Leicester-based logistics operator, Widdowson Group, is taking delivery of 48 Scania R-series tractor units during 2005 from Keltruck Limited, the Scania dealer for the Midlands. All plated at 44 tonnes gross train weight, the trucks in this order will run on a variety of nationwide distribution operations on behalf of the company’s blue chip client base.
The new vehicles are all R 470 LA6x2/4MNA twin-steer models with Topline cabs and Scania Opticruise gear selection systems. “Scania has been our preferred fleet truck since 1999 and this order further cements the relationship between our companies,” comments Widdowson Group Technical Director, Harry Hawksworth.
“Having gained a wealth of Scania-operating experience over the past five years we are confident the new R-series will return excellent performance, reliability and fuel consumption. However, these trucks have also been specified very much with our drivers in mind – hence the inclusion of Topline cabs and Scania Opticruise. The Topline cab offers spacious accommodation and an extremely high level of driver comfort, while Opticruise enables all our drivers to perform well, no matter what the circumstances. As I see it, the double benefit of Opticruise is that it reduces stress from the driver’s point of view while minimising wear and tear on the driveline.”
The Scania R 470 LA6x2/4MNA features Scania’s DT12-06 six-cylinder in-line turbo-compound diesel engine with Scania HPI hydraulic unit injectors and develops 470 horsepower (345kW) and 2,200Nm (1,623lbf.ft) torque. Transmission is via Scania’s GRS900 fourteen-speed gearbox, which incorporates two crawler gears. The operation of the Scania Opticruise gear-selection system is fully-integrated with the truck’s Scania Retarder in order to provide maximum braking effort with minimum wear to the vehicle’s service brakes.
Widdowson Group provides an integrated logistics services to a wide range of UK clients. The company’s tractor units average 100,000 miles a year with many vehicles in its fleet double-shifted. In addition to transport services, the company offers secure warehousing and a complete pick and pack and stock management service.
