DRIVERS' VERDICTS
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As usual, we took our test vehicle out on the road to find out if our testers' views were backed-up by those made by professional drivers.
Tony Reed works for P & 0 Roadways transport division and has driven for a living over the past 15 years and currently pilots a Leyland Daf 95.330 twin-steer. He is 6ft 3in: "With my long legs I need the seat up high," he said, "this roof height is perfect for someone as tall as me. Is it standard?" We told him it is in the UK. "The instruments are a bit basic although they tell you all you need to know. The header rail is low for me but I like the shelf up top—a bit more stowage space. The night heater programmer would be better placed over the bunk but having the blower under the end of the bunk is sensible—it cuts the noise down. After a two-minute course on how the Eaton SAMT transmission works he tried it: "I see," he said, changing down, "no need to touch the accelerator, it looks after the engine revs on its own." Out on the road he commented how clean and smooth the gearchange was. "I thought I would find it difficult but I don't. The exhaust brake is responsive and the accelerator pedal is comfortable. The gear switch is mounted just right to use but the surround would get in the way for access to the rest of the cab. It also makes it difficult to operate the headlight level control. It's a little bit noisier than mine but the trim isn't any more *sticky than in the Daf. I don't smoke but there has to be a better place for the ash fray." Outside we looked at the tool locker. "The door should be bigger. That deep lip all the way round makes it awkward to put heavy items like a jack in and out." With a last glance he said: "It's a smart looking cab."
John Kelly: Ins switch lets you drive the truck the way it should be driven."
John Eggleton has hod an HGV licence for six years and drives a Scania 113 320 for Hays Distribution out of Milton Keynes. "I've never driven on Iveco before," he confided, climbing behind the wheel. "This seems massive inside after my day cab. Visibility is good, the mirrors are OK and I don't have a problem with the instrument panel." Once on the road we invited him to skip change missing out one or two ratios if it was indicated on the monitor. "The gear switch is very sensitive. I can change as I want to. I think it's a bit quieter than mine." As we pulled back into the pork he selected reverse as a matter of course without any instruction and backed up. After a final look around he said: "There are a few nooks and crannies to hold the dust but it shouldn't be a problem keeping it clean. These twin stalks on the steering column are a bit close together. I would prefer to see the lveco control panel located near the other warning lights. I like the electric roof hatch. It gives you a bit of fresh air without sitting in a draught. The engine cover is a bit congested. If it was flatter it would be easier to stand on when changing at night."
We met John Kelly, a manager for Barry .1 Dorling of Bury St Edmunds driving an ERF EM while standing in for a sick driver. Once settled in he still found it difficult to operate the sensor switch at the bottom of the clutch pedal travel that allows the initial gear to be selected. The other two drivers had the same problem but Kelly had to readjust his seat to get sufficient purchase. All three came to terms with the SAMT very quickly and although Kelly hod not driven that version of the TwinSplitter he told us: "We have an ERF fitted with SAMT. The drivers say it hangs on to ninth and tenth gears. This one is nice to drive. Normally I have misgivings about technology but I must say it's head and shoulders above the standard TwinSplitter box." After we explained about the 'appropriate gear selection' below 1,000rpm, he said: "The switch is like having a gear stick but it lets you drive the truck the way it should be driven. With 420hp it's a driver's motor, but I am impressed how easy the extra power makes the vehicle to drive. It's a pity the controls for the heater and headlight alignment haven't been mode flush like all of the other switches. I'd like the radio down on the dash where it can be seen. The bunks look adequate for the occasional night out but ought to be thicker and wider for anyone living in the cab". It was only at T-junctions when the drivers were forced to come to a stop that they had any problem. Ideally the gear needed to pull away should be selected before finally dipping the clutch pedal. That is different from normal routine and needs thought before it becomes automatic.
Tony Reed: "This is perfect for someone as tall as me."