DAF 105 helps ensure accuracy in axle weighing

A DAF XF105 two-axle tractor unit now in service with Runcorn company Axtec (Axle Weight Technology Limited) is helping to check the enforcement by VOSA of vehicle axle weight limits.

Following an evaluation of several makes, Axtec bought the DAF to meet its obligations to VOSA under a recently renewed contract for weighbridge supply, repair, maintenance and testing. This covers the VOSA network of 68 roadside enforcement weighbridges stretching across mainland Britain, which Axtec have been maintaining since 1996.

To do this work the DAF has to perform a number of roles. With its trailer fully equipped for repair and maintenance of the weighbridges, it carries the test weights and forklift between locations. For calibration and testing, it operates both as an articulated test vehicle and, using a special frame to carry ten test weights, as a two-axle rigid. It is the only weighbridge test vehicle purpose-designed for testing axle weighbridges.

“It’s certainly a very flexible and productive truck,” says Axtec managing director Keith Gresham. “In the old days we would have needed as many as four different test vehicles along with a service engineer in a van in order to carry out a test. With our new truck, driven by the service engineer, we normally need only one other test vehicle.

“Our contract with VOSA requires that we maintain a level of availability in excess of 97% across the network of dynamic weighbridges and that we respond quickly in dealing with emergency repairs. The contract includes strictly enforced penalties if we fail to meet performance standards, so it’s vital that we have a reliable vehicle and this, along with good fuel consumption, was a key factor in choosing the XF105. In fact we manage an average ‘uptime’ for the network of between 98% and 100% and have not had to pay a penalty for years!”

Between jobs its Super Space cab provides luxurious accommodation for service engineer Dave Platt, who is also the truck’s driver and who can spend up to four nights a week in it. He is delighted with the high level of specification in the cab, which includes air suspended driver and co-driver seats, air conditioning, a stylish walnut effect dashboard, a refrigerator and a high quality radio and CD player.

To power their new 105, Axtec have opted for the 460 horsepower (340 kW) rated version of DAF’s 12.9 litre MX engine, which uses SCR technology to achieve Euro 4 compliance. This is well matched to a 16-speed ZF manual transmission with a good spread of ratios to enable the vehicle to achieve optimum performance in all conditions. At its normal gross operating weight of 40 tonnes the power to weight ratio is 11.5 bhp/tonne, which enables good average speeds to be maintained as well as delivering excellent fuel economy.

The 32-foot long tri-axle flatbed trailer that the DAF pulls has been specially modified for its task and meets the test requirement that a test trailer bogie must be on steel springs. It also carries a rear-mounted Kooi-Aap two-tonne forklift for handling its 24 one-tonne test weights.

As well as testing enforcement weighbridges, the new Axtec vehicle is used to test trade and public weighbridges on behalf of Trading Standards. Axtec's dynamic weighbridge holds two test certificates; one for accuracy to within 0.5% and the other to within 0.25%. The company also operates the world’s only public dynamic weighbridge at its Runcorn site.