Northampton-based Mainland Group placed an order for 12 new Iveco Eurocargo 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. "We found 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 trialed a pair of automatic transmissions, in a 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. 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.
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