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Backbone of the sedor
Page 73
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Introduced in 2001 to meet Euro-3, Daf's LF45 plays a pivotal role in the UK's 7.5-tonne scene. Geoff Ashcroft explains why.
Daf's 7.5-tonne LF45 replaced the FA45 in 2001 to meet Euro-3.Designed and built in Leyland, some 20,000 LF45s have gone to UK customers, with a further 20,000 sold worldwide.The FA's reputation as a no-frills, reliable.productive truck was one that Daf was anxious to maintain in the new model.
Available in eight wheelbases from 3.05.4m, the LF45 gained more power thanks to Paccar 4-valve per cylinder, common-rail turbo diesel engines. Power outputs extend from 135hp from a 3.9-litre four-cylinder turbo up to 250hp from a 5.9-litre straight-six. The last three digits used in the LF's model number denote the power rating.
A number of improvements have been made to driver comfort, following the firm's admission that driver appeal and comfort were somewhat lacking. Cruise control and electric windows are now part of the standard specification, while air conditioning resides on the options list.
On the road
Milton Keynes-based haulier JD Woolrich & Sons updated from a four-year-old FA45 140 to an LF45 150 at the beginning of June this year. Acquired on a 120,000km/four-year contract, the LF45 170 is equipped with a 2011 (10 pallet) curtain-sided body.
Transport manager Andy Woolrich is extremely pleased with the LF's early fuel economy, and he expects the truck's current 18.5mpg to improve over time:"I'll be disappointed if it doesn't return a20% improvement in fuel economy over our previous Daf 7.5-tonner,which returned 16.5mpg.We run XF,CF and LF models in our 13-truck fleet and are pleased with Daf Aid's roadside assistance. It's a good package supported by an excellent dealer."
A sleeper pod adornsWoolrich's LF45, offering drivers good rest facilities. -The LF45 is a big step forward in terms of driver comfort and convenience," says Woolrich. "These days it's as important to keep your drivers happy as it is to maintain payload and economy."
Ray Fenton, transport manager with Eurobox Logistics of Basildon, Essex, runs a year-old LF45-220 alongside an MAN 7.5-tonner.The LF replaced an Iveco and was chosen for its driver appeal and power output (220hp) in a nine-truck fleet deal that included Daf CF and XF tractors.
It's equipped with a 20ft curtain-sided body, tail-lift and day cab.
"The LF should spend five years on our fleet, covering a mixed number of routes and clocking up about 40,000krn a year," he says. "It does local work on a pallet network, while our artics run through Europe and are covered by Daf Aid. Our drivers like Daf and no-one has complained about the LF. Fuel economy is not brilliant, but nothing will be on local stop-start routes." •