DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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Robert Ford, now in his 60th year, hails from Derbyshire where he drives a 350hp Cummins powered ERF for Long sons. He's been driving for 26 years and shares a view held by many veteran drivers: "The job's not what it used to 6e." He climbed into the cab and set the seat and steering wheel position. "I've never driven a Mercedes truck," he told us, "but I do like to be sat up high. The instruments look very nice but the roof is a bit low for me. When you are living in a cab full time you need to be able to stand up in it." Looking behind the seat he added: "It would be better to have just one bunk with a bit of stowage space beneath it. You need somewhere to put bits and pieces. I'd like a window in the back of the cab. It gives a bit of extra vision; especially useful when reversing blind. I like the roof vent. I run with mine open in the summer. This gear lever is very handy—it only needs a light touch to change gear. It's a first class motor all right."
Pat Donavan has also been driving commercial vehicles for 26 years; he currently drives a 190.36 Iveco for Russell-Davies out of Silverton. Climbing in he found that
it was a bit of a jump between the two steps and then leaned on the seat squab, making the suspension drop to make room to slide in. "The steering wheel needs to be right up for me. I haven't driven a Mercedes with EPS before. it's too easy, isn't it." None of the drivers had any previous experience of EPS but they quickly adapted to it: to prove just how easy he found it Donavan slowed the truck down to a stop on a hill and pulled smoothly away again. "The engine pulls quite well," he commented. "Revs drop off quickly at first but it hangs on lower down. The steering is quite firm but I don't like it to be too light. It's nice to have electric adjustment for the nearside mirror but the glass could be a bit wider. I need to stretch a little to reach the heater controls. There isn't much stowage space but you can put your bags on the spare bunk. The rubber trim goes a dirty colour but at least it's got the advantage that you can wash it."
Eamon O'Leary has been driving buses and trucks for 15 years and drives an ERF E14 320 for Welch Transport out of Stapleford.
PAT DONAVAN: Twenty-six years behind the wheel; drives an Iveco 190.36 for Russell-Davies out of Silverton.
EAMON O'LEARY: Has15 years' experience of trucks and buses; drives an ERF E14.320 for Welch Transport.