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The MOD-managed Defence School of Transport (DST) says its decision to purchase 14 MAN TGL 4x2 drawbar outfits had nothing to do with the MOD's purchase of 7,250 MAN military trucks. "There is a vast difference between a military MAN and a commercial MAN," says DST LGV driving instructor training manager Alex Handley. "Besides, after they have passed their tests on these trucks they then undergo weeks of intensive conversion training on a variety of military trucks."

Instead Handley says  the key influencing factor in MAN winning the order was its decision to go down the EGR route for Euro 4. "I was closely involved in the selection process for these vehicles when we studied the technical specifications of EGR compared to the AdBlue system" he explains. "The costs and complications of setting up an infrastructure on site to handle AdBlue made the decision in favour of MAN and EGR a relatively easy one to make."

He tells MT that the TGLs ticked other boxes too, in particular a spacious cab. "They provide an excellent teaching environment," he says. The new trucks, which are being used to train potential military LGV instructors, feature dual control braking and dual dashboard instrumentation. Northampton-based Mainland Group placed an order for 12 new Iveco Eurocrago 7.5-tonners after running an EGR versus SCR test. "The main objective was to determine whether AdBlue would be a major inconvenience," explains MD Sean Meagher, "and it wasn't."

He tells MT that  while some of the trucks will need to be topped-up with AdBlue every couple of weeks, he is confident that those used on local routes will be able to last from one six-weekly inspection to the next.

Although Mainland Group has trailed a pair of automatic transmissions, in an MAN TGL and in a Daf LF, Meagher says he wasn't convinced by the technology in either truck. He describes the acceleration as being too slow for urban distribution, and for this reason the company continues to specify manual transmissions in all of its 7.5-tonners. In fact he has particular praise for the latest manual gearbox in the EuroCargo, which now has a dash-mounted gear lever.

Mainland Group's latest Eurocargo order comprises a mixture of both day and sleeper cab models, with Newland Coachworks curtainsider bodies. They are being supplied by Stormont Truck & Van on four-year R&M contracts, and will cover 120,000km annually. Later this year they will be joined by a mix of Daily, 18-tonne Eurocargos and Stralis tractors.