Diddimix chose DAF for good on-site performance

Good on-site performance of the DAF LF55 has led ready-mixed concrete company Diddimix of Leicester to add another to their 11-vehicle fleet.

“Sites have become much more challenging in recent times,” says General Manager Jeremy Edinborough. “Customers now expect vehicles to be better equipped to cope with the conditions and to meet more stringent health and safety requirements. This new DAF helps us to do that with a range of features that include more and bigger mirrors, twin hazard beacons, an acoustic reversing bleeper and a diff lock on the rear axle.”

“The LF55 is also a compact and manoeuvrable truck. This is particularly helpful in positioning the truck closer to the drop point and when making deliveries to domestic premises and other situations where access is restricted.”

The new truck is a 3.75 metre wheelbase FA LF55 18 tonner fitted with a four cubic metre mixer by Chesterfield company Truckmixer Limited. A Knowles gearbox-mounted PTO runs the mixer and an engine speed control with pre-set facility is fitted to enable the drum speed to be accurately controlled during discharge.

Diddimix has opted for the 220 bhp (165 kW) rated version of the 6.7 litre DAF GR165 engine in the new truck. This uses SCR technology to achieve the Euro 4 emissions standard. A torque output of 850 Nm at between 1200 and 1700 rpm gives the flexibility to cope with all conditions. A six speed gearbox and 11.5 tonne single-reduction drive axle of 5.63 ratio complete the driveline.

Driver comfort and safety is provided by an air-suspended driver’s seat with a three-point seatbelt and head restraint, electric windows, cruise control and a high quality radio/CD player. An exhaust brake helps to make driving easier by reducing the braking effort whilst at the same time contributing to reduced wear of the service brakes.

Jeremy Edinborough says that the ability of supplying dealer Ford and Slater of Leicester to offer a service agreement under which the truck can be serviced overnight was also a key consideration in choosing the DAF. “This means that the truck is always available to us during the working the day, making deliveries and earning its keep,” he says.

Diddimix is part of the Lafarge Group and operates from plants in Leicester and Nottingham. It serves a large market across the East Midlands supplying ready- mixed concrete in batches as small as half a cubic metre to four cubic metres to customers ranging from local authorities to major house builders and private householders.