Luton Borough Council in DAF fleet replacement programme

• 10 new Euro-6 DAF CF 290 FAG twin-steer 26-tonners recently delivered – nine on order
• Four-plus-one crew-cab conversion by Esteppe
• 21m³ VARIOPRESS body by FAUN Zoeller complete with Rotary 3 bin-lifters
• Conventional cab preferred to traditional low-entry cab for refuse collection
• Improved Euro-6 fuel economy over Euro-5 “quite a surprise”

Luton Borough Council is replacing its 26-strong refuse collection fleet with new Euro-6 DAF CF 290 FAG 6x2 twin-steer rigids (23 mid-steer and three rear-steers). The 26-tonne GVW rigids feature four-plus-one crew-cab conversions by Esteppe in the Netherlands and are equipped with 21m³ VARIOPRESS rear-end loader bodywork and Rotary 3 bin lifters from FAUN Zoeller.

Supplied by local DAF dealer, HTC in Luton, the new DAF fleet is specified with conventionally mounted cabs to provide improved visibility on collection-rounds in Luton where narrow streets provide a constant challenge for drivers. Euro-6 fuel economy has already shown an improvement over equivalent over Euro-5 DAF models.

“Our decision to use conventionally mounted cabs goes against the norm of the more common low-entry option,” said Simon Smith, Fleet Transport Manager, “However, the normal height cab on the DAF allows the driver to ‘set’ his truck with greater confidence when manoeuvring into tight spaces, while the crew-cab conversion still provides excellent accessibility for the crew. On the streets of Luton,” he said, “it’s a far better solution.”

Ten DAF 26-tonne CF 6x2s are now delivered into the Bedfordshire local authority with a further nine on programmed delivery before the end of the year and the remainder over the next two years.

26 DAF units make up Luton Borough Council’s interchangeable front-line fleet whereby vehicles are required to perform a variety of tasks to suit fluctuating operational demands. Luton’s refuse collection vehicles, all with FAUN Zoeller equipment, consist primarily of DAF CF 290 FAG twin-steer 6x2s and, where enhanced manoeuvrability is required, a smaller number of CF 290 FAN rear-steer 6x2s are in service – all at 26-tonnes GVW and all fitted with optional Allison 3200 series fully-automated gearboxes.

“DAF’s twin-steer configuration,” said Smith, “suits the weight distribution of a rear-end loader as the weight is heavily biased to the rear. The twin-steer set-up means excellent handling characteristics while at the same time reducing the risk of damage to the road surface when the vehicle has to make tight turns.”

“A benchmark fuel economy figure is very difficult to gauge,” he added, “refuse collection is a stop-start operation for up to eight hours-a-day and, though the truck is stationary, engine revs are often high while powering on-board equipment. We have noticed that, overall, the Euro-6 models are using noticeably less fuel” he said, “and that’s come as quite a surprise.”

While talking with Luton Borough Council, the opportunity arose for us to shoot some video of the new DAF CFs in action. The result, which you can be viewed here, features Transport Manager, Simon Smith, alongside some great footage of the trucks on the streets of Luton. Please feel free to use the link for your own on-line platforms.

ENDS

For further details please contact:

Paul O’Malley, Torque Agency Group                                      
020 7952 1070
pomalley@torqueagencygroup.com