Using a trunk truck to get off the construction site sounds crazy. Leaving aside the changing site conditions that can cause damage to the vehicle, the trunk truck is more inclined to the configuration of long-distance transportation on the road, which also makes it more difficult to work on the site. However, the Dutch DAF DAF company did not believe in evil, using its own XF trucks to modify, launched a number of trucks specially prepared for the construction industry.
For example, the DUF XF FAW 8x4 series model in the picture above was specially designed for this field. In today's article, our protagonist is not it, but a more special truck: the DUF XF 480 4x4 tractor.
From the appearance first, the appearance of this DUF XF 4x4 tractor is no different from the appearance of the road version of the DUF XF. The truck uses Duff's Space Cab instead of the largest Super Space Cab, and the cab top height will be slightly lower, allowing for more restrictions on construction sites. In addition, the bumper of the vehicle has not been upgraded with other stronger materials, and it is easy to bump and damage. Duff's answer is to raise the height of the car from the ground as a means to reduce the chance of bumps and damage to the bumper.
The truck in the front of the picture is the protagonist of today's article, and the truck in the back is a DUF XF trunk tractor equipped with a Super Space Cab cab, which can clearly see the difference between the cab height and the vehicle's ground height. In addition, the XF 4x4 tractor in the article is not equipped with a cab rear deflector, which is also a reduction made to adapt to the working conditions.
The construction truck was built with the DUF XF series truck, mainly to fill the gap in the DUF CF series truck. The XF is more comfortable than CF trucks, has more cab space and is more suitable for long-distance transportation, while the CF's performance orientation is somewhat off-road, and the use of DUF XF modifications can adapt to more working conditions and meet the requirements of more discerning drivers. Moreover, in the case of equipping the same Space Cab cab, the XF model is 11 cm higher than the CF model, which is more passable.
The cab door bears the XF logo and the logos of PXP and Paul below the logo. The XF 4x4 tractor was developed by DUF, PXP and Paul, who manufactures the base body, with PXP providing the components related to the front axle drive, while Paul integrates these components and makes structural modifications to the truck.
It is said to be 4x4, but it is not the kind of mechanical transmission 4x4 that the officials think. The front axle of the DUF XF is hydrostatically driven, which can be turned on at low speeds to transmit torque to the front axle for enhanced relief. At high speeds, the hydrostatic drive system is disconnected and only rear-wheel drive is used to reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle.
The hydrostatic drive system uses a separate power take-off, which is independent of the gearbox, which is more convenient for equipment maintenance and can extend the service life.
The power transmitted from the power take-off is then transmitted to the hydraulic drive mechanism on the side of the chassis, which was developed by PXP and includes a high-performance hydraulic pump, hydraulic tank and corresponding mechanical structure, which works and drives the front axle through hydraulics. Together with the hydraulic oil, the total weight of the system is only 540 kg. Moreover, hydraulic drives do not require additional transfer cases and drive shafts compared to mechanical drives, which is conducive to optimizing vehicle ground clearance, reducing fuel consumption, and enabling a more compact chassis layout. Of course, hydrostatic drives are more expensive and cannot work at high speeds, which is also its weakness.
Talking about the drive configuration of this car, this XF 4x4 tractor uses a Pecar MX-13 engine, which produces 480 hp and 2500 Nm, and the torque range is wider. At the same time, the vehicle is equipped with a 16-speed ZF Transsion TraXon gearbox, which is not the usual 12-speed gearbox, which is equipped with a special customized sequential shift program, which is more suitable for use in the construction industry. In addition, its tooth ratio is also somewhat interesting. For example, the highest grade is the direct gear with a gear ratio of 1, not the speed gear with a gear ratio less than 1.
Access to the cab of this DUF XF requires only three steps. The non-slip pattern on the steps also makes it easy for drivers to rub off the dirt on their shoes.
Needless to say, the classic DUF-style dashboard is designed in a rounded style and with decent comfort, and has been used in DUF's truck products for many years.
The activation button of the hydrostatic drive system is placed next to the rear axle differential lock button with a small light indicating the working status, and its working limitations we will mention below.
When the hydrostatic drive system is activated, a small logo also appears at the top right of the vehicle's instrument panel.
Floor mirrors, blind glasses and other configurations are readily available. Although no electronic camera is used, the pure optical rearview mirror configuration is enough for the driver to avoid obstacles in the blind zone.
Compared to the larger Super Space Cab, the interior height of the Space Cab used by this XF is about 180 centimeters, which is not enough for some taller drivers to fully extend. Coupled with Daphne's critically acclaimed Xtra Comfort sleeper, it's more than enough to provide quality rest. The seat has a larger waist rest, airbag shock absorption, and the cab sound insulation is very good, coupled with the additional mechanical cab door lock, the comfort of this piece has been thoroughly grasped.
In the center of the cab is an engine drum bag with a height of about 15 cm.
Underneath the sleeper there is a large refrigerator for drinks and food. There is a pull-out table in the center of the center console, which is one of the soul configurations of the Duff truck, and it is still very suitable for placing debris.
Although the vehicle's cab height is lower, the roof storage space is decent, and it is enough to carry some bedding and luggage. The under-bed storage compartment is also larger, and the optional storage compartment on the rear wall of the cab further expands the storage space.
So, what is the price of such a good car? This has to mention some drawbacks of hydrostatic drive systems. On this XF 4x4, the front axle hydrostatic drive system can only be activated at speeds below 20 km/h, or only in the first four gears of the transmission, exceeding the rules to cut off the front axle power. In addition, the hydrostatic system requires an additional hydraulic oil tank and hydraulic oil cooler, which occupies additional chassis space. Coupled with the fuel tank and the post-treatment system, there is very little space left, and if you have to install the hydraulic power system of the dump trailer, you can only leave a little fuel tank space.
Hydrostatic drive on the front axle with a maximum axle load of 8 tons and a maximum torque of 6435 Nm is quite impressive. This system can be used with MX-11 and MX-13 engines, but can only match ZF TraXon transmissions, other transmissions can not be installed with this system. In addition, the modification of the vehicle drive system is carried out by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge and is responsible for its warranty, the modification takes about 10 working days, and the repair is also a little troublesome, which is also a point that needs to be taken into account.
It can bring extra drive, better comfort, but also at a higher cost, and there is no such thing as the best of both worlds. What do you think of this car? Come and chat with us in the comments section! Thank you for reading this article! If you want to see more interesting and informative commercial vehicle content, don't forget to follow us!
Text: Heseaotter