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OPERATOR'S VERDICT

1st May 1997, Page 38
1st May 1997
Page 38
Page 38, 1st May 1997 — OPERATOR'S VERDICT
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Keywords : Erf, Man Ag, Sandbach

For this CM road test we put an operator's truck through its paces. The operator, Triple 9 Services, runs it on behalf of feed supplier Lys Mill. The owner is happy with the truck and local dealer and so is the main driver

• "John Bryant convinced me that ERF is my truck for the future!" When Mike Maguire, owner of Triple 9 services, experienced a delay in delivery of the ECU we've tested here, he got a phone call at home from ERF's managing director— now that's what you call service, Triple 9 Services has the EC 11 on a five-year contract with Watlington-based Lys Mill, supplying animal feed throughout an area bounded by the M4, M40, M42 and M54. It's got a blower body by Bridge Bodies of Wisbech, fitted with a sheeting system: "Some docks won't load if you haven't got one," says Maguire. Equipped with movable doors in the load compartment (for separating different feed types), PM on-board weighing gear and a Cyclone mini-blower for loading farm trailers, the bodywork cost around E21,000. Maguire saw Bridge Bodies exhibit at TipCon last year, and was impressed by its approach: "It was a company you could sit down and talk to".

He's also pleased with his local ERF dealer, Richard Read (Commercials) in Gloucestershire. "Jim Thomas isn't a rep any more—he's a friend. Their service has been brilliant'.

Maguire was the ERF's first driver, though it's mostly driven by John Williams now. He clearly likes the truck and we found it immaculate after 70,000km.

"I decided that if I had a new one I wanted to go up hills with the best of them," says Maguire. That explains the 380hp engine. "And if you've got a happy driver you're half-way there".

Maguire is a confirmed Twin Splitter fan, but "they tell me some drivers can't drive a Twin Splitter," so the ZF box was a must for agency drivers, while the sleeper cab was specified in case it was ever needed: "It's too late once you've bought it".

But why the walnut trim, Mike? "That was spoiling myself".

The ERF's main driver is John Williams (right). "If you've got a happy driver you're half way there," says his boss.


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