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Improving with age
Page 72
Page 73
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With some early problems now sorted out, Geoff Ashcroft reckons that a clean MAN TGA tractor could represent a sound buy on the used market.
In the four years since MAN introduced its TGA tractor it has found as many friends as it has enemies.
It was initially dogged by electronic problems,but these have now been sorted out and the F2000's replacement has been slowly but surely winning a loyal following.
To date about 7,000 tractors have rolled off the Munich production line:a mixture of 4x2s and pusher-axle 6x2s with five cabs: M (day cab); L (single bunk); LX (twobunk/high-roof); XL (wide, single bunk); and XXL (wide, two bunks).The first examples met Euro-2 at 360,410 and 460hp a 13-litre common-rail Euro-3 engine raised the stakes to 480 and 510hp.
In the gearbox department, ZF provided a 16-speed manual called Comfortshift; that was followed by the 12-speed automated Tipshift.
Despite acres of plastic on the dash, driver comfort remains high. Soon after the launch, the driver's seat gained lumbar adjustment, air suspension and heating; central locking, electric windows, electric mirrors, disc brakes, cruise and traction control are all available.
The TGA once led the way in terms of technological development with its CAN-bus electronic control system and had enough computing power to put a man on the moon. Tidy examples are now finding their way onto the second-hand market.
Boarhunt Garage of Fareham, Hants runs three 410hp Comfort-Shift TGAs among a predominantly Renault Premium fleet. Bought for semi-low loader work, theTGAs have been returning an average of 7.8mpg, which transport manager David Pushman is very pleased with.
He's less impressed by on-road backup from ERF dealers that have acquired the MAN franchise, but he's prepared to give them time to brush up: "We've had a few small niggles, but the trucks are largely reliable and proving a hit among drivers."
The XL wide cabs have single bunks giving plenty of rest room. Used with low-loaders, the lower (than XXL) cab helps with fuel consumption.
Reliable
Boarhunt's two 51-plate models have covered almost 400,000km.They had gearbox problems in their youth but these were soon rectified and they've rarely missed a beat since. His latest '04 plate TGA has not been on the fleet long enough to comment.
They are on the fleet for five years, and Pushman sees no reason why other TGAs won't be added in future. Berkshire-based Mike Horwood Transport runs four TGA tractors in a mixed fleet of 12 with another on order. His oldest example is on a 2000/Y plate; the youngest is just 12 months old.They are all out four nights a week.
"Our drivers love the living space of the XXL cab, though it could be linished off a little nicer inside," he says. -Apart from the strict plastic interior they really are driver-friendly when staying out all week.
The TG As are averaging 100-120,000km a year and Horwood buys an extended MAN 12-month warranty for peace of mind against electronic failures." We've had a few silly computer faults, but nothing major," he adds.
He reports that six-weekly inspections are easy to complete and fuel economy is more than acceptable: his 360 returns 8.75mpg:the 460s do 8mpg and the 510 at 44 tonnes can return 9mpg. •