Freightliner/Sterling Condor Class 8 Vehicle Soars as Construction Industry Performer

April 1, 2001
Freightliner Trucks and its subsidiary, Sterling Truck Corp, have unveiled the Condor Class 8 low-cab-forward vehicle for the construction market. The

Freightliner Trucks and its subsidiary, Sterling Truck Corp, have unveiled the Condor Class 8 low-cab-forward vehicle for the construction market. The 68"-BBC vehicle comes in 6×4 and 4×2 configurations. Highlights of the Condor include:

  • Visibility — Through a two-piece windshield and side and rear windows, Condor provides a 238° field of vision. The vehicle incorporates up to 43.6 square feet of glass (standard). Optional rear-window configurations can increase the amount of glass area to 47 square feet for a 273° field of vision.

  • Ergonomics — The vehicle features a maximum 18" step-in height, two-step entry and oversized grabhandles.

  • Operator comfort — Seats have full travel fore and aft. The interior also offers storage space behind the seats, as well as clipboardsized molded door pockets and a center well between the front seats. The steering column is mounted to the front bulkhead; throttle, clutch, and brake pedals are suspended.

  • Instrument pod — Located in front of the driver integral to the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel, the pod has gauges for speed, engine rpm, and engine oil pressure, and houses the turn signal, check engine light and highbeam indicator. The pod also has an information read-out that displays an hourmeter, data bus diagnostics, a clock, and two trip odometers.

  • Third seat option — This places the third vehicle occupant behind the right-side seat.

  • Maneuverability — Condor offers up to a 45° wheel cut.

  • Durability — The aluminum cab's roof can withstand point loads of more than 300 pounds. Henrob fasteners are used in cab assembly. Doors have cast-iron hinges and oil-impregnated bronze bushings with a 3/8"-diameter stainless steel pin. Surface-mounted front clearance lamps and side-mounted auxiliary turn signals are protected from damage by their positioning, while exterior mirrors fold inward if struck. The front PTO hydraulic pump is behind the front bumper, protecting the pump and eliminating the need for a front frame or bumper extension.

  • Standard TufTrac rear suspension system — TufTrac offers high axle articulation and uniform wheel loading. It also protects the rear brake chambers by relocating them to the forward side of the axle. TufTrac is maintenance-free, requiring neither lubrication nor adjustment.

  • Uptime and serviceability — Service points like engine oil fill and check, transmission fill and check, power steering reservoir, and air cleaner are just behind the cab. A quick-release hatch on the grille allows access to the front hydraulic pump, steering gears and cab pivots. The cab itself tilts to a 42° angle.

  • Platform for body installation — With its integrated chassis design and clean framerails and back of cab, Condor facilitates installation of any number of vehicle bodies.

For more information, contact Freightliner, 4747 N Channel Ave, Portland OR 97217-7699.