DRIVERS' VERDICTS For this appraisal we asked a trio of
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drivers with long experience in HGV driving to give their impressions of the Volvo FH12.420. They found it had plenty of power, was well fitted and all round was 'a good motor'.
Kevin Astbury, an ex test driver for ERF, was waiting in a Volvo FL10.310, to make a delivery just down the road when we met up with him with the Volvo FH420 at the BP truck stop at Crick. He climbed in easily and set the seat and steering wheel. His immediate reaction was "this seat belt is a bit restrictive", then he adjusted the nearside mirror using the button on the door. Once on our way he said: "This steering wheel is very small, it's car size, and it's very sensitive. It seems to ride with the camber. I'd need a day to get used to it." As we drove out of a roundabout he let the engine lug. "It's got some grunt. The most powerful truck I have driven before had a Cummins 400hp unit, but that was raw power, this is very smooth." Downhill he switched in the exhaust brake and then the engine brake. "That's got to be a tremendous asset among the hills." he said. "The engine is very quiet so you really need to watch the rev counter to see what the engine is doing". When we stopped he took another look around. "The level of trim is unreal. You could go on holiday in this. But it needs to be this good when you spend so much time in the cab. It looks strong enough," he lent over, applying most of his 18 stone on top of the document box next to the seat. He pushed the steering column forward ready to get out "It's got good access around the cab." Then looking at the steering wheel: "You could make a table out of that."
It started to rain as we met Paul Jefferies who was driving a Daf 95.360 for Kalon out of Leeds. He has been driving for 21 years. As we moved off he said "it pulls pretty well without using the splitter". And once up to cruising speed he switched in the cruise control. "It's a good idea but it would take a bit of getting used to." With three damp bodies in the cab the windows started to mist over. He switched on the air conditioning and they cleared quickly. "The seat is more highly sprung than mine."
He told us that he makes up to 50 drops a week and often has to reverse into narrow openings. "I need a window in the back of the cab. It should be standard, solely for safety reasons," he said. "It's about the same as mine for noise but ifs got more oomph. I like the interior. Is it standard?" We told him it was the top level."The instruments and controls are nicely laid out." After using the traffic indicator he said: "I like to hear an audible warning. The indicator doesn't always cancel as the truck gets a bit older." Then noticing the radio installed on the fascia, "that's a good idea having it down there. This exhaust brake is much better than on the older Volvos." He noticed that the bunk was higher than in the Daf 95 Series and made a good inspection of locker and luggage space. "You need the space but some cabs are getting too big. This one should be easy to heat up in the winter".
Steve Trussler of F Ball and Co of Leek was taking a day away from his transport manager's desk making deliveries in a new ERF EC12 with the Perkins 335 engine. He had as many questions of us as the number of comments he made. He wanted to know the engine speed at 56mph-1,45Orpm we told him. "Is it available with Geartronic? I have been thinking about it for change-over drivers." Only on the 380 version at the moment, we said . He also asked about cabs and trim prices and thought he would opt for the middle trim level for fleet use but include the air suspension seat. "Do I have to have this instrumentation package?" Gauges would save £200 we said.
Jefferies: The instruments and controls are nicely laid out.:
"I think the visibility is good and power at 420hp doesn't need any comment. I see the butterfly and engine brake give two levels of auxiliary braking. It cuts down on light service brake applications and must stop the linings glazing. The gearbox is very easy. Having those controls over the bunk makes it better for the driver." He also made the point about back windows and blind spots when reversing. What did he think about safety belts fitted as standard? "The law says you must wear them if they are fitted. I would make it a condition for my drivers".