95 moves with market
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by Brian Weatherley • Daf is making a number of changes to the 95 Series in order to re-establish its position in the premium tractor marketplace following the introduction of the 85 Series. It has revised the 95's central warning system (CWS), front bumper options and cab suspension.
The 95 Series CWS has been simplified in line with the 85 range; the previous dash display is retained but the test and recall buttons have been deleted. Daf says the aim is to ensure that the driver "is not given information until he calls for it".
A low-depth steel front underbumper was offered as a dealer-fit option on the 95; it is now an on-line option. More changes will meet the front underrun standard set by the EC.
Weight savings developed on the 85 Series are being applied to the larger 95 range with revisions to the front hubs and springs and lighter, higher-tensile steel in the chassis. Daf has upgraded the cab suspension on the Super Space Cab.
Daf's marketing director Hans Staals says there is scope to extend the use of the Hydraulic Gearshift System (HGS) currently fitted on the 507hp Cummins-powered 95.500 tractor to other, lower-rated models. The current lifting range change/splitter collar used on the 95 and 85/75 is being dropped in favour of separate switches on the lever.
If the market demands it the 85 Series could also gain more power, says Staals, with a :380hp version of Daf's 11.6-litre straight-six a possibility. Further development of Daf's own 13-litre 500hp-plus engine has been shelved, however, says Staals, although research into turbo-compounding continues.
Driving impressions After bringing UK operators the first news of the 95 Super Space Cab (CM 10-16 Feb), Commercial Motor has been driving production versions of the 95.500 and 95.430 in the Ardennes.
Running at 40 tonnes GCW the prominent feature of the Cummins CELECT-powered 95.500 is how quiet it is.
The slightly higher cab position (the Cummins-engined 95 cabs sit 100mm higher than Daf-engined models) clearly helps, as does the Hydraulic Gear Shift mechanism which removes noise travelling up from the gearbox and resonating through the lever.
The HGS system replaces a mechanical lever-to-box link while retaining a conventional H shift pattern.
As the driver moves the lever, hydraulic fluid is forced down connecting tubing to hydraulic activators mounted on the selectors which engage the gear as normal.
The non-mechanical link takes out much of the shift loads encountered with synchro boxes and high-torque engines. It is also vibration free. revs up at 2,200rpm was sufficient to check the truck without the service brakes, Daf-engined 95s can be specified with the ZF Intarder. Body roll was well controlled although more noticable on the higher-mounted Cummins tractor.
Leyland Daf is selling the 95.500 Super Space Cab at 187,650 including C-Brake.
The Super Space Cab adds £6,500 to the cost of a standard Space Cab.