DAF Driver Winter 2019 – issue 19

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ISSUE 19

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WINTER 2019/20

DAF DRIVER INSIDE THE UK’S #1 TRUCK MANUFACTURER

GENERATION GAME THE HARRISON FAMILY’S ROAD TO SUCCESS

In this issue of

DAF DRIVER XF-3 AXLE TRACTOR TESTED NEW XF 8X2 REAR-STEER DAF GOES ELECTRIC

ALSO:

On your bike

Tempted by getting on two wheels? We show you the way

Top coaching

Coach operator Go Goodwins a class act

Birkett Cup action

We join Team BRIT in the pits for a Silverstone race weekend

LATEST DAF TRUCKS NEWS • UK DEALER LOCATOR • OPERATOR SUCCESS STORIES • INDUSTRY OPINION • HEALTH AND SAFETY

DAF CF PURE EXCELLENCE

Ready to Tip trucks available now!

With the DAF Ready to Go programme you could drive away with a brand-new Construction CF FAD 32t 8x4 Tipper with equipment supplied by Boweld, Wilcox & Thompson. A wide range of industry specific vehicles have been pre-built and are Ready to Go. Call your local DAF dealer to find out more.

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

A PACCAR COMPANY DRIVEN BY QUALITY

WELCOME FROM YOUR PUBLISHER

WELCOME TO YOUR LATEST ISSUE OF DAF DRIVER Inside this issue, we’ve got all types of vehicle covered. There’s news of additions to the DAF Trucks range, advice on how to get into motorbikes and the story of a Silverstone race weekend from inside the pit garage.

Publisher - Matthew Eisenegger

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I

t’s that time of year again. The annual season of cheer, and the usual warnings about the shortage of truck drivers to ‘deliver Christmas’ are ringing in our ears.

The Freight Transport Association cautions that 16,000 drivers have left the industry in the last year, and, while much of that decline is attributable to old age and/or ill-health, it’s also well-established that the road transport industry finds recruiting younger people as drivers difficult and retaining them even harder.

This is far from being a ‘UK-only’ problem. It’s a similar story, but on a larger scale, in the USA, for instance. Older drivers hang up their boots and there is no eager queue of young hopefuls to take their place.

What’s to be done? This year’s winner of DAF’s Driver Challenge, Peter Jacobs of Belgium, gave an interesting insight: “Some people state that I have an easy job,” he said. “But that is far from reality.

Therefore, I would like to dedicate this award to all my highly professional colleagues who hit the road every day.”

For all the talk of automation and connected vehicles, transport remains an industry driven, excuse the pun, by people. And because the people who actually drive trucks are almost always ‘up the road’ it is all too easy for them to be forgotten. Not so much out of sight, out of mind, more like, off the

site, out of mind.

And, while trucks have never been easier to drive than they are now, challenging traffic conditions and the demanding nature of our ‘just in time’ economy mean that it is as difficult as it ever was to drive them well.

For employers, recognising excellence in driving is easier than it ever was, thanks to the vast amount of information about driving styles and skills that can now be harvested from vehicle telematics.

But all too often, this information is used in an unsophisticated way as a stick to beat drivers with, rather than a carrot to reward them with. Care has to be taken that ‘excellent’ does not become the enemy of ‘good’, and that the attainment of achievable targets does not just result in the next set of targets being moved so far out of reach as to be unattainable.

Tools such as the DAF Driver Performance Assistant can, if used with care, yield not only a better financial performance from the driver by reducing fuel consumption and wear-and-tear on the vehicle, but also greater engagement and job satisfaction. Younger people in all sectors of employment are reported to be increasingly attracted by such factors, as well as the usual financial rewards.

And if that isn’t a positive thought to take forward into the New Year, I don’t know what is.

Welcome to

By downloading a free app on to your s to life using the power of a new techno To access bonus content on this page s

1

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Download the ooh-AR app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

Welcome to ooh-AR Download our free app to your smartphone or tablet and bring this publication to life using the power of a new technology called Augmented Reality (AR).

To access bonus content in this issue follow these instructions:

• Download the ooh-AR app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

• Open the app and point your device at the photos where you see the AR content icon pictured above – and wait for the surprise.

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Augmented Reality services by

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 19

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WINTER 2019

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INFORMATION

FEATURES

REGULARS

6 THIS LITTLE PIGGIE

3 WELCOME

All the details of the new DAF Trucks XF 8x2 rear-steer, in service with RT Nelson

Driver shortage chat and the importance of people in the transport business

12 FOR THE PAYLOAD

22 SHEFFIELD STEEL

How the DAF XF FTP lightweight 3-axle tractor enables bigger payloads

The story of the Harrison family, owners of Yorkshire’s Meadowhall Transport

16 EPOWER TO THE PEOPLE

32 QUEEN OF THE NÜRBURGRING

Battery-powered vehicles from DAF are proving their worth with operators

Professional racing driver – and guest at the 2019 DAF Driver Challenge – Sabine Schmitz

18 TWO-WHEELED REVIVAL

44 SIMPSON SAYS

DAF Driver offers hints and tips and recommends some steeds to sample

Passing a roller brake test may not mean that the vehicle’s braking system is legal

34 PLUSH PEOPLE MOVER

52 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

The Van Hool Altano TDX21 coach on Go G VIP’s fleet ensures passengers arrive in style

Win a wonderful wallet, featuring the heritage DAF logo, in this issue’s competition

28 AS GOOD AS NEW

53 MEET THE TRAINERS

A detailed look at Craig’s of Denny lovingly restored DAF 2800

Stuart Munro, Driver Trainer for Lothian DAF in Edinburgh, answers our questions

40 LIFE IN THE TEAM BRIT PIT

54 TRAINER’S NOTES

DAF Driver magazine’s publisher headed to Silverstone for the Birkett Cup

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DAF Driver Training Manager, Mandy Wannerton, talks press vehicle preparation

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EDITORIAL Publisher: Matthew Eisenegger Production Editor: John Challen Designer: Leo Gehlcken Editorial Address: Commercial Vehicle Media & Publishing Ltd, 4th Floor 19 Capesthorne Drive, Eaves Green, Chorley, Lancashire. PR7 3QQ Telephone: 01257 231521 email: matthew@cvdriver.com ADVERTISING Advertising Sales: David Johns Telephone: 01388 517906 Mobile: 07590 547343 Email: sales@cvdriver.com DESIGN Art Editor: Leo Gehlcken Telephone: 01257 231521 Email: design@cvdriver.com CONTRIBUTORS Steve Banner Pip Dunn Matthew Eisenegger Ronnie Hitchens Martin Pidsley Richard Simpson Mandy Wannerton PUBLISHER Commercial Vehicle Media & Publishing Ltd, 4th Floor, 19 Capesthorne Drive, Eaves Green, Chorley, Lancashire. PR7 3QQ Telephone: 01257 231521 PRINTING MRC Print Consultancy Ltd 33 Uttoxeter Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST3 1NY Tel: 07764 951927 NOTE The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine’s contents are correct. All material published in DAF Driver Magazine is copyright and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden.

The Editors and publisher of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised in this edition.

DAF Driver Magazine is published under a licence from Commercial Vehicle Media & Publishing Ltd. All rights in the licensed material belong to Matthew Eisenegger or Commercial Vehicle Media and Publishing Ltd and may not be reproduced whether in whole or in part, without their prior written consent. DAF Driver Magazine is a registered trademark.

If you are not going to keep this magazine for future reference please pass it on or recycle it.

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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OPERATOR PROFILE

New product!

XF 8X2 REAR-STEER

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

OPERATOR PROFILE

THIS LITTLE PIGGIE WENT TO MARKET Moving livestock is not for the feint hearted.

It’s a highly specialised discipline and something that a general haulier probably wouldn’t even consider getting into Words: Ronnie Hitchens Photographs: Craig Eccleston

With the addition of the new 106 XF, RT Nelson now runs a 100% DAF fleet

R

T Nelson was, more or less, born into the livestock business – it is, so-tospeak, in

the haulier’s blood. The company has recently taken on its latest DAF XF: a topspec 530hp eight-wheeler with Super Space Cab and DAF’s ‘FAX’ 8x2 rear-steer axle configuration – the

first XF with this chassis specification in the UK. In fact, the customer was instrumental in DAF’s commitment to bringing this new model to the market, via DAF Dealer group Ford &

Slater and the close attention of its Norwich location.

RT Nelson’s only Scania unit has just been replaced by a DAF XF Super Space Cab from Ford & Slater, bringing about a 100% DAF fleet of 10

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OPERATOR PROFILE

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

OPERATOR PROFILE

artics and two fouraxle rigids. The latest rear-steer is fitted with a triple-deck ‘Platinum’ body from livestock transport specialist, Houghton Parkhouse; an impressive piece of kit for sure.

DAF Driver spent a day at RT Nelson – and in the company of piglets; 800 to be precise.

Loading them was Transport Manager, Jon Symons, ably assisted

by Stockman Toby Castro who, together, made a potential nightmare of a job look easy. All the animals were loaded swiftly, safely and aided, in no small part, by hydraulic lifting decks. Once aboard, our piglets were afforded adequate room and kept comfortable with fully automated ventilation – ‘passive’ air flow is generated by the use of powerful fans which helps draw in clean air and keeps the livestock comfortable – even keeping the animals warm when the side-vents are closed during cold weather.

Regular cleaning with the on-board pressurewasher is facilitated by a hygienic, easy-clean internal structure.

The 8x2 steer-steerdrive-steer set-up is highly manoeuvrable, but its turning circle

really is something to behold. It helps the big DAF XF get into nooks and crannies on farms that other smaller, more conventional, chassis would struggle to access. The turning circle is 10% smaller than an equivalent double-drive 8x4, saving 2m kerbto-kerb. The FAX’s positively steered trailing axle also helps minimise risk of damage to yard surfaces when on lock; something farmers will be very pleased about. And, transferring weight from the trailing axle to the drive axle, means traction isn’t a problem.

First impressions Symons has 37 years of experience in the livestock industry, 20 years with RT Nelson – the last three-anda-half years in the transport office (and occasionally, still, behind the wheel). He is, admittedly, a DAF fan, but this latest eight-wheeler has ticked even more boxes for him, “We’re really pleased with the truck’s capability,” he says. “It can get in anywhere, even with the big XF Super Space Cab. It’s more manoeuvrable than our smaller DAF

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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OPERATOR PROFILE

load and easy to clean; it’s just tailor-made for the job,” he adds. “Everything about the vehicle is ideally suited to the operation. Farmers and other local operators are interested to see how it’s performing and I’m delighted to report that it’s doing just fine, thank-you!”

CF eight-wheeler and Super Singles help with stability, too.” Symons reports that fuel economy is very good as well, with the new DAF routinely returning between 9.5 and 10mpg.

At the helm of the new DAF 10

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

is 65-year-old regular driver Nigel for whom, the company says, the new truck has provided a new lease of life.

“Nigel just loves it – in fact, our other drivers are casting an envious eye over him,” teases Symons. “They’re

already forming an orderly queue to get hold of the keys when he retires, but I don’t think he’s in a rush. It’s entirely his decision and we’d keep him for another 65 years if we could!

“The truck is really easy to

Keeping it in the family Jane Ling, whose father started the business in 1970 but who sadly passed away in 2000, took over the reins in 2001. Ling possesses an incredibly enthusiastic work ethic; she’s a qualified nurse and looks after her grandchildren three times a week. She’s understandably proud of the way the operation has developed.

“My father drove for a local livestock haulage business in Beccles before leaving to set up his own business,” she

OPERATOR PROFILE

says, “In those early years, he bought three Ford Transits, moving up in size each time.

In 1977, my brother, Gary joined the business and they acquired their first proper lorry – a Bedford TK with a 16ft livestock body.”

In 1978, Ling’s father met Andrew Saunders at British Quality Pigs (BQP) who had just started working for J Bibby’s Agriculture. With Saunders’ vision for the future of the pig industry and Ling’s father’s experience in moving livestock, both businesses were able to grow together. It was at this time that RT Nelson began to actively expand the business; more people and more lorries – mainly Series 3 Scanias with 24ft Houghton boxes - to meet an increasing demand for pigs.

“In those days, abattoirs and farms were a maximum of 90-minutes away, whereas

today drivers regularly travel greater distances,” says Ling.

“Farms were also smaller, averaging around 1,000 pigs, in comparison to the larger farms today that have up to 5,000 pigs. To facilitate these changes, we had to adapt our fleet and, in 1998, we acquired our first artic – a DAF 85 with a 44ft Houghton double deck trailer.

“Over the past 40 years,” she adds, “it has been our fantastic working partnership with BQP which has been key to the development of our company.

When Ling took over the business at the turn of the millennium, the company had two artics with 44ft double-deck trailers, and six rigids with 24ft livestock boxes. In 2002, DAF was again the marque of choice, in the shape of an XF 105 plus a higher capacity 44ft

Houghton triple-deck. The fleet has been gradually updated ever since and now consists of 10 artics, nine of which are DAF XFs with 44ft Houghton triple-decks and two DAF rigid units; the new FAX and a DAF XF with a 28ft triple-deck ‘Platinum’ livestock box, again from Houghton’s.

With new equipment, comes new personnel, with 14 dedicated drivers gainfully employed by the business.

DAF satisfaction “It’s not just that DAF build excellent trucks, it’s the support we get from Ford & Slater that really, really appeals,” says Ling, “It makes us feel like we’re its oneand-only customer. Even the finance people [PACCAR Financial] are great. Michael Holden is always working with us to find the right funding solution. He’s plain-speaking and keeps the financial jargon

to a minimum. He also speaks to Houghton Parkhouse for me, so everything is wrapped-up in a tidy financial package. Everyone at DAF is so supportive.”

It’s fair to say that RT Nelson is a happy camper. Asking for (and getting!) a new model specifically suited to its own operation is a feat in itself and testament to a truck manufacturer that genuinely listens to its customers. Ford & Slater has clearly invested in this operator, with the wider DAF organisation noting carefully the very clear attributes of a new model in operation.

Get ready to see more FAX rear-steer eight-wheelers on the road soon – and not necessarily with pigs onboard – because there are plenty of other applications for this big, but very nimble eight-wheeler.

Transport Manager Jon Symons (pictured here and left) has 37 years of experience with livestock and has spent the past two decades with RT Nelson

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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ROAD TEST: XF480 FTP

FOR THE PAYLOAD

A weight-loss programme for the XF means bigger loads – and efficiency improvements – are possible with the latest addition to the range Words: Matthew Eisenegger Photographs: DAF Trucks

D

AF’s FTG is often a common choice for British operators looking to put a 6x2 with mid-lift axle on the road. But for hauliers aiming to maximise their payload potential, the Dutch manufacturer offers a similar configuration that uses smaller 17.5in wheels on a lightweight pusher axle.

Dubbed FTP, this arrangement means the trucks can haul up to 480kg of extra cargo, in comparison to an XF FTG 6x2 twinsteer tractor.

FTPs are gaining favour on a growing number of big fleets – for example, Turners of Soham put its 800th such tractor unit on the road earlier this year. It’s not hard to see why – a half12

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

tonne payload boost per vehicle, per trip, is not to be sniffed at – and when you scale that up across a large fleet, the bottomline profit speaks for itself.

But payload isn’t the only advantage with specifying FTP, as the extra chassis space enables operators to extend the vehicle’s operating range. Where an FTG chassis maxes out at 490 litres of fuel, FTP can be spec’d to carry a total of 1025 litres across two tanks (1x 605-litre and 1x 325-litre aluminium tanks, to be precise). The benefits are obvious for long-haul missions – and runs onto the Continent in particular.

However, the trade-off (for drivers at least) is that the smaller wheels change the appearance of the vehicle. This might be a

ROAD TEST: XF480 FTP

problem for some smaller operators or owner-drivers who want to put eye-catching, blinged-up trucks on the road – but is likely to matter less for the bigger fleets. If image is a problem, however, sideskirts can be fitted to hide the smaller wheels, though this would have to be an aftermarket addition as it’s not something DAF offers from the factory.

Detail in the DAF To get a feel for how the FTP performs, DAF Driver recently took to the wheel of an XF480 version for a decent mixed drive around Berkshire. The truck we were testing had been fitted with the twin fuel tanks filled with eco-friendly HVO

(hydrotreated vegetable oil), which is a drop-in fuel that can fully replace or be mixed in with regular diesel to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Fuel economy was also at the top of the agenda, as our demo FTP had been stripped of anything that could adversely affect aerodynamics. No spotlights, beacons, air horns, sun visor or the like here, just a set of side collars and a manually adjustable roof deflector.

Despite cut-backs on the outside, the inside told a different story. The Space Cab had been kitted out with comfortable additions such as Exclusive trim, ventilated leather driver’s seat with armrest, leather steering wheel and leather door covers.

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ROAD TEST: XF480 FTP

A 42-litre fridge was tucked away under the lower bunk, which was carrying a plush Xtra Comfort mattress. Very nice indeed – though, of course, drivers may be lucky enough to have such a lavish interior, on trucks working for the bigger fleets.

There’s a variety of engine options for the FTP. If terrain isn’t a problem, particularly weight-conscious operators can spec a 10.8-litre MX-11 lump that delivers 449hp and 2300Nm of torque. But most applications will require a bit of extra grunt for comfortable running at 44 tonnes, so the larger displacement 12.9-litre MX-13 would be the better bet. These come in 428, 483 and 530hp flavours, which punch out 2300, 2500 and 2600Nm of torque respectively.

Transmissions on offer are the latest TraXon 12 and 16-speed automated gearboxes, or old-schoolers can go with a 16-speed manual if preferred (and good on DAF for still offering a manual ’box as an option). The automated transmissions are programmed with an Eco Fuel mode that prioritises fuel economy, though an Eco Performance mode can be optioned if a bit more agility is required.

On the road Our truck was loaded to 41 tonnes and spec’d with the 483hp MX-13 engine and 12-speed TraXon, with Eco Fuel programme.

At almost 12hp per tonne, we weren’t anticipating having any problems with performance as we left DAF’s Haddenham HQ, 14

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

bound for the A418 to Aylesbury.

Once through the town, we picked up the A413 and headed out into the sticks. The road to Buckingham is picturesque, but can get narrow and twisty in places, but the FTP provided a positive drive as we tackled the bends.

The truck was fitted with DAF’s Predictive Cruise Control (PCC), which uses GPS and maps data to analyse the route ahead and ensured the transmission selected the right gear, for any approaching hills. The idea is to also make maximum use of momentum, with EcoRoll engaged whenever possible to conserve as much fuel as possible. The system is pretty easy to use once the driver is used to it, and it’s adaptable enough to be as useful on A-roads as it is on the motorway.

At Buckingham, we took the A422 towards Bicester before swinging onto the M40. Here the FTP could really stretch its legs and once up to speed, we settled in for a comfy ride in the quiet cab.

At Stokenchurch, we found the A40 and headed back to base across country.

We’d be more than happy to spend the day in the FTP – the well-appointed Space Cab, intuitive cruise control and balanced on-road manners, make for a pleasant drive. Factor in the potential payload and operating range benefits provided by the lightweight pusher axle, and you’re onto a winner. Who cares if the smaller wheels look a bit odd?

ROAD TEST: XF480 FTP

SPECIFICATION Model: DAF XF480 FTP 6x2 tractor unit Design: GVW/GCW: 23,900kg / 44,000kg Chassis: 4050mm wheelbase Gearbox: TraXon 12-speed automated transmission,

Eco Fuel programme Engine: 12.9-litre MX-13 355, Euro 6, MX Engine Brake Max power: 483hp @ 1,600rpm Max torque: 2500Nm @ 900-1,125rpm Cab: Space Cab, air suspension Fuel tanks: Aluminium: 1x 605-litre with step,

1x 325-litre AdBlue tank: 90 litres Additional equipment: Alcoa Dura-Bright

aluminium wheels

THE TRUCK WAS FITTED WITH DAF’S PREDICTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (PCC), WHICH USES GPS AND MAP DATA TO ANALYSE THE ROUTE AHEAD AND ENSURED THE TRANSMISSION SELECTED THE RIGHT GEAR WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

ePower to the people Battery-powered vehicles from DAF are proving their worth with operators and demand is rising Words: Ronnie Hitchens

A

visit to the Driveline of the LF Electric consisting recent of electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack Freight in the City exhibition in London left show-goers in no doubt that electric drivetrain technology, is no longer merely a future consideration for urban distribution.

Hybrid and batterypowered vehicles are available now and, according to the manufacturers, they’re capable of delivering a viable alternative to diesel power.

While the jury is still out on the feasibility of electric power across all weight categories, urban and even interurban operations are certainly within single-charge range capability for commercial vehicles. For last-mile operations in particular, emission-free electric vehicles look set to become the norm in towns and cities right across Europe in the near future. In fact, a number of major cities including London, Paris, Madrid and Milan are intending to introduce mandatory zero-emission zones from as early as 2025.

The DAF Trucks offering DAF Trucks is at the forefront of electric transport development with field trials at an advanced stage on the European mainland, involving high profile Dutch operators Peter Appel, Simon Loos and Tinie Manders, as well as supermarket chain Jumbo. LF and CF electric models are designed for medium and heavy-duty urban distribution, while a CF Hybrid model variant is suited to inter-urban applications – offering a combination of electric power (for zero emissions in urban areas) and a conventional diesel power-plant. Results to-date have been very encouraging.

LF Electric The 19-tonne LF Electric features Cummins technology with a 195kW/266hp electric motor (peak: 250kW/340hp) powered by a battery pack delivering up to 222kWh and providing a range of up to 220km fully laden – ideal for urban

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

Photographs: DAF Trucks

applications. As the battery pack is modular, capacity can be scaled to the range required by customers.

At 37-tonnes, the CF Electric 4x2 tractor unit offers a solution for urban distribution requiring higher payloads and volumes, typically supermarkets, where single or double-axle trailers are employed.

CF Electric The CF Electric uses VDL’s advanced E-Power producing 210kW/286hp (peak: 240kW/326hp) from its electric motor, and obtaining energy from the powertrain’s 170kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The CF Electric boasts a range of approximately 100km, appropriate for high-volume city distribution applications. Fast charging of the batteries can be performed in 30 minutes or a full charge in as little as 1.5 hours.

CF Hybrid The DAF CF Hybrid combines zero-emissions with operational flexibility, thanks to battery power twinned with the latest diesel technology. The combination of electric and diesel power delivers low emission long-range productivity.

The vehicle’s driveline features an efficient 10.8-litre PACCAR MX-11 engine (330kW/450hp) and a ZF electric motor (75kW/100hp / peak: 130kW/175hp), in combination with a dedicated ZF TraXon gearbox specifically for the hybrid set-up.

The electric motor is powered by an 85kWh battery pack, offering a zero-emission range of 30 to 50km, depending on gross weight. Batteries are charged courtesy of the diesel engine during highway operation, and with a DC charger at charging locations. The vehicle is equipped with a fast charge capability; 30 minutes for a full charge and only 20 minutes for a charge of up to 80%.

Out of town, power is supplied by a PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine, where hybrid technology provides additional fuel savings thanks to ‘smart energy management’. Regenerative energy is captured during braking and when speed-related

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

controls are used, namely Down Hill Speed Control and Predictive Cruise Control.

Energy is used by the electric motor to operate in conjunction with the diesel engine to further reduce fuel consumption. The battery pack powers the electric driveline and the electric air compressor, as well as the optional intelligent e-PTO which, for example, can drive refrigeration equipment.

New CF Electric 3-axle rigid A new DAF Electric model has also just been introduced – a 28-tonne CF Electric 6x2 rigid chassis suitable for refuse collection applications. Field trials are already underway with Dutch public waste disposal firms HVC and ROVA, with the city of Rotterdam and Cure to follow early in 2020. The new six-wheeler is equipped with a VDL E-Power driveline, with a fully electric superstructure supplied

by VDL Translift.

DAF has based the 3-axle rigid on the FAN configuration with a steered rearmost axle for enhanced manoeuvrability.

Gross vehicle weight for the CF Electric 6x2 in the Netherlands is 28 tonnes.

The DAF LF Electric offers a range of 220km

Supermarket Jumbo is one of the first operators to run a CF Electric

Vehicle specifications DAF LF Electric • 250kW/340hp electric motor • Modular lithium-ion battery packs up to 222kWh • Range of up to 220km • Featuring Cummins Technology

The CF Electric is now available as a 6x2 rear-steer rigid and is being used in waste and refuse collection

DAF CF Electric • 240kW/325hp electric motor • 170kWh lithium-ion battery pack • Range of 100km • Featuring VDL E-Power Technology DAF CF Hybrid Electric • PACCAR MX-11 diesel engine • 130kW/177hp ZF electric motor • 85kWh lithium-ion battery pack • Electric range from 30 to 50km

Dropping in with HVO

or expensive vehicle adaptations. HVO is simply an aromatic-free paraffinic

Regardless of their fleet make-up, operators are becoming increasingly

fuel available to operators right now, marketed as Green D by renewable

conscious of their effect on the environment and a reduction in CO2

fuels’ specialist, Green Biofuels. HVO and GTL (Gas-to-Liquid – another

emissions is now an important consideration. For climate conscious operators,

paraffinic fuel with the same clean burning properties but produced from

DAF can provide an immediate, low-cost solution which includes no capital

natural gas) are certified for use in DAF Trucks’ entire range of LF, CF and

investment at all! HVO – hydro-treated vegetable oil – is a ‘drop-in’ fuel which

XF vehicles.

requires no vehicle modifications, or alterations to service intervals and can deliver a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions, from well-to-wheel.

Key to HVO’s appeal is that there are no requirements for up-front costs

While HVO provides an immediate ‘clean’ solution for operators, electric power is gaining traction (literally) in the market, and, when the market is ready, DAF will have in place a range of vehicle solutions.

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MOTORCYCLES

TWO-WHEELED REVIVAL It’s never too late to get back into biking. DAF Driver offers hints and tips and recommends some steeds to sample Words: Richard Simpson

F

or most young men growing up in the 1970s, motorcycling was a rite of passage. Even if it was just using a moped to get to work at the age of 16, or having a 250cc motorbike to tide them over until they could afford a car, there was a good chance that motorbikes would play a significant role in a teenager’s life.

It’s all very different now. Children tend to stay at school until they are 18 and are generally less interested in any form of motor vehicle, than they have

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

been at any time since the end of the First World War. But there are still plenty of people around in middle age who have a hankering to either relive their lost youth on two wheels or try motorcycling for the first time, because it was previously forbidden by parents or prevented by family commitments.

Getting a licence is now far more complicated than it was back in the day, when all that was required was a pair of L-plates attached to your chosen mount, before you wobbled off into the traffic.

Then, there was an option of converting

to a full licence by riding around the block outside the test centre, under the watchful gaze of a man from the ministry.

Now, obtaining a full motorcycle licence is arguably a more complex and demanding process, than acquiring a Category C licence to drive a truck.

Starting out on the road The motorcycle (Cat A) licence is acquired in a process known as ‘staged access’, with various hurdles to negotiate along the way before a full-size, full-power motorcycle can be ridden on the road.

There are a number of theory and

MOTORCYCLES

Category clarification Riders under 19 take a two-part theory and practical test, each of two modules, which will grant them an A1 licence and enable them to ride without L-plates and use motorways.

But the A1 category is still restricted to ‘learner legal’ 125cc machines as above.

Those aged over 19 can go straight to an A2 licence via the two-part test, entitling the rider to use a machine of up to 47hp and with a power-to-weight ratio not exceeding 0.26hp/kg. Once an A2 licence has been held for two years, a further two-part test can be taken, allowing the granting of a full Cat A licence, giving access to machines of unlimited power.

Effectively, the minimum age for a full Cat A licence is thus 21.

Riders aged 24 or over can go straight to a full Cat A licence within two years of CBT. This again involves taking a twopart theory test, followed by a two-part practical test. These tests can be taken separately or together, but must be passed within two years of the theory test.

practical tests to pass, each of which is in two parts. Just how many of the hurdles riders have to jump, depends on their age and driving experience.

Before they are let out on the roads at all, they need to acquire a Certificate of Basic Training (CBT) from an approved training body (ATB) (www.gov.uk/ motorcycle-cbt). The only exception to this rule is that people who hold a full car licence acquired before 1 February 2001 can ride a moped (restricted 50cc) without holding a CBT. A full car licence normally includes a provisional Cat A licence, but be warned – this must be

checked before riders go any further.

CBT acquisition involves learning basic skills on the site and then riding on the road under supervision. Cost should be under £150, with motorcycles and clothing provided. Riders also need to demonstrate a basic knowledge of road law and the Highway Code.

Acquiring the CBT starts the clock ticking and riders now have two years in which to upgrade their Cat A licence. During that time they can ride unsupervised on the road on a 125cc machine, with a maximum output of 14.8bhp (www.gov.uk/motorcycle-test).

Back in the saddle But what about people who acquired a full licence back in the day, but have not ridden a motorcycle for decades?

In theory, they could go out and buy themselves any bike, jump on it and ride away. But it might not be the wisest decision.

There has been a quantum leap in motorcycle engine performance since the 1970s and one good example is that a 500cc four-stroke twin commuter bike nowadays is actually more powerful than the ‘high performance’ 650cc Triumph Bonneville of the 1960s and 1970s.

Stability, brakes and handling are also much improved, thanks to advancing tyre design and the introduction of technologies such as ABS brakes.

So the sensible approach for any returning rider would be to buy an A2 Category machine (they are easy to sell again, should a change be desired) and undertake some post-test training.

There are any number of reasons for this extra learning. Perhaps the most important is that years of car driving will erode basic motorcycle roadcraft and survival skills. The classic is emergency braking – car drivers will just instinctively stamp on the brake pedal, WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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MOTORCYCLES

which is not the best course to take on a motorcycle, where progressive use predominantly of the front brake is the safest course.

Various organisations including RoSPA and IAM Roadsmart (formerly the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists) offer suitable courses and there is also an accredited DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme, set up to cater precisely for the needs of the returning rider. This is delivered by a network of commercial training providers. Some local police forces also offer BikeSafe training, which is delivered by off-duty police motorcyclists.

These courses cover a mixture of roadcraft and machine-handling skills.

Participants usually find the ‘hyperawareness’ that comes naturally with motorcycling, hones car and truck driving skills too.

Offroad experience For those who really want to sharpen their skills, it’s an idea to think about leaving the tarmac behind and going on an off-road training day.

These are offered in a variety of mostly rural locations, by providers who often have the backing of major players in the off-road motorcycle market. Try to avoid courses involving big adventure bikes weighing a quarter of a tonne apiece and go instead for those with lightweight enduro or trail motorcycles.

Book an entry-level course to avoid utter humiliation.

In off-road training there is no ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’, but riding on a loose surface will teach riders how to deal with slides, wheel lock-ups and a whole variety of other situations that can lead to disaster on the road.

In an off-road environment, they are all part of the fun. But while participants are grinning from ear to ear as they slide around the corners, or smiling ruefully as they pick themselves and the bike up out of the dirt, they are embedding the reflexes that can save them from a fall or worse on the road.

Even the world’s greatest road racers spend much of their off-season seemingly messing about on lowpowered dirt bikes. Why? Because the skillset needed to balance a 125cc dirt bike in a feet-up powerslide through 20

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sand at 20mph, is exactly what is required to do the same on Tarmac with 1,000cc 240hp Moto GP race bikes at 120mph.

Choose your machine Richard Simpson has been riding motorcycles since 1976 and, before turning to road transport, worked in the motorcycle trade and on leading motorcycling publications. Here are four bikes he’s picked for beginners and returners Learner/A1 licence: Yamaha YS125: .....................................£2,899 Built on the platform of the global bestseller YBR125, the cute little Yam has a simple air-cooled two-valve four-stroke motor, enhanced with modern fuelinjection. It will return up to 30 miles per litre of petrol, weighs just 129kg and has a novice-friendly upright riding position.

A2 licence: KTM Duke 390:..................................... £4,749 For those seeking fun, the little KTM delivers it in spades. Unusually, it combines sporty handling with an upright riding position and has a feisty 44hp four-stroke single-cylinder engine.

It’s not a good choice for two-up touring, but even an experienced rider will be grinning after a ride on a Duke 390.

A2 licence: Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor:............. £5,500 Enfield closed its UK factory in 1970, but production carried on in India. The all-new 650 Interceptor offers all the joys of a big British twin but not the vibration. If the KTM is a Jack Russell, then the Enfield is a Labrador. It’s big enough to tackle long journeys and carry a passenger – and there’s a three-year warranty.

A2 licence: Beta Alp 4.0:.......................................... £4,895 Beta is a long-established Italian manufacturer of off-road competition bikes, but the 350cc Alp trail bike is no racer. It combines the engine from Suzuki’s much-missed DR350S trail bike with a lightweight chassis capable of tackling almost any terrain at civilised speed, while still being comfortable and economical on the road.

Only the best go further.

The Conti Hybrid tyre line redefines regional: Its power-packed The Conti Hybrid tyre line redefines regional: Its power-packed performance on winding, hilly roads coupled with its high performance on winding, hilly roads coupled with its high adaptability to long-haul routes guarantees excellent mileage adaptability to long-haul routes guarantees excellent mileage performance as well as minimum fuel consumption. performance as well as minimum fuel consumption.

Mile after mile after mile.

Mile after mile after mile. www.continental-tyres.co.uk/truck www.continental-tyres.co.uk/truck

The The high high mileage mileage performer performer WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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OPERATOR PROFILE

Above: Three generations of the Harrison family: Bradley (left); Paul (middle) and Willie (right)

SHEFFIELD STEEL Having seen the good, the bad and the ugly of the transport business over the years, the Harrison family from Yorkshire are now tasting success with Meadowhall Transport

Words: Matthew Eisenegger

Y

ou really can’t beat a proper Yorkshire greeting. As we turn up at Harrison’s Yard in Sheffield – home to Meadowhall Transport – less than 24 hours after that part of South Yorkshire had been washed out by flash floods, the outstretched hand of the company’s MD, Paul Harrison, welcomes me with a pumping handshake and a not-so-broad south Yorkshire accent. “Do you want a brew?”, he asks. “In fact, I’ll put it in a DAF mug for you, how’s that?”

In the office are Paul’s dad Willie and his son Bradley, 22, known as Brad. Both the older and younger of the current three generations have been summoned. We do the introductions and, as a fellow Yorkshire man, I suggest we settle down for 22

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Photographs: Karl Hopkinson

a ‘reet good chin wag’.

The haulage yard of Meadowhall Transport is typical in its layout; the former scrap yard has the redbrick gate office with the old weighbridge outside the window, while further down there is a workshop and another building that is the home to the company’s in-house maintenance business (Merlin Trucks).

History lesson The question that sets the ball rolling, is regarding the origins of the company. Paul immediately jumps in with the potted history. “Including Brad, the company goes back five generations. The original business was started by my great grandad, Sid Harrison, back in the 1940s,” he explains. “Sid had two sons – Sid Junior and Wilfred, my grandad

OPERATOR PROFILE

and – after denationalisation – two haulage businesses were formed. One being Wilfred Harrison Transport and the other Sid Harrison Transport, which many will remember running bright Red Scammells. From there, my dad and his brother Michael worked for Wilfred Harrison Transport until its closure, due to the compulsory purchase order in May 1994”.

Throughout that period, the business grew steadily, offering its services to the local industry and, in particular, the thriving Sheffield steel mills. The Harrison brothers also ran a busy truck service and repair business and, in the mid-1970s, took on a DAF service and parts franchise under the name of Harbro Trucks.

With a need to better connect Rotherham to the M1 and ease congestion, local planners wanted to improve and modernise the road infrastructure.

Due to Harrison’s prime location on the Bawtry Road, the yard sat right in the way of the planned new dual carriageway and roundabout. Even before Paul started work, there was a certain degree of uncertainty surrounding the company’s premises and it was only going to be a matter of time, before the bulldozers moved in.

The one thing Paul did know as a teenager was that he wanted to earn money. At one point, he had two paper rounds and later, while at college, he worked the 4.30am shift at a local bakers to earn cash. Having finished his diploma in business studies on the Friday, the following Monday (1st June 1987) morning Paul was contemplating his future, but road transport was not on his agenda.

With his dashing good looks he started to think about taking some time out – maybe become a holiday rep in Ibiza, or even a Red Coat at Butlins.

But any aspirations he had were quickly dashed in an instant. “I was in bed and my mum shouted up to tell me my dad was on the phone. He asked me what I was doing and I told him I was in bed.

‘Never mind in bed, get dressed and get down here, you can find out what I do for a living’ was his response. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

Starting out When he arrived, Paul certainly didn’t ask for any favours and definitely didn’t want to be seen as the ‘gaffer’s son’, but he demonstrated very early on an attribute that continues today – a shrewd eye for business.

Very soon his newly learned business skills were put to good use, quickly identifying that various elements of the family business weren’t making money. His dad, took advice from his son and immediately corrected the problems. Paul spent the rest of his time in the business helping to run the workshop and haulage operation in a management role.

Above: Despite retiring over 20 years ago, Willie is still a key part of the business Left: Paul went from dreaming of Ibiza to joining the family business in an instant

Left: Paul is full of praise for his father, who has ensured Meadowhall Transport has survived for so long

Left: Willie in chat with DAF Driver magazine publisher, Matthew Eisenegger

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OPERATOR PROFILE

When the axe officially fell on the business in the May of 1994, Paul – still only in his mid-20s – had some thinking to do. “My dad asked me what I was going to do with my future and pointed out that with the closure of the business, it was a good time to become a haulage contractor. ‘You’ve got customers that have lost their haulage contractor as well as drivers and fitters that are out of work, so now’s your chance,’ he told me.”

With a knack for the haulage business – and armed with a £1,600 redundancy payout in his pocket and a head full of ambition – he set out to plough his own furrow. The decision was quickly made to purchase the equipment and assets from the old business. Joining him on the journey was his sister Vicky, who Paul persuaded to leave a good job in a recruitment company to “come and have a go”.

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WE HAVE ALWAYS TRADITIONALLY BOUGHT OUR KIT OUTRIGHT, BUT PACCAR FINANCIAL SUGGESTED TAKING ADVANTAGE OF FAVOURABLE INTEREST RATES Together the siblings set about building a business, the first step being securing funding to buy the equipment and assets.

“Most banks weren’t interested, but through our accountant we found one that would take us on. But we had to turn to my father to act as a guarantor,” explains Paul. They found premises and got the business started with Paul out on

the road visiting new and old customers.

Overcoming adversity The family’s hard work in making the business a success soon began to bear fruit. But early on into the new venture, tragedy struck when Paul’s uncle, Michael – who joined to run the workshop – suffered a massive heart

OPERATOR PROFILE

attack and died aged 52, which shook the company to its core.

Despite this horrendous ordeal, Meadowhall Transport grew quickly, picking up contracts with a local steel company specialising in steel reinforcement and mesh – and another with a concrete block company that, in itself, required dedicated vehicles. Six eight-wheelers with brick grabs and six artics with centre-mounted cranes needed to be acquired and collectively, these two contracts accounted for 80% of the business. By 2000, the company ran 26 vehicles.

The current Meadowhall Transport site – which has been occupied since September 1995 – needed modification to make it fit for purpose. The biggest job was the construction of a purposebuilt workshop and Paul appointed a local contractor to carry out the work. He admits he occasionally called in to watch the new-build take shape – with an eye

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OPERATOR PROFILE

Formidable line up from the 1960’s

for detail and a desire for things to be “just right”, he wasn’t afraid of letting the site team know what he wanted.

In the height of summer, a call came back to Paul from the main contractor complaining that a young lad wearing nothing more than shorts and a t-shirt, had been down to the site and was dishing out orders.

The contractor asked this ‘renegade’ to stop, only to find out – to the contractor’s embarrassment – that the youngster in question was Paul himself.

with a need for four bulk trailers a day, a contract Meadowhall Transport still serves today. Paul managed to seek out another opportunity on containers and, having moved some vehicles on that had become surplus to requirement, he bought four skeletal trailers which allowed him to keep four drivers employed.

its head, what’s made the job better?” he muses. “The biggest thing in our job is communication, in my dad’s old company the drivers left for the day and you couldn’t get hold of them to give them a back load until they rang in. Now we have trackers on all of our vehicles as well as phones, which has made the job so much easier. We also have dash cams that have saved us money in insurance claims”.

MEADOWHALL TRANSPORT’S SPENDING HASN’T JUST BEEN ON TRUCKS. A BIG FAN OF DENNISON TRAILERS, PAUL HAS JUST ORDERED ANOTHER TWO TRIAXLE FLATS, WHICH WILL JOIN THE REST OF HIS DENNISON FLEET SOON

Pulling in the same direction Sat chatting with Paul really does bring home how difficult his job is and how it can be easy to get carried away in the big business wins.

But he openly talks about the many hard times – one being in 2007, when floods struck again and disabled the steel works where Meadowhall Transport had 45 trailers gainfully employed. The company never really recovered before the 2008 recession and, as a consequence, lost 80% of its work and reduced the fleet from 26 to 11 vehicles.

As the company recovered, a local metal recycling company and friends of the family, offered a chance of some work 26

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Meadowhall Transport runs a mixed fleet of 17 trucks and buys both new and used (mostly outright) and this traditional approach, Paul feels, has allowed the company to weather the storms of recessions. It has been able to de-fleet quickly – if needed – and move vehicles on without any exposure to finance settlements.

So what makes the job hard? Paul, ever the optimist, looks at it from a positive angle: “Let’s turn that one on

In-house qualifications Meadowhall Transport holds FORS Bronze accreditation and Brad is also a FORS practitioner.

On Paul’s own admission, FORS has really worked for them by helping put proper procedures into place, as well as highlighting what they were doing right before adapting the audit process.

The flat trailers for the steel are from Dennison, which Paul rates as being more than up to the job. And these trailers are pulled by DAFs for a very good reason. “We wanted to celebrate our 25th anniversary with three new 6x2 tractor units and, while one dealer didn’t respond, DAF offered a good deal,” he explains. “We wanted big cabs and all the creature comforts to keep the driver happy, as driver retention is a big thing

OPERATOR PROFILE

for us. The staff at the local dealer and DAF itself were fantastic and incredibly helpful so we went for three 6x2 XF Super Space Cab 480s, two of which are already in service and the other one arrives in January 2020.”

PACCAR Financial was a great help in the deal, the package suggested allowing Meadowhall Transport to keep a chunk of the cash in the company coffers.

“We have always traditionally bought our kit outright, but PACCAR Financial suggested taking advantage of their favourable interest rates”, says Paul.

“We put a decent deposit down and will pay the rest over a two-year period.”

Meadowhall Transport’s spending hasn’t just been on trucks. A big fan of Dennison Trailers, Paul’s just ordered another two triaxle flats, which will join the rest of his Dennison fleet soon.

Future goals?

Paul’s aspirations for the company are maybe not what you’d expect – there’s no talk of doubling fleet size or profit here. “We need to up our game – we had run older vehicles, but I knew we needed to be running at Euro 6, so we have adopted a proper replacement plan. We will be running an entire Euro 6 fleet by early 2020”.

The longer term plan for the company involves Paul’s son Brad. “He’s a bright lad,” says proud dad Paul. “We never forced him join the company and were more than happy for him to do his own thing, but he decided to come here and does a great job on the maintenance side in Merlin Truck.”

Paul is also full of praise for his own father, Willie who, despite retiring over

20 years ago, has been instrumental proved by a local broker.” to the success and longevity of the Meadowhall Transport might not be the business. Paul says his dad’s shared biggest fleet on the road, but the company wisdom and knowledge of the haulage is built on core Yorkshire values: work hard industry – especially in the changing and if it doesn’t make money, stop. And be environment – has been invaluable.“He flight of foot and adaptable. isn’t an educated man, but he is a clever Meadowhall Transport doesn’t describe man and a good business man,” says itself as a haulage company, more a Paul. “I have so much to thank him for customer service business. One that – he gave me the financial assistance prides itself on the level of customer care and confidence to enter the world of it offers and takes nothing for granted – haulage and the lifetime of guidance and because nothing is too much trouble. experience I have gained from him has been priceless.”

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT As for the key to future success?

MEADOW HALL TRANSPORT Paul points to a few rules he’s lived and learned by. “We’ve never flown our kite too high and we always made sure we’d got fat on our back.

Having good people around you – your staff, customers and suppliers – and good relationships are important.

We try to work with as many local companies as we can – our tyre company is local and can sort any problems we have quickly and easily. dennisontrailers.com Our diesel is from a T +44 (0) 1524 381 808 E info@dennisontrailers.com local company and dennisontrailers DennisonTrailer dennison-trailers-ltd DennisonTrailers our insurance is

FOR ALL YOUR TRAILER NEEDS, WE’RE RIGHT BEHIND YOU

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CLASSIC DAF TRUCKS

AS GOOD AS NEW

Craig’s of Denny has a busy working fleet but still has time to restore classic trucks for its own heritage fleet – and one of the stars is a DAF 2800 Words: Pip Dunn

T

he DAF 2800 was a classic of the 1970s. With its boxy, but roomy (for the time) F241 cab, its powerful engine and sensible drivetrain, the truck was an instant hit not only in its Dutch homeland but also across Europe.

The 2800 model was a replacement for the venerable 2600 and first appeared at the annual IAA show in September in 1973. Right-hand-drive models for the UK were part of the early production runs and they started to reach their customers in the spring of 1974. At the same time, DAF was starting to make inroads in the UK market, along with other foreign manufacturers.

The tilt cab could be a day or sleeper, while underneath sat the 11.6-litre DKS six cylinder engine. There were three

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Photographs: DAF Trucks

initial versions of this engine; 250hp naturally-aspirated, 280hp turbocharged or 320hp turbo intercooled. All three were impressive for the UK market, where tractor units were still mostly under 200hp at the time. As well as a choice of engines, there were a few gearbox options to select from – namely from ZF and Fuller, with 12- and 16-speed versions from the former and 12-speed twin splitter from the latter.

In 1977, a DKSI version of 353hp was launched, mainly to meet the demands of the Italian market, which was the only country it was sold in.

The 2800s sold well in the UK and found favour with many fleets and ownerdrivers alike. Robson’s of Carlisle had many, in day cab form, as did Brains.

They also appeared in some iconic liveries – such as Bon Accord, Russell

Davies, Rokold and Edwin Shirley Trucking.

Spoilt for choice The DAF 2800 was up against some stiff competition in the mid-1970s – from both home and abroad. The Seddon Atkinson 400 and Bedford TM were both a match – certainly as regards the cab – for the big Dutchman. Plus there were rivals in the form of Volvo’s F88, Scania’s 110, Fiat’s 619 and Mercedes’ 1626. In the late 1970s, the Volvo F10 and Scania 112 ratcheted up the heat even more.

In fairness, DAF never sat still and the 2800 continued to evolve, with the DKSE engine introduced in September 1979. In 1982, the 3300 came on the scene – using the same cab, but a more powerful DKX engine delivering 330hp. Two years later came the Space Cab option – a high roof

CLASSIC DAF TRUCKS

Craig’s of Denny are no strangers to vehicle restoration

extension on the established cab as a competitor to the Volvo Globetrotter.

Then in 1985 came the 3600 ATi Advance Turbo intercooling - with its 373hp engine. Both the 2800 and 3300 were also available as ATi models. This was the last stand for the cab as from 1987 the new Cabtec 95-series was unveiled. Well, I say the last stand, that is, strictly speaking, not true: in 1990, DAF unveiled the 2900

and 3200 models – only the latter available in the UK – as a lower cost alternative to the new 95 series. These models were never really pushed hard by DAF dealers and were quietly killed off in 1993, not having sold too many.

But, for 25 years, the 2800 and its derivatives were a regular sight on the UK roads, yet surprisingly, not too many were restored. That deficiency is actually

being addressed a little bit now, but good examples of the F241 cab are few and far between, compared with Scania and Volvo models on the show circuit.

In demand These days, the big DAFs are highly sought after, with a fully restored example selling for well in excess of £40,000. Part of that is the general WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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CLASSIC DAF TRUCKS

Looking sharp at Truckfest

trend for rising prices on good quality restored trucks, but also because many of the hauliers who are doing well, are looking to honour their past and also rekindle their passion for their past transport glories, with trucks of the day – especially those they used, or indeed started their businesses with.

Many such collectors want to acquire these classic trucks without necessarily doing too much work on them, partly because they don’t have too much time around their daily business.

But it’s probably fair to say a few more 2800/3300/3600s are now being restored and there are few finer examples than the 2800ATi owned by Craig’s of Denny, which dates from the final knockings of the 2800’s production run, being registered in 1987. The registration ‘DAF 10V’ hides the truck’s true age – Craig’s is a well-known and busy haulier based in the Scottish central belt – but brothers Colin, Alan and Kevin Craig, have a passion for trucks from 30

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the 1970s and 1980s. They are especially fond of those that have graced the firm’s fleet over the decades and so, while they already had a sizeable collection of classics including an Atkinson Borderer and several Scanias, they also wanted a DAF, as the iconic model had been a crucial part of the company as it was growing.

Their quest to get a 2800 was concluded in August 2014 when they sourced the 2800 tractor unit from Ireland. A deal was done and the unit was taken to its Denny site for a full restoration to return it to its former glory.

Says Colin Craig, responsible for the truck’s reincarnation: “It was actually in an okay condition when we got it.

There was some rust on the cab but it was complete, which is a bonus.”

The restoration job Because of time constraints – both in running the business and family life – it was decided to contract out the restoration of the truck to ensure it was ready to show off sooner rather than later, so it was shipped over to Leo Bol in the Netherlands for its restoration.

CLASSIC DAF TRUCKS

“We just ran out of time, so we contracted out the rebuilding of the truck, which was the first time we had ever done this as we usually always restore them ourselves,” said Craig.

These things can’t be rushed – the 2800 was over in its native homeland for two years, allowing it to be completely stripped down and rebuilt.

“Surprisingly, very few parts came from the Netherlands and most of the bits we needed were actually sourced from elsewhere,” explains Craig. “The bumper had already been bought from eBay before we got the truck and although we did get the fuel tank from Holland, other than that very little else.”

By September 2017, the truck had been mechanically restored with all the bodywork completed, so the truck was returned to Scotland for painting and sign writing.

Back on the road The truck passed its MoT first time and was all okay and roadworthy. The DAF 2800 has a special place in Colin’s heart as this was the type of truck he drove when he first passed his HGV Class 1.

THE DAF 2800 WAS UP AGAINST SOME STIFF COMPETITION IN THE MID-1970S – FROM BOTH HOME AND ABROAD “It has great sentimental value,” he says.

“Through the years Craig’s had about 30 of them, so we all grew up with them here.”

As well as the 2800, Craig’s has an impressive collection of classics, including a rare Saviem SM36.280 – the only one of its kind in the UK – along with examples of a Scania 111, R112, R113 and R164. In the mid-1970s, the DAF, Saviem, the 111 and even the Borderer would all have been vying for market share in the UK, for 32-ton tractors.

Rivals back in the day, but now – whatever your preferred brand is – you cannot help but admire the Craig fleet of restored trucks.

The difference between the Borderer – which lasted in production until 1977 – and the DAF – which started production in 1974 and so overlapped on the dealers’ forecourts – is so stark.

While Craig’s DAF is fully road legal, it never has a trailer on it and only goes out on the public highways for short trips, for photoshoots and events. Its visits to shows that are a long distance away, see it taken by a low loader driven by the company’s restored Scania R164.580, usually with another of Craig’s trucks tagging along with it – with the rare Saviem in favour at the moment!

Craig says there have been no real issues with the DAF and its restoration was relatively straightforward. Take a look inside the truck and you see it is immaculate. You appreciate why the model was so popular – and aspirational – in the early 1970s when it was a class above some of the home-grown trucks. In short, Craig’s 2800 is an absolute beauty!

As good as new, inside and out

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PROFILE

QUEEN OF THE NÜRBURGRING The 2019 DAF Driver Challenge had a very special guest in attendance and DAF Driver caught up with her Words: Matthew Eisenegger

Photographs: DAF Trucks & Inside 360

I

t had been a while since I’d seen professional racing driver Sabine Schmitz.

The last time our paths had crossed was well over a decade ago, when she was making a personal appearance at the invitation of a very large van manufacturer at the CV Show, around the time she’d set the record for the fastest lap of the Nürburgring in a van.

But today’s meeting is not a chance encounter; Schmitz has been invited to cast her expert eye as a judge at the DAF Driver Challenge 2019, held at Goodyear’s exclusive R&D facility in Luxembourg. Standing out in the late September rain, she is scoring drivers’ attempts in the manoeuvring challenge.

To secure the services of the ‘best of the best’ as part of the DAF Driver Challenge judging panel, Schmitz was approached early by the truck manufacturer, as it was very keen to secure her expert services. Fortunately for DAF, she agreed immediately.

These days, Schmitz carries out all manner of automotive racing engagements and also spends a lot of time on TV. Currently working on Top Gear where, in a previous series, she famously made her co-presenters ill with her fast driving style.

Schmitz is a very affable and smiley lady, always ready to share a funny anecdote –usually at the expense of a celebrity. But make no bones about it, she is a steely-eyed motor racer with a string of championships to her name.

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More recently, TV work has become a fundamental part of her successful motoring career.

Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring) race events and triumphed at the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1996 and 1997. All these victories were behind the wheel of a BMW M3, entered and co-driven by local veteran, Johannes Scheid. In 2006, Schmitz and Klaus Abbelen drove the #97 Porsche 997 in the Nürburgring VLN endurance racing series, entered by Land Motorsport.

They finished third in the 24h 2008, beaten only by the factorybacked Manthey-entered winners of 2006 and 2007.

Life in the fast lane But where did it all begin? Schmitz was happy to take us back to the beginning.

Living in the shadow of the infamous 13-mile Nordschleife circuit of the Nürburgring, the Schmitz family ran a hotel business and Sabine spent many of her childhood years on or near the circuit, which acts as a one-way toll road. After passing her driving test, she started touring the circuit in her mum’s BMW, gradually getting quicker and quicker on the unregulated and massively unpredictable road circuit.

Following occasional drives with the family car on the Nordschleife, Schmitz and her two sisters started racing, but only Sabine progressed onto winning races. She won in the CHC (Castrol-Haugg-Cup) and VLN (Veranstaltergemeinschaft

Taxi for Schmitz!

The constant driving and knowledge of the circuit lead to Schmitz becoming involved in the Nürburgring Taxi, affectionately known as the ‘Ring Taxi. A service for those wanting to experience a blisteringly fast lap in a performance car with a racing driver, the vehicle chosen by Schmitz for the task is the V10 BMW M5, which tops out at 265km/h or 165mph in old money.

Having driven the Nürburgring Taxi service for 30 years, she has amassed a whopping 30,000 laps. In that time, VIP guests have included the band Kool and the Gang and a Sheik who wasn’t expecting a female driver and proceeded to sweat profusely while on the fast lap.

As a result of her popularity as “the fastest taxi driver in the world”, and her charisma, Schmitz became an occasional

PROFILE

motorsport guest commentator, known for her gleefully dry descriptions of driving incidents. Since September 2006, she has co-hosted a motoring show on German television. In each show, she takes on a different challenge – such as her in a Ferrari 360 versus a 1200hp Race Truck.

Motorsport mishaps Racing cars doesn’t come without a few misdemeanours, however. Schmitz recounts the time, on possibly the most notorious corner on the Nordschleife – Carousel – when a tyre blew flipping the car into the corner on its roof.

We ask about other scary moments and she says she’s had hundreds. One, while leading in a 24h saloon race in the rain and with three laps to go, she came over the crest of a hill at 205km/h (130 mph) and into a flooded section of the track. Braking for the corner, she lost control, the car spun and came to a rest in the middle of the circuit at 90° to the approaching traffic. Looking up the hill, she knew the chasing cars would not be able to stop, but she somehow managed to coax the car back to life, gently nudging the Armco barrier to straighten the car up, and she was away, re-joining the race and finishing fourth.

vehicle that was stripped of every bit of unnecessary equipment, including her co-driver – and Top Gear presenter – Richard Hammond.

Out of all the cars she’s driven, she singles out the Mercedes-Benz 190E DTM race car – one of the first she raced on the Nordschleife – as her favourite. And her dream car? “A matt black Porsche Carrera.” Her dreams nearly came true, as she does now own a Carerra, but it’s silver.

So what’s the secret to driving fast on the ring? “Start slow and know every bump and camber,” says Schmitz, making it sound far too simple!

Van-tastic Schmitz is probably most well-known in the UK for her sub-10 minute attack on the Nordschliefe in a Ford Transit Van for Top Gear in 2007. The fastest she managed was 10 min 8 seconds in a

Contact: Instagram: sabineschmitz_official Email: Info@inside360.agency

International DAF Driver Challenge 2019 winner crowned

T

he competition that Sabine Schmitz was judging – International DAF Driver Challenge 2019 – was won by Belgium’s Peter Jacobs. He triumphed over 17 other candidates, with Nerijus Vitkauskas from Lithuania and the Czech Republic’s Miroslav Svoboda finishing second and third respectively.

“The competition was so incredibly strong that my win came as a total surprise”, stated Jacobs, a driver for Alders Bulk Logistics. “The national final was tough enough, but, we had to really push ourselves here. The trials with the trucks and trailers were extremely challenging and the written tests that we had to take in the field of technology, legislation and regulations were downright tough.

“Some people state that I have an easy job, but that is far from reality,” added Jacobs. “Therefore I would like to dedicate this award to all my highly professional colleagues who hit the road every day!”

UK representative, Scott Lewis, acquitted himself very well – particularly given he had to adjust to left-hand-drive vehicles – finishing the weekend in 12th position.

The DAF Driver Challenge competition was started with national events in 30 countries last Spring with over 1,000 contestants, leading to the international final last weekend, for which only the 18 best truck drivers made the grade.

A six-person jury carefully monitored the performance of the competitors, backed by a group of auditors from the European vehicle inspection organisation, Dekra. DAF was looking for the very best driver, so participation in the DAF Driver Challenge was open to all, regardless of the truck brand normally driven.

“This final has again confirmed that an excellent truck driver needs a great skillset. It requires lots of knowledge, experience and skills to boost the performance of a truck to its maximum,” said Harry Wolters, President of DAF Trucks. “We really feel that truck drivers deserve to be on a podium and to be celebrated for the challenges they face day-in day-out.”

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LUXURY COACHES

PLUSH PEOPLE MOVER Whether it’s transporting a cricket team or a band full of superstars, one coach will always arrive in style Words: Steve Banner Photographs: Paul Currie

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

LUXURY COACHES

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LUXURY COACHES

I

nternational cricketers visiting the UK in 2019 were afforded the pleasure of being wafted from one ground to another in DAF-powered luxury. They travelled in a brand-new awardwinning Van Hool Altano TDX21 interdecker coach that cost operator Go G VIP a staggering £530,000. The Manchester-based firm has a contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board to transport the world’s leading cricket teams when they come to play in the UK. Geoff and Suzanne Goodwin, who run the business, are understandably proud of their new acquisition. They are especially delighted that it won the Coach of the Year award at the 2019’s 65th UK Coach Rally in Blackpool.

It is the first time the couple have driven away with this prestigious prize although they have attended the rally on a number of occasions. “In fact, we’re the first operator from the North West of England ever to have won it in 65 years,” says Geoff.

The company departed the ceremony 36

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

clutching four other prestige awards also.

They took the prize for Top Executive Coach, the John Fielder Memorial Trophy for Top Coach from a Small Fleet, the Van Hool Trophy and the Peter Rogers Trophy for TOP Confederation of Passenger Transport member.

Coach credentials With 530hp and 2,600Nm on tap from its 12.9-litre DAF MX13, turbocharged and intercooled six-cylinder common rail diesel engine – and weighing approximately 19 tonnes – the triaxle 45-seater Altano certainly does not lack

LUXURY COACHES

performance. “I drive it myself, it drives beautifully and you can barely hear the engine it’s so quiet,” Goodwin enthuses.

The engine is married to a ZF TraXon 12-speed transmission.

Nor does the 14.4m-long Van Hool lack sophistication, with plenty of USB points plus onboard Wi-Fi. “We use four ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to guard against the risk that one will drop out as we travel around the country,” he says. Cooking and refrigeration facilities are provided in the fully-equipped kitchenette and 12 tables offer passengers plenty of space to eat their lunch or use their laptops.

Air-conditioning is, of course, fitted – as are comfortable, well-trimmed seats with plenty of legroom – and there is an onboard toilet.

A rear-steer axle aids manoeuvrability and alloy wheels help give the Altano a distinctive appearance. It is DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compatible, allowing ease of access for people in wheelchairs and its 16.1m3 of luggage space equates to the amount of cargo room offered, by a very large panel van.

Three sets of batteries are fitted, says Goodwin; the last thing he wants with a top cricket team on board is a power failure. Suzanne designed the Altano’s tasteful interior and Geoff is very grateful to her. “Men pick the most awful colours,” he admits.

Tech support Safety is, of course, vitally important and a camera system has been installed that gives the driver a 360° bird’s eye view of what is happening all around the vehicle.

“It can see 800 yards behind and 400 yards ahead,” he says.

Cruise control is fitted as are ventilated disc brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Advanced Electronic Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning.

It took Van Hool 12 months to build the coach, but that wasn’t the Belgian company’s fault, stresses Goodwin.

“I kept going back to the factory and saying I want this changed and I want that changed,” he confesses. “The coach would have cost around £485,000 but all

the features I wanted on it put the bill up by £45,000.” Making extensive use of DAF engines, Van Hool builds some 1,400 buses and coaches annually and is just as well-known as a trailer builder.

On the guest list When it comes to operating coaches, Geoff and Suzanne have over 55 years of experience between them. He has a long history of being involved in transporting pop stars as well as leading sports teams, with a roll call that includes Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nile Rogers and Christina Aguilera.

The coach will go back to the plant for an annual service; an expensive exercise given the cost of the ferry crossing, but a worthwhile one in Geoff’s opinion, given how much he paid for it and the prestige work it is on.

“It will cost me €3,000 to €5,000 (£2,500 to £4,300) but I know I’ll get all the latest software updates and Van Hool will have all the parts immediately available,” he says. “After all, they’re the people who know everything about the vehicle because they built it.”

Nothing but the best for stars of cricket and music when they travel in Go G VIP’s award-winning Van Hool

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HANDY, THAT! A PERFEC T MATCH

HYVA’s unique ‘Handy’ full remote HYVA Skip Loaders are the UK market system makes leaders.control Why? Because they’reskiploader easy to operation saferreliable. and much operate, safe andfaster, moreover Also more morepowerful, efficient. productive and inexpensive to maintain HYVA - Innovations That Deliver.

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Wilcox Commercial Vehicles - THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST Supporting the DAF ready to go vehciles with CIFA concrete mixers and steel & aluminium tippers .

For more information on what is ready contact our sales team Office : 01778 345151 Email : sales@tippers.co.uk Website : www.wilcox.uk.com Blenheim Way, Market Deeping, Peterborough, PE6 8LD

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

MERCHANDISE

GRAB A GIFT

Christmas is on the horizon, so now is the perfect time to pick up some DAF merchandise in time for the big day Words: Martin Pidsley

R

egardless of how difficult you think someone might be to buy for, if they are fan of the DAF brand, there are a plethora of options to choose from.

Heritage There is, for example, the DAF Trucks Heritage collection, which comprises of some classic items. These products include wallets, keyrings and an umbrella featuring past and present models on the inside.

Core gifts The main DAF merchandise range features subtle hints of the truck manufacturer’s now-familiar corporate blue. The range includes an extensive range of clothing for men, women and children. Also available is the choice of an extensive collection of miniature models, which come in

Photographs: DAF Trucks

scales of 1/87, 1/50 and 1/43.

For the avid DAF model collector, the DAF LF has just been released in the everpopular 1/50 scale. This addition to the range now completes the 1/50 scale ‘DAF family’. Also new is a 1/87 scale DAF CF 8x4 tipper that has been painted in DAF corporate blue.

Exciting extras To meet with the demands of our customers, the range of DAF merchandise is constantly evolving with items being added to the portfolio on a regular basis. For example, there is now a new and improved collection of watches, pens and even a DAF Puzzle available, while a reversible DAF duvet cover and pillow case is also a new addition.

There is plenty for DAF fans to enjoy this Christmas and all items are available to order from their local DAF dealer or online from dafshop.com

360º Camera Monitor Systems 4 cameras, 1 image, 0 blind spots

Backeye®360 eliminates problem blind spots; potential dangers for anyone or anything in a vehicle’s path.

Digital images from four ultra wide-angle cameras are combined to create a 360°, bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, delivering a clear, real-time picture on the driver’s monitor, preventing accidents, saving money and lives.

Killing blind spots.

Saving Lives.

brigade-electronics.com WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

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MOTORSPORT

LIFE IN THE TEAM BRIT PIT Offered the chance to be a Team BRIT mechanic for the day, DAF Driver Magazine’s publisher, headed to Silverstone for the Birkett Cup Words: Matthew Eisenegger

H

eld on the last weekend in October, the Birkett Cup race takes place on Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit, accommodating up to 70 teams of between three and six drivers running up to six cars, in a unique relay race format. Each team has to lap the circuit as many times as they can within the six hours, with only one of their team cars running at any one time.

As one car enters the pit lane, the next can be dispatched onto the circuit. Entry is restricted to anything closed wheel, which means an eclectic mix of vehicles on the track.

Earlier in the year, we covered the launch of the 2019 campaign for Team BRIT – a competitive race team consisting of disabled drivers. Many are ex or serving military troops who have sustained serious injuries.

With the race taking place on the Saturday, my brief was to be in the pits

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Photographs: David Archer

by 7pm on Friday. There was a garage to set up, cars and tools to be unloaded and preparation for scrutineering, which took place at 7.00am on Saturday. Normally, a team would enjoy a pit garage to itself, but with so many entries into the Birkett

Cup, the three cars from Team BRIT were sharing space with another outfit, which meant space was at a premium.

Friday night brought driving rain and the pizza that arrived partway through setup, was a welcome distraction for

MOTORSPORT

Al Locke, the teams Race Engineer, keeps an eye on the their position

one-hour stints; as the race is a relay, if a car leaves the track and cannot re-join the race due to damage, then the team can put the next planned car out immediately. This situation means that a car needs to be in position in the pit garage at all times, with the engine running and the driver strapped in.

Behind the wheel Two of the drivers were Bobby Trundley and Matty Street, who live with autism and have impressed during their first season with the team this year; Bobby has won four out of five races in the BMW 116 Trophy. There was also Aaron Morgan, a paraplegic following a motocross accident, who completed testing in the team’s Aston Martin GT4 earlier this year and hopes to move up to GT4 racing in 2020. Finally, Darren S Cook is a long-term friend of the team, providing videography and photography services, whilst also being a major racing fan.

VIP guests visit the paddock

the hungry team. By around 10pm, everything was ready and we retired to the hotel to discuss the plans for race day. Under the instruction of the team’s Race Engineer, Al Locke, we were told to be at the pit gate by 6.00am to make final preparations to the cars.

Race day Despite the darkness of pre-dawn Silverstone, the pits were a hive of activity. The driving rain had, if anything, got worse, which meant the pit garage was awash with pit crews and

How it unfolded Team BRIT started right at the back in P68 and first driver, Trundley, spent his entire stint pushing hard, making up places until he reached an incredible P29. After 90 minutes, Morgan took over, continuing to make up even more places.

drivers ahead of the qualifying session at 9am.

For this event Team BRIT’s three cars were driven in the relay by four drivers.

All cars were BMW 116s from the Trophy Series. From the outside the car appears a standard road-going machine, but the interior is ripped out, with a roll cage and racing seat fitted in its place. The cars are also fitted with the relevant safety equipment such as ignition kill switches, fuel-off buttons and externally triggered fire extinguishers.

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MOTORSPORT

By the time he handed over to Cook, the team was P2 in class on handicap and P4 overall. Cook maintained the position, before handing over to Street. Trundley went back out to take the final 30 minutes, bringing the team home in an incredible P3 in class and P12 overall.

A commendable effort indeed, but even though the chequered flag had fallen, our work was not done. The toys needed to be put away with the rain persisting – spare wheels first, then the cars loaded back in the race transporter via the large tail lift.

The gigantic wheeled toolbox was then put away, before a quick look around the pits to make sure everything was collected.

Then it was just a matter of joining the procession of race transporters to get out and away from the circuit.

From a mechanical perspective, the BMW 116s had behaved with impeccable manners, aside from a couple of vibration issues that were tracked down to the loss of a wheel balance weight. Morgan’s 42

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

specially modified hand-only controlled car reported a slight problem on the down shift, but other than that, the cars lapped consistently and brought home a set of good results for the last race of the 2019 season.

For this event Team BRIT’s three cars were driven in the relay by four drivers. All cars were BMW 116s from the Trophy Series.

Matty Street

ADVERTISING FEATURE

SMOOTHLY DOES IT Shawn Whitacre, senior staff engineer, heavy duty engine oil technology, Chevron Lubricants explains what the Texaco Delo range has to offer Q The Texaco Delo range includes engine, transmission and drive-axle products. For a typical European long-haul truck what percentage fuel savings could be achieved using Texaco Delo products for each of these three areas compared with previous products?

A There are many factors that influence specific fuel economy advantages offered by lower viscosity engine and driveline fluids. Most notably, the duty cycle of the application greatly affects the percentage improvement that can be expected. For long-haul applications, where duty cycles tend to be more consistent, fuel economy improvements of 1-2% are achievable. In other applications, where there is much more transient “stop and go” operation the percent improvement can actually be larger – sometimes as high as 4%.

Q For long-distance truck (tractor/trailer) operators in Europe, the goal is to reduce internal drivetrain friction losses and maximise fuel economy. What engine oil Texaco Delo product is best suited for that role?

A In Europe we currently promote Delo 400 XLE HD SAE 5W-30 as being the best option for this type of operation. Clearly this needs to fit with ambient conditions as extremes of cold and heat do have an impact on performance. We are already working on and testing the next generation of engine oil products that will be based on low viscosity (low HTHS) formulations.

In terms of synthetic reference, the general convention that we adhere to is that you can only call products fully synthetic if the base oil used is PAO (Poly-alpha-olefin) only. In respect to products based on Group III formulations, the industry tends to refer

driving will come from the transmission lubricant, whereas in steady-state driving it is the axle lubricant that dominates. So, the greatest benefit to operators will be obtained by using Texaco Delo products in both components to help with durability and fuel efficiency.

to these as synthetic or semi-synthetic depending on the exact formulation.

Ultimately operators need to use products that are fully approved by the OEMs. Q Has sufficient attention been paid to reducing internal friction losses from drivetrain components behind the engine?

Does the Texaco Delo range encourage operators to adopt a holistic approach to reducing drivetrain friction losses?

A Internal friction losses from driveline components will impact oil temperatures, wear protection and reduce fuel efficiency. Texaco Delo products are formulated using premium base oils, mixed with carefully selected performance additives including viscosity modifiers, to help address these issues by improving efficiencies within the driveline components.

Vehicle testing has shown that the biggest potential gains in stop-start

Q How does the move towards low viscosity oils affect engine durability in both new and older equipment?

A OEMs that recommend lower viscosity oils have been very clear – thinner oils cannot lead to increased wear or any other compromise to durability.

In some cases, OEMs have incorporated new engine designs to accommodate these changes.

Notably these include changes to bearing design and in many cases changes to oil pumps to match the oil flows with the thinner fluids.

But, oils have had to evolve as well – with improved anti-wear chemistry that is targeted at these thinner oil films. This is also improved dispersant chemistry that handles soot and other contaminants to prevent them from triggering wear, even when oil films are thinner.

Q What do you see as the key challenges for heavy-duty truck lubricant suppliers over the next 10 years?

A I expect a continuation of many themes from the past 5-10 years, including the rigorous pursuit of improved fuel economy as regulatory pressure becomes even more restrictive. I also anticipate that improved emission control system protection will remain in the spotlight, as OEMs look at further optimising those systems for both performance and cost.

I’m as excited as I’ve ever been about the opportunities to carry on Delo’s legacy of innovation to stay ahead of the demands of the marketplace.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

COMBAT THE COLD Want to make sure you and your vehicle stay safe once the temperature drops? DAF Driver Magazine gets the low-down from Continental

A

s the weather gets colder and roads become hazardous, Continental is sharing its winter tyre tips with fleet operators to ensure optimum performance and, more importantly, higher driving safety throughout the winter period.

Continental’s policy has always been to recommend the right tyres at the right time for the right application.

On winter roads, tyres must guarantee reliable traction and slippage must be prevented.

If the UK encounters a severe winter, operators should certainly consider the fitment of winter tyres to the all axles of their vehicles that have to operate in more difficult road conditions. Once the severe weather is over, they should return to conventional tyres.

Information at hand Continental’s annually published overview of European regulations for winter equipment on trucks and buses, has now been updated. The document contains winter tyre guidance and regulation requirements for individual European countries, and information on whether snow chains are required.

Any commercial vehicle that ventures abroad must be wary of the regulatory requirements placed on vehicles driving in winter conditions. In Germany, for example, a change in the winter regulations came into force on 1st June 2017 and stipulates new minimum requirements for tyres in winter conditions. Tyres on permanently driven axles must now display the 3PSFM alpine symbol, though there is a transition period that permits mud and snow (M+S) tyres produced before 31st December 2017 until Sept 2024.

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

Spot the snowflake A three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol branded on a tyre’s sidewall indicates that the tyre meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered ‘Severe Snow Service-Rated’. Originally used as a designation for winter tyres, this 3PMSF symbol is now featured on many more conventional regional product ranges.

Such testing measures a tyre’s acceleration traction on medium-packed snow only. Braking and turning on snow, along with ice traction, are not components of the test.

Tyres branded with the 3PMSF symbol usually provide improved snow traction beyond a standard M+S branded tyre. Of course, 3PMSF-branded regional tyres cannot match the traction of dedicated winter or snow tyres in all winter weather conditions and should not be considered a replacement for them.

Optimal traction If we are faced with another severe winter, winter tyres from Continental will deliver the optimum performance in even the most severe conditions.

All products in Continental’s winter tyre range bear the Continental snowflake symbol and far exceed the requirements of 3PMSF-marked tyres. These tyres deliver in excess of 9.5m shorter braking distance compared with a more conventional tyres marked M+S in snow conditions.

Key to the performance of Continental’s winter tyres are the rubber compounds, which keep the tyres highly flexible and adhesive.

As well as providing optimal traction and brake force on snowy and icy roads, the composition ensures that the tyres are highly resistant to wear.

Continental’s winter tyres achieve their grip through an intelligent combination of various sipes that have a synergetic effect: pocket sipes, 3D sipes and special traction sipes. As pocket sipes, and 3D sipes in particular, guarantee optimal tread rigidity, vehicles can still travel long distances and keep fuel consumption low.

SIMPSON SAYS

A BRAKE TEST PASS IS NOT ENOUGH Passing a roller brake test may not mean that the vehicle’s braking system is legal, as Richard Simpson explains

By Richard Simpson, industry pundit

O

perators are now expected to have every truck brake tested at least four times a year: three times during a periodic maintenance inspection and once at the annual Ministry test. That check is usually conducted on a roller brake tester, and the bottom line result is either a pass or a fail.

But the Traffic Commissioners are now cautioning that a pass is not enough. The brake tester actually generates quite a sophisticated report about the vehicle and its braking performance in test conditions and, unless the test has been conducted properly, the ‘pass’ result may be invalid.

The problem is that the roller brake test measures not one, but two things. Each wheel pit contains three rollers.

There are two ‘driving’ rollers, covered in high-grip material, which are positioned either side of the tyre. Beneath these rollers, mounted centrally, is a third ‘sensing’ roller.

During the test, the wheel is rotated by the driving rollers.

The vehicle brake is applied against this rotation and the

sensing roller measures the resistance offered by the brake against the driving rollers in kg of force.

Overall brake efficiency is calculated by adding the braking force generated by each wheel and dividing the total by the weight of the vehicle (GVW for rigids, GTW for tractors and TAW for trailers). The resultant figure is then multiplied by 100 to give a percentage efficiency.

So far, so good. But there is a problem, which is that an accurate measurement is dependent upon there being sufficient grip between the driving rollers and the tyres. And the weight being imparted through the tyre and onto the driving rollers is a crucial factor.

For the test to be done properly, each axle should be loaded to between 50 and 65 per cent of its design weight. These figures will be recorded on the printed report generated by the tester.

However, if the axle is not sufficiently laden, then grip will be lost and the wheel will lock before maximum efficiency is recorded.

The system will record a wheel lock as a pass, but the report will give no indication of the brakes’ actual efficiency

under load. To find out this detail, you need to check the test report, which should give the axle loading.

Other alarming discrepancies can also be recorded by the test, without generating a fail.

Drum ovality (or rotor runout, in the case of discs) is only tested on the front axle. The test rig picks up variations in braking effort as the wheels rotated slowly with the brakes only marginally applied, but other axles do not need to undergo this testing.

Also – and even more alarmingly – up to 30 per cent imbalance is permitted between the two wheels on any one axle, which means that steering control may become very difficult during an emergency stop. In any case, a pass on a roller brake tester may not actually indicate that the vehicle is road-legal as it stands.

Western Area Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney has pointed out that a brake test pass does not indicate that the braking system is actually legal. The Construction and Use Regulations, which every vehicle has to conform to every day it spends on the road, are actually stricter.

C&U stipulates that every part of the braking system

had to be in “good and efficient order”.

In other words, it must perform to the manufacturer’s standard – and a competent PMI should include a detailed examination that included every part of the braking system.

Sobering stuff – and it should not be forgotten that the increasing focus on brake condition and performance, which is coming from both DVSA and the Traffic Commissioners, has been triggered by the aftermath of the Bath tipper crash incident. That crash threw the consequences of badly-maintained truck braking systems into sharp focus.

The bottom line for all operators is that obtaining a pass certificate for a rollerbrake test should not be the end of the matter. The results should be scrutinised to ensure that the test was conducted realistically and that the brakes are, in fact, performing to spec. If there are any doubts or discrepancies then you need to get the tester to talk you through them, because otherwise the next person you might have to explain them to could be your local not-sofriendly Traffic Commissioner.

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DAF Trucks UK Dealer Locator & Contact Details The quality of a truck depends on the quality of the organisation behind it, which is why the DAF dealer network offers a unique advantage with the best geographical coverage of the UK, the most heavy truck experience and the longest opening hours of any truck franchise.

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DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

A PACCAR COMPANY DRIVEN BY QUALITY

● Truck Sales, Parts and Service Dealers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Area ABERDEEN ASHFORD BRISTOL CARDIFF CARLISLE CROYDON DERBY EDINBURGH GLASGOW GLOUCESTER GRAYS GUERNSEY GUILDFORD HALESOWEN HEATHROW HUDDERSFIELD HULL IPSWICH LEEDS LEICESTER LIVERPOOL MANCHESTER MILTON KEYNES NEWTON ABBOT NEWTOWNABBEY NORWICH PRESTON READING SHEFFIELD SHREWSBURY SOUTHAMPTON STOCKTON STOKE ON TRENT WOLVERHAMPTON

Dealer name Norscot Truck & Van Ltd ★▲ Channel Commercials PLC ★▲ MOTUS Commercials ▲◆ Watts Truck & Van Cardiff ★ Solway DAF ★ HTC Croydon ★ MOTUS Commercials ▲ Lothian DAF ★▲ MOTUS Commercials MOTUS Commercials Harris DAF ★▲◆ Rabeys Garage Ltd Barnes DAF MOTUS Commercials ★▲ HTC Heathrow ▲ MOTUS Commercials ▲ MOTUS Commercials ▲ Chassis-Cab Ltd ★ Evans Halshaw DAF Leeds ▲◆ Ford & Slater DAF ★ North West Trucks ▲ MOTUS Commercials ▲◆ Brian Currie ▲ Kingdon Wessex Newton Abbot TBF Thompson DAF ★ Ford & Slater DAF ★▲◆ Lancashire DAF ★▲ HTC Reading ★ Evans Halshaw DAF Sheffield ▲ Greenhous DAF ▲ Adams Morey Ltd ★ Evans Halshaw DAF Stockton ★▲◆ MOTUS Commercials Greenhous DAF ★▲

Postcode AB23 8JZ TN23 1EH BS2 OQP CF11 8AT CA3 0HD CR0 4TD DE22 4NB EH20 9QH G51 4TH GL2 5FD RM20 4AU GY1 6DP GU1 1RR B63 2RL SL3 0ED HD2 1UR HU9 5PJ IP6 0RL LS28 6SD LE3 2JG L36 6AJ M17 1HG MK6 1LH TQ12 6UE BT36 4PT NR5 0JS PR5 8BW RG7 4AG S13 9NR SY1 3JE SO15 0DR TS18 2RS ST6 2DE WV13 3SF

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Postcode OX14 3NG BB5 5YT KA8 9RT OX16 4SP S71 3HS SS14 3JB RG24 8NS MK41 9TG ML4 3LU DA17 6BT B6 5TG B33 0SL DH3 2AF DE55 5JY BH8 0BL MK18 1DR IP32 6NL TR14 0PY CB5 8SQ CT3 3DW LA5 9DW WF10 5UB S40 2RG LL28 5RA NN17 4BA CV3 4FL RH10 9NS G67 3EH CH5 2QJ DN6 7BA DN8 4JD DG2 0JE DD2 4UH TD11 3HS BN23 6PW IV30 6UH BA11 2FD BT51 5JZ DN31 2TG HP2 7YU HR4 8DS HP12 4HS LL65 4RJ IV1 1SG IM9 2AQ

Telephone 01235 531004 01282 773377 01292 269002 01295 270072 01226 731870 01268 290680 01256 811414 01234 211241 01698 573800 02083 197800 0121 326 6985 0121 784 4023 0191 492 1155 01773 813313 01202 524422 01280 814741 01284 768570 01209 721989 0333 323 4040 01304 841111 01524 734544 01924 227722 01246 234213 01492 580303 01536 207980 02476 302856 01293 537520 0123 672 7771 01244 521643 01302 727040 01405 740086 01387 720820 01382 611166 01361 883411 01323 745700 01343 547121 01373 464524 02829 558353 01472 362929 01442 835670 01432 763900 01494 465464 01407 721197 01463 712000 01624 825559

● Parts and Service Dealers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Area ABINGDON ACCRINGTON AYR BANBURY BARNSLEY BASILDON BASINGSTOKE BEDFORD BELLSHILL BELVEDERE BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRTLEY BLACKWELL BOURNEMOUTH BUCKINGHAM BURY ST EDMUNDS CAMBORNE CAMBRIDGE CANTERBURY CARNFORTH CASTLEFORD CHESTERFIELD CONWY CORBY COVENTRY CRAWLEY CUMBERNAULD DEESIDE DONCASTER DONCASTER DUMFRIES DUNDEE DUNS EASTBOURNE ELGIN FROME GARVAGH GRIMSBY HEMEL HEMPSTEAD HEREFORD HIGH WYCOMBE HOLYHEAD INVERNESS ISLE OF MAN

Dealer name R P Cherry & Son Ltd Lynch Truck Services Ltd MOTUS Commercials ▲ GB DAF Banbury MOTUS Commercials ▲ Harris DAF ▲ Adams Morey Ltd Brian Currie MOTUS Commercials HTC Belvedere ★ Greenhous DAF ▲ MOTUS Commercials ★ Evans Halshaw DAF Birtley ★▲◆ H W Martin (Plant) Ltd Adams Morey Ltd ★ Ring Road Garage ▲ Chassis-Cab Ltd Kingdon Wessex Camborne Chassis-Cab Ltd ▲ Channel Commercials PLC Lakeland Trucks Ltd Pelican DAF ▲◆ A Herring Ltd ▲ Parrys Commercials Ltd Ford & Slater DAF ▲ Ford & Slater DAF ▲ GB DAF Gatwick MOTUS Commercials ★ MOTUS Commercials MOTUS Commercials ▲ Fishlake Commercials Ltd ▲◆ Solway DAF Norscot Truck & Van Ltd ▲ J E Douglas and Sons ▲ Brewers DAF Sheriffmill Motor Co Ltd MOTUS Commercials ▲ TBF Thompson DAF MOTUS Commercials ◆ HTC Hemel ▲ MOTUS Commercials Euroway DAF ★▲ Holyhead Truck Services ▲ Norscot Truck & Van Ltd Wade’s Truck Services ★

46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96

Area ISLEHAM JERSEY KETTERING KINGS LANGLEY KING’S LYNN KIRKCALDY LINCOLN LIVERPOOL DUNSTABLE MACCLESFIELD MELBOURN NARBERTH NEWARK NEWPORT NEWPORT IOW NORTHAMPTON NORTHWICH NOTTINGHAM OLDHAM OXFORD PARK ROYAL PENRITH PERTH PETERBOROUGH PLYMOUTH PORTADOWN PORTSMOUTH RIPON RUGBY SALISBURY SCUNTHORPE SEVENOAKS SHOREHAM SPALDING STROOD SUTTON IN ASHFIELD SWANSEA SWINDON TAMWORTH TAUNTON TELFORD TORKSEY WALTHAM CROSS WARWICK WIGAN WISBECH WITHAM WORCESTER WORKINGTON WREXHAM YORK

Dealer name Universal Garage DAF ★▲ Rabeys F W Abbott Ltd ▲ CCS Ford & Slater DAF Drummond Motor Co Ltd Ford & Slater DAF MTC Northwest Ltd ▲ HTC Dunstable MOTUS Commercials ▲ Foulger’s (CVS) Ltd ▲ G D Harries ▲◆ Ford & Slater DAF ▲ Watts Truck & Van Newport ▲ Adams Morey Ltd Brian Currie North West Trucks ★ MOTUS Commercials ▲ MOTUS Commercials HTC Oxford ★▲ HTC Park Royal Solway DAF Norscot Truck & Van Ltd ★ Ford & Slater DAF ▲ Kingdon Wessex Saltash TBF Thompson DAF Adams Morey Ltd ▲ Kettlewell Commercials Ltd Ford & Slater DAF Adams Morey Ltd MOTUS Commercials Channel Commercials PLC ▲ Barnes DAF ★ Ford & Slater DAF ▲◆ Channel Commercials PLC ★ MOTUS Commercials Watts Truck & Van Swansea ★ MOTUS Commercials ▲◆ DW Commercials Kingdon Wessex Taunton Greenhous DAF ▲ Eastments Garage Ltd Harris DAF ★▲ MOTUS Commercials ◆ Woodwards Truck and Van Centre Ford & Slater Ltd ▲ Harris Truck & Van Ltd MOTUS Commercials ▲ Solway DAF MOTUS Commercials MOTUS Commercials

Postcode CB7 5PW JE2 7GR NN15 6NL WD4 8JA PE34 3AH KY1 2YX LN4 2NQ L33 7XS LU5 4TP SK11 0JB SG8 6DF SA67 8RG NG24 2NZ NP10 9HZ PO30 5UZ NN7 3AB CW9 7NU NG9 2JR OL9 9XA OX5 1FQ NW10 6DF CA11 9BN PH2 8BH PE1 5YD PL12 6NZ BT63 5WE PO3 5NN HG4 5EX CV21 3UY SP2 7NP DN16 1UW TN13 2TL BN43 6PB PE11 3ZN ME2 4EW NG17 2JZ SA7 9FB SN3 5JY B77 1LF TA2 8DW TF7 4QW LN1 2EJ EN8 7PG CV35 9JY WN3 6PQ PE13 2TQ CM8 3UJ WR5 3HR CA14 4JH LL14 4DP YO30 4XA

Telephone 01638 780642 01534 862304 01536 517704 01923 262199 01553 764466 01592 653485 01522 518170 0151 545 4750 01582 505464 01260 253232 01763 262826 01834 862436 01636 701673 01633 891991 01983 522552 01604 858810 01606 818088 01159 677077 0161 947 1400 01865 844100 0208 961 5863 01768 892938 01738 626688 01733 295000 01752 848359 02838 393300 02392 691122 01765 640913 01788 579535 01722 412171 01724 282444 01732 469469 01273 454887 01775 715680 01634 296686 01623 516735 01792 582255 01793 554130 01827 59221 01823 331275 01952 586454 01427 718638 01992 651155 01789 473200 01942 230026 01945 461316 01376 533680 01905 829800 01900 66927 01978 346100 01904 692909

● Truck Sales, Parts and Service Dealers Republic of Ireland Area 35 DUBLIN

Dealer name DAF Distributors Ireland Ltd ★

Road No. Dublin 22

Telephone 00 353 1403 4141

● Parts and Service Dealers Republic of Ireland 97 98 99 100 101

Area CAVAN CORK CO TIPPERARY DUBLIN GALWAY

Dealer name Interparts Drumalee Ltd DAF Truck Services Cork Ltd Guilfoyle Truck Sales Ltd North Dublin Commercials Ltd Galway Truck & Van Centre Ltd

Road No. N3 N20 R445 M1 N84

Telephone 00 353 49 433 1777 00 353 21 430 1202 00 353 505 23333 00 353 1802 0139 00 353 91 751 984

The extensive DAF national network delivers the best Back-Up in the business. Our flexible range of MultiSupport servicing, repair and maintenance options will help you control costs, minimise downtime and maximise vehicle availability. Out on the road, our legendary DAFaid roadside assistance service provides the leading average roadside assistance time in the industry. ● ● ★ ◆ ▲

Sales, Parts & Service Dealers Parts & Service Dealers Additional Service – Coach & Bus Additional Service – Petroleum Regulations Additional Service – Authorised Testing Facility

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

47

Customise your DAF Truck with Lightfix from

Space Cab

We are proud to announce the UK launch of this superb range of lighting and lightbar solutions for each model across the DAF range. Options include bars for fitting a vast choice of lighting and vehicle and driver protection.

Available with a polished stainless steel or black finish. Whether your preference is top cab lighting with beacon options, or front and side liners, there’s so much to choose from!

1543015 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543014) Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes

1543043 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "BIG NORDIC" Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543042) ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm 1543000 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 Max. 4 spotlights High-Performance-LED spotlights

Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes

DAF XF SKY-LIGHT “WILDLIFE” SKY-LIGHT + SKY-BRIDGE

1543002 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT "WILDLIFE" 1543001 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT + SKY-BRIDGE Max. 4 spotlights 2 beacons red LEDs in tube ends Max. 4 and spotlights and 2- 2beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Stainless steel - polishedLEDs - Ø and 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber strobes

DAF CF

Space Cab

1543021 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543020) Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

FRONT-PROTECT “BIG NORDIC” Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm

48

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

DAF XF

1543028 - LightFix - FRONT-LINER

Space / Super Space Cab 5 white Cab LEDs and 2 amber LEDs on the side

Stainless steel --polished - Ø 60mm 1543016 - LightFix SKY-LIGHT Space Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes.

LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

REAR-LIGHT

1543019 - LightFix - REAR-LIGHT Max. 6 work lamps and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated red LEDs and strobes

Max. 6 work lamps and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated red LEDs and strobes

1543041 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "NORDIC" Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543040) ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights

Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

Day Cab / Sleeper-Cab

1543039 - LightFix - ROOF-LINER 5 red LEDs - Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543038) - Ø 70mm Option: integrated strobes

1543007 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Max. 6 1543031 spotlights and 2 beacons - 1543033 - LightFix - SIDE-LINER Stainless - polished WBsteel 3600mm (# 1543031) or WB 3800mm (# 1543033) Ø 70mm - prewired integrated amber- SKY-LIGHT and red LEDs - Ø 70mm - prewired with plug 1543017 - LightFix Option: integrated LEDs strobes steel white/amber -Cab polished black (# and 1543030 or # 1543032) WB 3600mm or WBor 3800mm integrated amber DayStainless Cab / Sleeper

SIDE-LINER

Max. 6 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

and red LEDs - Ø 70mm - prewired with plug Stainless steel - polished or black

4-LIGHT “MINI”

1543021 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543020) Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

1543028 5 white LE Stainless s

1543018 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Day Cab / Sleeper Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

1543043 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "BIG NORDIC" Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543042) ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights

DAF CF

4-LIGHT “MINI” Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black 1543041 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "NORDIC" Ø 70mm - prewired Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543040) Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm

DAF CF

Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights

leeper-Cab

1543043 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "BIG NORDIC" Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543042) ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights

FRONT-PROTECT “BIG NORDIC”

Fix - SKY-LIGHT er Cab and 2 beacons olished - Ø 70mm - prewired ed white/amber LEDs and strobes

1543021 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543020) Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

Front protection bar 1543022 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Stainless steel - polished or black Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

SIDE-LINER

1543031 - 1543033 - LightFix - SIDE-LINER WB 3600mm (# 1543031) or WB 3800mm (# 1543033) integrated amber and red LEDs - Ø 70mm - prewired with plug Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543030 or # 1543032)

1543028 - LightFix - FRONT-LINER 5 white LEDs and 2 amber LEDs on the side Stainless steel - polished - Ø 60mm

WB 3600mm or WB 3800mm integrated amber and red LEDs - Ø 70mm - prewired with plug Stainless steel - polished or black

DAF CF

Space Cab

ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes.

LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High Performance LED spotlights

1543041 - LightFix - FRONT-PROTECT "NORDIC" Front protection bar - safety for driver and vehicle Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543040) ABS safety grid - Ø 70mm Option: integrated white LEDs and strobes. LAZER-BRIDGE for 2 High-Performance-LED spotlights

Day Cab / Sleeper-Cab

DAF LF

Day Cab / Sleeper-Cab

1543016 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Space Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

1543021 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543020) Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

1543017 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Day Cab / Sleeper Cab Max. 6 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

DAF LF

1543031 - 1543033 - LightFix - SIDE-LINER WB 3600mm (# 1543031) or WB 3800mm (# 1543033) integrated amber and red LEDs - Ø 70mm - prewired with plug Stainless steel - polished or black (# 1543030 or # 1543032)

1543028 - LightFix - FRONT-LINER 5 white LEDs and 2 amber LEDs on the side Stainless steel - polished - Ø 60mm

1543029 - LightFix - FRONT-LINER FRONT-LINER 5 white and 2 amber LEDs on the side 5 whiteLEDs LEDs and 2 amber LEDs on the side Stainless steel - polished - Ø 60mm

1543018 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Day Cab / Sleeper Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

Stainless steel - polished - Ø 60mm

4-LIGHT “MINI”

1543022 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

Day Cab / Sleeper-Cab

SKY-LIGHT

1543018 - LightFix - SKY-LIGHT Day Cab / Sleeper Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs and strobes

Day Cab / Sleeper Cab Max. 4 spotlights and 2 beacons Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white/amber LEDs & strobes

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DAF DEALER FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOUR TRUCKS CAN REALLY STAND OUT ON THE ROAD! WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

DAF LF

1543029 - LightFix - FRONT-LINER 5 white LEDs and 2 amber LEDs on the side Stainless steel - polished - Ø 60mm

1543022 - LightFix - 4-LIGHT "mini" Max. 4 spotlights Stainless steel - polished - Ø 70mm - prewired Option: integrated white LEDs or strobes

49

ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER? TH E N O.1 S U P P LI E R O F A L L M A K E S TR U C K A N D TR A I L E R PA R T S

LED HEADLIGHT H3.2

AMBER 4 LED HORIZONTAL WARNING LIGHT

CODE Q275450

CODE 2167672

LED HEADLIGHT 1H6R CODE Q275470

YOUR LOCAL

LED VISION HAND LAMP 300 LUMENS

DAF DEALER

BATTERIES CODE

SIZE

QUANTITY

Q275291

ENERGIZER AAA

10

Q275290 ENERGIZER AA

10

Q275292 ENERGIZER C

10

Q275293 ENERGIZER D

12

Q275294 ENERGIZER 9V

12

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR TRUCKS RUNNING THROUGH THE DARKEST, BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR

AMBER HIGH INTENSITY 6 LED WARNING LIGHT

QEHL3002 RED QEHL3001 YELLOW

CODE 2168995

LED VISION WAND HANDLAMP CODE QEHL305

HELMET ATTACHMENT FOR 275472

12/24V BATTERY TESTER

CODE Q275474

CODE 2169005

20W COB LED 2000 LUMEN HANDLAMP CODE QEWL100

ICE SCRAPER WITH SQUEEGEE

SCREEN WASH CODE

CODE Q895194

CODE Q895624

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER

• General purpose TFR • Removes general road grime and dirt • Premium is super concentrated (5L bottle makes up to 50L)

SNOW SHOVEL CODE Q895715

CODE

CODE Q895350

SCREEN WASH 2L

1541892

SCREEN WASH 5L

1541893

SCREEN WASH 25L

1541894

SCREEN WASH 205L

TRIGGER WINTER PACK WITH GLOVES CODE Q110705

NAME

DE-ICER TRIGGER SPRAY

1541911

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER STANDARD 25L

1541912

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER STANDARD 205L

CODE

NAME

1541913

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER PREMIUM 5L

Q865470

12 X 500ML

Q865498

12 X 750ML

1541915

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

SCREEN WASH 1L

1541891

1541910 TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER STANDARD 5L

1541914 TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER PREMIUM 25L

50

1541890

WINTER PACK B

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER EXTENDABLE WINDSCREEN WASH BRUSH (3FT)

NAME

1541889G SCREEN WASH 500ml

HEAVY DUTY ICE SCRAPER

trpparts.com

TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER PREMIUM 205L

FULL RANGE FEATURING

SAVE ON QUALITY CONSUMABLES

FOR THE WINTER MONTHS THINSULATE HAT

CODE Q895875

FIXT LUBRICANTS 12 PAIRS THERMAL SOCKS

CODE Q895876

CODE

NAME

QUANTITY

FX081275

FIXT PENETRATING & GRAPHITE 400ML

6

FX081276 FIXT WIRE ROPE & CHAIN LUBE 400ML

6

FX081602 FIXT WIRE ROPE & CHAIN LUBE 600ML

6

FIXT ADHESIVES & SEALANTS CODE

THERMAL LONG SLEEVE VEST THERMAL SHORT SLEEVE VEST

(M) CODE Q895985 (L) CODE Q895986 (XL) CODE Q895987

(M) CODE Q895980 (L) CODE Q895981 (XL) CODE Q895982

NAME

QUANTITY

FX085532 FIXT HQ SILICONE SEALANT BLACK 200ML

1

FX085530 FIXT SILICONE SEALANT BLACK 300ML

3

FX085568 FIXT BRAKE, PIPE & AIR SEALANT 80G

1

FX085563 FIXT NUTLOCK 50ML

2

FIXT BLACK PAINT 400ML

SATIN CODE FX081230 GLOSS CODE FX081231

THERMAL LONG JOHNS

(M) CODE Q895990 (L) CODE Q895991 (XL) CODE Q895992

10 NITRILE COATED GLOVES

M, L, XL, XXL

FIXT CLEANING CODE

NAME

FX081375

FIXT CARB/FUEL INJECT CLEANER 400ML

QUANTITY

6

FX081350 FIXT ELECTRICAL CLEANER 300ML

6

FX081207

FIXT GLASS & MIRROR CLEANER 400ML

6

FX081401

FIXT400 MAINTENANCE SPRAY 400ML

6

All prices valid until 31st March 2020 and exclude VAT. Every effort has been made to ensure correct parts and prices are shown throughout this mailer. However, as parts and prices are subject to change please check with your dealer at point of purchase. All products offered subject to availability.

2-TONE HI-VIS JACKETS

(M) CODE Q895431 (L) CODE Q895432 (XL) CODE Q895433

PICK UP

FOR USE WITH MANY SOLVENT BASED PRODUCTS

THE LATEST WINTER ESSENTIALS CATALOGUE

HI-VIS TROUSERS

(YLW) L CODE Q895726 (YLW) XL CODE Q895727

FROM YOUR LOCAL DAF DEALER 10 PU COATED GLOVES

M, L, XL, XXL

WINTER ESSENTIALS

OCT 19 – MAR 20

trpparts.com

THE NO.1 SUPPLIER OF ALL MAKES TRUCK AND TRAILER PARTS

THROUGH THE DARKEST, BUSIEST TIME OF FOR THE WINTER MONTHS 6 X FIXT MAINTENANCE THE YEAR SPRAY 400ml

SAVE ON QUALITY CONSUMABLES

REFLEX HYDRO GLOVES M, L, XL

LED PEN TORCH P4BM

CODE FX081401

CODE Q275454

PRODUCTS INSIDE

FULL RANGE OF FIXT PRODUCTS INSIDE – LUBRICANTS, ADHESIVES & SEALANTS

6 X FIXT WIRE ROPE & CHAIN LUBE 400ml

100S MORE

2-TONE HI-VIS JACKETS

AMBER HIGH INTENSITY 6 LED WARNING LIGHT

SLIM INSPECTION LAMP INCLUDING TORCH

CHEMICAL PUMP SPRAYER 1L Recommended to use with brake cleaner CODE Q895059

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER 51 HANDLAMPS • TORCHES • WORKLAMPS • BEACONS • HEADLIGHTS • BATTERIES CLEANING • LUBRICANTS • ADHESIVES & SEALANTS CHEMICAL SPRAYERS SCREENWASH • SCRAPERS • WASH BRUSH • SHOVELS • FILM REMOVER • DE-ICER TROUSERS • WAISTCOATS CALLLONG US FOR MORE• GREA JACKETS • KNEE PADS • HATS THERMAL VESTS • THERMAL JOHNS THERMAL SOCKS • GLOVES PLUS 100s MORE PRODUCTS ONLINE T OFFE RS ON ESSENTIA L CODE FX081276

(M) CODE Q895431 (L) CODE Q895432 (XL) CODE Q895433

CODE 2168995

CODE 2167894

PRODUCTS!

COMPETITION In association with

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Your chance to win fantastic prizes every issue

HOW TO WIN: DAF Trucks has supplied a real leather wallet, embossed with the heritage DAF logo in a branded presentation box.

Simply spot and mark the four differences on the images above. Once completed either cut out or photocopy and post to DAF Driver Magazine, 4th Floor, 19 Capesthorne Drive, Eaves Green, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 3QQ Closing date: Friday 31st January 2020

FULL NAME ADDRESS

POST CODE TELEPHONE EMAIL Terms & Conditions: Not suitable for children under 14 years of age. The winner will be notified within 30 days of the closing date either by letter, telephone or email.

All entrants will be placed in a hat and selected at random by a third party. No money alternative will be offered. The winner’s name and county will be displayed in the next issue of DAF Driver Magazine.

Winner from last issue: Mr Mike Penrose of North Yorkshire - Winner’s details to appear in the Spring issue of DAF Driver Magazine 52

DAF DRIVER WINTER 2019/20

MEET THE TRAINERS

STUART MUNRO DAF now has Dealer Driver Trainers based across the country to help hand over new and used vehicles. In this edition we talk to Stuart Munro the DAF Dealer Driver Trainer for Lothian DAF in Edinburgh.

Q When did you first join Lothian DAF and what was your first job there?

A I joined in October 2016 as Lothian DAF’s Driver Trainer.

Q What did you want to be when you were at school?

A I wanted to join the army, after being in the cadets for a number of years.

Q When did you take your HGV licence?

A I passed my HGV courses as a teenager with the Military. I became a driver with the Royal Corps of Transport – now known as the Royal Logistics Corps – where I was put through a number of courses, including my motorcycle test. These qualifications allowed me to operate a wide range of vehicles, including the Leyland DAF MMLC (Medium Mobility Load Carrier) or ‘DROPS’ as it was known. I learnt it was always best to work as part of a team and also, to always be on time (better still, 10 minutes early!).

benefiting from various improvements and savings.

Q What car do you currently drive and, if money A was no object, what would you have?

I currently drive a Land Rover Defender, but I usually ride one of my motorcycles into work. I purchased a Suzuki GSXR 750 earlier this year and I’m very happy with it. If money was no object, I would drive something along the lines of a Gurkha F5 (an armoured SUV that was driven by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in ‘Fast & Furious’).

Q What other responsibilities do you have at Lothian DAF? A As well as the driver training at Lothian, I’m also responsible for vehicle movements, booking in new vehicles, valeting and various other admin duties.

Q What do you enjoy most about your role?

A Working as a team player at Lothian DAF. I also like to meet new and existing drivers and help them to get the best out of whichever DAF product they are driving.

Q If you weren’t doing this, what would your ideal job be?

Working at Lothian DAF is my ideal job. Going forward I will also be completing a Driving Assessor Course, which will enable me to conduct driver assessments and to produce assessment reports.

Q Do you have a top tip for a driver getting his new DAF? A Approach the new technology with an open mind and allow it to assist you in your daily duties. An example of this was a customer who ran vehicles with manual transmissions. After using the DAF Driver Training program, he has now converted to the latest TraXon gearbox,

Stuart lives with his partner Karen on the east side of Edinburgh. Any spare time that he has, is taken up working on his ex-military Land Rovers and assisting with various military charities, including Poppy Scotland and Combat Stress.

Stuart is also passionate about his motorcycles and is currently rebuilding a Kawasaki GPZ 900R.

WINTER 2019/20 DAF DRIVER

53

TRAINER’S NOTES

A DEDICATION TO SPECIFICATION DAF Driver Training Manager, Mandy Wannerton, reveals the perils and pitfalls of preparing vehicles for members of the press Right: A lot of work goes on before journalists are allowed behind the wheel of new DAF trucks

T

here’s far more to a press test than meets the eye. Believe it or not it’s not the big jolly that people believe it to be. It’s a process that starts several months before the journalists are invited to climb on board – and the investment in time and resources in getting a truck to that stage is huge. Getting press ready is definitely a team effort.

Firstly the marketing team sit together to decide which truck to present for press test. There may be a new model or configuration we want to showcase, but sometimes we are keen to use an existing truck, especially if it is growing in popularity or being used in new applications.

That’s why after previous tests of the FTG XF Super Space Cab, we chose to specify the FTP XF Space Cab for the recent tests. While the FTG with its 22.5in steered pusher axle is still our biggest seller, more and more operators are opting for the FTP, which has 17.5in wheels on the non-steered pusher axle.

And while the Super Space is the dream cab for many, the Space Cab is better suited to the needs of others. We hope that by having the press review the pros and cons of these, it will help operators make the right choice for their business.

We have to take into account the different routes and testing that each of the magazines will use to evaluate the vehicle. Commercial Motor and some others have different but specific routes to test long distance, distribution and construction trucks.

Other journalists are happy to let us find a route that has the right blend of road conditions to show off the truck’s attributes. The truck journalists

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each have their own readers from drivers to fleet engineers to company owners, so need to write their reports to suit them. And, with magazines serving the transport industry in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, we often need to take the truck and trailer to them for evaluation on their local routes.

For tractor units we like to bed the truck in for about 50,000 miles. This year’s FTP, which is all about payload and fuel, went into a company running containers out of Felixstowe docks. Two dedicated drivers ran her around the clock and were able to cover the best part of 800 miles a day.

Before leaving them the keys, I spent time with each of the drivers to ensure they had all the info they needed, but really it was so I could cast my eye over them. It would be fair to say I’m a little bit precious as to who drives and what happens to “my” press truck, before all the magazines have seen it! Pleased to say any worries I had were totally unfounded, not only did the truck come back pristine, but it persistently returned over 11mpg.

The owner was so impressed that he cancelled his order for a truck from another manufacturer and instead ordered a DAF to the same spec as ours.

As with the rest of our demo fleet, our press trucks are maintained by the team at DAF dealer, HTC Oxford. Most of the work on the press vehicles falls to long standing DAF Technician, Charlie Spiteri.

Charlie has worked with the DAF press trucks and the demo fleet for many years and his skill, care and attention to detail is second to none.

Of course before we let the journalists behind the wheel, I spend time behind the wheel myself, to make sure the truck rides, drives and performs as it should. I run the truck over a dedicated test route that gives the truck a good test and enables me to judge how it pulls and how good the fuel economy is. We have data from all our previous tests to compare against.

Once we are happy and are coupled up to one of our loaded press test trailers, we organise a photoshoot with one of our photographers. While some journalists will take their own pictures, it’s important we have some good quality images for them in case they can’t get the shots they want, due to poor weather, lack of time or a nice location.

Mandy x

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PACCAR Financial Tailored financial solutions As DAF’s in-house finance provider, PACCAR Financial has over 50 years’ experience offering financial services specifically for the transport sector. Naturally for the financing of your trucks, but also for complete combinations.

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