ERF is raising the roof
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• ERF is boosting the appeal of its premium tractor range with the launch of a new highroof cab and the adoption of the latest Cummins 14-litre E380 Euro-1 engine in October.
The optional high cab provides 640trim more headroom and comes with two bunks as standard (a single bunk can still be specified), along with extra stowage space and a built-in wardrobe. It adds 130kg to the kerbweight. The top bunk can be folded down to give even more space behind the driver's seat.
The high-roof cabin has the same 3.7m exterior height as a standard sleeper with ERF's full air management kit.
The high-roof option underlines ERF's desire to woo small fleet buyers and owner operators away from continental marques (CM 20-26 Feb). It costs £2,750 more than a conventional sleeper cab.
The air-to-air charge-cooled NTAA380 has a gross rating of 283kW(380hp) with a peak torque of 1,739Nm(1,2751bft) at 1,200rpm. It replaces the existing air-to-water E365 engine which has had a mixed reception from UK operators.
Rival Seddon Atkinson says it will be offering the NTAA380 engine in its Strato tractor from October. Foden will also fit it but so far has not set a date.
ERF will be adopting the reworked Euro-1 version of Cummins' 8.3-litre C Series straight-six rated at either 179kW(240hp) or 205kW (275hp) in its E8 range of tractors and rigids.
According to ERF managing director John Bryant, the Euro-1 spec NTAA380 offers a number of advantages over the old E365 — not least the use of Cummins' step timing control fuel system. ERF will be replacing the E320 Cummins engine with a Euro-1 block "in due course". The final rating has not been set.
Bryant says the all-electronic 10-litre Cummins L10-350 CELECT engine will not be fitted by ERF until its new heavy truck range breaks cover sometime in 1993.
ERF's latest two-spring multiwheeler back bogie — launched at TipCon — becomes available as an option from September.
During the second half of the year ERF starts fitting new Rockwell axles on its range with the FH803 and FH804 steer axles featuring "unitised" bearing assemblies which are pre-set, pre-lubed and sealed for life.
The Sandbach truck maker has extended its driveline warranty cover to two years. The revised warranty is claimed to be "the most comprehensive on the market". The only condition is that ERF recommended service schedules are followed and genuine ERF parts used.