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Manchester Breakdown Services – DAF XG+

  • Nikki Prince
  • Mar 16
  • 6 min read

With over 30 years of industry experience Manchester Breakdown provide a range of

recovery and breakdown services, not only across the North West of England, but the whole of the UK too. With a yard and workshop located just minutes from the M60, they are ideally located to offer a fast and professional service. The company pride themselves on offering a 24 hour heavy-duty fleet support for both commercial and domestic vehicle recovery alike and is available 365 days a year.


Specialising in the recovery of buses and coaches Manchester Breakdown have built a solid reputation locally across the bus network. With around 1600 buses running across the Manchester region, Manchester Breakdown cover the contracts for around 1200 of them. They have also built strong relationships with many local organisations and businesses, often working closely with many of the regions councils, as well as working with several of the main dealers including Iveco, MAN and DAF.


With 56 members of staff, including 7 office staff, the team have built a strong reputation in the industry for providing a reliable and professional service. The whole team work closely on a daily basis to ensure the smooth running of operations and minimize the stress involved for it's customers. With the unpredictable nature of recovery it is essential to have a strong and dedicated team who understand the struggles faced within the industry.


The companies fleet is easily recognisable with their stand out blue and silver livery. The fleet currently includes 8 wreckers, 2 low loaders and 25 tilt and slides. Alongside these they run a fleet of service vans fully equip with the latest tools and technology. The fleet also benefits from additional specialist equipment such as an EasTract to help ensure they can offer exceptional roadside assistance whatever the situation.


The company is committed to it's continued growth and development which ensure they remain consistent in providing a high quality service and can keep the wheels turning. Their

ongoing investment allows the company to stand out for all the right reasons in this fast paced industry. Part of the companies recent investment includes the purchase of a new DAF XG+.


Previously driving the companies DAF XF 530, with 6x2 rear tag train with a weight of 80 tonne, x2 50t winches and Boniface Interstater, Arran, 31 is looking forward to moving over to the newest fleet addition. Arran who has been a driver for Manchester Breakdown for 2.5 years says 'The new DAF is an improvement in every way, from a bigger cab to a smoother drive. The new mirrorless cameras will take some getting used to though, and the object detection is very sensitive in heavily populated areas.' Taking about the job itself Arran explained 'Recovery is a skilled job and lot of which is learnt as you go along and knowledge comes from experience. You are constantly having to risk assess jobs and think on your feet, is it safe and what can I do to make it safe. No two days are the same. I am looking forward to getting out and tackling jobs in the new truck now and seeing what it can do.'


Scott Evans General Manager at Manchester Breakdown explains why they chose the DAF XG+ 'We used DAF due to the superb support we get from Motus Manchester, along with the truck being more than capable of handling the daily work we tackle it was the most logic choice for us.'


With the company continuously looking at ways to develop and improve their operations, it is without doubt they will remain a leader in the industry.


Not only are Manchester Breakdown keeping the local community moving on the roads they like to give back to them too with charitable acts of kindness. Scott and his Wife Rebecca, alongside many members of the team, run an annual Santa Sleigh where they collect toys and treats for local children and deliver to the local hospital. The initiative was recently awarded a Pride of Gorton Award for their collective dedication, teamwork and selfless commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

It is safe to see why this Northern business is a firm favourite throughout the region and beyond. Their overall professionalism and hard work is to be commended and admired.


A closer look at the Manchester Breakdown's New XG⁺ 530 FAS 6X2 Rigid


Exterior Includes

  • Luxurious cab for XG+ series, with unrivalled aerodynamics for fuel efficient driving and low CO2 emissions. The huge and deep frontscreen, curved at the sides, and the large side windows offer an unsurpassed direct view for the driver, to enhance road safety. Number of cab entrance steps: 3.

  • For an optimised air flow under the vehicle, an aerodynamic bottom plate is fitted, improving the vehicles fuel efficiency.

  • Maintenance free 4-point mechanical cab suspension with integrated shock absorbers.

  • Rigid first cab entrance step with anti-slip tread.

  • Double air horn set, consisting of two horns on each side of the cab roof. The air horns are operated via the left-hand steering column lever.

  • LED head, cornering lights and bumper mounted fog lights.

  • Front windscreen of a laminated, double layer safety glass with solar control foil. A transparent foil is applied between the layers to help keeping radiation and resulting heat of the sun outside the cab, thus providing more comfort for the driver.

  • DAF Digital Vision System is a camera system replacing the main and wide-angle mirror. The system consists of a foldable camera above each cab door and two displays, mounted on the A-pillar inside the cab, one at each side. The camera covers a wider field of view and improves the vehicle's aerodynamics.

  • emission Euro 6

  • Fitted with VCL lightbars

  • Livery by Amber Valley Signs


Interior

  • The cab interior is extremely comfortable for driving, living and sleeping with unprecedented spaciousness and practical layout. Cab length: 2690 mm; cab width: 2500 mm.

  • Dashboard finish: Plateau - The dashboard has a plane finish with a very large centre part, which can be used for various purposes and creates a comfortable living environment in the cab.

  • Cab interior decoration: Argenta. It includes exclusive silver haptic accents. A stylish silver line accross the entire dashboard and the door panel at door handle level is included.

  • Air suspended driver seat - Xtra Leather Air. High backed with adjustable shoulder support. Two-step seat heating and active seat ventilation. Upholstery in soft-feel leather with double stitching accents.

  • It is possible to rotate the co-driver seat for a comfortable in-cab living experience.

  • Open storage compartment with a drawer underneath in the centre console.

  • Refrigerator and drawer underneath the lower bunk

  • Well supporting and comfortable, 150 mm thick, pocket sprung mattress with a 50 mm thick topper for ultimate sleeping and relaxing on the DAF Relax Bed.

  • Cab climate control automatically controls cab temperature, blower, air distribution and air conditioning

  • Roof hatch with electric control.


Safety & Security


  • DAF drowsiness detection assesses the driver's alertness through vehicle systems analysis and warns the driver, when deemed necessary

  • Lane Departure Warning System to prevent inadvertent lane changes due to driver's fatigue or due to driver's fatigue or distraction and to form an effective driving aid in low visibility conditions.

  • Safety system that detects and informs the driver of a moving object near the co-driver's side of the vehicle. The system also supports the driver to prevent collisions with other road users when changing lane.

  • Central door lock system with exterior light check function. Includes 2 remote control units with integrated snake blade key with flip mechanism and 1 additional key with transponder only.


Bonniface Equipment


The DAF is fitted with Boniface Interstater Mk6 with Maxireach Lowline K underlift boom – this is the longest, lowest, most powerful underlift they make and is capable of lifting 9t at maximum extension of 4.2m and 33t when retracted. The equipment features a power tilt facility which will work even when the boom is loaded.


The Interstater is also fitted with twin, dual speed Vime 15000Kg hydraulic winches and also side extending hydraulic rear legs with flip over spade / feet attachments. These ensure the vehicle is well anchored during heavy winching operations.


The bodywork is the Bonniface Deluxe stainless-steel body along with their iconic Stealth flyer, duplicated rear vehicle lights and flyer wings with additional LED beacons. This particular body featured their clip in stowage system which enables equipment to be easily positioned within the lockers and also allows additional equipment to be added at a later date without the need to weld in additional stowage brackets.





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