While the country is basking in temperatures above 30 degrees, there are businesses preparing for the colder weather to come. One such company is Econ Engineering Ltd. – the UK’s largest manufacturer of gritters and salt spreading vehicles.
They have taken delivery of eight new DAF LF 260 ‘Construction’ 4×2 rigid dry-spreaders with the extended day cab to service its customer contract with Egis Road Operation M40 Ltd.
Supplied through DAF Dealer, Lancashire DAF, and acquired through PACCAR Financial, the eight new dry spreaders will enter service with Egis to ensure the maintenance of the M40 motorway during the winter months. Full winter maintenance bodywork was designed and fitted by Econ, providing an impressive 10-tonne payload.
Gritter Specification
Vehicles feature a rear inspection platform with three-point contact access ladder providing maximum safety for the driver and crew, with full safety rails allowing load-bay inspection and body wash-out at the end of each shift. The spreader is controlled using Econ’s own Spargo Touch Control and E-drive navigation systems allowing the operator to control the spreader manually or, if required, allowing the E-drive to control the process through automated gritting on a pre-programmed route. Spreading capacity is road speed related to permit rapid deployment on the motorway up to 45mph.
Steve Sinnott, Sales Manager, Econ Engineering Ltd., said, “DAF has a tremendous reputation when it comes to the quality of their vehicles and the aftersales support, too. When evaluating the fleet replacements, we looked at all available options and when it came down to the final shortlist, the combination of a 10-tonne payload, standard specification, chassis versatility, fuel economy, and then the deal through PACCAR Financial, meant DAF was the clear choice.
“Like all manufacturing businesses,” he said, “Econ has had to adapt its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, but working with the Lancashire DAF team has ensured that despite the disruption, the new spreaders have been prepared and ready for operational use ahead of winter. Due to the special nature of the equipment, we will continue to provide round-the-clock service and maintenance of the vehicle bodywork thanks to our network of mobile engineers ensuring the trucks are always operational no matter the weather.”
Econ Engineering boasts a fleet in excess of 800 vehicles, half of which are DAF, making them a proven performer in the harsh operating environments in which they are required.