DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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For a second opinion of our latest eight-wheel test truck CM took the highrower Scania along to Peter Bennie Ltd's Boughton 9uarry...
Bennie driver, Keith Hull, 36, normally pedals a Volvo F7. Six years on eight-wheelers running a variety of materials to several different types of site has left him hungry for power. "It really pulls well, a lot of low end power. Once you get the feel of it you can really use the gears and the power bandit's really nice." He liked the cab, too: "Good instruments. Everything's in reasonable view. The cab has good vision and that's important in this job. The seat is quite comfortable." Manoeuvrability can be important on site, so Keith checked the steering closely. "It has an excellent lock, it comes around nicely. The power steering is very good, like driving a car."
Hull enjoyed the torque: "It's nice to drive something where you don't have to keep changing gear." But he wondered if the propshafts would suffer on rough ground. He also wanted more room behind the driver's seat for a kit bag or boots.
Keith Hull: "The cab has good vision ana ma, s important in this job. The seat is quite comfortable '
Bennie's Ray Pridmore, 47, has been on heavies for four years; the past 12 months on 8x4s. He was all for the truck's work-reducing prowess. "You can stay in high range through the roundabouts and keep you speed up. That way you get more done."
He particularly liked the responsiveness of the steering and the way in which the design damped out the bumps. "You've not got the shocks coming up through the wheel." Pridmore also liked the driving mirrors, and the large kerb mirror. "You need that for manoeuvring on site; you can reverse up and still see a pile of bricks or scaffolding on the floor."Above all he relished the power.
"You can never have too much—it can get you out of trouble."
With 36 years experience driving LGVs
oug Kenneth
Dixon has seen a lot of trucks come and go. He gave the big Scania a thorough test before declaring cautious approval. "It has a lot more power than my F17. With the big steering wheel you can see all your panel better. It's quiet and it's got good all round vision." Dixon climbed a well known hill to assess the added torque. "It's definitely got the power. I'd have been down to fourth there." We were in sixth gear. "You don't realise you're doing the speed sometimes. The brakes are good but I'd prefer a slightly heavier steering. It gives you better feel, especially in the winter. I'd prefer a larger range-change switch, one that protruded out more, and I'd like it on the other side. It would just be a bit easier to use there."
By the time he spun the fully laden eight wheeler round in the quarry he was impressed. "Irs got a pretty good turning circle compared to the Volvo. Nice bloody motor."