38 TONNE: THREE AXLE
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SHORTLIST Iveco Ford 220.36 Leyland Daf 95-310 Scania R143
TESTERS' CHOICE SCANIA R143
• Despite an initial price premium of about 12%, 6 x 2 twin-steer tractive units continue to grow in popularity for three good reasons: fuel consumption, tyre life, and load compatibility. Our shortlist comprises of three fine examples making it difficult to make a final choice. Overall productivity was very close between the Leyland Daf 95-Series 310 and the Iveco Ford 220.36, although the 95series gave better fuel consumption with little difference in journey times — but neither could beat the R143.
The Iveco Ford tractive unit, fitted with aluminium wheels, provided the best payload allowance, but only by a slim margin. From a driving point of view the Scania R143 gave the best turning circle and was far and away the quickest on acceleration, while improving on the other two on restart gradeability.
The 95-series gave a very quiet ride. We recorded just 70.8dB (A) at 80km/h (50mph) compared to 71dB(A) for the 143 and 72dB(A) for the 220.36.
The 11-litre six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-cooled Daf engine, producing 225kW at 2,000rpm, is rated at some 30kW less than the 13.8-litre chargecooled Iveco engine, and 95kW less than the Scania's 14.2-litre air-to-air chargedcooled unit. Even the Iveco's massive 1,766Nm torque, delivered at a leisurely 1,000rpm, could not match the 1,900Nm produced by the Scania at 1,150rpm.
Both the Leyland Daf and the lveco Ford drive through ZF 16-speed Ecosplit gearboxes, but the 220.36 is specified with a stronger version matched to the engine's higher torque output. Scania specifies its own uprated 10-speed box.
The suspension of the 95-Series gave the best ride, but then the Scania Topline cab's four-point air suspension was also superb, while the Iveco Ford TEC cab has five-point suspension, and all three chassis incorporate rear air suspension.
Priced at £46, 000 the Leyland Daf 95310 looks attractive; the Iveco Ford costs £11,410 more, but that includes 21,940 for alloy wheels.
The Scania R143 MAR is listed at 61,680 with the Topline cab. Faced with a multiple purchase the price differential is significant but based on its excellent productivity, we can afford the luxury of choosing the most expensive, the Scania R143, as our Testers' Choice.