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150th Freshlinc DAF XF105 tractor unit gets special treatment

Tractor Units
Lincolnshire operator Freshlinc has taken delivery of its 150th DAF XF105 – and treated the truck to a host of features, including a vinyl wrap colour scheme featuring the Union Jack with a gold finish.
Freshlinc's new XF105 has also been specified with DAF's Skylights fared into the roofline of the Super Space cab, foglights in the bumper and a full width sun visor. Polished alloy wheels, stainless steel lighting bars with six lights on the top bar with four on the bottom, along with the registration FL 62 DAF top off the total. The truck is part of an order for 63 XF105s being supplied through DAF dealer Ford & Slater at Spalding, with all the trucks being delivered in time to meet the Christmas peak demand for fresh produce. They will join a fleet that now numbers 185 tractor units and 300 trailers, making Freshlinc one of the UK's leading chilled produce distributors. All 63 trucks are 44 tonne FTG mid-lift axle models, featuring the 12.9 litre DAF MX engine rated at 460bhp and delivering 2,300Nm of torque. This is matched to an automated 12-speed AS-tronic transmission in line with Freshlinc's 'all-automatic' policy, which aims to support safer and more consistent driving standards and better fuel efficiency. Fleet engineer Andy Marchant says that good fuel economy and reliability were key factors in the decision to add more DAF trucks to its fleet. "We now have considerable experience of the DAF XF105 and find it to be a very fuel efficient truck, which is important in these days of high fuel prices," he states. "Of equal importance to us is that it has proved to be very reliable, which is particularly important when you are carrying fresh produce and have to meet demanding timed deliveries into the RDCs of the major supermarket chains," he continues. "The 105 is also popular with our drivers for its ample power and good torque, which makes moving off easier whatever the load or road conditions. And they like the roominess of the cab, which offers a huge amount of space and plenty of storage for their personal belongings." Freshlinc is taking the DAFs on a four-year Hire Plus lease agreement through Paccar Financial, which includes full R&M with servicing and repairs to be carried out overnight at Ford & Slater in Spalding, adjacent to Freshlinc's main operating base.

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