Low weight DAFs central to payload improvement project
A vehicle weight reduction project with a target of increasing payload by over seven per cent is underway at leading foodstuffs tanker operator Abbey Road Tanks with the arrival of 13 ultra low weight versions of the FTP model from DAF’s CF85 range.
Significant environmental benefits are also expected in line with Abbey Road Tanks’ green strategy because increased payload will mean fewer vehicle movements and therefore reduced fuel consumption.
The project takes a holistic approach that covers every aspect of the specification and operation of the vehicles. The aim is to meet a target of raising payload from the current 28 tonnes to 30 tonnes whilst seeing fuel usage drop by 5% over the next 12 months.
Choice of the DAF CF85 FTP model brings an immediate weight saving of around 450 kgs over a standard 44 tonne mid-lift axle tractor units because it uses smaller 17.5 inch wheels and tyres on the lift axle. Specification of a day cab brings a further reduction in weight of around 75 kg and more is shaved-off by the use of a fixed Jost fifth wheel and aluminium fuel and air tanks and wheels.
The result is a tractor that weighs in at just 7572 kgs fully fuelled, with Adblue, pumping kit and driver. Running with current lightweight tanks in the fleet, this takes payload up to 29.5 tonnes. Now the focus is on the tanks in order to hit the 30 tonne target.
Abbey Road has already set up a pool of lightweight tanks within its fleet which will operate exclusively with the FTPs. These are soon to be supplemented by specially-designed tanks for carrying syrup which use weight-saving materials such as fibreglass in their construction.
Once weight is out of the vehicles the key to consistently delivering the payload improvement lies in carefully managing their deployment. Managing Director Steve Granite says that this involves dedicating the new trucks and the lightweight tanks from the pool on specific contracts where they can deliver the best overall results.
These contracts are in Manchester, Hull and London and involve the movement of syrups, cooking oils and fats within a 60 mile radius of each customer. Relatively short runs will enable more drops in a day resulting in a bigger cumulative effect from the circa 7 per cent payload saving on each journey. There will also be some double-shifting to optimise the use of the trucks, with night deliveries expected to result in shorter journey times because of fewer traffic hold-ups as well as less waiting time to discharge.
DAF dealer North West Trucks of Huyton on Merseyside supplied the 3.85 metre wheelbase FTPs. They are powered by the 12.9 litre DAF MX engine rated at 460 bhp (340 kW) and which delivers an impressive 2300 Nm of torque at between 1000 and 1410 rpm to assist easy move-offs in all load and road conditions. The engine is matched to the AS-tronic automated gearbox.
