First production terminal tractor back at Terberg in Benschop

Tuesday, June 8th 2010

After 33 years of loyal service, the first terminal tractor Terberg Benschop ever produced, has returned to Benschop. The vehicle has been thoroughly taken in hand and as good as new. The Terberg tractor with chassis number TER-002 is the best proof that Terberg Benschop manufactures terminal tractors of excellent quality, direct from the start of production in 1973.

Terberg Benschop has built more than 10,000 of these specialized vehicles, since launching the first terminal tractor in 1973. Evidence that Terberg Benschop delivered the highest quality from the first day, can recently be seen on the TER-002. Last year, the restoration was completed. It is tradition that Terberg cherishes its past. Previously, a Terberg N1000 tipper has been restored.  The forge where the founders started the company, was brought back to its original state earlier. There, also one of an oscillating axle of GMC is to be seen which Terberg could strengthen for a higher payload. With that axle, the basis for the production of special vehicles was laid out in the fifties of the last century. The interest in history is also visible in the restoration of the first tractor produced in series in 1973, following the construction of the prototype as TER001 earlier that year.

Wander
The vehicle has worked for different owners. That conclusion was drawn by the restorers from the different paint colours emerging during the restoration. The tractor was delivered in green to the first owner, Burger Havenbedrijf. The famous Rotterdam firm started to use the tractor in 1973 for loading and unloading operations at the port, Seaport Terminals at the Port of Britain in the Europoort area where even now Roll-on Roll-off vessels still are treated. The arrival of these new ships was reason for Terberg Benschop to invest in the new market of port tractors for loading and unloading the Roll-on Roll-off vessels. The first order of five tractors consisted of vehicles with chassis numbers TER-001 through TER-005. Nebim B.V. in The Hague, at that time the importer of Volvo trucks in the Netherlands, took care of the delivery for a price of 85,370 guilders (€ 38.739) a piece. Subsequently in his working live, the TER-002 has been painted yellow, then orange and finally blue.

Backwards driving
During its active life, the driving position in the TER-002 was converted. The tractor left the factory as a so-called reverse rider, making it possible for the driver to look forward, when driving backwards. Manoeuvring inside the ship could be done easier this way. Over the years, this driving position has proven not to be successful in combination with a fixed steering position. Then, the current practice of rotating the steering position in Terberg terminal tractors has come up. The restoration team has left the existing fixed wheel assembly in the forward position. The colour has changed again. The TER-002 has received the warm red colour of the previously restored Terberg N1000 tipper.

Back in Benschop
TER-002 is back in Benschop because of trade-in. After Hop Betonfabriek in Baarn had purchased a tractor for transportation on-site in 2002, damage to the gearbox occurred in 2006. After this, Terberg Benschop delivered a young Terberg YT220 tractor and took in the TER-002. After a thorough restoration, the tractor is now back in new condition. Especially the cab took a lot of time, having been in all weathers for nearly forty years. The electrical wiring was drawn again, based on drawings from 1973. Of course the engine was taken in hand. The first tractors had a Volvo engine, a six-cylinder of the type D70B with a capacity of 97 kW (132 hp) at 2,500 rpm. That engine has also been used in the commercial vehicles of Volvo in the F86. The gearbox was also revised. The full-air braking system is essentially complete renewed. Many other parts were just repackaged with new seals and bearings. With the International front axle for example nothing was wrong. During the restoration parts were used that became available when a Terberg with chassis number TER-426 from Germany was traded-in. The DAF fuel tank and various sheet metal parts originate from this vehicle..

Quality
The quality of the product is visible in the many items that can be found in their original condition at the TER-002. Not just the front axle, engine and gearbox in the original chassis remained, but also the rear drive, also used in the Volvo N88 in 1973. At Terberg, the spindle hub reduction had a ratio of 12,28:1. This limited the speed to 29 km/h but also made the tractor capable of going uphill with a total weight of 80 tons at a slope of 10 percent... Also the lifting capacity of those days is today still appealing. The fifth wheel of Dayton, with the two lifting cylinders of Edbro, could already lift 36 tons to a height of 2.13 meters. When driving, a lifting capacity of 22 tons was permitted. There is every reason to be proud, both of the 1973 product and the staff, and of the successful performance of the restoration team in 2009.

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