DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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As usual with our test vehicles, we took the big ERF out on the road and asked some professional drivers to take it for a spin and give us their comments. With 525hp on offer there was no shortage of volunteers...
• We met John Batchelor in the Volvo FH 340 he drives for Harris Logistics out of Harlow. We asked him to come and take a look at the ERF 525 prototype which is probably the most powerful truck in Europe but still has the old cab.
"The gap between the steps are about right," he told us and then looked at the array of switches in front of the driving seat. He asked how to operate the cruise control and if the Jacob Engine Brake worked on two, four and six pots. We told him it did and explained how to let the engine take up the initial drive as he pulled away. "The steering is very light and the cab is quite bouncy," he confirmed, as he drove over a rough section of road. Although the roof vent was open he reckoned it was very quiet. "The FH is a lot noisier with the vent open. I have to adjust my driving to a different vehicle every day. The seating position here is just about right for me and the pedals seem about the right height. I can see all of the instruments and the mirrors couldn't be better. The gear change is lovely and smooth," he said. "The engine cover leaves a bit more room for your left leg than ERF's older models did. I think the second bunk is a bit of a waste of space and money. I would only use it to stow things on. But it's not needed; there seems to be plenty of room under the bottom bunk. The trim just needs a wipe now and then to keep it clean and these seats are better than in the FH. Those have plastic panels which make you sweat," he said. He was surprised to see that the cab has such a strong frame. "Over 500hp is a lot of power. I don't suppose I shall ever see its like again. It's a lovely truck."
John Bokbelor: "The steering is very light and the cob is quite bouncy.
Stewart Coates drives a 5cania 113 360 for Peter G Bowker of Bridgnorth. He climbed into the Olympic cab as though he did it every day. "Nothing in the way there," he said. "The handles either side are in just the right place." On the road he had no trouble taking the gears two at a time. "The power is obvious and the gearchange is spot on. It picks up so quickly and leaves you in no doubt that it's going to hold in there as you pull up the hills. Even if you ease off it picks up again when you put your foot down. It rides a lot smoother than the Scania—mine pitches back and forth," he told us. "This Olympic cab is a lot quieter as well. There's hardly any wind noise and none of the engine noise comes up through the gear lever surround. I like the dog-leg dash. The screen pillars are narrower than on the Sarnia so visibility is better. There is nothing I can't see and the trim is nicely finished. I could live with this space all week long and it's got headroom as well. The remote control for the night heater and the radio is a nice toy. It's a shame it wouldn't work in mine!"
Alan Al!bury has driven his a Seddon Atkinson 401 with a Cummins 320 engine for Browns of Sevenoaks for the past eight years. "I like this space," he said. "There aren't many trucks that give this much room. The seat is nice, it supports you right in the middle of the back." He looked around: "Stowage under the bunk but is there an outside locker for straps and jacks?" (There is.) "It's very quiet, I don't even have to raise my voice to be heard across the cab. It's got some power—you only need to use two gears once it's up to cruising speed. The cruise control would be ideal for the autoroutes. The air suspension on the drive axle makes the ride softer than mine," he added. "I can see down both sides in the mirror to the rear of the trailer. All the instruments are in view with the exception of the battery charger on the top left of the binnacle. I like the colour scheme better than the old browns or blues that ERF used in the past."
Alan Allbury: "The seat is nice, it supports you right in the middle of the back."