One for those Bulker drivers amongst us. What are you driving and what mpg are you getting? Also, anybody got either a new Volvo, Merc or Daf - and if so what are you getting?
Too many variants to warrant a credible case for scrutiny, eg type of road terrain, percentage of time loaded , type of trailer (ribbed vs smooth sided) , weights carried ( not all bulker work is Max weight) typically if you get 7.5 mpg on a bulker working on 80% loaded then you’re doing well , be very sceptical of any one who claims 8.5 - 10 mpg with a bulker ,unless they run 50% empty!
gickniff:
Too many variants to warrant a credible case for scrutiny, eg type of road terrain, percentage of time loaded , type of trailer (ribbed vs smooth sided) , weights carried ( not all bulker work is Max weight) typically if you get 7.5 mpg on a bulker working on 80% loaded then you’re doing well , be very sceptical of any one who claims 8.5 - 10 mpg with a bulker ,unless they run 50% empty!
^^^^ wot he said
scotstrucker:
gickniff:
Too many variants to warrant a credible case for scrutiny, eg type of road terrain, percentage of time loaded , type of trailer (ribbed vs smooth sided) , weights carried ( not all bulker work is Max weight) typically if you get 7.5 mpg on a bulker working on 80% loaded then you’re doing well , be very sceptical of any one who claims 8.5 - 10 mpg with a bulker ,unless they run 50% empty!^^^^ wot he said
^^^^ha!
I run a 450 actros mp4 on bulker work, from the trip computer I have averaged 6.9 mpg over the 27,000 miles that I have had it from new, and it’s still rising as the engine loosens up, lately it’s been averaging 7.8 over the course of a week on mixed roads and last week averaged 8 .4 when I barely left a motorway. That’s with a smooth sided sloper and it’s always at about 44t when loaded.
terratology:
I run a 450 actros mp4 on bulker work, from the trip computer I have averaged 6.9 mpg over the 27,000 miles that I have had it from new, and it’s still rising as the engine loosens up, lately it’s been averaging 7.8 over the course of a week on mixed roads and last week averaged 8 .4 when I barely left a motorway. That’s with a smooth sided sloper and it’s always at about 44t when loaded.
Thank you very much for your answer.
I was merely looking for any feedback - generally as to what people were using and what they were getting. Looking at whats on the market at the moment we are unsure what to look at next. Tried to get a volvo on Wet kit, but so far the service from volvo has been s@@t !!!
terratology:
I run a 450 actros mp4 on bulker work, from the trip computer I have averaged 6.9 mpg over the 27,000 miles that I have had it from new, and it’s still rising as the engine loosens up, lately it’s been averaging 7.8 over the course of a week on mixed roads and last week averaged 8 .4 when I barely left a motorway. That’s with a smooth sided sloper and it’s always at about 44t when loaded.
Case in point proved ,look at your figures after 12 months then post your findings and if they are much over 7.5 mpg then I doth my cap to you sir,and I suggest that the merc will then become a much more popular truck with bulk tipper operates.
I drive a 440 fh13,I’m doing 7.8 mpg at the minute.start from leicester, Full weight going down to Newport,reload Gloucester up to Sheffield with about 18 ton
Excuse my ignorance but why would a bulker be particularly heavy on fuel. To the chap with the MP4 Actros, I’d expect those figures to keep rising too, if you get the opportunity to go on the Merc fuel efficient driving course they will improve further, I’ve been running all week down in Kent full trailer trunked to me, 3-4 drops with the last drop being down in Tilmanstone dropping around 16t each time just at that one drop and 2-3t at the other 2-3 drops, then reloading and filling it back up with rejections from previous delivery + collections and about 6 pallets of trays so probably weighing in around 30t gross on return and I’ve averaged 10.4 on driving and 10 overall with idle time included.
The MP4 is by far the most fuel efficient truck I’ve driven, followed by a fm volvo then Scania and Daf are generally shocking can’t get over 8.5 out of those (although there only used on local ish runs)
This is all on reefer work and our MP4’s are euro 5 450’s with 250,000-350,000k on the clocks
NewLad:
Excuse my ignorance but why would a bulker be particularly heavy on fuel.
They tend to run at max weight a lot more than other vehicles, they use the engine to tip, and a ribbed tipper body has no redeeming aerodynamic features at all.
the maoster:
NewLad:
Excuse my ignorance but why would a bulker be particularly heavy on fuel.They tend to run at max weight a lot more than other vehicles, they use the engine to tip, and a ribbed tipper body has no redeeming aerodynamic features at all.
Thanks, why do they have a ribbed body, is it a structural integrity thing? I totally forgot about the ram and having to use the engine to power it, also I’ve seen quite a few double drive bulkers, so that won’t help with the fuel.
The ribbed body provides structural strength, the ribs being on the outside to stop the body “opening” as the load is dropped in from above. At least that’s my understanding.
the maoster:
The ribbed body provides structural strength, the ribs being on the outside to stop the body “opening” as the load is dropped in from above. At least that’s my understanding.
Ribbed, for pleasure 
You know the straw head is going to buy the cheapest.
Count yourselves lucky there isn’t an Iveco dealership nearby! Or a Renault.
Bet he still buys a small cab version as well…