DAF keeping it
Page 60
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28001N ORDER
TO ASSIST in budgeting accurately for maintenance and repair costs, DAF Trucks has introduced a contract scheme which takes the form of an agreement on maintenance and repairs at a guaranteed cost per mile.
The agreement covers a fixed period of operation to a maximum of four years or 300,000 miles although considerable flexibility is allowed within these limits. During this period the DAF Trucks dealer provides the labour, parts and lubricants necessary for the proper repair and maintenance of the truck.
Depending on the estimated annual mileage and the type of operation of the truck, the operator chooses which "scheme" he wishes to participate in. He is then provided with a booklet listing the required service intervals and necessary work. These booklets cover the following estimated yearly mileages: a) Year/y mileage up to 30,000 b) Yearly mileage 30.00060.000 c) Yearly mileage 60,000-90,000 d) Yearly mileage over 90,000 Under this system, DAF Trucks assumes responsibility for all repair and maintenance and guarantees to keep them during the term of the agreement in a good operating condition. The operator then pays for the maintenance on an agreed cost per mile basis. This is normally handled by a simple standing order with the payment being spread over fixed monthly contributions paid in advance. At the end of the year any additional mileage charges, over and above the estimated figure are settled.
Certain items are excluded from the maintenance contract and these are: 1) Tyres 2) Batteries 3) Windscreens and other glassware 4) Accident damage 5) Bodywork Under normal circumstances, DAF Trucks prefers that such an agreement should be for a minimum of three vehicles to obtain a certain spreading of the risk.
In the booklet provided with each maintenance scheme there is a wallet for including a copy of the vehicles identification card. This gives details of the trucks specification, for example, the engine number, the type of differential, the size of the tyres and so on.
The booklet also contains a coupon for each service which is given to the dealer when the corresponding maintenance work is carried out. When the work is completed the dealer puts his stamp in the corresponding square for proof that the required work has been carried out. This proof of regular maintenance is important in the case of any warranty claim.
When a dealer takes on a maintenance contract he automatically assumes a number of responsibilities. He must: a) Keep accurate records b) Ensure expert maintenance c) Ensure that the customer is informed of the date of the next service.
d) Ensure that the customer is supplied with full DoE documentation.
With regard to the last requirement, copies of the information must also be kept centrally at DAF Trucks at Marlow.
With every new 2800, a ser vice voucher is supplied which entitles the operator to get the labour for the truck's first service free of charge. This service can be carried out by any DAF Trucks main dealer in the UK. The operator pays only for the parts and lubricants. It is important to note that the first service is labour free on the condition that the work is undertaken between 1,200 and 2.000 miles. Failure to comply with this will invalidate the warranty.
TOOL KIT
When a DAF 2800 is to be used for a long journey outside Western Europe into "uncharted regions" DAF recommends that a few extra tools should be carried by the driver for use in an emergency. The standard DAF tool kit comprises: Hydraulic jack and handle Wheel nut spanner and bar Various screwdrivers (incl Phillips) Pliers (pump and sidecutting) Hammer Various spanners 10in adjustable 77x 19mm ring 19 x 32rnm box 17x19mm open ended Special spanner for injector unions (17 xl9mrn) In addition it is suggested that the following be included: Tyre pressure gauge Heavy duty jumper cables (9ft minimum) 24V inspection lamp Key spanner in square (drain and level plugs) 13mm open ended spanner (for cooling fan) 27mm ring spanner (for spring brakes) When a DAF 2800 needs a tow, certain precautions need to be taken first. Assuming the engine is not running, all the spring brakes should be released by unscrewing the bolt at the rear of the brake actuator. A rigid tow bar should be used and the towing speed should not exceed 15mph. If the distance over which the truck is to be towed is greater than seven miles the prop shaft should be disconnected. It is worth adding there is NO AIR FOR BRAKING and there is NO POWER STEERING.
If the engine can be run ensuring at least operative braking and power steering, the towing procedure is somewhat different. The coupling can be done with a tow chain remembering to allow sufficient length for brake application. The gear lever should be in neutral with the position of the splitter switch being unimportant. At regular intervals, the clutch should be depressed and direct drive engaged i.e. 5th gear for the DKTD with the ZF and top gear for the Fuller equipped DKS. The towi ng speed should not exceed 25mph and the same distance limitation before prop shaft removal is necessary applies as for the previous case.
For the driver who may have to carry out emergency repairs 'en route' DAF Trucks can supply some useful notes to help him out. Although DAF stresses that expert assistance should always be obtained where possible it is nevertheless appreciated that a driver can be forced into a "doit-yourself'' situation again especially outside Western Europe.
These hints include advice for such problems as loss of power in the engine, overheating, failure to start electrical failure and so on.