I left Stobart and got back in the seat of a real truck last week, a 10 year old DAF XF 105 16 peed split manual box, forgot how enjoyable they are to drive. I prefer an auto box but got to admit that they are great to drive on A roads. Had the best fun on the best roads through the Lincolnshire wolds. I uploaded my trip driving around the farms onto youtube to show why I sacrifice my refrigeration work to do this, I just got so much pleasure from this trip that I cannot wait till next week to get back out there. Totally different from pounding the motorways which just bores me rigid in comparison. If you want to rekindle your love of driving again, get on the A roads where traffic is fast moving and not a lot of stop start. I was as happy as a pig in [zb] and regretted leaving it since I did, so I did something about it and went back. Only one thing better would be to take this beast on a continental run but I am just happy again to be back on the scenic routes of the UK.
Can’t stand splitter boxes. Too slow and ■■■■■■■■■■■ If its going to be a manual, give me a knock over.
It’s got to be 21 yrs since I last drove a truck with a 13 speed Eaton Fuller box, (not to be confused with an Eaton Twin split which was inferior to it imo) …and I could make it sing. 
I got so used to them I never used the clutch except for setting off from a standing start and stopping it.
I would love to have another go now just for old times sake (and to show off 
)
But…
Would I want to go back on one now full time in place of my Auto box?
Not on your life. 
Nothing to prove, been there done it, Fullers, Spicers, ZFsynchros, Twin splits, and even prehistoric David Brown crash, just want an easy life nowadays.
robroy:
It’s got to be 21 yrs since I last drove a truck with a 13 speed Eaton Fuller box, (not to be confused with an Eaton Twin split which was inferior to it imo) …and I could make it sing.
I got so used to them I never used the clutch except for setting off from a standing start and stopping it.
I would love to have another go now just for old times sake (and to show offBut…
Would I want to go back on one now full time in place of my Auto box?
Not on your life.
Nothing to prove, been there done it, Fullers, Spicers, ZFsynchros, Twin splits, and even prehistoric David Brown crash, just want an easy life nowadays.
I would agree with you rob, I myself prefer auto boxes nowadays, however this put a grin on my face from ear to ear. Monday morning cannot come soon enough for me. On the A roads a manual box just goes hand in hand to make the driving more exciting. I just love farm deliveries ad was ready to hang my keys up for good after Stobart work.
Radar19:
Can’t stand splitter boxes. Too slow and ■■■■■■■■■■■ If its going to be a manual, give me a knock over.
If you mean the ZF, some of the first ones (as far as I remember) came in the 3300 DAFS, replacing the 2800s which had the Fuller box.
The early ones had no safety device to stop you going down from high box to a much too low gear in low box, so many of the early 3300s 1983 Y regs, were sat with disintegrated gearboxes in DAF agents. 
What you doing UKt? Blower work to farms or what.
Which areas are you covering?
I do a lot of farm work (delivering building sections) in Devon and Cornwall, but last couple of weeks it’s been more Wilts, Somerset, Dorset areas.
Still manage it ok with an auto btw.
robroy:
What you doing UKt? Blower work to farms or what.
Which areas are you covering?I do a lot of farm work (delivering building sections) in Devon and Cornwall, but last couple of weeks it’s been more Wilts, Somerset, Dorset areas.
Still manage it ok with an auto btw.
The firm I am with does tippers, and tankers rob, its whatever they give out to you. I was on tippers last week but not sure this week, areas are all over the country, I was in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire all last week. Most of the trucks are auto but I got the old manual one last week and it just brought memories back so was a bit nostalgic more than anything. I hit reverse at traffic lights and frightened a lady to death, I found it mildly amusing but understood her fear.
I’ve not posted or read much, recently or ever tbh, but I thought stobarts was the second coming of Christ for you ? What did I miss ?
you obviously missed this for the rest of his/their posts.
KIDS ,
Volvo 16 speed range change and splitter is my favourite with the air clutch, superb box. Tried in vain to spec my FH with a proper manual but it was I shift only 
Stinka:
I’ve not posted or read much, recently or ever tbh, but I thought stobarts was the second coming of Christ for you ? What did I miss ?
I have not a bad word to say about Stobart, it just isn’t my type of work. The firm itself is ok to work for, supermarket work does not suit me, I regretted leaving farm deliveries the day I did my first shift at Stobart and knew I had made a mistake. I could do it if I needed, but I could not take that type of work for long tbh. I don’t knock anyone for doing it as it will suit them, just not for me.
AndrewG:
Volvo 16 speed range change and splitter is my favourite with the air clutch, superb box. Tried in vain to spec my FH with a proper manual but it was I shift only
Certainly for A road driving it makes it all the more interesting. Loved the range splitter on the hills.
We’ve got 4/5 manuals in our yard and it beggars belief the amount of agency that refuse to drive them to never driving a manual , bad shoulders etc , it takes me hour /two to get back into it but after that it’s alright .
when we had the old g- cab manuals it was a daily occurrence some foreign agency driver driver wanting to know how the auto gearbox worked 
, you’d think the bloody gearstick next to the seat would be a clue it was a manual , that said 99% of them don’t know how to lift a zb bonnet on a scania , I guess I’m getting old and have no tolerance
dozy:
We’ve got 4/5 manuals in our yard and it beggars belief the amount of agency that refuse to drive them to never driving a manual , bad shoulders etc , it takes me hour /two to get back into it but after that it’s alright .
when we had the old g- cab manuals it was a daily occurrence some foreign agency driver driver wanting to know how the auto gearbox worked
robroy:
It’s got to be 21 yrs since I last drove a truck with a 13 speed Eaton Fuller box, (not to be confused with an Eaton Twin split which was inferior to it imo) …and I could make it sing.
I got so used to them I never used the clutch except for setting off from a standing start and stopping it.
I would love to have another go now just for old times sake (and to show offBut…
Would I want to go back on one now full time in place of my Auto box?
Not on your life.
Nothing to prove, been there done it, Fullers, Spicers, ZFsynchros, Twin splits, and even prehistoric David Brown crash, just want an easy life nowadays.
anytime your passing rob …im happy tae let ye dae a shift for me …12sp Mack box though (straight cut gears)but I’m sure jeff would let you play on an a 9.13,18 spd. they let an auld friend R.I.P .do a Saturday shift wae me on a twin stick Mack he thought it was great.
JIMBO47:
robroy:
It’s got to be 21 yrs since I last drove a truck with a 13 speed Eaton Fuller box, (not to be confused with an Eaton Twin split which was inferior to it imo) …and I could make it sing.
I got so used to them I never used the clutch except for setting off from a standing start and stopping it.
I would love to have another go now just for old times sake (and to show offBut…
Would I want to go back on one now full time in place of my Auto box?
Not on your life.
Nothing to prove, been there done it, Fullers, Spicers, ZFsynchros, Twin splits, and even prehistoric David Brown crash, just want an easy life nowadays.anytime your passing rob …im happy tae let ye dae a shift for me …12sp Mack box though (straight cut gears)but I’m sure jeff would let you play on an a 9.13,18 spd.
Now that is a new one on me, … a Mack 12 spd.
I’m assuming the obvious here that Mack make boxes for their own trucks eh?
Never driven any Yank trucks, a mate of mine had a White in the 80s, but afai remember it was a Fuller.
m.youtube.com/channel/UCZZXsppWxr0Sz5bfNEA4zmQ
Can’t get it to play
I love the farm work, I’m kipping in a farm tonight as I do a lot of nights.
I am in an old hire truck a DAF manual as it happens, it’s seen better days though
it’s took the knock a couple of times already but the new wagon should be here soon, and back to an auto.
I have to be honest I never thought I would like the automatic… But I do, just getting old and can’t be arsed changing gear, I’ve never been a purist 
Best driving job by far isn’t it. I have never enjoyed driving as much for a while now.