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Fleet favourites
Page 70
Page 71
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CM tests more CVs than anyone else. Now we're using our extensive
database to help you search for the right vehicle. This week Product Focus concentrates on Daf's bread-and-butter fleet machine, the CF.
Vehicle: Oaf FIG CF85.430 6x2 tractor with Space Cab Tested: 26 September 2002 Specifications Engine: Daf XEC1 Euro-3 charge-cooled turbo-diesel with electronic control and UPEC unit pump/injectors Maximum power: 428hp (319kVV) at 1,90Orpm Maximum torque: 1,950Nm (1,438Ibft) at 1,000-1,500pm Transmission: ZF Ecosplit 16S181 directtop 16-speed manual box with rangechange and splitter Terms of warranty: Two years/unlimited distance with optional third year with contract maintenance Weight as tested: 44,000kg, including 8,010kg tractor, 7,000kg trailer and 28,990kg payload Operational trial results (Scottish threeday route) Average speed: 73.4km/h (45.6mph) Average fuel consumption: 7.69mpg (36.71it/100km)
The lowdown
Narrow-but-tall fleet cabs have clearly captured the imagination of cost-conscious UK tractor buyers— not least among Daf operators. During CM'S three-day test most of the CF85s we saw (and we saw a lot) had Space Cabs.
We can see no reason why a UK long-haul driver shouldn't be more than happy to work, rest and sleep in a CF85 Space Cab in place of an XF95 or other 'big cab' —if your drivers can't get on with a CF85 Space Cab they're probably also bitching about the rustle of the Angel Gabriel's wings...
And so to the $64.000 question: What can I expect from 44 tonnes? Higher payloads? Definitely. Better rates? Definitely not. Poorer fuel consumption? Not necessarily.particularly. if the CF85's figures are anything to go by. Despite less-than-perfect conditions it delivered outstanding economy on all but the very worst terrain where the extra weight was bound to take its toll.
With just one test of a Euro-3 44-tonner under our belts it's obviously too soon to deliver definitive verdicts on anything.
However, the opposition will certainly be coming after our new 44-tonne 'crown' — but anyone who's aiming to beat the CF85.430. twin-steer will need to come up with something pretty special. Vehicle: Daf FT CF85.380 4x2 tractor with Space Cab Tested: 19 December 2002 Specifications Engine: Daf XEC1 Euro-3 charge-cooled turbo-diesel with electronic control and UPEC unit pump/injectors Power: 375hp (280kW) at 1,90Orpm Torque: 1,750Nm (1,291Ibft) at 1,000-1,500rpm Transmission: ZF Ecosp lit 16S181 direct-top 16-speed manual with range-change and splitter Terms of warranty: Two years/unlimited distance with optional third year with contract maintenance Weight tested: 40,000kg, including 6,930kg tractor, 7,000kg trailer and 26,070kg payload Operational trial results (Scottish threeday route): Average speed: 72.4km/h (46.2mph) Average fuel consumption: 7.93mpg (35.6141100km)
The lowdown
No doubt there are bean-counting transport fleet bosses out there who baulk at the idea of giving their drivers a working environment comparable to their own company cars. Fortunately for their drivers, the economic argument for the Daf is a strong one.
Fuel economy is good, performance is good and payload is good. Its future as a moneyearning fleet tractor is obviously good, but it doesn't end there.
Although not the obvious first choice for the sybaritic owner-driver, in some respects the Space Cab has more of its eponymous commodity than the XF Super Space Cab, and in a considerably more compact package. There's no real reason why the CF85 shouldn't be as suitable for long-distance work as for hauling breakfast cereals around the M25. It really does seem to offer something for just about everyone. •