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An ERF but not as we knew it
Page 70
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With ERF picking up a CM Testers' Choice award this year, we delved into the archives to see what else the manufacturer had won.
Back in 2004 the ECT took the 'best tractor' category.
Given the current question mark over the future of ERF and the resounding rebuttal from MAN-ERF UK's CEO Des Evans (CM 15 December 2005), it's interesting to recall how speculation that it would struggle into 2004 proved to be a case of smoke without fire.
Dictated by demand With customer demand dictating its future, the transition from British-built through German chassis and American driveline to all-German engineering tested the resolve of the most ardent Anglophile. After all, it hadn't done Foden any good in the end.
But put on a business hat and ERF continued — and continues — to represent a perfectly respectable proposition. One of the keys to this is the efficiency of the Cummins driveline.
The ECT line-up of tractors and drawbar rigids is based on the MANTGA in its various forms. The tractor choice consists of 4x2 and 6x2 mid-lift versions, the latter in regular or'Lite' specification, while the rigids are either 4x2s or 6x2 rear-lifts.
On top of these chassis options are four cab choices.Three of them, the Day, Sleeper and High Roof Sleeper. are based on the narrow cab, while the flagship High Entry Sleeper is based on the full-width cab.
For each cab there's a choice of engines. For 44-tonne operations, the threeaxle ECT 11.38 and 11.42 are powered by the 11litre Cummins 1SMe with ratings of 385hp and 420hp respectively, while the highest output comes in the ECT 13.46, with its MAN-sourced,13-litre, 460hp unit.
Shifting in Comfort They all drive through 16-speed ZF transmissions with ComfortShift — essentially a thumboperated clutch. Our test was carried out in an ECT 11.42MT; a 6x2 with full-strength 22.5in wheel mid-lift axle, Cummins 420 engine and the High Roof Sleeper cab. The winner of Testers' Choice 2004 was tested on 10July 2003. •