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DRIVERS' VERDICTS

2nd June 1994, Page 28
2nd June 1994
Page 28
Page 28, 2nd June 1994 — DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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As usual our roadtesters set out to find the driver's eye view. This time we spoke to ARC franchisee Rob Pain and driver Leigh Morris.

Once the EC10.35 had completed its press roadtests it joined the ERF demonstration fleet. Main dealer S Jones Garages of Walsall offered the vehicle to ARC franchisee Rob Pain, based at the Judkin Quarry near Nuneaton. Pain runs two Volvo F7s, a Leyland Constructor 30:26 and, since April, an ERF EC325 which he has on three months trial. "From an owner's point of view the 350 Celect engine is a little bit too technical," he says. "I know that the 325L10 works but the electronic engine management on the 350 is an unknown quantity for me. If it goes wrong I feel it will be expensive.

"I don't see the need for so much power unless the vehicle is expected to work in very hilly areas," he adds. "I certainly wouldn't need it around here: 350hp at 32 tonnes with the wrong driver could also provoke excessive tyre wear on the drive axles. Torque is more important than power but then the 325 is already a torquey engine and more than adequate for our needs. I expect to keep my EC for 10 years and with this EC cab it should still be looking good. A lot of the panels are bolted so they are easy to repair and if you do get a bit of damage it won't rust. Visibility is excellent. I specified the LX trim level, except for the carpet. With the sun roof and trim its a very light cab. Oil and grease might mark the trim but otherwise, with rubber mats, it's very easy to clean. The 350 is much lighter on the accelerator and there is a bit of delay in the pickup from rest," Pain adds. "The stick movement is light and it's virtually a stickless operation. The steering is good. It's got better turning than the Volvos but because of its longer wheelbase its not quite as good as the Leyland. The ECIO 325 has Harsh under-floor tipping gear and a WBS body to ARC specification. I prefer the Eaton 1532 under-floor tipping gear and Wilcox Wilcolite body which has since become an ARC option. The 350 is about 200kg better on the tare even though the 325 has alloy wheels and tanks. That's got to be down to the body and tipping gear. I chose Cummins for fuel economy but I would have lost my weight advantage if I had gone for the Perkins Tx. I have rubber suspension on the 325 but there's no difference in the ride of the 350 on steel. The only difference I can tell is that the engine sounds different under load. Overall I think it is the best package you can get for the price; only time will tell."

Leigh Morris comes from Nuneaton and holds a Class I license but has been driving tippers since 1987. He covers up to 400km a day, usually behind the wheel of Pain's ERF ECIO 325 so he too makes direct comparisons. "Its a very roomy cab but the shelf behind the seats could be made even longer," he says. "There is no space to fit a CB up above the screen so it means that the dash will have to be drilled. They always come loose eventually, then you have to do it over again. The layout for the instruments is good but there are a lot of blanks on the switch panel. The glass sunroof makes the cab very light and the extra window on the near side adds to the all-round visibility but its not much advantage with a taller body. I started on the Twin Splitter about six months ago," he adds. "I didn't get on with it too well at first but I wouldn't have anything else now. My 325 has an exhaust stack up at the back of the cab but this one seems to be noisier. The exhaust pipe is very low for off-road work, even lower than the PTO. This engine really digs in on the hills and it's much more responsive in the lower gears, but there is more vibration. I can feel it through the floor. There's nothing to choose between the handling of the two vehicles and the cab's four-point suspension helps with the ride but my 325's air-suspended seat gives a smoother suspension. The 325 also has an electric window, which ought to be made standard on the nearside at least."

Rob Paine: ARC franchisee based near Nuneaton, runs two Volvo F7s, a Leyland Constructor 30:26 and an ERF EC325.


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