DAF TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Creating a good impression wherever they go, Rayner Transport’s DAF fleet is more than taking care of business.

The regional freight task in Australia is rarely easy on equipment, a fact Chris Rayner, owner of Rayner Transport in Launceston, knows all too well.Along with investing heavily in the development of his new state of the art Launceston depot, Chris’s business model has centered on the procurement of quality, dependable
equipment – trucks carrying the DAF badge.

Talk to Chris about how he might describe himself and his humble reply is “simply a truck driver”. Wander around and talk to the drivers on the forklifts, the staff in administration, his truck drivers or tow hauliers and you’ll find unanimous admiration for the man they see as a fair boss, innovative leader and dynamic motivator.

Growing from a single truck owner-driver operation Chris’s hard earned reputation for reliable service quickly grew. Efficient operations, innovative utilisation of plant and equipment and diversification were founding goals of this expanding company and remain fundamental objectives today. A stringent code of safe work practices and a rigorous commitment to the highest levels of service mean clients receive the promptest, safest and best possible service available.

Even today, Chris still enjoys the friendship and respect of those clients that helped forge his business.

“I have had a good working relationship with our local dealer CJD Equipment, in particular Chris Saltmarsh and Daniel Rice for a long time,” Chris Rayner said. “When they introduced the first DAF products to me all those years ago I was impressed with the standard features, the quality of the finish and I was already familiar with the good back up service that CJD provide”.

“Today DAF trucks are virtually standard for us because they last longer. We’ve tried the others and sure, you can rebuild anything, but at what cost? We’re not about selling DAF trucks, we’re only interested in what pays, and that’s why we have DAFs.”

“There are no problems with chassis rails and rust in the cabins is non-existent. The cabins themselves hold together so well that rattles experienced in other brand trucks aren’t there. The DAF’s almost feel new, even when they’re more than 15 years old.”

Chris says all the DAF models in his fleet are very comfortable to drive. “It’s a smooth ride, that’s for sure: last week I put my coffee cup down on the engine cover and went 20 kilometers before I remembered it, and it was still sitting there, hadn’t even moved.”

“The gearing is set up just right for our operation,” Chris pointed out. “In one particular place we supply, the trucks are required to back up a steep ramp, manoeuvre through a 90 degree turn and line up next to a dock. This is cruel on the gear, but these DAFs do it day in and day out with no problems.”

“Many of our customers have commented how appealing the DAF truck is aesthetically,” Chris eagerly volunteered. “That speaks volumes about the image of the product and reflects favourably on our company as well. Some of our clients even specify our DAFs when booking jobs. Our drivers like it too as the truck’s ergonomics are very driver-friendly and DAF’s inbuilt safety features instill confidence.”

One of their most versatile DAF units is the FAP CF75 with low tare weight and a fuel-efficient, yet powerful, engine which makes it ideal for a variety of urban and regional distribution tasks around the north of the state.

Rated to a GCM of 38 tonne, the FAP CF75 model is powered by a PACCAR 9.2-litre PR 265 engine, generating 360 hp (265 kW) and 1,070 lb/ft (1,450 Nm) of torque. It includes the ZF AS-Tronic 12AS1630 12- speed overdriven automated gearbox, the DAF SR 1347 with pusher rear axle, DAF six-bag ECAS and sleeper
cabin.

The airlift pusher axle is positioned in front of the driven, rear axle as opposed to the conventional, trailing ‘lazy’ axle, which is behind the rear axle. The forward rear pusher axle can be lifted off the ground whenever the truck is empty or carrying light loads, which reduces fuel consumption, maintenance costs and tyre wear. Conversely, employing the pusher axle provides a truck carrying heavier loads with a greater distribution of weight over more wheels as well as better traction and handling.

In the age of high tech electronic sophistication, DAF has retained the ‘KISS’ (keep it simple) approach to its product line up and the DAF FAP CF75 is no exception, offering application flexibility through a wide range of options.

A rear engine PTO is available on this model and can be supplied at reductions of 100 percent or 150 percent with power output of 90-150 kW and a torque of 440 – 490 Nm. Incidentally, the PTO weighs approximately 100 kg. The engine bay comes standard with sound paneling that also meets the dangerous goods
requirements for engine protection.

Rayner Transport’s latest DAF CF85, the tenth to enter the fleet, is rated to a GCM of 70 tonne, and the CF85 model is powered by a PACCAR 12.9-litre MX engine, generating 460 hp (340 kW) and 1,695 lb/ft (2300 Nm) of high torque between 1000 and 1410 RPM. It includes the ZF AS-Tronic 12AS2330 12-speed overdriven
automated gearbox, the Meritor MT23-165 tandem drive, and the Airglide 400 rear suspension and sleeper cabin.

The electro-pneumatically operated (ECAS-2) control unit allows the tray height to be raised and lowered for loading and unloading.

Standard safety features include front and rear ventilated disc brakes, Electronic Braking System (EBS), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Anti-Slip Control (ASR), Hill Start aid and front and rear under-run protection (FUPS).

Having reliable trucks not only means reliability on the job, but the bottom line is better at the end of the month. With excellent fuel economy, the DAF fleet offers a safe and productive solution…

“We are all about safety and efficiency,” Chris fervently added. “Two areas that DAF really mastered. It even comes down to simple things like the cabin design. It doesn’t matter which one of our DAF trucks we ask a driver to take out on a job they are all practically the same inside, which means the driver is instantly familiar with the controls and can go to work straight away as there is no additional training required for each model.”

“After all that’s what its all about,” Chris concludes. “Taking care of business!”

DAF Trucks Australia, a division of PACCAR Australia, distributes a complete range of medium and heavy-duty trucks throughout Australia. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.