- Ten new DAF LF 220FA chassis offer high manoeuvrability with compact NTM bodies
- Council switches from hire-in acquisition to outright purchase policy for DAF fleet
- DAF LF and CF rigid range remains favourite among bodybuilders
- Whole-life-cost and relationship with DAF Dealer (Watts Truck & Van) key to deal
Carmarthenshire County Council has taken delivery of ten new DAF LF 220 FA refuse collection trucks for its waste collection service. With an eye on whole-life-cost benefits, the Council has switched from its previous hire-in policy to outright ownership, with support from local DAF Dealer, Watts Truck & Van in Swansea, a key ingredient to the new method of acquisition.
DAF’s lightweight 16-tonne LF chassis is already proven on Carmarthen Council’s domestic refuse operation where high manoeuvrability is a prerequisite in operation; on 19.5-inch wheels, DAF’s LF chassis boasts the tightest turning circle in its class. The 16-tonne LF’s smaller cab dimensions also provides a narrower width profile compared to a typical 18- or 26-tonner – an attribute of significant benefit in urban conurbations.
The latest fleet comes with a 8.1 metre cubic capacity K-Maxi refuse collection body from Kidderminster-based manufacturer, NTM. The body also comes with the manufacturer’s additional 2.1m cubic capacity FK-Pod providing two additional side-loading compartments for recyclables. DAF Trucks LF and its heavier weight CF range of rigids remain firm favourites of the UK’s and Europe’s leading refuse collection body builders thanks to clean, uncluttered chassis design.
“DAF vehicles have been an integral part of our hired-in fleet for several years,” said Andrew Elkin, Fleet Manager at Carmarthenshire County Council, “and we are very well accustomed to the high levels of service form Watts Truck & Van. The move to outright purchase is driven,” he said, “by whole-life-cost advantages coupled to the peace-of-mind that Watts provides with its aftersales commitment.
“Such is the intensive nature of the Council’s waste collection service,” continued Elkin, “uptime becomes a critical facet of the truck fleet. The vehicle has to perform, of course, but Dealer support must be aligned with our preoccupation with keeping the vehicles working the streets of Carmarthenshire. Watts Truck & Van, I’m happy to say, are with us shoulder-to-shoulder in this respect,” he said.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s commitment to cost savings is borne-out in its move to outright ownership of its new DAF fleet.
“With their proven reliability,” added Elkin, “I have no doubt long-term budgeting will be accurate, but crucially, we now own an asset. These latest DAF LFs will be working hard for six-or-seven years and I know they will retain significant commercial value at the end of their lives.”
