DAF 150 tonner provides comfortable ride on heavy hauls

A 150 tonne DAF XF105 tractor in service with heavy haulage specialists AP Hollingworth Limited of Huddersfield has been specified to a luxurious level of comfort and a high mechanical standard to suit its demanding work.

Although plated for 150 tonnes, the truck will typically operate at around 120 tonnes gross weight, moving heavy machinery for firms throughout the UK - something that AP Hollingworth have been doing for much of their 85 years in business.

The big DAF is powered by the 12.9 litre MX engine rated at 510 bhp (375 kW) and which delivers a massive 2500 Nm of torque to get the truck moving in all road or load conditions. This is matched to a 16-speed manual gearbox. An engine brake is fitted along with a ZF intarder and these combine to reduce braking effort, especially on long descents, and help to reduce wear on the service brakes as well as making the driver’s job easier.

That driver is David Lockwood, who is enjoying the generous amount of room in DAF’s Super Space cab both when on the road moving heavy indivisible loads to and from all parts of the British Isles and on the nights he spends sleeping in the truck – normally two a week.

The headroom is good; there’s plenty of storage space for his personal gear and any Personal Protective Equipment that he needs to carry; and David appreciates design features like the foldaway gear lever that demonstrate DAF’s attention to detail in regard to driver comfort.

Along with the comfortable beds and ample storage space that are standard features of the Super Space Cab, the company has specified luxury air-suspended driver and passenger seats, a radio/CD player with all-round sound from six speakers, and a fridge. The feeling of luxury is further enhanced by the stylish wrap-around, walnut-effect dashboard.

Managing Director, Andrew Hollingsworth, says that David is well pleased with his new DAF. “He’s very happy both with the level of comfort and the performance of the truck and is particularly impressed by the engine brake and the ZF intarder, which really help to take up the strain on long hill descents.

“We’ve run DAFs now since the early 1970s and have always found them to be a reliable make. This one is on a three year repair and maintenance contract with the supplying DAF dealer, F and G Commercials. As they are also in Huddersfield we know we can get the truck serviced at times that suit our operational needs, including out of hours if that’s necessary. After three years we’ll look after the truck ourselves with F and G providing parts and any specialist support.”