SDM European goes down the Euro 6 route with DAF09 July 2013

One of the UK's early Euro 6 DAF XF trucks has gone into service with SDM European, running regular trips to the Continent – and so far fuel and Adblue usage are about the same as on its Euro 5 DAF XFs.

Martin Hodgkins, operations director of the Bicester-based company, also reports that the new truck is quieter and that driver feedback has been very positive.

Power for the two-axle FT model is from a 12.9-litre MX 13 engine. SDM opted for the highest power rating of 510bhp at between 1,425 and 1,750rpm to give the truck an ample power to weight ratio of 12.75bhp/tonne at 40 tonnes gvw.

A 12-speed manual gearbox was also specified, and the truck has been fitted with a ZF intarder to reduce brake fade during long descents and to improve brake efficiency and life.

As SDM European specialises in temperature controlled transport throughout the UK and mainland Europe, it is running the DAF with a New Chereau multi-temperature trailer.

To achieve Euro 6 compliance, DAF has made use of both SCR and EGR technology along with an active soot filter.

"I have no problem in embracing this new level of technology," comments Hodgkins. "We have had to do so in the past and we have learned to adapt – so this will be no different."

And he adds: "Choosing the Euro 6 DAF was a natural progression for us as we already run several of the previous model.

"Over the four years that we keep our DAFs we get a good overall performance, in terms of initial value for money, running costs and residual values, and I expect this new model to deliver on all of these in the same way."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
DAF Trucks Ltd

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