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A stableful of pure breeds
Page 51
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If you've got the course, EV has the horse.
Andy Salter reports on its latest 8x4 tractor.
Daf has moved to plug the remaining gaps in its model line-up with the arrival, from November, of multi-axle variants of its XF,CF and LF ranges. XF gets 6x4,8x2 and 8x4 rigids, while a new heavy haulage 8x4 tractor joins a more conventional 6x4 tractor in the line-up. CF also benefits from the same axle options in rigid form, with the ZFAS-Ronic auto-shift transmission making its debut on 6x4 and 8x4 rigids. LF hasn't been spared the treatment and is now available as a 6x2 rigid, with rear steered axle.
A recent visit to Belgium gave CM the opportunity to put the biggest of the market entrants to the test in the shape of the new XF95 FTM 8x4. The new 8x4 configuration is equipped with two front steering axles, with a wider spread than a conventional tipper eight-wheeler to give better loading over the kingpin of the trailer while remaining within axle weight restrictions.
Equipped with the standard XF engine the power offerings are 380,430,480 or 530hp, and currently the FTM is available only with a manual ZF 16speed transmission. Service braking is by drums allround. while suspension is via parabolic steel on the front axle and air on the second steer arid rear double-drive bogie. There are two basic versions of the FTM available: the first, 'lightweight' version has a 7.5-tonne front axle, 8-tonne second steer and a 21-tonne bogie, while the 'heavyweight' option has a 9-tonne front axle, 8-tonne second steer and a 26-tonne bogie.
On the road With an all-up weight of 70 tonnes our 480hp FTM was surprisingly swift off the mark and the big engine soon had us up to the 65kmfh single carriageway cruising speed. Without a retarder,caution was needed on descents but with umpteen axles,there was plenty of service braking on tap.
Daf had said fitting a retarder would be tricky given the lack of space between the axles on the chassis. But in the heavy haulage sector the stopping power of the ZF Intarder is a must and the operator. Gerard de Rooy, has insisted on it.The truck was booked to return to the factory lobe so equipped.
Riding on air suspension on the rear bogie the FTM gives a very smooth ride and with the same high level of accoutrement inside as on all XF tractors. It was only when we looked in the mirrors that we were reminded of the massive load we were pulling..