Grundon selects DAF LF to ease London access issues
- New Euro-6 DAF LF 220 FA with NTM-GB K-Maxi selected for London ops
- 16-tonne LF chassis down-rated to 15-tonnes provides payload and VED benefits
- Allison auto and ‘exceptional turning circle’ provide ‘outstanding manoeuvrability’
- “The collaboration between DAF Trucks and the NTM-GB factory has been impressive and an excellent example of leading engineers working together.” Grundon’s Stephen Townsend
Grundon, one of the UK’s leading waste management and recycling companies, has bolstered its comprehensive range of specialist DAF chassis with the delivery of a new Euro-6 DAF LF 220 FA with 12.6 cubic-metre capacity rear-loader ‘K-Maxi’ body from refuse and recycling collection experts, NTM-GB in Kidderminster. The 15-tonne chassis joins a further 43 DAF vehicles on Grundon’s waste collection operations in London.
The vehicle enters service with an exacting specification to meet specific manoeuvrability demands in the capital, and to suit its ‘driver-only’ operation.
“Our newest DAF acquisition was driven by the unique demands found operating in London,” confirmed Grundon’s Stephen Townsend, Group Fleet Engineer, “our drivers face constant access issues with our larger vehicles. The smaller DAF Day cab,” he said, “provides good visibility for the driver, enhancing the awareness of vulnerable road users; this, along with the camera and side scan equipment, enhances the vehicle’s flexibility in town.
“We run a driver-only system,” he added, “and the compact DAF Day cab provides easy access for the driver. Allison auto transmission and an exceptional turning circle provides outstanding manoeuvrability; the new DAF LF is able to negotiate the tightest areas.”
The new DAF / NTM-GB combination provides further operational benefits, Townsend explained, “The 16-tonne DAF chassis footprint is well-matched to the NTM-GB K-Maxi body,” he said, “and down rated to 15-tonnes, it still offers an impressive payload plus a reduced VED benefit.”
The 12.6 cubic-metre capacity NTM-GB K-Maxi body comprises an NTM Barlift and features a pneumatic bin catcher bar, proportionally controlled hydraulic levers (for bin-lift, carriage plate and packer plate) and high-speed compaction.
“The NTM-GB body is from a family of proven equipment, which all come with the additional advantage of ‘get you home hydraulics’.” said Townsend, “The collaboration between DAF Trucks and the NTM-GB factory has been impressive and an excellent example of leading engineers working together.”
The result of this partnership is a range of DAF LF chassis and NTM refuse collection body combinations available to customers complete with whole vehicle type across 7.5-, 12-,15- and 16-tonne GVWs. This integrated approach is designed to provide the ideal vehicle with predicable lead times.
NTM-GB has also committed to new premises in Kidderminster, showing its commitment in the UK to developing new products and reaffirming its customer support obligations.
Grundon’s latest DAF LF follows the delivery of a Euro-6 DAF CF 460 FTG Space Cab earlier this year. The 6x2 tractor unit was specified for dedicated use on the company’s operations with Carbon8 – a company which uses Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) to treat incinerator residues – including residues from the joint Grundon / Viridor Lakeside Energy from Waste (EfW) facility in Colnbrook near Slough.
The Carbon8 process creates a carbon negative aggregate from the incinerator residues and provides a sustainable solution to managing residual waste.
DAF deliveries to Grundon over the summer, totalling 21 units, takes DAF’s presence in the company’s fleet to 180 units, or 75 % of its total fleet. Grundon’s DAF fleet comes with CarbonNeutral®certification, as part of Grundon’s affiliation with The CarbonNeutral Company, whereby all Grundon’s vehicle emissions are offset thorugh supporting a three-year re-forestation programme in Uganda.
For further details please contact:
Paul O’Malley, Torque Agency Group
020 7952 1070
pomalley@torqueagencygroup.com
