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DRIVERS' VERDICTS

14th July 1994, Page 36
14th July 1994
Page 36
Page 36, 14th July 1994 — DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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Following our policy of asking professional drivers for their opinions on our test vehicles, we visited the ARC quarry at Cassington, near Oxford, where some tipper drivers put the FAD85.330 throu0 its paces.

Tony Archer drives a Leyland Daf Constructor, with a Cummins LIO 250 engine, for B&E Transport of Witney. As he climbed in he commented on the access: "It's about the same height as mine but there is more room which makes it easier to enter. There's plenty of leg room but the door comes a bit close to the seat. Everything is within easy reach and nothing is in the way of the instruments. I can see all I want to see," he said, adjusting the nearside mirror. Then the knob came away in his hand, but it pushed back on the switch easily enough. Archer asked about the PTO and we pointed out the switch on the fascia along with switch for the air-operated tailgate. "The tipper switch is a bit awkward at the back of the engine (owl," he said. "It might be easier to use if it was in front of the gear stick." Being used to the 10-speed Spicer box he was inclined to double-declutch but soon adapted to the ZF eight-speed synchromesh box. "It's a very positive change," he said. "You don't need any more than eight gears with an engine this size—I usually struggle up this hill. The suspension seat doesn't bounce as much as mine." He tried it with the suspension locked out. "It's OK with a load on but what it would be like empty I can't say. The steering feels very good. It's lighter than my Constructor and there isn't much roll. The brakes are a lot stronger." After a final look round he said: "The see-through roof hatch adds a lot of light and there's plenty of room over the top of the screen to put your maps. This tacho table is very handy for writing on. I'm very impressed with the power. I'd take it home." Pete Buckingham works for the family business with a Volvo F7 290. "I've been driving all of my working life," he told us. "The steps are not bad. The roof is high—not a bit claustrophobic. I'm quite tall and the low roof on my Volvo can be a bit depressing. The cab is a good shape for site work but the nearside screen pillar is a bit thick. I don't think there are any other blindspots. It's got good mirrors—is that roof hatch toughened?" We assured him it was and told him that there will be a steel alternative. "It pulls away smoothly.. .1 expected the gear shift to be stiffer from a new lorry. Shifting two to four saves time and effort and the collar for the range-change is easy to use." We told him that it's soon to be changed for a button. "The instruments are nice. You just need a glance to see what you are about. The flush-mounted tacho is much neater than on my Volvo. I like the steering; it's got a good lock which should be helpful for tight turns on site. I don't like this clutch pedal though; it's too high and too close to the steering column." He asked if the gear lever tipped with the cab and we told him it didn't. "That can be a problem when you steam off as you sometimes get a residue on the gear island seal and that can transfer to the inside of the cab. If it gets damaged you end up putting a rag around it to keep out the noise. The engine is very quiet though. Ah! It stops on the key. I thought it would be more difficult to drive. It's come a long way." Ray Beacham has been in the business for 33 years and drives a three-monthold Mercedes-Benz 3234 for Plant and Haulage. "The bulk of our work is muckaway so we would have to do without the front under-bumper," he told us. "But even then the radiator would stick down too low. Access is better—I've got four steps on mine and they're too close together. There isn't much storage space and nowhere to put your lunch bag or thermos." We told him about the boxes that can be fitted to the top of the engine cowl, and the box that will become a standard item on the contours of the rear panel. He felt the dash looked good but thought it might start to rattle in time. He reckoned the steering was on a par with his Merc but found the suspension spongy.

Tony Archer: "I'd take it home."

Pete Buckingham: "It's come a long way."

"But it doesn't roll much," he added, "and the ride is level. It's about as quiet as mine which makes a good working environment. All of this glass gives good all-round vision, except the exhaust stack should be on the other side so I could see back through that window to the nearside. It pulls from 700rpm even in top gear and the change is nice. That's

Ray Beacham: " I feel

lazy driving. The brakes are how I like them. I feel quite at quite at home. I wouldn't home. I wouldn't mind one." mind one."

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Locations: Oxford

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