Sticky work for Daf six-wheeler
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With up to 80% of the Daf's time dedicated to this work, company owner Mike Shirley has had the body finished in the distinctive colours of his customer, F Ball and Co. He has also had the truck equipped to take a Manitou forklift mounted on the back for use when delivering to construction sites where no mechanical assistance is available.
The Daf is a 6x2 FAG CF75 twin-steer rigid with a lifting second axle and it joins a fleet of 15 trucks. It is has a 6.6m wheelbase to accommodate a sleeper cab and the Manitou while still enabling an 18-pallet body to be fitted. This is a curtainsider by Boalloy and can take 14 pallets on the deck and a further four on a second raised deck at the front of the body.
MJS Transport has opted for the 360hp (260 kW) rated version of the 9.2-litre Daf engine in its new truck. This gives driver John Yates an ample 13.85hp per tonne of power to weight to enable him to maintain good average speeds. There is plenty of torque too at 1450Nm (1070ft-lb) across a band between 1200rpm and 1700 rpm, which should help in slippery building site conditions. The engine is matched to an eight-speed ZF8S151 manual gearbox.
The Daf will cover around 140,000km a year making deliveries to places as far apart as Redruth and Peterhead and John Yates will use the Daf Space Cab at least one night a week. Features of the cab include air conditioning, cruise control, a stylish wrap-around walnut effect dashboard and ample storage space. For added safety, a reversing camera is fitted.
The dealer who supplied the truck, Lex Commercials of Stoke on Trent, will service the DAF under a five-year repair and maintenance contract.
MJS Transport is a member of the Road Haulage Association.
