November 2005
Bedford-based PJ Titchmarsh Ltd has taken delivery of its first two Iveco Stralis 6x2 tractor units, joining a fleet which has previously been 100 per cent Scania.
Supplied by Iveco distributor TC Harrison, the Stralis AS440S48TX/P’s join a fleet totalling six commercial vehicles. They will be used on the company’s contract delivering fresh flowers to Tesco regional distribution centres across the country.
Operating primarily at 24 tonnes in conjunction with tri-axle refrigerated trailers, the vehicles are expected to cover up to 120,000 km a year and will be in operation seven days a week. They will also be used on occasions for transporting potatoes, which will see them run at their maximum of 44 tonnes.
“The nature of our business means that we tend to run our trucks for at least 10 years, and the Stralis’ strong driveline package seems well suited to a long life on the fleet,” says Peter Titchmarsh, Managing Director.
“Our drivers have been very happy with their transition to the Iveco’s, and are particularly impressed with the comfort of the Active Space cab. They have also found the 12-speed automated EuroTronic gearboxes to make life on the road a whole lot easier,” he adds.
These Stralis units are fitted with a 12.9 litre Cursor 13 engine which delivers a maximum of 480 hp between 1,530 and 1,900 rev/min and a peak torque of 2,200 Nm between 1,000 and 1,530 rev/min.
The engine is driven through the EuroTronic transmission, which offers either fully, or semi-automated shifts, and 12 ratios, ideally spaced with this type of operation. Eliminating a clutch pedal and optimising gear shifts also makes it extremely driver friendly.