Farnborough Van & Truck Hire (FVTH) of Portsmouth has become one of the first operators in the UK to acquire a Daf truck with the new eight-speed ZF PowerLine automatic transmission. The company has taken delivery of an LF 190 7.5-tonne (8.3-U.S.-ton) rigid with a Paccar box-van body and tail lift. When paired with complementary components, the PowerLine gearbox can deliver fuel efficiency gains of up to 7%, along with superior drivability, according to Daf.
FVTH says that 80% of its 600-vehicle fleet wears a Daf badge, including models across all weight categories. The company runs New Generation Daf XG tractor units and is awaiting the arrival of some New Generation Daf XD rigids.
A Better Transmission
The new PowerLine automatic gearbox provides smooth gear shifting without interrupting the torque to the wheels. The transmission is quick to respond to the throttle, and starts to move the vehicle as soon as the driver releases the brakes. This “urge-to-move” function contributes to the Daf LF’s manoeuvrability at low speeds.
“Automated and automatic gearboxes are a must in the rental and contract hire business,” says FVTH’s Managing Director Tim Houghton. “My customers just want to jump in and go. The new Daf PowerLine takes it to the next level; it really does deliver car-like drivability.”
The PowerLine is available in many 7.5- to 18-t (8.3- to 19.8-U.S.-t) gross vehicle mass Daf LFs, including city tractor and drawbar configurations of up to 28-t (30.9-U.S.-t) gross combination mass. Its wide gear ratio spread, double overdrive, and first-gear lockup contribute to its fuel efficiency.
“Operationally, auto-boxes drive down maintenance costs, too, especially on clutches,” says Houghton. “And, of course, the prospect of a 7% improvement in fuel economy from the new driveline is a good thing for everyone.”
Daf also offers the LF truck with six- and nine-speed manual transmission options, as well as five- and six-speed Allison automatics.
The Daf LF
Daf says it builds the LF for durability, manoeuvrability, light weight, and high payload capacity. The distribution truck comes with a day cab, an extended day cab, or a sleeper cab. The LF line is available with 60 wheelbase variants ranging up to 6.9 metres (22.6 feet) in weight classes of up to 19 t (21 U.S. t). A popular option is a lower window in the passenger side door for better visibility to the side.
Two of the LF range’s engine options have been newly redesigned. The 4.5-litre, four-cylinder Paccar PX-5 and 6.7-L, six-cylinder Paccar PX-7 offer seven available power ratings. Both engines can be combined with optimised rear axle ratios and the ZF PowerLine transmission for the fuel savings and drivability benefits described above.
The PX-5 and PX-7 motors have cylinder blocks made of compacted graphite iron (CGI) for higher strength and lower weight. New low-friction pistons, high-efficiency compressors, and a new waste gate turbocharger wring extra power out of the drivetrain.
The Daf LF’s front axle options range from 3.6 to 7.5 t (4 to 8.3 U.S. t). Most of its 5- to 13-t (5.5- to 14.3-U.S.-t) rear axle options have differential locks available. Daf recommends 60,000-kilometre (37,300-mile) service intervals for the LF family.
Find The Right Daf Truck
TruckLocator.co.uk hosts a selection of new and second-hand Daf trucks for sale, including LF models on the market in Ireland and Europe.
Source: Daf