AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Auld sets up own fuel duel

14th August 1997, Page 12
14th August 1997
Page 12
Page 12, 14th August 1997 — Auld sets up own fuel duel
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Erf, Man Ag, Sandbach, Sedans

by Toby Clark • Biggleswade haulier Auld Bros is taking on ERF with a Fuel Duel of its own. The distribution operator has just added an ERF ECII Olympic and a Daf 95XF to its fleet of 12 tractive units.

The Daf, supplied by MarshaIls of Cambridge, is the first 95XF in the area and has the latest 12.6litre engine rated at 380hp.

The 4x2 Space Cab XF, kitted out with side skirts, a full air-management kit and four-hag air suspension, will be covering around 120,000 miles annually on distribution work with Auld's curtainsided triaxle trailers.

According to managing director Ken Auld, it managed an impressive 8.96mpg on its first trip— but his existing Cummins M11-powered 380hp ERF EC11 units, with a few more miles on board, have been returning around 9.5mpg.

Another Olympic-cabbed EC11.380 joined the fleet at the same time as the Daf, so a good comparison of performance and economy should be possible: it will be running on similar operations, with an identical trailer and similar air management kit, and twobag air suspension.

The main difference is in transmission: while the Daf has a 16-speed ZF synchromesh box, all Auld's ERFs are fitted with 12 speed Eaton Twin Splitters. "Once they get used to them, the drivers love them," says Auld.

The EC11 was less expensive than the Daf, at £53,000 rather than £59,600, but the difference is almost made up by lower maintenance costs: a four-year maintenance contract costs £220 a month for the ERF, but just £124 for the Daf.

Transport manager Derek Auld monitors fuel consumption carefully, so an independent Fuel Duel should be shaping up over the next few months.

Tags

Locations: Cambridge

comments powered by Disqus