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A switch of truck brand for Napier-based owner-driver Jimmy Hartley has seen him remain part of the PACCAR family while bringing a New Zealand-first to the log truck sector.

The immaculate metallic blue Hartley Contracting DAF XF FAD Space Cab went on the road during September, and is believed to be the first Euro VI powered DAF XF dedicated logger in the country.

The new DAF replaces Jimmy’s 2012 model Kenworth K108E and he says the prime reasons he looked at the Euro brand were driver comfort, the latest safety technologies and value for money.

“Kenworths are all I have ever driven up till now,” says Jimmy.

“I did tyres for 12 years and then decided I wanted to be a truck driver about 11 years ago. I worked for Grant Anderson for quite a few years driving a 408, a 659 and a K200 before going out on my own with the K108E.”

Jimmy worked with Southpac Trucks’ lower North Island rep Mark O’Hara to finalise the spec of the new XF. The truck is based out of Napier working on a Pan Pac contract and after three weeks on the road he’s happy with his choice.

“I’m loving it. It seem to love the hills and it’s outperforming what I had expected. The comfort and the quietness are exactly what I wanted – you can hardly hear it running.

“Mark [O’Hara] was awesome to deal with and I was very lucky to be selected at random to be part of a Southpac customer trip to Holland back in June.

“We got to visit the factory where the truck was built and we also went to the PACCAR parts centre which was a real eye-opener.”

The new DAF 8x4 works across a sizeable part of the central and lower North Island region on a 54-tonne HPMV permit with a refurbished Patchell 5-axle multi-bolster trailer.

“We go up as far as Gisborne, down to Masterton and over to Whanganui,” says Jimmy.

“It’s the same trailer from my old truck which I had refurbished at Patchells and fitted with SI Lodec scales and ExTe air winches, which save a bit of time.”

Another specification feature of the DAF is a TRT Traction Air CTI system.

“It’s got all the bells and whistles including a big, comfy bunk bed, handsfree phone connection and a fridge/freezer,” Jimmy says.

To match its interior comfort the Hartley Contracting XF makes an impressive visual statement as well.

“The metallic blue cab colour was the global launch colour for the Euro 6 models and then Patchells painted the chassis and the bolsters the same colour to match,” Jimmy says.

“Then it went to Darryn Caulfield in Rotorua for the signs and the pin striping. I’m real happy with the way it has turned out.”

The 12.9-litre Euro6 spec Paccar MX-13 develops 530hp (390kW) with 1,920 lb-ft (2600Nm) of torque driving to a 16-speed ZF TraXon automated transmission. The powertrain features 3-stage engine braking and DAF SR1360 rear axles with a 3.78:1 ratio, diff lock and dual axle locks.

The DAF N163 front axles rated at 14-tonnes have leaf springs while the rear suspension is an ECAS 8-airbag set-up. Disc brakes are fitted along with Alcoa Dura-bright alloys with the front rims being offset.

The full DAF Active Safety and Driver Assist package including Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning, further supported by the NZ-developed Off Road Programme to further enhance traction in slippery and steep conditions.