LTSV.com - London Transport Service Vehicles on the web
Photographer / Copyright: Ray Monk
Images should not be reused without permission.
Date added to site:29/03/20
Details: Although we now get a couple of updates each year on changes to the central fleet, this only covers the smaller (leased) vehicles, not the lorries, which are believed to still be purchased. Luckily, most of the lorries can be seen in the yard at Acton, so it is fairly easy to keep track of them. This one I am not sure about though. First reported in late February 2020, it is a Scania P410XT 4-axle grab-loader (tipper). It has the right combination of blue bodywork and white cab, and it has LUL/TfL lettering on the cab doors, but I am not convinced. Various lorries have been used on hire over the years, and some of these have gained temporary lettering, although these were often more obviously in the form of a label. Also, the shade of blue of the bodywork is not quite LUL blue, and there has been no attempt to apply blue or red to the cab. On the other hand, a vehicle of this type could be expected to be added to the fleet, to replace older LK58HKN. Comparison of the two photos shows that the configuration is very similar. The grab loader arm (not visible in the view here) is operated from a platform behind the cab, while the loadspace has a roller cover, attached to long, hinged tubes. If this vehicle does turn out to be owned it will be only the second Scania in the central fleet, after second-hand artic 2577.

When photographed in the lorry yard at Acton on 7th March 2020, MV69KVM had a red notice in the windscreen advising 'HIAB not in use'. HIAB is a Swedish manufacturer of hydraulic cranes and loaders, though as with Hoover, the name has come to be used to describe the device rather than its maker. Iveco LK58HKN (which incidentally was parked nearby at the time) had a Terex grab loader. MV69KVM has not yet been added to the database. If LK58HKN is delicensed, or if MV69KVM is still at Acton the next time we are able to get there, we will assume it is a 'permanent' fleet addition. Also visible in this view are parts of flat trailer T61 and crane-equipped tractor 2591.
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