Grahams Family Dairy milks 6.5 tonne Dailys to cut costs06 April 2010

Stephen Elliot, transport manager at Grahams Family Dairy, says he is trialling a move from 7.5 to 6.5 tonners, and has bought two Iveco Daily 65C18 light commercials for the purpose.

The Dailys are already in operation seven days a week, clocking up a projected 40,000 km a year at the Stirling-based firm, which distributes milk and dairy products to a mix of retail outlets, from corner shops to supermarkets around the region.

Elliot explains that the new, smaller trucks still offer a more than adequate body and payload allowance of 4,255kg for the dairy's deliveries, but also offer the advantage of easier driving and manoeuvrability, typical of smaller LCVs.

"The decision to buy these Dailys, rather than simply replacing like-for-like, has brought multiple benefits to the business," states Elliot. "Not only has it reduced capital expenditure, but the Dailys offer improved payload capacity and allow us to carry 14 trolley-cages, whereas our existing Ategos can only carry 12," he adds.

Elliot says that amounts to a "significant improvement in productivity", which will, he says, cut delivery miles and fuel costs – so also resulting in reduced emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

He also comments on the benefits for drivers: "The Daily also offers better manoeuvrability, which is particularly important, as these vehicles will spend the majority of their time making deliveries in busy urban environments," he explains.

The Daily chassis cabs were supplied by Iveco dealer Kerr & Smith, and both were mounted with bespoke refrigerated bodywork, manufactured by Tekbo. They each use a direct-drive Carrier Transicold Xarios temperature controlled system to keep the milk, cream and butter products cool throughout the distribution process, and Elliott expects them to remain in operation with the company until 2016.

Power comes from 3.0 litre HPT (high performance turbo) engines, capable of 176hp, between 3,200 and 3,500 rev/min, and up to 400Nm of torque between 1,250 and 3,000 rev/min. Elliot reckons this wide power and torque band is an excellent match for his urban delivery requirements, while also permitting motorway cruising at low engine speeds.

He also advises that every component in the engine has been specified for heavy duty, prolonged work – citing the timing chain service intervals, which has been extended to every 350,000 km.

Author
Brian Tinham

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