H T Test AYDEN REVOR
IHAVE TO BE HONEST; I LOVE A LOGGING truck test. Getting out into some of the harsher environments New Zealand can throw at a truck really gets me excited. Not only do you get to experience highway running and some rural roads but also off-road tracks ranging from flat and smooth to narrow, steeply rutted and with tight turns.
I can’t think of a better environment to test a truck.
The truck we are testing this month is the first DAF CF Euro 6 dedicated logging unit to go on the road here in New Zealand. I tested the DAF XF when it was first launched here in another tough environment doing livestock, so it will be interesting to see how the CF compares.
My team and I catch up with the new G & B Baker Ltd. DAF CF 530hp unit set up with Kraft Engineering logging gear and four-axle trailer for a day carting logs out of a private forestry block east of Masterton.
The skid site is about an hour from the Baker’s yard which is situated on the outskirts of Masterton. Once regular driver Morty has done a full turn around load with our journalist in the cab it is my turn to take the wheel.
As usual with European trucks the climb into the cab is a breeze with three well-spaced steps, a wide opening door and grab handles on each side. Being the CF model it’s not as far to climb as the taller XF design.
Once settled in the cab everything seems quite similar to the XF with all the functionalities being the same. On the steering wheel you have all the functions you need at your fingertips featuring hands free phone functions, radio controls and cruise control buttons.
On the stalks there are the standard (leftside) indicators also engine brake and manual gear change on the right. The DAF dash display has a very clean look to it with good size tacho and speedo with a digital driver information screen in the middle.
To the left of the driver on the semi wrap around dash is a good size touch screen entertainment unit as well as all the other function switches like turning off the lane assist and cross locks.
On the dash is also the Drive, Neutral and Reverse toggle, air conditioning unit, and the Traction Air CTI head unit which has been retro fitted very tidily.
Being a day cab configuration, I was expecting the truck to feel small inside but this one seems to give the impression that there is
plenty of space. There is a big centre console with good storage facilities and drink bottle holders.
Once we have two packets of high-grade logs loaded it’s time to head out of the bush. The track out is step with a few switch backs so I am very cautious of my speed and the trailer tracking with the best part of 46 tonnes under my control.
I hold the truck in manual using sixth gear and the engine brake on stage two, switching into the third stage at the steepest parts.
The run down the steepest parts is hairy with big drop offs to my left. The biggest difference in this truck compared to the XF is that this has been modified with a switch fitted for the engine brake, so you don’t have to turn it off before hitting the throttle again which helps a lot on this run out to the main road.
As found in my previous test the third stage of the engine brake is very good revving out to 2200rpm, so good in fact I hardly need to use it. Once out onto the tarsealed road it’s still a testing drive back to Masterton with tight roads off camber corners, tight bridge crossings and a few hills thrown in. The truck handles all this with ease.
The 530hp engine and 16-speed Traxon gearbox don’t miss a beat. The biggest similarity in this model to the XF is that you can’t seem to make this truck work hard. By that I mean it doesn’t feel or sound like its working hard. It’s working but it just goes about its business without too much fuss.
The lower cab CF is the perfect height for a log truck. You are not up too high, cab roll is nonexistent, and vision is very good, this helps on the tight roads to position the truck with ease.
On the way back into town on the steepest hills the gearbox gets down into the right gears without any issues it’s a very hassle-free drive on a demanding road where you need to keep on it 100% of the time.
When it’s time for me to hand the truck back to Morty my biggest impression from my drive is how well this unit runs in the logging sector with the low cab, 530hp, responsive gear box and a very good engine brake there is not much more you need.
Yes, some might like more horsepower, but do you really need it? That’s the question everyone has to weigh up but with this job you don’t. It’s always a pleasure to test a truck that seems to fit its job well. You don’t need all the bells and whistles they don’t make any extra money and to be fair to G & B Baker Ltd this truck still looks the part without any bling. T&D