The bulk animal feed provider Dugdale Nutrition has taken delivery of two new Renault Trucks C440 8X4*4 tridems. Supplied by Matthew Keys at Diamond Trucks in Warrington, the trucks are fitted with Muldoon bulk blowing equipment and join a mixed fleet of 25 vehicles. The C440s are on a three year repair and maintenance contract which will be serviced by JDS in Blackburn. Dugdale Nutrition also has a third vehicle from Renault in build.
Daniel Brown, Dugdale Nutrition’s transport manager said: “Transitioning to Renault Trucks’ Tridems from a competitor manufacturer was a strategic decision driven by the previous manufacturer’s dealer service not meeting our needs, prompting us to explore alternatives. Renault Trucks not only had immediate vehicle availability but also offered optimum service levels through both Diamond Trucks and JDS Truck and Van in Blackburn who are the most local Renault Trucks dealer to our operation.
“Matthew Keys and the team at Diamond Trucks are very knowledgeable about our sector. They are always available to answer any questions and handle everything with remarkable efficiency. Their support has been invaluable to our operations."
The C440s offer good manoeuvrability and traction thanks to a shorter wheelbase compared to a conventional 8x4 which improved the turning circle by 20%. Brown said: “We are delivering our own raw materials and pellets and blow or tip them into the farms, depending on the farmer’s requirements. We chose the tridems for their ability to navigate tight and challenging farm access, providing us with the manoeuvrability of a six-wheeler while delivering a greater payload. Using tridems ensures that all our vehicles can handle the same work. We’ve been particularly impressed by the fuel figures too and one of our new Renault Trucks is outperforming all the others on the fleet.”
Inside, the cabs feature a heated driver’s seat, bunk with memory foam mattress, air conditioning, cab heater, fridge and insulated curtains. Brown said: “Transitioning to a new manufacturer can sometimes be challenging but as soon as they got behind the wheel, our drivers have been thoroughly impressed with the performance, comfort, and reliability of the new trucks. Their enthusiasm and positive feedback confirm that we've made the right choice for our fleet."
Dugdale Nutrition driver, David Walmsley, said: “The new tridem is incredibly driver-friendly; I’m really enjoying it. Initially, I was hesitant about switching to a new manufacturer, but I have been pleasantly surprised. It’s a significant improvement over the previous manufacturer’s vehicle, with impressive power and the specification is tailored perfectly for our work. It's by far the most comfortable truck I've driven, with a better seating position and a fantastic adjustable steering column. Since I drive between 6-8 hours a day on multi-drop routes, comfort is crucial. Plus, it handles all the terrains we work on exceptionally well."
