DRIVERS' VERDICTS 11
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For a driver's-eye view of the Super Cargo we headed for the BP truckstop at South Mimms and invited some 17-tonner drivers to have a po...
John Field was taking a break at BP's truckstop at South Mimms when we drove in with the Iveco 170E23. He has been driving commercial vehicles for more than 20 years and now drives a 17.170 MAN for Viscount Logistics out of Basildon. Using the eight-speed transmission for the first time he found that it had a dose gate. He liked the big steering wheel which, he said, allowed him to see all the instruments clearly: "On the MAN the wheel cuts across the fuel gauge." As we encountered a short but sharp climb he made just one change down the box: "The engine is very strong," he said. "There was hardly any drop off in speed there." On the other side of the hill he brought the exhaust brake into play: "Its like the MAN—not very efficient at low revs. rarely use it." We negotiated a small roundabout and headed back: "What a fantastic lock. It's no heavier or lighter than mine but its got a much tighter turn." At a road junction he pulled away easily in third gear: "Unless you're working in the Pennines I don't think you need more than six gears with this amount of power," said Field. Asked about the cab, he approved of the big hazard switch for multi-drop work and commented that a roof hatch is essential in hot weather to give more ventilation. He liked the stalk system on the column even though it was the opposite to his own vehicle. "Everything looks easy to keep clean," Field concluded, "but the lockers over the screen are much too small to put a map in."
JOHN FIELD: "T e enaine is very strona."
John Gartell, with three years' commercial vehicle experience, drives a Daf 1900 for LBBA (London Bakers Buying Association) in Wimbledon. He is a big chap but found that he had plenty of leg room: "The three steps give great access and I like the air kit on the seat. I've got it on mine; it just gives an extra bit of comfort. As we got under way he said: "This is really quiet." Using the full range of engine revs he raced through the gears without a hitch but was not over-impressed with the pulling power up the hills. He found that the button for the exhaust brake, located under the rubber mat to the rear of the steering
JOHN GARTELL: "Three column, was "a bit awkward. It's better if you can heel it instead
of having to toe it, but it does work." He confirmed that the clutch was not air assisted and commented: "It's very smooth and soft though." On a rare occasion when Cartel' ventured into the lower half of the box he noticed the yellow warning lamp light up on the dash: "The dials are well visible and there looks to be plenty of stowage for your bits and bobs. The seat seems a bit flimsy and the trim is a bit plasticky but its nice enough. I wouldn't mind one."
steps give great access."