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OPERATOR FEEDBACK
Page 35
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"We always go big when it comes to cabs and
engines..." Brian Waldron
• Waldrons is a family business that has operated out of Bromsgrove since it began in 1967, Brothers Graham and Brian Waldron specialise in fork-lift transportation and low-loader work with a fleet of II tractive units and 18 trailers. "Until 1999 we were an all-Volvo fleet," says Brian. "Now we have five Megaspace Actros 2548 three-aided units. We operate four of them in fungheinrich and Boss liveries and one in our own colours. They travel all over the UK, away for a week at a time, and clock up over 100,000 miles a year.
"We always go big when it comes to cabs and engines and we tried out several other demonstrators before we made our final decision. The drivers liked the Actros, which was a bonus, but on the more practical side we wanted to be sure of reliability; that we would see benefits in overall running costs; and that the backup was in place as and when we needed it.
"We had been running Volvo Globetrotter 4205 so the Mercedes-Benz i6-litre V8 seemed over-specified for the job, but it's a cracking engine and we are returning 9.0 to 9,5mpg against 7,0mpg from the Volvo. Our unladen weight is quite heavy so we only get a payload of 17 to 19 tonnes, depending on the trailer we use.
"Mudie Bond, the local dealer, is just to miles down the road. Like us they are a family business and we get on well with them. They gave us a keen price; the package included a three-year warranty and we took out a three-year R&M contract. When that runs out we plan to look after them ourselves.
Some of our existing trucks are seven years old and we have been known to keep them for as long as ir years but we may replace the Actros after four, while it still has a good residual value.
"The specification, with the doublebunk, fiat-floored Megaspace cab, is fairly standard except that it came with alloy wheels, and we asked for the extra fuel tank to bring the capacity up to 68o litres. We've just been quoted for a new one and the price has come down again, but the package has altered slightly with only two years' warranty included now.
"We operate one driver per truck. At first they were apprehensive about the manual Telligent gearbox but they were over the moon with the power. It's a warm cab. Although it may not be as big as the Daf XF we think that with the walk-through flat floor the space is more user-friendly. Stowage space inside is OK but the outside locker is a bit small. The seat suspension is quite soft but the seat itself is firm and not as comfortable as all would like. The bunk is also very firm and at least one of our drivers has resorted to putting a down mattress on top.
"The brakes are excellent—after 400,000 miles only the pads on the rear axle have been changed. There have been a few small electrical faults: on the latest addition the alternator failed and wouldn't allow the engine to shut down; the driver used his initiative and pulled the fuse. It's a smaller unit than the one fitted to earlier models and we were told there wasn't another in the country. We had to wait four days for a replacement but Mudie Bond gave us a stand-in vehicle, "The only ongoing problem we have is only slightly related to the cab electrics. The headlight wash tracks out to give the glass a spurt of liquid; when it retracts the small plastic protective cover pulls off and, of course, is immediately lost."