RENAULT C RANGE FROM DIAMOND TRUCKS MAXIMISES PAYLOAD FOR OPERATORS

As an authorised Renault truck dealer for Northern Ireland and the North West of England based in Warrington, Diamond Trucks is an obvious champion of the brand and its products. Iain Latimer says, “Renault Trucks is always focused on the needs of end users and consistently delivers reliability, fuel savings, comfort and safety right across its product range.” The Renault C Range is a case in point. The objective behind the development of the C range was to maximise the payload potential and manoeuvrability around a lighter-weight vehicle (than the K range) and, as Diamond Truck customers will attest, Renault has achieved its goal.

Designed To Perform

Essentially, the Renault C Range can be customised to suit customer requirements with a large options of axle conifgurations: 4x2 Twin rear, 6x2 TSG, 6x4, 8x4, 8x4*4 Tridem and 8x2*6. With the addition of aluminium tanks and rims, disc brakes, and single reduction tandem axles creating a Higher payload. The C range is available in 2 engine options the 11 litre 380, 430 & 460 Bhp and the 13 Litre 440, 480 & 520 Bhp and is now also available to order with the new Renault DE13TC engine. If which is engineered to provide improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Patented Wave Piston technology redirects the flames inside the combustion bowl, allowing better use of available oxygen and therefore better combustion. The engines are also equipped with new injectors with improved precision. Further efficiencies accrue from reducing frictional losses in redesigned connecting rods, pistons and crankshaft.

A new high-performance turbocharger with faster response time and a variable flow oil pump has also been developed. Together these innovations generate up to 5% fuel savings and CO2 reductions.

Workhorse For Every Site

On-site performance is paramount to tipper truck operators and the Renault C range is not just fit for purpose but also purpose designed with specific equipment to optimise function. These include power take-offs to operate bodybuilders’ equipment while driving or stationary, from 270 Nm to 2,000 Nm on the gearbox and/or the engine; Corbels on the side frames to make body mounting operations easier and a rear overhang to avoid cutting the side members. It offers three exhaust outlets, on the left side, in the track and vertical, with mechanical and electrical provisions for installing cranes.

Fitted with an updated Optdriver gearbox featuring dedicated Optivision software, the Renault C range delivers faster and smoother gear changes, while an Optitrack hydrostatic traction system on front wheels gives increased traction for controlled power on all types of terrain.

To boost manoeuvrability and efficiency, the C range comes with inter-wheel and interaxle differential lock, a ground clearance of 312mm under the front axle and up to 440mm under the tank, a 24° angle of attack with 100% steel bumpers, a manual accelerator to maintain a constant speed whatever the terrain and an off-road mode for optimised gear changes.

Driving And Operating Comfort

On board a Renault Trucks

C Range, drivers can expect comfort and convenience..

Perhaps the steering column tops the bill. Described as one of the best on the market, it has three adjustable axis points, while intuitive foot control finds the driver’s best driving position.

A panoramic ‘cockpit-design’ puts all functions within easy reach, including a touchscreen HD monitor, audio system with entertainment menu, DAB radio, Tom Tom navigation, Bluetooth® and cameras. The Renault C range incorporates the latest driver assistance technologies, including anti-runaway mode and anti-intrusion locking.

So what do Diamond Trucks customers have to say about the Renault C Range tippers?

Northstone Materials Division

Northstone (NI) Materials Division has been building its fleet with Renault and Diamond Trucks since 2015 and last year bought 11 new Renault C 430 8x4 tippers. The trucks are being used to deliver bitumen, aggregates, sand and concrete products to contractors across Northern Ireland.

Transport Manager Nigel Galbraith said: “Our original order in 2015 was for 24 vehicles and they have proved to be highly reliable, so we had no hesitation in renewing the fleet with these latest C 430s. The trucks are very good on bad ground thanks to improved ground clearance.

“The support we have enjoyed with Diamond Trucks over the years was also a major factor; it has been second to none. As you can imagine, an operation like ours cannot afford any unnecessary downtime, so a reliable backup service is essential.”

E Quinn Contracts

Pomeroy-based E Quinn Contracts is one of Ireland’s leading road planing contractors and operates Northern Ireland’s largest fleet of road milling machines. Just one month ago, the company took delivery of its first Renault C Range from Diamond Trucks.

Ronan Quinn commented: “We have other brands in our fleet, including DAF and Volvo, but this is our first experience with Renault. We’re using her to deliver machines to jobs and to draw the tar cleanings away and the C Range does everything we want very well, in fact, the driver is very happy with it.

“It was also our first experience of working with Diamond Trucks. Matthew, who worked with us is excellent and would thoroughly recommend the company.”

P. KEENAN QUARRIES

Brendan Keenan of P. Keenan Quarries is a convert to the Renault C Range and now has three in his fleet. He bought his first C Range tipper around four years ago, “It was making friends with Matthew Keys at Diamond Trucks that brought me to the Renault C Range and he lured me on board with the offer of an ex-demonstration truck. I knew the Renault has a Volvo drive train and so I bought it,” said Brendan. “I bought a second Renault two years later and then I ordered a brand-new C Range, which I’ve had for about six months now.

“They are very good machines all told and we’ve had very few technical problems that needed support from Diamond but when we’ve needed them, their service has been excellent.”

Alan Armstrong Lime

It’s just three weeks since Alan Armstrong Lime took delivery of his first Renault C Range Tipper from Diamond Trucks via MK Trucks in Fermanagh. Alan is using the tipper to collect lime from the AG Fivemiletown quarry and deliver to farms throughout Tyrone, Fermanagh and Donegal, so he has already put in hours in the cab and miles on the road.

“The gearbox is very smooth and the steering column is excellent - I can adjust it to suit me, which all makes for comfortable driving. I had heard good reports on the Renault C Range, and it was time to replace my previous tipper so I thought I’d try it out. I’ve not been disappointed; it’s a good machine and Matthew from Diamond Trucks was very helpful.”