DAF expands Plug & Play for maximum efficiency

Great benefits for customers, builders and dealers

Based on the DAF Transport Efficiency philosophy, DAF Trucks is further increasing the body friendliness of its New Generation DAF rigids. To this end, the Dutch truck manufacturer is expanding its revolutionary Plug & Play program, increasing payloads by up to 160 kilograms and offering new options for chassis beam hole patterns.

DAF introduced the Plug & Play program last year at the same time as the introduction of the full range of double-drive tractors and rigids for off-road and on-road applications. The Plug & Play program was developed in close cooperation with 25 leading European bodybuilders to optimize the specification, ordering and assembly of rigids.

First-time-right

The program allows the transporter, bodybuilder and dealer together to easily select pre-specified and customized plug-and-play body options in DAF's order system.
The underlying idea is that the "marriage" of a superstructure to the DAF chassis should be as simple as possible. After mounting a body on the chassis (on the factory-fitted body mounting modules), the connectors are connected and the body is immediately ready for use. To make this possible, DAF bucket truck chassis can leave the factory fully prepared. This enables fast assembly and a high-quality and error-free first-time-right integration of the body and vehicle possible.

Plug and play for everyone

DAF is now expanding its unique DAF Plug & Play program with a series of universal ex-factory preparations for all other than the 25 bodybuilders with which there is already cooperation. These universal plug & play options are available for mounting 5 specific bodies: hookloaders, cranes, tippers, mixers and skiploaders.
Cornelis van der Lee, Director Rigid and Vocational Trucks at DAF Trucks, commented, "These types of bodies account for about 90% of the market. Now customers and dealers can work with virtually any bodybuilder to specify the universal ex-factory preparations needed for ultra-fast body mounting. Not only can the chassis be prepared, DAF also takes care of the correct placement of the connectors. As a result, the information display on the dashboard ("DIP") and the switches in the cab will immediately communicate with the superstructure. This greatly reduces turnaround time at the body shop. As a result, newly ordered New Generation DAF rigids can be deployed much sooner. DAF is leading the way in body friendliness."

Obvious weight reduction

The kerb weight of DAF rigids is already class-leading low. That weight is now further reduced by a newly designed, all-aluminum rear underride protection: the Rear Underrun Protection. Despite being no less than 28 kilograms lighter, this so-called RUP is more robust than its steel predecessor.
Those putting together a New Generation DAF rigid truck can further choose to combine the rigidity of the chassis beams of the truck chassis with the rigidity of the subframe of the body. This makes additional chassis reinforcements unnecessary. This results in weight savings of up to 135 kilograms. This further increases payload capacities without compromising on chassis rigidity and service life.

New hole pattern

DAF chassis have long been supplied with a 60-millimeter hole pattern. To meet the specific requirements of bodybuilders, a 50-millimeter hole pattern is also available, and over the entire length of the chassis. Moreover, the positioning of the hole pattern as a whole can be adapted to the bodybuilder's requirements - even if it is to extend all the way to the rear.

Every DAF is body-friendly

Flexibility is in the DNA of every DAF. For example, both components and the EAS (Engine Aftertreatment System) can be fitted to the chassis at different locations, which is most ideal for the hauler or bodybuilder. The latter can also specify which of the available DAF Body Attachment Modules (BAM) are to be mounted ex-factory - and in which exact location. This allows a body to be mounted quickly and efficiently on the always completely flat chassis. This saves costs and guarantees fast commissioning.

Furthermore, numerous options are also available for operating the body from the cab - and vice versa. Connections are possible both analog and via a CAN bus specifically intended for the bodybuilder. This allows all signals and warnings to be clearly displayed on the digital information display. To this end, as many as 51 pictograms and 31 warning texts (in green, yellow and red) are available, which can be accompanied by various attention or warning sounds.

In addition, a full range of programmable MUX switches is available for operating superstructures. These separately available switches can be positioned and grouped according to driver preference. This adds to the unparalleled ease of operation of the New Generation DAF trucks.

The right PTO for every application

Bodies often need a power take off. DAF offers a choice of as many as 68 PTO options, from clutch-independent engine PTOs positioned at 11 and 1 o'clock to clutch-independent gearbox power take offs. All of these PTOs are available with a pump or flange connection. Furthermore, DAF now offers the ability to independently operate up to three power take offs at the same time.

Lower TCO, higher quality

For the highest reliability and quality of the entire vehicle - including the body - and the fastest possible deployment, DAF Trucks remains committed to further increasing the body friendliness of its New Generation DAF bucket trucks. Together with the further increased payload capacities, all this ensures that the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of each New Generation DAF bucket truck is second to none.