Heavy-duty DAFs for the UK market

DAF has returned to the heavy-haulage market with a full range of four-axle Euro 6 CF and XF-cabbed specialist vehicles, including, for the first time from DAF in the UK, a tridem format with a single front axle and tri-axle rear bogie.

The new four-axle vehicles also have a wide choice of configurations so that vehicle specifications can always be tailored to suit a wide range of applications. In addition to conventional 8×4 configurations, there are also 8×2 configurations available to ensure maximum manoeuvrability, including an 8×2 rigid with twin-steered leading axles and a steered rearmost axle.

DAF’s new CF range now includes the FAX configuration with four axles: two steered front axles (eight or nine tonnes) and a rear bogie consisting of an 11.5-tonne driven axle and a 7.5-tonne steered trailing rear axle.

This extra manoeuvrability makes it ideal for distributing construction materials, plant or machinery movement, allowing a large crane to be mounted behind the cab. The FAX is also proving a popular choice in certain tipping applications such as for animal feeds. It has a GVW of 32 tonnes and can be specified for drawbar operation up to 44 tonnes.

Euro 6 sees DAF introduce tridem axle plans to the UK for the first time: the tridem CF 8×2 FAQ has a single front axle rated at either eight or nine tonnes and a three-axle rear bogie consisting of a steered leading axle, followed by a drive axle and a steered training axle with a combined UK capacity rating of 32-tonnes. This format is ideal for applications where there is heavy load bias towards the rear of the vehicle and also offers an excellent turning circle while minimising tyre scrub and related surface damage.

The tridem format is also found on the XF-cabbed 8×4 FTM, where the rear bogie consists of a single-steered axle followed by a set of tandem drive axles. This combines exceptional tractive and weight-bearing capacities and is suitable for combination weights of up to 150 tonnes, depending upon configuration.

Either an eight- or nine-tonne front axle can be specified, followed by an eight-tonne axle on the front of the bogie, and then a choice of single-or hub-reduction for the two drive axles with steel or air suspension. The truck is intended to meet growing demand for the transportation of heavy indivisible loads such as wind turbines and cranes.

While the loads have increased, engine power has not, with the most powerful Euro 6 on offer from DAF being the MX-13 at 510 hp. However, the company points to the availability of a ZF AS-Tronic automated transmission with a rapid shifting action to help maintain momentum when hauling heavy loads.