Mike 68, whilst i agree with you generally, we had one day cab 1727 V6 tractor unit at Kwikies, on steel springs all round with a standard 8 speed (roadranger style) gearbox.
It was a cracking lorry, pulled well, rode brilliantly best riding tractor on the fleet with really comfy soft seats, steering brakes were all spot on, if we’d been allowed a choice of vehicle i’d have plumped for that without a doubt every day.
As it was i used to get the sole Roadtrain often cos only a handful of us could cope with an eaton twin split, the very opposite of comfy you could travel the entire length of the M6 with your arse barely touching the seat, most of the journey you’d be airborn in mid bounce hanging on to the wheel to stop you being jettisoned out the window 