Paper recyclers go straight to Euro 5 with new DAFs

Smurfit Kappa, Europe’s leading producer of paper based packaging, has moved straight to the Euro 5 emissions standard with a pair of new DAFs.

The vehicles have been supplied on a six year, fully-managed contract by specialist contract hire and leasing company Marcol Limited of Burton-on-the-Wolds in Leicestershire.

Both are DAF FAS CF85 three-axle drawbar machines and they are being double-shifted out of the company’s Blackburn recycling centre. Each moves up to ten containers a day, helping to collect between 1000 and 1500 tonnes a week of waste paper and cardboard from industrial premises throughout the North West of England and West Yorkshire. Once collected the material is sorted and baled then sent for re-processing into new packaging and paper products.

The DAFs are powered by the 12.9 litre MX engine, which uses SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology to achieve Euro 5 emissions compliance, not due for implementation until October 2009.

Richard Waterson, Regional Operations Manager for Smurfit Kappa Recycling in the North West, says that a key factor in choosing DAF was the reputation that the make enjoys for good fuel economy. “Our early experience is that they are performing well on fuel and are also using only five litres of Adblue for every 100 litres of diesel.

“We opted for the 460 horsepower rated version of the MX engine, as these trucks have to cope with local hilly conditions, including long climbs on the M62 over the Pennines. Our drivers report that they are very satisfied with the amount of power and with the overall performance and driveability of the trucks.

“We also undertook a comparison of the cost of a basket of typical parts, particularly frequently used consumables. DAF were good overall on both price and availability and our local DAF service dealer, Lynch Truck Services, are able to carry out work overnight or at weekends to ensure that the trucks are always available.”

Each DAF runs with a two-axle, close-coupled Grafton drawbar trailer and both the drawing unit and trailer can take a 35 cubic yard container. These are loaded by Hyvalift 22-56 hookloader equipment with a capacity of 22 tonnes and capable of handling both Chem and Cablelift converted containers. Controls are located inside the cab and an electrically operated warning system covers all safety critical functions of body raised, side locks and axle jacks.

Reload Systems of Oldbury fitted the Hyva equipment and the automatic sheeting system, which can cover containers from 15 to 50 cubic yards. They were also responsible for the Orlandi drawbar coupling, the installation of additional spotlamps to aid night operations, and the fitting of a stainless steel side locker to contain straps and tools.

Ford and Slater of Leicester was the supplying dealer.