"The big cab is the quietest on the road, and it is ideal
Page 32
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
for our drivers" Roy Gill Roy Gill runs his business with his partn( Sarah from a hilltop just outside Tideswel not far from Buxton, where he started as a hi and straw merchant 26 years ago. Hay an straw continue to play a part in the busines which has moved on to general haulage, an the main part of his io-vehicle fleet now ope ales out of a depot based at Carlisle.
"We used to run Scanias up until this years ago, and still have a 124 400 Topline an a 143 500 Streamline. Apart from an 8147. tonne Mercedes-Benz, the rest are now Daf Altogether we have four XFs, including a 53 and a 430 6x2 with rear lift, a 430 4x2 and 430 Space Cab XF. We also have three 85 including the first CF85 430 in the countr One of the 85s works for our subsidiary con pany, Gatesgill Transport.
"Although the Super Space Cab XF is qui a bit more expensive, we do get more for al money, and we would pick them every tin except that we need a lower cab for some sp cialised work we carry out for an overhea crane company.
"The big cab is the quietest on the road, an it is ideal for our drivers, who are away four ( five nights a week on long-distance work. It taller, which gives extra living space, and wit the extra lockers there's more room to sto their belongings. The Super Space Cab's hie specification includes air conditioning, wooden dash, leather seats both sides an double bunks. We spec the cabs with a fridg -licrowave oven, top-of-the-range CD layer, TV and video."
All Gill's trucks are specially painted (to 3 high a standard as any we have seen) by ortrucks of Charlton Adam in Somerset. We bought the 530 after we had it as a emonstrator, but we wouldn't buy another ne. It is just not worth the extra premium ver the 430, which has all the power we eed to run at 44 tonnes.
"With bacldoads we run laden for about o% of the time, and over a year we average out i6o,000lcm. We run with flat and attain-sided trailers. The Scanias dropped om 8.2mpg to about 7.6mpg when we ent to 44 tonnes. The 43oXFs are returnig between 8.ompg and 8.2mpg with a ayload of up to 27 tonnes.
'They all come with Erninox exhausts and koa wheels. The lights on the bull bars and the roof may look over the top, but they .e indispensable when you find yourself in Le middle of a large field at night.
"We like to buy the trucks over four years id run them for five. We always include in years' R&M in the price, and we pay out £3,000 a year extra over the last three qrs. It includes everything except glass id tyres. We haven't replaced any of the afs yet. The Scanias always maintained a iod residual, and all the signs are that the F will as well.
"Tyre life is very good overall. We specify either Bridgestone or Michelin wide singles for the steer and tag axles; Bridgestone comes out just on top.
"We are replacing the fronts at about 230,000km and the drive axle tyres at about 090,000km. We experience less wall damage with the bigger tyres, they last longer and the ride is better. The larger footprint meant a little more care was needed braking in the wet, but now both manufacturers have bought out dedicated steer tyres—they are brilliant.
"There have been no faults with any of the engines, but there have been a couple of problems with the driveline. The CV joints went in the propshaft on the 530XF at about 120,000km, arid we had to change a duff on the 430.
"Both of these models have the lifting tag axle, which we specify to give us extra traction and tighter turning circles when we go onto building sites. It's possible that when raised it introduces some misalignment which causes the premature failure.
"Our local dealer is Solway Daf at Carlisle. It is a privately owned company with good workshops and well-trained fitters able to put right any problem.
"Even with other makes of truck Oaf people are generally co-operative to large and small operators alike. The backup they provide is exactly what we need to run a successful business." I