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have wheels secured by 10 studs? I'd much prefer 12."A
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12-stud fixing, or a bigger stud, would help replace the clamping force safety margin that's been eroded in recent years as weights, speeds, torque loads and braking forces have all increased, says Parry.
Climbing into the Axor it became clear that Merc risked falling at the first fence noauto box.You can only get a manual on the Axor. However, Mercedes-Benz's UK CV managing director Ian Jones put up a robust defence based on fleet trials with DHL,manual drivers had delivered the best fuel and if Parry wanted an auto you could always get one on the Actros.
"To go back to a manual would be a backward step for us. Every tractor we buy has got to have an auto in it," insisted Parry. Fortunately the Germans are working on it. "There will he an auto-box on Axor. although it's 12 months away," saysJones, who couldn't resist adding:"A manual box will still deliver better fuel in the right hands."
"But where do you find the right hands?countered the man from Exel.
Heading into the home straight among chassis manufacturers and Daf we reminded Parry that he was a big user of the little Leylandbuilt LF middleweight. It's one of Exel's preferred options, although the same can't be said for the Dutch truck maker's range-topping XF. Interestingly, for a payload-conscious tanker operator, Exel has not adopted the CF85 FTP chassis with its smaller 17.5-in wheels on the midaxle which allow easier chassis packaging for pumping gear and fuel tanks. As Parry looked around the FTG chassis on display we wondered whether that might change not least with the advent of the new emission regs."You're running out of space with a 6x2 and that's before you add a separate tank forAdBlue" admitted Pany."And if you put batteries at the back you can imagine what crap that will pick-up!"
Cab wins thumbs-up
However, the CF85's Space Cab interior got a big thumbs-up.-This is probably the best room you'd have in a cab this and the Stralis." Replying to our query about the need for a tall Space Cab on the CF Parry reckons:"When it comes to aerodynamics you'd probably fit something around the same height anyway and we're always looking with an eye on residuals." Naturally the AS-Tronic installation was noted as was the single raised bunk with plenty of storage underneath.
But whoa just a minute! Who put that CB up there with the mike lead dangling down in the driver's line of sight? "Fitting a CB or hanging lights and flags around the windscreen should be a sackable offence as far as I'm concerned," said Parry,"although I know a lot of truckers would disagree with me!" So how does Exel keep in contact with its drivers? "Yes we use phones," acknowledges Parry,"but they're hands free and are not to be used on the move. And we'd rather send a message that says Call the office at your next stop'.
CM's odyssey ended with a quick once over of Dafs new XF105."I'm getting a nosebleed just climbing in to it," joked Parry. Despite having more cab than Exel needs Parry was still impressed with the big Dafs dash layout, including the various command buttons into the steering wheel and the relocation of the AS-tronic mode dial into the sweeping fascia. "That's pretty neat if it's right for a car, safety-wise. it's got to be right for a truck, even more so where the potential result of taking your eyes off the road is worse," So summing up his tour with CM, what were Parry's abiding thoughtsespecially on the best route to lower emissions?
still think there's a lot of ambiguity over whether SCR or EGR is best.'The fact that manufacturers are offering both only proves that. I'd like SCR performance with EGR simplicitywell you did ask!
"But in truth we'll be forced into it along with everybody else and we're coming to the point where we'll have to make a decision. In the long run we'll probably go for SCR."
However, Parry says his decision is driven as much by who among Exel's suppliers will fit it, as by any clear-cut advantages, especially when the on-cost of SCR is factored into the equation. Will Exel dip its toe into the water with EGR? -We might do. EGR won't deter us on performance because there's a marginal economy gain with SCR when you've accounted for the AdBlue. We'd consider EGR for some of our tanker business, but there's not a huge amount to choose between the two. Scania and MAN have both gone for EGR. hut three out of the five big boys prefer SCR. If I don't want SCR then I don't use those threeand that would be quite a statement to make." •