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MAN SMITH OF DENNY

12th June 2008, Page 48
12th June 2008
Page 48
Page 48, 12th June 2008 — MAN SMITH OF DENNY
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Based: Smith of Denny Industry: Bulk delivery, distance and distribution Fleet size: 20 Fuel economy: 9.5mpg Mileage: 179,000km s Problems: None Smith of Denny is an MAN-exclusive company, and Russell Smith, a third-generation family member and now managing director of the firm, is determined to keep the fleet that way.

The MAN TGS entry of the programme is part of a 20-strong fleet that works on bulk delivery, distance and distribution. In the time it has been on his fleet, the truck has recorded 179,000kms and averaged around 9.5mpg.

The truck runs for a third party, Gefco. is decked out in its colours, and operates out of Bellshill, Glasgow. By day, it runs with a single-axle 30ft trailer with a tail-lift making multi-drop deliveries; by night, it switches to a 40ft trailer for trunking to Coventry.

The engine never goes cold, says Smith, and he believes that is better for the driveline. Its split work means high mileage, and Smith will look to replace it before it's three years old, and has the "thick end of 800,000kms on the clock".

Apart from a four-week period when due to an accident, it was off the road, the only issue has been a slight wear on the wiper linkage. Its main driver reports back positive overtones compared to the early-build TGA it replaced it's quieter, more comfortable and spacious, has more storage space, is good on the motorway, offers excellent vision and he praises the blind-spot mirror fitted in the front of the cab.

If there is a criticism. it's a generic one. The auto change is a little slow in situations where a quick change is needed. However, the transmission is fitted with a manual override, so the driver is inclined to use this when he needs to move through the cogs a bit quicker.

The final word is left for his choice of exhaust gas recirculation, "I am 100% EGR, as an owner of a business I would avoid SCR where I can. The 020 engine is very good,' Smith says.

Tags

Organisations: Gefco
People: Russell Smith
Locations: Coventry, Glasgow

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