Crouch Recovery has added a DAF XF 530 FAS 6×2 rigid with rear lift-axle to its recovery fleet as business continues to grow for the specialist UK operation.
With contracted work and emergency calls from across the UK and Europe, the operator now runs some 125 vehicles out of six bases spread across the Midlands, making it one of the largest in the country.
The company’s network manager, Rob Garner, said that although more than 80% of Crouch’s work is UK-based, the company also gets European recovery work on a regular basis, so the new DAF XF was delivered fully MAUT prepared.
Indeed, the new DAF XF was sent out to Germany on its very first recovery mission, to bring back a failed rigid truck. “Ironically,” adds Garner, “it was actually a German-made truck, but the owners wanted it brought back to the UK for repair.”
The DAF has a dedicated driver, Ian “Fluff” Ashby, who Garner describes as: “Our go-to guy for European recoveries.” Fluff has worked in the specialised arena of recovery for over 20 years, and already prefers the cab comfort and overall performance of his DAF XF with its Super Space Cab to his previous ride. “He’s very happy in it, and that’s always a very good sign,” said Garner. “In any form of transport, it’s the drivers that can make or break a truck, so we like to give them the best trucks we can for the work they do, and the new DAF XF is a prime example of that.”
The latest truck was spec’d by Crouch Recovery director, Adam Crouch, a son of David and Barbara Crouch, and grandson of the late Jack Crouch, the founder of the business over 70 years ago.
“We hadn’t had a DAF for a while, but in the past we had always had a great relationship with Ford & Slater in Leicester, D.W Commercials and F.W Abbotts, the local DAF dealers and repair agents, that we work closely with, so we trust the quality of the trucks,” he said. “Because of the work we do, however, we sourced this latest DAF entirely through Boniface Engineering. We wanted them to fit the latest specialist gear that we needed on it and give us an all-round supply and service support package on their equipment and bodywork. Boniface bought the XF 450 FAS through Chassis Cab, the DAF dealer in Ipswich, though aftersales support for the truck itself will now be handled through Ford & Slater.”
The DAF XF was fitted by Boniface with its MK 6 Interstater with an additional twin winch and a Maxireach Lowline Under-Lift. The winches handle up to 30,000lbs and the Maxireach Under-lift is claimed to be the lowest and longest in the industry, capable of handling up to 33 tonnes. The Boniface Interstater has a reputation as a versatile unit that can handle tough recoveries, being equipped with rear outboard legs with pivoting feet that provide a flat pad or a spade depending on surface conditions.
