Improved manoeuvrability and the ability to work outside normal day-time delivery hours were key to Martin Brower’s decision, according to Tony Winterbottom, general manager operational support at the company.
“We are always looking at ways of reducing our environmental impact and have already completed significant work on reducing both noise and engine emissions,” explains Winterbottom.
“The DAF CF Silent option was chosen as part of our environmental protection strategy, and will be included on specification for all future truck acquisitions,” he continues.
“We chose DAF thanks to its capability of running on biodiesel... Clean engine technology is fundamental to our environmental strategy.”
Martin Brower and McDonald’s have been using biodiesel recycled from used cooking oil (UCO) since 2007, and Winterbottom says the result has been considerable carbon emissions reductions.
DAF’s ‘Silent’ mode is an engine software function that alters performance characteristics to reduce noise levels to less than 72 dB(A), allowing for urban deliveries despite early morning and night time restrictions.
The new Euro-6 rear-steers join an all-DAF fleet based at the company’s Hemel Hempstead and Dublin locations, which run a fleet of 117 tractors and 40 rigids, plus 153 trailers.
This latest ‘Silent DAF’ was specially prepared for the CLOCS (Construction Industry & Cyclist Safety) progress event.
The other four same-spec trucks are already on the road and operating out of Martin Brower’s Hemel Hempstead base.
All vehicles are being supplied through DAF Dealer HTC in Oxford and are acquired with DAF MultiSupport R&M packages on a six-year arrangement.
Further specification reinforcing Martin Browers’ environmental credentials include DAF’s Advanced Emergency Braking System, Lane Departure Warning System and Vehicle Stability Control. Supplementary equipment includes Maple 360-degree camera monitoring system, forward facing cameras and nearside ultrasonic scan system.