DAF XF105 forms backbone of Merseyside fleet

Completion of a fleet renewal programme by Liverpool container specialist JMD Haulage Limited has seen 20 DAF XF105 tractors become the backbone of the company’s 50-strong fleet. The 105s are working out of the UK’s major ports for customers such as Atlantic Container Line for whom they are the main UK haulier.

The DAFs will operate throughout the UK moving over 25,000 containers a year and are each expected to cover in excess of 120,000 kilometres annually. “With this sort of mileage, fuel consumption was a big factor in our decision to choose the 105,” says Paul Blundell, a director of the 30 year old family firm.

“Our experience with DAF 95s has shown them to be very fuel efficient and although it’s early days yet with the 105s – they’ve not yet reached 50,000 kilometres – we’re quite satisfied with the way the fuel consumption is going.

“We’ve also recently installed fuel bunkering facilities at our premises in Liverpool and along with specifying 430 litre fuel tanks on the 105s to reduce the amount of fuel purchased on the road, this should further contribute to cutting our annual fuel bill.”

The 105s are 44 tonne, twin-steer, mid-lift axle FTG models powered by the 12.9 litre PACCAR MX engine, developed by DAF and which uses SCR technology to meet Euro 4 emissions standards. JMD Haulage has opted for the 410 horsepower (300 kW) rated version of the three ratings available in the 105, the others being 460 bhp (340 kW) and 510 bhp (375 kW). A manual 16-speed ZF gearbox and single reduction HR1347 rear axle of 11.5 tonnes capacity completes the driveline.

Attracting and retaining good quality drivers was also a key consideration when choosing the 105. The trucks come with the DAF Space cab, which offers very comfortable working conditions and overnight accommodation. Air conditioning is standard along with an auxiliary cab heater.

The DAFs have been leased for three years through PACCAR Finance and the company has taken out a preventative maintenance contract over this period with the supplying dealer, North West Trucks of Huyton.

“This all-inclusive package gives us complete visibility of our costs throughout the three years that we’ll be running the trucks,” says Paul Blundell. “The dealer will also carry out routine maintenance overnight and at weekends so that we get maximum use out of the vehicles and they achieve their optimum earning potential.”

One way of doing that is through the use of ContainerPort, an integrated telecommunications system designed and developed by Liverpool University in alliance with JMD Haulage.

This unique system, which is fitted to all the 105s, includes live web vehicle satellite tracking. This enables customers to be given accurate estimated times of arrival and can help facilitate backloads to optimise vehicle usage. When fully developed, ContainerPort will create a paperless environment for the driver with the ability to provide electronic proof of delivery and instant feedback to the traffic office and on to the customer.