspension: Parabolic 11,500kg

Wheelbase: 3600mm

Fuel tank: 300 litre Steel

Brakes: MAN drum brakes with auto slacks

Safety: MAN (EBS) with ABS as standard

Windscreen: Single curved

Interior: Vinyl

Seats: High comfort ISRI driver’s seat

Steering: Fully adjustable steering wheel with pneumatic lock.

Bumper: Steel

Battery: 2 x 12V 88Ah (24 Volts)