AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Winner:

4th March 1999, Page 38
4th March 1999
Page 38
Page 38, 4th March 1999 — Winner:
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

DENNIS ELITE

Others Peugeot Boxer crew-cabbed dropside Renault Master Tipmaster tipper Scania P94011 Frontline 6x2 refuse collector ERF EM6.23 Mill 4x2 refuse collector Bennis Elite Ti 6x4 refuse collector Mercedes Econic 10231.1. 4x2 refuse collector

3.5-tonners with a clutch of refuse collection trucks—after all, Direct Labour Organisations have them in their fleets and private contractors use them too, so why not feature them among our Best of the Rest groupies?

The Peugeot Boxer crewvan/dropside and Renault's Master tipper are both useful little utility vehicles.

While the Renault Tipmaster tipper can hump and dump up to 1,433kg, the Boxer, with its Hawson Garner dropside body, will haul 1,300kg (or that much less with six in the cab). But this versatile pair is not in the same league as the dustcarts when it comes to emptying the nation's wheelies.

Our binwagon quartet is a top-class selection: Scania'S converted Frontline cab chassis, ERF's oddball centre-steer truck; Dennis's well-proven, upgraded Elite; and the superb Econic from the Mercedes factory in Arbonne.

Scania's P94011 is powerful, drives extremely well and has a huge, well constructed cab that is exceptionally quiet. But while the driver has a smart cockpit and wide step entry, the crew have one heck of a climb up into the gods. Up there it can be somewhat claustrophobic trying to see forward through the Frontline's slotted window.

As a 4x2 it's heavier than most, so most Scania buyers take it with a Granning conversion and a much healthier payload.

ERF traditionally converted standard truck cabs but now offers dedicated refuse collectors, including the Jack Allen-designed centre-steer cab. The model we tried had the best access oft four refuse wagons tested. Indeed the narro tracked EM6,23 with its full-height scissor doors a true one-step-entry cab with excelle ergonomics and driving vision.

A tall windscreen provides excellent forwa visibility for the crew, who sit behind at the driv at shoulder height. It takes a while to get used centre steering but there are safety benefits.

Dennis, on the other hand, has been a hauseho name for generations of dustcart (and fire engin anoraks. The CRP-clad, stainless-steel-fram Elite cab comes in two lengths and widths, on cha sis with two, three or four axles.

Options are numerous, including gas engine Eminox exhaust traps and retarders, and Dennis close to announcing full-air suspension a electronically controlled disc brakes.

Dennis builds its Phoenix bodywork for moun Mg on other manufacturers' chassis as well as own, and the Elite has electronic proportio power management for both the engine and compactor system. The traditional Cummin Allison combination makes it an ea drive and the cab is friendly f driver and crew alike.

Mercedes only launched Econic municipal last Spring, with its very high specification it already cutting into markets outs' its traditional municipal role.

The cab is CRP-panelled on aluminium space frame. It was in tially only available with four sea in line, but now there are two heigh as well as an ultra-low version f cranes, car transporters and ai side use. The Econic uses much oft electronics from Merc's Actros Atego ranges and, importantly, air suspension and disc brakes on axles. Merc's newcomer is no p tender: it's powerful, easy to dri and is a versatile, high-quali machine, as befits the three-point star on the front.

But as well engineered as t Econic appears to be, we feel that has yet to prove itself across wh is quite a demanding Indust sector—so we make the Dennis 8'


comments powered by Disqus