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Bucher Duro 4x4 & 6x6
The German company Bucher has been
involved in production of off-road machinery for over twenty
years. However, it is a company that many of us will propably not
of heard of before who have confined their sales to dedicated
military contracts..
The DURO is their latest offering conceived for Military applications but also with application in the Fire and Rescue Services but also with roles in the Electricity, Gas, Water and Telecoms utilities. The 4x4 version is available in short wheel base (4x4 S) and long wheel base (4x4 L) configurations and one standard size 6x6, all powered by a choice of 120bhp petrol or 110bhp diesel engines driven through a five speed gearbox. There is a conventional ladder frame chassis on which the body is rubber mounted in six places, however the suspension set-up is unique to the Duro. The "axle" pivots at the centre of the vehicle, still with the springs at the wheel end of the drive shaft, with the drive shafts above the axle moving in a reduced sphere. Brakes are inboard discs all round with coil springs and shock absorbers and portal axles all round. Differential locks are offered on each axle offering true all-wheel-drive flexibility.
The overall design is reminiscent of the Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer (see last month's issue) with forward control configuration enabling the maximum utilisation of chassis space for transportation of men and equipment. A useful feature is the cab which tips forward for ease of maintenance. All axle parts are interchangeable between 4x4 and 6x6 versions and the machine has been designed for maximum sustainability in arduous all terrain conditions.
A variety of body types have been constructed including full length canvas hood versions, Ambulance body variants and hard top "commmand" car type units. The chassis design is flexible to allow a multitude of applications. The DURO is in service with the Swiss Army where it has replaced the Pinzgauer.
Specifications
| Engine | 4.0 litre, 6 cylinder, petrol, 120BHP, water cooled. or 3.6 litre, 6 cylinder, diesel, 110bhp, water cooled |
| Gearbox | five speed forward and oine reverse fully synchronised with transfer box |
| Transmission | 4x4 or 6x6 drive with cross axle differential locks on each axle |
| Brakes | hydraulic dual circuit brakes acting on inboard discs on all axles |
| Electrical | 24 volt NATO supressed electrical system |
| Capacities | 100 litre fuel tank |
| Unladen Weight | 2000kg |
| Max Speed | 90 km/h |
| Wading depth | 800mm |
| Ground clearance | 360mm |
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