At a glance
Make & Model: Scania R500 6x2 tag
Engine: DC13 13-litre six-cylinder Euro 6D
Power: 500hp
Torque: 2550nm
Gearbox: 12-speed manual + crawler
Operator: Rocks Off Gravel
This Scania is a recent purchase by Rocks Off Gravel, whose Daf XF was on the cover of our September 2019 issue. Their yard is also where my Foden Alpha lives. When the bright yellow R500 appeared a couple of months back and boss Scott Mealyou mentioned it happened to have a manual box, my first reaction was “ooh gimme a shot!”
Well, he called my bluff on that when the truck’s regular driver Kenny went on holiday for a week. “How do you fancy doing a bit of work in the Scania?” Scott asked. Having not driven a manual Scania since 2014, how could I say no? A manual next-gen has been high on my list of ‘Trucks I Want To Drive’ for a long time.
If you want a manual box these days, your choice is pretty much limited to either Scania or Daf. Scania offers the manual box in the R-cab, but not the S and you can have it on a V8 engine too, up to 650hp. This R500 was bought last year as one of a pair by Ashbrook Plant and Access Hire, but they didn’t hold onto them for too long. At less than a year old, and with 80,000km on the clock, it represented a big saving over buying a new one.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
