Statham’s lifts versatility with DAF New CF recovery vehicle

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Transport Engineer  /  July 5, 2018

Dunstable-based vehicle recovery operator Statham’s Motor Engineers has taken delivery of a DAF New CF 530 FA chassis with NRC recovery bodywork, which also features a detachable tag-axle.

Featuring two-axle and three-axle options, the 80-tonne GTW [176,370lb Gross Train Weight] New CF operates primarily as a 4x2 rigid, although the tag-axle conversion gives greater operational flexibility.

Fitting takes around 30 minutes and allows Statham’s to recover heavier vehicles, typically eight-wheelers.

“The NRC crane and winches mean we can recover almost any car and light commercial vehicle, but it is the versatility of the interchangeable axle which allows us to lift heavier vehicles above 14 tonnes and up to 44 tonnes,” says owner John Statham.

“We now have one vehicle fulfilling the role of two.”

In addition, the vehicle’s 13-litre 530bhp engine is already notching up 9.5mpg – “an extremely welcome bonus”, adds Statham.

The NRC plastic-composite recovery body includes a 25-tonne sliding crane, under-lift equipment and dual winches. VDZ equipment provides a towing option where dual tow-jaws are fitted on the casualty vehicle, giving an alternative to front-end lifting.

DAF dealer North West Trucks supplied the New CF; aftersales support is provided through DAF’s local service point HTC Hemel.

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