FVTH has a 600-vehicle fleet with an 80% DAF presence across all weight categories. The company, based in Portsmouth and with a new location in Colnbrook, Heathrow, also has New Generation DAF XG tractor units on its fleet with New Generation DAF XD rigids on order. FVTH has nationwide coverage and has a specialist division of the business dedicated to the construction and builders’ merchants’ sectors.
PowerLine is an automatic powershift transmission with hydro-dynamic torque convertor delivering responsiveness and shifting with continuous torque transmission. An ‘urge to move’ function is said to deliver low-speed manoeuvrability while the high spread of ratios, including a double overdrive, together with ‘lock-up’ from first gear, helps to deliver fuel saving benefits.
The automatic gearbox features in a range of upgrades to the DAF LF range. Redesigned PACCAR PX-5 and PX-7 engines – seven ratings in total – feature lightweight yet strong Compacted Graphite Iron block, low-friction pistons, new efficient compressors and a new waste-gate turbo.
At a special handover at Leyland Trucks, FVTH managing director, Tim Houghton, was presented with the keys to a DAF LF 190 7.5-tonne rigid complete with PACCAR box-van body and tail-lift – part of a fleet order for the rental and contract hire company. The rental and contract hire company’s vehicles are supplied by DAF Dealer, Greenhous DAF.
The heavy-duty variant of the automatic powershift PowerLine gearbox is suited to the LF series and available in 7.5, 10-12, 14-16 and 18 tonne GVM variants, including urban tractor and drawbar specifications up to 28-tonnes GCM.
Houghton said: “Automated and automatic gearboxes are a must in the rental and contract hire business. My customers just want to jump in and go. The new DAF PowerLine takes it to the next level – it really does deliver car-like driveability. Operationally, auto-boxes drive down maintenance costs, too – especially on clutches. And, of course, the prospect of a 7% improvement in fuel economy from the new driveline is a good thing for everyone.”