Engine: Daf XE 12.6-litre 430hp in-line six.
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Gearbox: ZE Ecosplit 16-speed, Rear axle: Daf 1387.
Kerbweigtir: 7,690kg.
Artic market positions* g Overall: 3rd. 4x2 sector:1st. • 6x2 sector: 5th.
UK TOP 10 TRACTORS-4th: ERF ECX11 38MT 6x2 Despite all its well-publicised problems ERF has managed to shift the metal...or in the case of its top tractor the composite-cabbed and Cummins ISM 380E-powered ECX twin-steer. Based on a standard sleeper spec, the ECX11 38MT has proved that ERF's "own-brand" cab is still popular with hauliers; something the board of MAN would do well to consider before it launches the new ERF range. When it comes to top payloads at 44 tonnes ERF's legendary lightweight construction still carries weight, with 3+3 fleet artic buyers anxious to maximise productivity And as long as there's a Cummins thumping away underneath, ERF buyers can expect to save money on fuel.
Top 10 tractor spec Model: ERF Eall 38 MT 6x2 standard sleeper. Engine: Cummins 10,6 litre ISM 375hp, in-line six. Gearbox: Eaton S-SeriesaF Ecosplit 16-speed, Rear axle: MAN HY1350, 1i Kerbweight.:7,682kg. UK TOP 10 TRACTORS-5th: MAN TG-A 26.412 FPLT XL 6x2 MAN's rise and rise in the tractor market has clearly been fuelled by the arrival of the impressive TG-A. and some very big fleet deals have been clinched off the back of the narrower cab L and LX fleet variants. But it's the full-width XL sleeper cab on top of the 6x2 pusher chassis that's MAN's best selling antic to date, suiting 44-tonne fleets and small operators alike. Its sixpot 12-litre engine is very much "industry standard" kit, while the TG-A has been winning votes from drivers with its well-appointed cab and excellent road manners. Although the Euro-2 412-badged TG-A six-wheelers were slow to arrive, MAN is now cranking up supply the latest 413badged Euro-3 version and winning sales with it.
TOP 10 tractor spec
Model: MAN [G-A 26.412 FPLT 6x2 with the XL cab. Engine: MAN 02866LF32 11.97-litre 410hp in-line six. Gearbox: ZF Ecosplit 16-speed.
Rear axle: MAN HY-1350.
Kerbweighl: 8,164kg.
Artic market positions* U Overall: 5th. • 4x2 sector: 3rd. I 6x2 sector: 6th.
UK TOP 10 TRACTORS-6th: Renault Premium 420.25 Privilege 6x2
If there is one tractor manufacturer that's surprised everyoi le it's Renault—even though its market position doesn't necessarily reflect this success. The 6x2 Premium with the pusher axle has proved extremely popular in the three-axle fleet tractor market, which is why the 412hp 420.25 Privilege-cabbed model is its top selling tractor. The latest Euro-3 version of the Premium is much-underrated, not only in terms of performance but also driver appeal. Renault is determined to do better in the UK with the Premium and its recently-relaunched Magnum—and there's no reason why it shouldn't do so in 2002.
Top 10 tractor spec
Model: Renault Premium 420.22 6x2 Privilege high-roof sleeper.
Engine: Renault dCi 11B43 11-litre 412p in-line six. Gearbox: ZF Ecosplit 16-speed. Rear axle:Renault P1370.
Kerbweight": 7,420kg.
Artic market positions*
gig Overal I: 6th. 4x2 sector: 7th. • 6x2 sector: 4th.
UK TOP 10 TRACTORS-7th: Mercedes-Benz Actros 2543LS 6x2
How the mighty have fallen. If we'd have done this exercise 10 years ago a Mercedes tractor would probably have been in the top four. But not today. The high-tech Actros has clearly struggled to meet the diverse needs of fleet buyers and small hauliers/owner-drivers in the UK. The arrival of the 12-litre straight-six-powered Axon should deliver volume and allow Mere to market the V-engined Actros where it belongs, as a flagship tractor. A re-launch next year should help secure it a place in the prestige sector. The folks from Milton Keynes say their top-seller is the three-axle 2543LS powered by the 422hp vee-six and, as we recently noted on test, price-wise it's very competitive.
Top 10 tractor spec
Model: Mercedes-Benz Actros 2543LS 6x2 long-distance sleeper cab. Engine: Mercedes 0M501LA 420hp VG.
• Gearbox: Mercedes G211-16 16-speed Telligent shift.
• Rear axle: M-B HL8.
▪ Kerbweight*:7,695kg.
Artic market positions* • Overall: 7th. • 4x2 sector: 5th. • 6x2 sector: 7th.
UK TOP 10 TRACTORS-8th: Iveco EuroStar LD440E43 TX/P 6x2 Ask any Iveco artic operator what he thinks about the Italian marque and you're liable to hear a lot of praise for its driveline. The latest Cursor engine family (and in particular the Cursor 10, which is delivering good economy), combined with the two-pedal Eur0TrOnic ZF transmission, has helped support that view. Otherwise, they tend to struggle and Iveco has had to fight hard with the EuroTech and EuroStar to overcome poor operator perceptions outside the bigger fleets in both the new and used UK tractor market. However, the imminent launch of the long-awaited new cab family plus the Cursor 13 engine is its chance to finally offer a truck that is outstanding in every department.
Top 10 tractor spec Model: Iveco EuroStar LD440E43 TX/P 6x2 high-roof sleeper cab.
Engine: Iveco Cursor 10, 424hp in-line six.
Gearbox: lveco/ZF EuroTronic 12-speed semi-automatic.
Rear axle: Mentor U177.
Kerbweight:7,736kg.
Artic market positions
Overall: 8th. g 4x 2 sector: 8th. • 6x2 sector: 8th.
—9th: Foden Alpha A3-6M 6x2 Foden remains something of an enigma. Despite building highly efficient tractors it has had to work hard to find new buyers beyond its traditional weight-conscious fleet market and core of long-standing customers. Over the past 12 .. months the Alpha 3000 mid-lift has been its best-selling tractor with the Cat C12430 arid ISM 440 specced at Euro-2; Euro-3 buyers are opting for the C12-450 and ISMe 420 ratings (the split between Cat and Cummins is fairly even). Can Foden do better? With the new Alpha 3000 6x2, featuring Foden's own version of the new Oaf CFB5 cab and Paccar components, it undoubtedly has the potential to move up the charts.
Top 10 tractor spec Model: Foden Alpha A3-6M 6x2 standard sleeper cab.
Engine: Cummins ISMe 11-litre/Caterpillar C12 in-line sixes at various ratings.
Gearbox: Eaton S Series/ZF Ecosplit 16-speed.
Rear axle: Mentor U177/Paccar SR1347.
Kerbweight*: 7,400kg.
Artic market positions*
• Overall: 9th. • 4x2 sector: 9th. • 6x2 sector: 9th.
P 10 TRACTORS-10th: Seddon Atkinson Strata Seddon Atkinson wants to do better in the tractor market...and at number 10 the only way is up! {he problem is that it simply can't compete when it comes to the cut-throat pricing of those all-important big fleet deals. However, the latest Strato range, built upon the Euro-3 Cummins ISMe technology up to 420hp and improved Iveco running gear, shouldn't be underestimated. If Seddon is to sell more artics it has to make sure it can keep its existing customers satisfied and begin to win back some of the operators who switched brands after initial problems with the original Strato range. With Strato 2 it can do it, as long as Iveco provides the backing—and that includes taking the new Iveco cab.
TOP 10 tractor spec Model: Seddon Atkinson Strato 6x2 T6 high-roof sleeper cab.
Engine: Cummins ISMe 11-litre 380-405hp in-line six.
Gearbox: Eaton S Series 16-speed.
Rear axle: Mentor S180. Kerbweight*: 7,690kg.
Artic market positions*
• Overall: 10th. • 4x2 sector: 10th. • 6x2 sector: 10th.