DAF XD 450 FAX 8x2 Chassis Cab Sterling · Beavertail Crane Truck

The DAF XD sleeper cab, 2,500 mm wide, is finished in Luxury interior trim with the Vision dashboard, which descends towards the windscreen for a direct view of the road. The driver’s seat is air suspended (Comfort Air, high backed) with armrest, alongside a foldable cinema seat for the co-driver whose head rest tilts into a table tray, and the steering wheel is leather finished.

The driving area is well specced. A 5-inch colour display sits in the instrument panel with Driver Performance Assistant fuel coaching, and the Luxury Plus infotainment adds a 10.1-inch touch display with DAF Truck Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FM/DAB radio and a five-speaker system. Automatic climate control with an activated-carbon pollen filter keeps the cab comfortable, plus a 6 kW auxiliary heater with timer, and LED ceiling units give dimmable interior lighting with separate spot lights for driver and co-driver.

Externally, a translucent external sun visor in Midnight blue cuts glare, and a kerb-view window in the co-driver’s door and a rear-view camera give all-round visibility. Entry is via three steps with an anti-slip first step, and central locking comes with two remote units.

The lower bunk carries a 150 mm ‘Xtra Comfort’ pocket sprung mattress. Curtains run along the windscreen and side windows, with an additional dividing curtain between the driving and sleeping areas so the bunk can be closed off completely. A single storage drawer sits beneath the bunk, with additional storage space to its left and right, accessible with the bunk tilted.

The cab back, side walls and roof carry extra insulation suited to more extreme climate conditions, keeping the sleeping area comfortable in heat and cold, and a dimmable red night-driving light preserves the driver’s night vision after dark.

The XD 450 carries DAF’s MX-11, a 10.8-litre, six-cylinder Euro 6 multi-torque engine producing 449 hp at 1,600 rpm, and 2,350 Nm of torque from just 900 rpm. The low-rev torque means power is effectively delivered when pulling a full load from standing start, without revving the engine hard, then settling into efficient cruising on the road run.

Drive is delivered through ZF’s TraXon 12TX2210 12-speed automated direct-drive gearbox with urge-to-move manoeuvring (the vehicle creeps on brake-pedal control alone) and shift software optimised for liquid transport.

An Eco fuel shift strategy balances fuel efficiency with driveability, and an Eco off button restores full performance when needed. The SR1344 single-reduction rear axle runs a 2.38 ratio, paired with the direct-drive top gear, with a mechanical differential lock for traction on poor ground.

The 8×2 FAX layout runs twin 8,000 kg front steer axles on parabolic leaf suspension with shock absorbers and a stabiliser, and a rear pair on electronically controlled air suspension rated to 20,000 kg group load. The trailing axle steers for manoeuvrability and lifts automatically from 4 km/h when the load allows, putting up to 15,000 kg on the driven axle for traction.

Braking is ventilated discs all round on a dual-circuit air system with electronic control and anti-slip regulation. The MX Engine Brake works simultaneously with the exhaust brake, giving high combined braking power at low engine rpm on laden descents.

Wheels are 22.5 × 9.00 steel discs with protection rings, on Goodyear 315/60R22.5 tyres: steer pattern on front and trailing axles, traction on the driven axle, winter rated (3PMSF).

A 340-litre aluminium fuel tank is mounted on the right-hand side, fed through an on-engine heated fuel pre-filter with water separator. The 45-litre AdBlue tank sits on the left-hand side below the battery box.

Emission control is DAF’s Euro 6 DPF/SCR system, with a low horizontal exhaust diffuser discharging to the right-hand side. The air intake sits at the front below the cab, with a shield beneath the radiator to prevent dust disturbance from the cooling fan.

The chassis is fitted with a double gearbox power take-off (type N../10bc) mounted on the automated gearbox, with a 37/30 gear ratio on the top side for direct pump drive and a 37/20 flange-connection output on the bottom side, so two hydraulic drives run from a single installation.

Lighting is LED throughout: bi-reflector headlights with impact-resistant Lexan lenses and integrated cornering lights, daytime running lights in the headlight units, LED rear light units and side marker lights.

Electrical power comes from twin 175 Ah batteries and a 130 A alternator on a 24 V supply. Two 12 V accessory outlets and three USB-A connections sit on the dashboard, with an extractable dashboard table at the top of the centre console for paperwork.

A VDO DTCO smart digital tachograph with GNSS receiver and DSRC unit is fitted, compliant with EU Mobility Package 1 as described in the EU tachograph regulations.

PACCAR Connect, the online fleet management system, gives insight into truck, driver and location information, and wiring and connectors near the fuse and relay board allow a universal FMS system to be installed, reading information to the truck manufacturers’ FMS standard.

Cruise control with a 90 km/h limiter takes the effort out of motorway running, and an acoustic reverse warning with override switch protects those around the vehicle when reversing.

Security is covered by an engine immobiliser, with a standardised breathalyser connector allowing an alcohol interlock to be fitted. The vehicle’s electronic systems comply with UN Regulations R155 and R156, the standards for cyber security and secure software updates.

The chassis cab is supplied with DAF’s Warranty Plus package: two years on the complete vehicle and three years on the driveline, with associated breakdown cover. Additional service packages are available at additional cost.

The body is a low profile beavertail design with a deck of 28 mm Keruing hardwood throughout: the flat bed, the slope and the ramps. Folded steel crossmembers are outrigged from the crane subframe at 300 mm centres, with 8 mm angle side raves down each side and a round breakbar fitted at each break point of the sloping deck, adding strength and making loading and unloading easier. Internal deck length is approximately 7.7 m.

The 1,000 mm front headboard has a steel infill to window height and is hot dip galvanised, with two chain bars fitted for load restraint. Kel-Berg is etched into the top plate.

The rear of the body has a double bend beavertail, giving a minimal loading angle of approximately 12 degrees for driving vehicles on and off under their own power. Twin 2.5 m x 1.0 m Cheesewedge ramps fold forward hydraulically and are fully hot dip galvanised for corrosion protection.

Ramps are powered by an electro-hydraulic powerpack, with a control button box and spool valve fitted to the nearside of the body.

Loading is handled by a Palfinger PK 48002-EH, rated at 456.3 kNm (46.5 tonne metres) lifting moment, with a 5-section hydraulic extension boom giving 14.0 m outreach. Power Link Plus double linkage with a 15 degree reverse angle lets the crane reach through low openings, and rack and pinion slewing gives a 400 degree slewing angle.

Hydraulic long outriggers extend with double hydraulic locking, and 180 degree hydraulically tiltable stabilizer legs increase ground clearance without manual slewing. The HPSC stability system calculates the permitted working area for the boom position and support situation, backed by Paltronic 50 electronic overload protection with a load display. Operation is by Scanreco radio remote control with linear levers. Crane leg pad stowage racks are fitted to the body, supplied with the chassis.

Heavy duty lashing rings are fitted along both sides of the body: recessed into the top of the side rave at nominal 900 mm centres along the flat deck, with a further 4 pairs mounted underneath, and 3 pairs recessed into the slope with 2 pairs mounted underneath. Recessed chain trays sit in the two outer bays at the front of the deck, and a pair of stacker twistlocks is fitted.

A guarded winch plate is fitted at the front of the body, recessed into the headboard space where permitted.

Drop-in access steps and a grab handle are fitted at the front of the body, with sockets recessed into the side rave to allow a handrail to be fitted. Hydraulic steady legs with auto-lower are fitted at the rear of the body to stabilise it during crane operation.

All electrics run through a single fully enclosed wiring loom with sealed boxes and super-sealed connections, protecting the wiring from corrosion. Two fold-out LED worklights on the headboard illuminate the deck area, and low profile LED beacons are fitted to the rear corners of the body.

Rear corner outline marker lights are fitted, and white conspicuity tape runs along the side raves with red conspicuity tape at the rear.

The main body is shot blasted and cleaned, then finished in two-pack paint to your colour choice. The headboard is hot dip galvanised, and the ramps are fully hot dip galvanised, giving sacrificial zinc protection that outlasts paint in wet, abrasive work.