Purchased from Matthew Keys at 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.
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.”
Daniel continued: "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 Renault Trucks C tridems offer enhanced manoeuvrability as well as good 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 8-wheeler.
Daniel 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.”
Daniel continued: “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.”
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.
Driver feedback to the new vehicles has been overwhelmingly positive. Operating on a demanding schedule with one vehicle being driven by two drivers on a 4 on 4 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.
“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," Daniel added. "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."
Daniel Brown attributes the company's sustained success, even during traditionally quieter summer months, to their relentless dedication to service and operational efficiency. "It’s a changeable industry, and you have to be adaptable, but we must be doing things right as we are always busy. The new Renault Trucks, along with the support from Diamond Trucks and JDS, will ensure that we continue to succeed.”