Archive for May, 2009

45th Scania Truck - news on Trucklocator.co.uk

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

Wellingborough-based Rob Masters Ltd has added another Scania truck to their existing fleet of specialist crane-equipped vehicles.
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The Scania R420 8×4 rigid supplied by TruckEast’s Wellingborough depot is equipped with a CR16 day-cab, Palfinger 60t-metre crane and full construction cheesewedge hydraulic body complete with remote power winch & draw-bar coupling.

Rob Masters is already renowned for a large fleet of modern, versatile rigid crane and draw bar vehicles up to 44 tonnes, enabling them to lift, drive or track machinery and cabins onto their trucks and deliver them round the corner or across Europe. This latest vehicle complements their other vehicles, allowing them to provide specialist services for their customers.

The total fleet now stands at 21 including 14 Scania trucks. All vehicles are serviced and maintained by TruckEast on a 5-year contract.

“Its great to be able to add another Scania to our fleet” said Rob Masters when he took delivery. “TruckEast have always been a great support to our business and this latest addition means we can continue to deliver great service to our customers.”

Pete McGowan, Sales Manager for TruckEast also commented “Rob has been a very loyal customer over the past 14-years. Both companies have worked together to keep the working relationship strong and we wish him continued success for the future”.

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DAF’s light weight means more litres delivered

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

The light weight of DAF LF55 chassis means more payload and more litres delivered for Cornwall’s leading independent supplier of fuel oils and lubricants.
DAF LF55 www.trucklocator.co.uk
Redruth based Mitchell and Webber has put a pair of 18 tonne LF55s into its 21 tanker fleet delivering a range of fuel oil and related products to customers across the West Country. Each is fitted with a 13,000 litre, four compartment aluminium Magyar tank designed to carry a mix of products. Alcoa aluminium wheels further reduce weight and increase payload as well as adding to the smart turnout of the trucks.

With demand for domestic fuel oils at its peak in recent weeks the LF55s have each been making up to 30 drops a day, delivering between them as many as 52,000 litres of heating oil daily. As Spring approaches demand is now switching towards the agricultural market as well as continuing to meet the less seasonal needs of marine and industrial customers.

The inbuilt versatility of the DAFs and their Magyar tanks makes it easy to move from one type of work to another. The compact size of the LF55s means that they are equally adaptable for deliveries into farms or private homes with restricted access as to docksides or industrial estates. The compact cab also helps drivers to cope more easily with Cornwall’s narrow country roads.

At 280 hp (210 kW), Mitchell and Webber have chosen the highest power rating available form the PACCAR GR165 six-cylinder engine in their LF55s. At 18 tonnes this gives them a generous power to weight ratio of 15.83 bhp/tonne. At this power rating there’s plenty of torque too. The engine deliveries 1,020 Nm across a rev range between 1200 and 1800 rpm enabling the DAFs to get moving in the most slippery of conditions and whatever their load state.

‘These trucks have to cope with some hilly terrain,’ says managing director Robert Weedon. ‘Having plenty of power ensures that they are always working comfortably within their limits, which contributes to increased durability. At the same time it improves productivity by keeping times between jobs to a minimum and it does so without compromising fuel efficiency.

‘We’ve also made the driver’s job easier by choosing the AS-tronic automatic transmission. Frequent short journeys between deliveries would normally mean a lot of clutch work and gear changing and this avoids all that with the result that driver fatigue is reduced and safety improved, as he can focus solely on the road ahead. It should also mean less downtime and costs related to clutch renewals.

‘On multi-drop work the driver is constantly climbing in and out of the cab, which can be physically demanding. We find that the LF cab makes this easier with its well spaced steps and grab handles along with a wide-opening door. Good cross cab access also means that in many situations he can get out on the nearside, which adds to his safety.’

Further operational flexibility comes from the four-compartment Magyar tank, which is able to carry a mix of products from heating oil to kerosene and biodiesel. The tank has Gardner Denver pumping equipment and a full vapour-recovery, bottom-loading system.

The trucks are being maintained in Mitchell and Webber’s own well-equipped workshop at their base at Scorrier near Redruth, which meets full ADR and Petroleum Regulation standards. Parts support and any warranty work is being undertaken by the supplying dealer, Wessex DAF, who is co-located on the site.

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I J WEBB AND SONS’ TOP TIPPER ALSO TRANSPORTS PLANT

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Aggregate recyclers, I J Webb and Sons has taken delivery of their first-ever Volvo truck - a bespoke FM-440 8×4 tipper with reinforced sub frame chassis, air suspension and a VBG coupling to enable the utilisation of a trailer.
Volvo 8x4 at trucklocator.co.uk
Managing Director, Ian Webb, who at present operates a mixed fleet of six vehicles, commented, “Instead of transporting aggregates and plant to site with two separate vehicles, we wanted one vehicle that could complete the task in a single, cost-effective, movement. In addition, the vehicle had to have tipping capabilities and enough strength to carry up to 19.5 tons of plant equipment.”

To enable the tipper to act as a multi-purpose vehicle, leading tipper body manufacturer Thompsons, reinforced the cab’s chassis with a strengthened sub-frame along with Wheelbase Engineering fitting an air-actuated VBG coupling to enable easy connection to the trailer.

“A number of manufactures were approached to supply the vehicle, but it was Volvo that was my marque of choice”. Ian added, “As my specification was bespoke, knowledge and support from Volvo and our local dealership Thomas Hardie Commericals was paramount in the decision-making process. After an initial consultation I knew I was in safe hands.”

Ian concluded, “The vehicle is perfect for my requirements on the road and meets the demands of the job off-road.”

The vehicle will be serviced and maintained by I J Webb and Sons’ in-house engineer. It can be seen across the North-west transporting a variety of aggregates from grit to various sizes of crushed stone and road planing to a multitude of construction plant.

The company now plans to pilot the new Volvo over the forthcoming months before taking the decision to make further Volvo additions.

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Iveco Eurocargos do a sterling job for national training provider

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Iveco is in the process of delivering a fleet of four new model Iveco Eurocargos to nationwide LGV training provider Sterling Training, based in Basildon, joining a fleet of 14 similar Eurocargos delivered within the last 18 months.
Iveco Eurocargo www.trucklocator.co.uk
This major investment in new vehicles follows changes in the law which has meant training providers are required to operate vehicles with at least eight gears, box bodies and ensure their fleet has a minimum gross vehicle weight of 12 tonnes.

“We’ve purchased approximately 100 different Iveco trucks since we founded the company in 1997, and based on their performance and suitability to our fleet we had no reason to look elsewhere for these latest orders,” says Danny Allso, Operations Director at Sterling Training.

“The Eurocargo is a strong all-round fleet performer and as one of the single most popular trucks on the road in the UK, it’s an ideal vehicle for our pupils to learn on. It’s also a very driver-friendly vehicle, and the upgraded cab in the latest model provides a really comfortable environment for providing instruction. With the same driver’s seat as the top-of-the-range Stralis, our pupils have never been as comfortable,” he adds.

Each of the new vehicles have also been specified with Iveco’s factory-fitted drawbar pack, which affords Sterling Training the option of connecting them to any of the trailers in its fleet at a later date. This ensures maximum flexibility by enabling the Eurocargos to be suitable for both Category C and C+E licenses.

“Another key factor for maintaining our allegiance to Iveco is the strength of its dealer network. Our vehicles operate across various locations nationwide, and the number of Iveco outlets means we are never far from a franchised service workshop when the vehicle is ready for its routine service. Employing our own team of fitters would be a massive commitment, so we let Iveco take care of all of our servicing and maintenance,” he explains.

Purchased outright from Hayes-based Iveco distributor Dagenham Motors, the new fleet of 12 tonners are finished in a striking black livery and powered by 5.9 litre tector engines which produce 217 hp at 2,700 rev/min and up to 680 Nm of torque between 1,200 and 2,100 rev/min, driven through nine-speed manual gearboxes with a dashboard-mounted gear lever and servoshift.

Whilst all UK spec new Eurocargos are fitted with the Eurotronic gearbox as standard, it is possible to specify a manual gearbox if required.

Each vehicle also benefits from a revised dashboard which houses a centrally mounted console that has been completely renewed to ensure optimum location for the most commonly used buttons and switches, such as the heated mirrors, programmable speed limiter and foglights – all conveniently located within easy reach of the driver.

Another of the most notable changes inside the latest Eurocargo is the all new ergonomic seating, which for the first time sees drivers benefit from the same high specification seats found in Iveco’s Stralis heavy trucks. As a new safety feature, a driver’s seat belt warning system is also included, in which a persistent audible warning sounds when the vehicle moves off and the driver’s seat belt is not fastened. Comfort is also further increased through revised door panels which incorporate an improved arm rest, featuring electric windows and mirror adjust, whilst the door pockets have ample capacity for storing personal belongings.

The door/ignition key for the new model has also been enhanced to ensure increased key strength and added vehicle security, whilst an engine immobilizer is standard across the complete new Eurocargo range.

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RATCLIFF JOINS THE DELIVERY CO TO “GO GREEN”

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Established in November 2006, The Delivery Co was a result of a strategic initiative to consolidate the individual logistics operations of PaperlinX UK’s three paper merchants; Robert Horne Group, The Paper Company and Howard Smith Paper. It is recognised as one of the largest paper and plastic distribution businesses in the UK, carrying stock for same-day and next-day deliveries throughout the country.
Ratcliff Tail lifts - www.trucklocator.co.uk
Running a fleet of 350 vehicles, transporting more than 500,000 tonnes of paper per year throughout the UK and Ireland, the company is forward thinking and has on trial the first carbon-neutral, electric 7.5 tonne curtain-sided vehicle fitted with a Ratcliff RQ1008 1000kg capacity tail lift. This ‘green’ vehicle is appropriately dedicated to delivering the recently launched ‘yoyo’ branded recycled paper and collecting waste paper from customers to be recycled - hence the slogan ‘yoyo’ paper always comes back”!

“We had to look at all aspects of our operation,” explains Steve Rootes, National Fleet Manager. “We needed a vehicle that would allow us to load extra-large sized paper by forklift through the side, whilst still needing a tail lift to permit the safe unloading of standard sized deliveries to customers, and the collection of their waste paper to be brought back for recycling.”

“The majority of our tail lift vehicles are fitted with Ratcliff lifts. However, in view of the weight of the batteries and our wish to maximise payload, we decided to opt for their ‘top of the range’ ultra-light, low maintenance, all aluminium model, which is rather appropriately 95% recyclable!”

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Commercial Vehicle production falls

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

UK van, truck bus and coach production fell by 63% to 22,295 in the first quarter of this year, after a further steep fall in March. This is according to data just out from the SMMT, which hopes that the government’s scrappage scheme will stimulate the market. “The figures show that urgent action is necessary to kick-start demand in the motor industry and the introduction of a UK scrappage incentive scheme is an important first step,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “Efforts to restore confidence and improve access to finance, particularly for companies in the supply chain, are key to sustaining our industrial capability. The motor industry has an essential role in the UK’s economic future, but it will be some months before we see any significant increase in output.”

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UK Trailer Registration arrives, UK style

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

The Department for Transport has invented a form of trailer registration to make sure that heavy trailers, for which mandatory Type Approval doesn’t start 29 October 2012, don’t go to work without approval. The Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency will register each trailer’s details, including those of approvals and the Certificate of Conformity. It will issue a unique number and document without which the trailer isn’t supposed to go to work. Vosa will also keep a record in a database. The DfT couldn’t say if the database will be available to the police or compatible with the Police National Computer to help the boys in blue tackle trailer crime. “With the exception of Greece, every other country in Europe seems to register trailers better, effectively extending the system used for other vehicles to cover trailers,” said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs for the Society. “The data is available for and used in crime prevention and detection but it seems that option won’t be available to the UK’s enforcement and security agencies.”

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Drop in HGV traffic highlights need for urgent action

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

The Freight Transport Association (FTA), has urged the Government to look at its own figures – showing that heavy goods vehicle (HGV) traffic dropped significantly in the last year – and scrap the fuel duty hike it has planned for September.

Figures published today by the Department for Transport show that HGV traffic decreased by 12 per cent between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009. This coupled with the marked increase in HGV drivers seeking Job Seekers Allowance – up by 365 per cent from March 2008 to March 2009 – is of grave concern to an industry already reeling from two consecutive fuel duty increases since December.

Jo Tanner, Head of Communications for the FTA, said:
“These figures are further proof that the haulage sector has been hit especially hard by the recession. What more proof does the Government need that certain parts of our sector are on its knees?

“Given the drop-off in work from the retail and manufacturing sectors and the increased costs of running an HGV, it is not surprising that traffic volumes have fallen as far as they have. But trucks are the lifeblood of our economy and now would be a good time to stop kicking the industry while it is down with discretionary fuel duty rises.”

While HGV volumes fell by 12 per cent, overall traffic decreased by 3.5 per cent in the same period.

Tanner concluded:
“With commercial vehicles faring much worse than cars, the Government must introduce different rates of duty for business users and private motorists. Aside from the commercial implications of taxing business users at the same rate as other road users, the fact is that private cars add far more to the UK’s CO2 emissions than commercial vehicles.”

# Light van traffic decreased by 2 per cent.
# Heavy goods vehicle traffic decreased by 12 per cent.

This “confirms our worst fears,” says Kate Gibbs, head of communications for the Road Haulage Association. “The road haulage sector is a valuable barometer for the economy as a whole. The RHA said a member survey in January this year showed that 70% had seen a downturn in business of at least 10% against January 2008; there was clear expectation of further pressure on rates and little expectation of an upturn in 2009.

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Massive new Van Site in North London

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

A new 150 vehicle supersite has been opened in Neasden, North London, by used van and truck specialist Broadway Motor Company.

The dealership, believed to be among the largest used commercial vehicle sites in the country, is based at Neasden Lane, and is a development of an existing Broadway site.

In addition, the company has recently signed up to www.vanlocator.co.uk for all of their vehicles to be displayed on the vanlocator website across all of their sites.

Ian Griffiths, sales leader at Broadway said: “With the additional land we’ve been able to use here, the enlarged site is four times the size of the old premises, and we can carry extensive stock levels.

“Also, Neasden is an ideal location. It is within easy reach for almost anyone across London, as well as for customers using the M1 and M40 motorways. We are confident that the operation will prove to be a major success.”

Griffiths added that the supersite was part of an ongoing expansion of Broadway’s operations that had been taking place over the last year in response to the growing retail sales that the company had been experiencing.

He said: “We have recently added new satellite, appointment-based braches at Derby and Stoke in addition to our existing locations at Manchester, Gateshead, Rotherham, Birmingham and Liverpool.

“While the used commercial vehicle market as a whole has been suffering, business for us has remained strong with retail sales growing. We believe that this is an ideal time to invest in the company, which is why we have been expanding our sites.

“Certainly, the kind of high quality, three year old, one owner stock in which we specialise has been finding a market, often as a value-for-money alternative to a new vehicle. Customers very much see this as an attractive option in the current economic climate.”

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