Alpha 420
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• In best Foden tradition the Alpha 6x2 mid-lift tractor can be supplied with a bewildering choice of engines, There's the Caterpillar C12 engine rated at 345hp, 450hp or 450 multitorque; the Cummins ISMe rated at 345hp or 420hp, and 345-420hp ESP, Our Alpha 420 6x2 tractor was powered by the Cummins ISMe rated at 420hp (309kW), coupled to a triaxle trailer and laden to 41 tonnes. The 10.8-litre engine produces peak power at 1,900rpm with 2,010Nm (1,482Ibft) of torque on tap at 1,200rpm. Our example sported the factory-fitted XL cab and four-bag rear suspension with ECAS.
We headed out of Sandbach across the M6 to Congleton and back getting the feet Of the all-round disc brakes and the Jake brake (controlled via the right-hand stalk, with the cruise control).
There's no missing the general "Daf" appearance of the cab interior, but the driver is left in no doubt that this is a Foden, with the kite logo on the steering wheel, Foden trim and little Foden motifs around the cab.
The move to Euro-3 entailed a bigger engine cooling system to dissipate the increased heat and a sharper torque curve giving the driver a slightly smatter green band to work in. Fortunately this does not force thrifty drivers to make more half-gear changes to keep it in the 1,200-1,600rpm green band as the 420 will be able to lug down to 1,000rpm on the flat, but the ISMe lump does give of its best above the 1,200rpm mark. The two-day factory training course will help drivers polish up on this technique.
The Daf F230/Alpha XL cab has been extended by 140mm, and instead of using the space to install a bigger bunk Foden has done taller drivers a good turn by extending the legroom. Our XL model came with a single bunk on top of a pull-out fridge, and the cab lett as big as a barn, partly due the dash being lowered to give the driver an increased forward view.