Dugdale Nutrition digs its new Renault C440 tridem duo
Bulk animal feed provider Dugdale Nutrition has bolstered its fleet with the addition of two new Renault C440 8X4*4 tridems. Purchased from Diamond Trucks in Warrington, the two new tridems equipped with Muldoon bulk blowing equipment join Dugdale's 25-strong mixed fleet delivering bulk animal feeds to farms across Cumbria, Northumberland, Wales, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. A third vehicle is also currently in build.
The vehicles have been delivered on a three-year full R&M contract and are serviced by JDS in Blackburn due to the proximity to Dugdale Nutrition's base in Clitheroe. The Renault C tridems offer enhanced manoeuvrability and traction. With its three-axle bogie, including a rear steer axle, the tridem benefits from a shorter wheelbase compared to a conventional 8x4, which improves the turning circle by 20% allowing access to sites not usually accessible by an eight-wheeler.
Daniel Brown, Dugdale's transport manager, 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 all our vehicles can handle the same work. "We've been particularly impressed by the fuel figures too and one of our new Renaults is outperforming all the others on the fleet," he added.
The tridems with Night and Day cab have been specified with driver comfort in mind and include luxury heated driver's seat, "serenity" bunk with memory foam mattress, air conditioning, stand-alone cab heater, fridge and insulated cab curtains. Operating on a demanding schedule with one vehicle being driven by two drivers on a four-on-four-off shift pattern and one driver five days a week, the new Renault trucks have received high praise for their driving position, comfort and power, the operator 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 new trucks," Daniel said. "Their enthusiasm and positive feedback confirm that we've made the right choice for our fleet."
Dugdale Nutrition driver, David Walmsley, added: "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," he concluded.