ERF challenges you to a Duel
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ERF reckons that it builds Europe's most fuel-efficient tractors—and it's challenging Commercial Motor readers to put that claim to the test with what it calls a Fuel Duel. Are you ready to put an EC1 1 to the test?
by Brian lAreatherley • Bold marketing ploy, or foolhardy leap of faith? Outside of Commercial Motor roadtests, it's not every day that a truck manufacturer puts its neck on the block to prove its products' fuel-efficiency.
The concept of ERF's Fuel Duel is frighteningly simple. It's challenging hauliers to run an ERF EC11 tractor in head-tohead tests against their own vehicles.
Power ratings
Starting this week ERF is providing a fleet of distinctively liveried 4x2 and 6x2 Fuel Duel tractors powered by 11-litre Cummins Mll engines rated from 305-410hp. They all have full air-management kits; Pet Reg models are available for tanker fleets.
No doubt mindful of its Continental rivals and driver acceptance of non-synchro boxes. ERE has specified every tractor with a ZIA' synchromesh transmission. To book up your Fuel Duel tractor call the Fuel Duel control centre in Sandbach (see below). Your request will be handled through your local dealer or, if you're a major customer, via ERF's own fleet operation. Each successful applicant will be given a tractor for an average of three days.
But, given the vagaries of fuel management and monitoring among many operators, how will ERF prove its vehicles have actually beaten the opposition?
The answer lies with Road Relay, Cummins' on-boad data gatherer and condition monitor, which is optional on every Mll Celect engine and fitted to every Duel Fuel tractor.
With Road Relay ERF will be able to come up with a fuel consumption figure from the time the truck starts its Fuel Duel Challenge with an operator to the time it finishes.
Using a laptop computer to download the captured data it will also show the operator how the truck has been driven. For example. if a driver tries to influence the result unfairly through excessive revving of the engine, Road Relay will know it and show it.
Road Relay will also record how long the .)..111 has operated in its green economy band, as well as the average speed. distance travelled and whether or not the driver has had to make any emergency stops.
Nominated driver
Not that an operator will simply be given an EC11 and left to get on with it. Before each test starts an ERE salesperson will talk to the nominated driver and explain how to get the best from the vehicle and obtain maximum fuel economy.
Following each trial ERE will return to the operator to download the Road Relay data and determine how much fuel has been put in the truck during the Duel. If the vehicle is on an extended test, data will be downloaded more frequently to see if any further driver training is required. ERF will also talk over trip details to confirm the amount of time the vehicle has been running laden and in what weather conditions.
The final results will be presented to the duellist, along with what the company describes as a "Fuel Saving chart to help you calculate how operating an EC11 could bring significant savings to your operation". Assuming of course that the EC11 has beaten your own vehicles.
While Road Relay will show how much fuel the ERF has used, the S64,000 question is how will operators measure their own vehicles? Simply dividing fuel used into tacho mileage is not the most accurate method. Tank-top-to-tank-top measurements with a dip rod (as used by CM) are more reliable. The final refuelling should be at the same pump, while the test route must have a set mileage which applies to both vehicles.