Making a Splash

To mark next year’s 50th anniversary of father Reg’s founding of the firm, Chris Bugler pushed the boat out for his new Daf XF510 8x4 tractor, plated for 150 tonnes

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Dutch manufacturer Daf has never been at the forefront of the ongoing power race that some of its rivals have waged over the past 40 years or so, but its products have always been popular with specialist heavy-haulage operators throughout Europe.

This goes to prove that many buyers look for a lot more in a heavy tractor unit than merely brute power, other factors – such as manoeuvrability, gearing, auxiliary braking systems, suspension design and axle weight capacity, a robust chassis with a suitable layout – being equally important. Add driver comfort, long-term reliability and after sales support into the mix and a great deal has to be considered before signing on the bottom line.

Many Daf fans in this specialist sector have formed their opinions over decades of operation, often starting out with the first real Daf heavy tractor to be offered in the UK – the 2800. Many operators benefited from tremendous service from these early Dafs, encouraging them to acquire subsequent generations. As one long term Daf customer says: “Certain other makes might climb some hills a bit faster, but our Dafs always get to the top of any hill, regardless of what we put behind them!”

Bugler for boats

Dorset-based Chris Bugler, boss of long-established Bugler Transport, has great faith in both the Daf product and the ability of the outfit’s ability to respond when things go wrong; after all, even the best trucks give problems.

Started in 1968 by Chris’s father, Reg, as R A Bugler Transport, to begin with general haulage was the way ahead – until the request to move a boat came along. It went well and things just developed from there.