Full steam ahead with DAF Euro 6 tractor unit03 December 2013

International transport firm Stardes, which provides services to the concert tour and event sector, has put its first Euro 6 DAF tractor unit into operation – a two-axle FT low-deck model, with air suspension all round.

This is the first Euro 6 XF in the UK to feature such a configuration and the Sheffield-based firm says it selected the unit for its environmental performance and lower noise levels.

Stardes names all its trucks after famous steam locomotives and has called this 'The Flying Dutchmen'.

Image is important to Stardes, working with the entertainment industry, and co-founder David Steinberg says: "The styling of the 2014 XF model is very striking and it carries our distinctive blue and gold livery very well, resulting in a truck that's a real head-turner."

Supplied by dealer Imperial Commercials, the new DAF is one of six trucks and 12 trailers that Stardes is acquiring as part of its 2013—14 fleet renewal programme.

A Jost dual-height fifth wheel is fitted to enable it to couple to the different tri-axle trailers in the Stardes fleet.

The company has also specified a retarder to assist on the long mountain descents in some parts of Europe.

Other features include skylights, faired into the roofline of the cab, a full-width sun visor, Kuda side skirts and Alcoa Durabright wheels.

The tractor unit is powered by a 12.9-litre MX engine at 510bhp, and the engine has been matched to a 16-speed manual transmission.

The truck has a heavy-duty power pack as well as a plug-in landline connection to feed the DAF Super Space cab, which has air conditioning, fridge, microwave and multiplay CD/DVD with 22-inch screen.

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
DAF Trucks Ltd

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