DAF XG+ duo hits the road for William Nicol

Aberdeenshire haulier William Nicol (Aberdeen) Ltd has put two New Generation DAF XG+ 530 six-wheel tractor units with FTG 6×2 mid-lift axle on the road.

Two more same-spec vehicles are also set to be delivered this year.

The pair of XG+ tractors are proving to be more efficient than their previous generation XF counterparts, the operator said.

“As we’re primarily in liquid transportation, we have a lot of PTO [Power Take Off] time which skews our economy figures,” said William Nicol general manager, Gary Thomson.

“Nevertheless, we’ve noticed the increase in efficiency afforded by our new trucks. In fact, we’re seeing a 0.5mpg improvement. It’s just one of the reasons we really like the new XG+.

“We have a long history with DAF and the New Generation models felt like the perfect fit,” Gary added. “I’ve been very impressed with the performance, the space and the high standard of finish.

“We felt confident that the XG+ was going to be a great working environment for our drivers. They’re out on the road all week, so the extra space, fridge, microwave and wide bed all make a real difference to their day-to-day experience.

“The ride quality and overall driving comfort is great, too. One of the drivers told me it is the best truck they’ve ever driven, which is high praise.”

Established in 1935, William Nicol is held in high regard among the Scottish haulage community. The firm specialises in bulk liquid and powder transportation, with around half of its fleet dedicated to chemical distribution.

The remaining vehicles are deployed on agricultural and aquaculture work. Industrial services, such as tank cleaning, waste oil recovery and jet washing are also offered by the company.