DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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As usual Commercial Motor sought a second-opinion from a number of full-time drivers. During a trip to a local quarry with the F1.7-285, three extra testers were keen to vive us their views.
Dave Gilbert has been an owner driver for nine years and runs a V-registered Volvo F7 rated at 235hp. We met up with him at a Tilcon Quarry at BalsaII Common in the midlands. "There is a lot more room to climb in," he told us,"and the told him to let the engine work. "I can feel the Isri seat gives much better support than the I3ostrum fitted in mine." As we pulled away we difference at the bottom end. It has a lot more torque. I have to rev mine a lot higher and I'm still at 30.5 tonnes. If you hadn't told me I wouldn't have said this was fully loaded. It goes very well. I hove been thinking of a replacement for mine to run at 32 tonnes. Before driving this one, I wouldn't have considered another seven-litre Volvo but this has made me think again. The extra 50hp and nearly 1,00016ft of torque makes it big enough". As we came to a slight incline he commented: "It hangs on very well in fifth. I would have been down to third gear in the F7. "The gear change is a bit clanky but the pedals are OK for me and the brakes are good. A lot of people say they don't like the swept-around dash but it puts everything where you can reach it. The only problem is the high engine cowl. You can't lay across the seats when you stop for a rest. The ride is a lot smoother than on mine and Volvo has always had a good steering lock".
The next driver in was Dave's younger brother, Derrick, who has been driving for six years. His E-reg ERF eight-wheeler fitted with the 10-litre Cummins engine is rated at 250hp. "What does it tare out at?" he asked. We told him it was 10.46 tonnes with a full tank. "I like these wide steps" he said as he climbed in and settled behind the wheel and then asked how to adjust the steering column. As we moved away, he swung the vehicle round. "Oh yes I like this steering. The lock is unbeatable." Changing up through the gears, he said: "I prefer a synchromesh box to the constant mesh on mine. Volvo's gear change is usually more sloppy than this and it's very quiet". We mentioned about the telescopic gear change that allows the cab's floorpan to be
David Gilbert; "If you▪ hadn't told me I
wouldn't have said this was fully loaded."
sealed from the engine compartment as well as giving a Derrick Gilbert: "..;pooci more positive movement. "I need to use every gear on mine visibility all round. but this takes 1st and 3rd easily and it picks up very quickly. It would be better for me if the lever was placed a little further forward though. I like the cab height. It gives you a deep screen and good visibility all round. I have the mirrors set a bit lower down on mine and this arm is a bit tighter to the cab. I feel a bit penned in with this dash board." After a final look around the chassis, he said: "Three leaves on the front axle are an improvement. The speed ramps on the way in and out of this quarry play havoc with the suspension." Nigel Coleman has been driving for over twenty years and today drives a Gregistered 6x4 Foden 3300 rated at 250hp with a mixer on the back, in Tilcon livery. "I can see fine," he said as we drove past the gate and turned onto the narrow lane. Then as if surprised how well it pulled away, he queried how much the load weighed. "The noise is about the same as mine but the ride is quite solid. The pedals are big enough and the trim looks as though it will stand up to the use and easy enough to wipe down. Pendant pedals are an advantage. There are no holes in the floor to trap debris. A thick cover like this one keeps it sealed all around so that it can be hosed out. It's good to have a sun roof and I like the swept fascia but my cab has more room. The engine is a bit higher but the entry is a lot lower than mine. There is some stowage space behind the seat but that would be lost if you have long legs. The header rail is not a bad place for the radio. I can see to tune it in. I think there is a lot to be said for having a steel bumper for tipper and mixer work. A lot of the deliveries are made to sites where it is tight to get in and out. A slight knock with a plastic Nigel Cofeman: 'res7gooca-Fave a bumper and it's soon broken." sun roof and I like the swept fascia."