DRIVERS` VERDICTS
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Having completed our test of the 85A00, we invited some regular drivers to take it for a spin and give us their impressions.
Alan Gillings, who drives a Volvo FL10-320 for WJ Blythe and Son out of Faversham Kent, had not driven a Leyland Daf before. "The cab is a bit taller than mine, but it's no more difficult to climb in," he said as he adjusted the seat and steering column. He pulled away in second gear and block changed up into 4th. "The gear change is better—the lever doesn't lag like mine," he added. Out on the road the first hill was taken in 6th high. "The extra 80hp really tells. I would normally be changing well down the box by now and the gaps between each of the gear ratios are bigger in the Volvo," he commented. "The engine does pull well and this gearbox is very nice. What's it like when it's cold?" We told him that it didn't get a lot heavier. "The steering wheel is much bigger and thinner than I'm used to," he said. "It doesn't take much effort but is probably just a bit too light for me...I'm spoilt with air suspension on the FLI 0 cab and the ride seems a bit stiffer here. The brakes start to work almost as soon as you touch the pedal. Very reassuring!" When we stopped he looked back at the bunk and said: "It feels quite nice and there is some stowage under the bunk. It's probably OK for two or three nights out a week". We told him about the higher bunk option. "That sounds like it might be better," he concluded. "There's nothing worse than having to move all your gear before you can use the bunk." Garry Walker had just pulled into the BP truckstop at Crick in the Scania 113-380 he drives for MacFarlane out of Leeds when we invited him to jump up into the 85 Series. His first reaction was: "The steps seem OK. The cab is lower than mine. I've always thought that Leyland Ws are a bit plasticky, but then most trucks are today. This looks as if it will be easy to keep clean. The gearbox is good. The gearchange is a lot lighter than I thought it would be. I'd say it's better than the Scania's and I thought that was the best around. The engine pulls well—it doesn't feel like 38 tonnes. I do like the brakes. They work as they should; the 113 has got a long pedal travel. You can hear the exhauster but apart from that the noise is not bad; about the same as mine I'd say. It doesn't roll much and it rides quite well. The front screen is tall so you get good vision of traffic lights and road signs. I like the control for the axle lift on the dash: you can reach it easily if you need the extra grip." We told him that Daf uses the Scandinavian, speed-related, dump programme. He thought that was a better idea than the time-related system he was used to. "It's a nice looking truck" he said.
Gillings: The engine pulls well and the gearbox is very nice."
Walker: "You get good vision of traffic lights and road signs."