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DRIVERS' VERDICTS
Page 58
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Bernie Clarke drives an ERF EC14.340 6x4 tractive unit out of Rochester for Alan Firmin. It has SAMT so getting to terms with Eaton's latest 16-speed synchromesh gearbox came as something of a shock. ERF is rumoured to be dropping SAMT in the future so we suggested there was no harm in getting used to coordinating gearlever and clutch pedal again! "I'lllust have to remember to use the clutch " he told us, but with 30 years of driving experience behind him he didn't find it a problem. "The cab is laid out better than mine, and I like the walnut bits of trim" he said. "The middle of the fascia doesn't take up so much space. The radio is much better down there," referring to the redesigned central console. "Is this a Fresh-air vent on the end of the fascia ? On mine it's combined with the heater. I like this better. It's nice to drive and there is plenty of power but it would need a load on it to say how well the engine really pulls." We told him it was at maximum weight. "It is? Well it's very good. I just didn't realise. The cruise control comes in smoothly and it's very easy to set to the speed you want. It's got a nice ride and the air-suspended seat makes it very comfortable or the driver. The brakes work pretty well. Visibility is about the same as mine. You could do with a window on the nearside at the end of the bunk and do away with the head-rest on the passenger seat. It's a common enough fault on modem trucks," he said. As he climbed out he told us: "I tend to catch my foot on the wheel arch. I've scuffed the paint off on mine." Down on the ground he glanced at the fuel tank: "That's too small. You don't want to have to buy fuel out on the road at to-day's pump prices".
Ken Bell was running back to Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs in an MAN 17.322 he drives for ANC. When he called in at BP's truck stop at Crick we asked him what he thought of ERF's latest model. "The top two steps were much closer together on the old model. These are more evenly spaced which is better and they give better grip than the flat steps especially if you pick up a bit of diesel on the sole of your shoes. It's important to have a strong retaining strap on a door as big as this one otherwise the wind can easily blow it back. I've trapped my foot before now and its painful." Out on the road Bell commented that it pulled well for a 38-tonner. "The Jake brake is brilliant and if it could be Fitted to mine I would use it a lot. You needn't bother with the exhaust brake on mine but there is little to choose between them on noise levels". He found it hard to break the habit of a life time so continued to double declutch. 'The accelerator is slightly slow to read. It's a nice cab and now that the job has got a lot cleaner drivers appreciate something better and little extras like the wood trim. The driving position is better than mine. It has a nice view, the header rail is not too low and the mirrors are good. The pedals are a good size and you can get your whole foot on the accelerator. The fascia is a lot better; there is no risk of catching your little finger any more when you select reverse. The flask holder is a most important item," he added.
If jproof were needed of the quality of Commercial Motor's sweatshirts then we need look no further than owner-driver Ian Spencer who was driving his F-registered Scania 143.450 6x2 back north to Dumfries & Galloway. He liked the fancy trim inside the ERF and said the roof lights would be good to read by at night while the stowage lockers in the header rail were just all right. "The seat is a bit springy and the cab rolls a lot but it's a lot quieter than my old warrior. The gearbox is still stiff and the change is a bit notchy. I like the splitter. It gives you all the gears you need to keep the speed going up hills and
the engine pulls quite well. I'm quite impressed. I'm sat quite well forward
so I would need to push the mirrors forward but it's nice for a wee cab . I like the layout; the gearshift is about the right height and Ican rest my arm on the door.-I would prefer to have the Jake brake control mounted on the dash and if I were buying I would have the high roof version," he told us.