AUSTRALIA'S LEADING TRUCK AND TRAILER MAGAZINE
www.powertorque.com.au ISSUE 70 APR/MAY 2016 RRP: $8.95 (NZ $9.95)
PROFILE NSW, and Sydney in particular, are set to embark on some serious infrastructure projects in the next 10 years (Badgerys Creek airport, WestConnex, proposed M12 Motorway and many more in the pipeline), this has led many to believe transport opportunities are ripe for the picking in the tipper section of the industry. One such person is Garry Stafford of GLS Transport Southern Highlands. Garry, a quarry manager for the past 13 years for Hi-Quality Group Quarries, owned by the Hallinan Family, is no stranger to sand, rocks and aggregates of all types and has been in the quarrying business with his father Les Stafford and brother Wayne Stafford since 1974. GLS Transport was started by Garry and his wife Susan in April 2014, starting with a CH Mack and three-axled dog trailer purchased from his friend Chris Leckey from CJL Haulage and last year adding Trevor Dyson as a subcontractor with his 600-horsepower Western Star 4900 and quad dog. Garry and his wife Susan felt that there were significant opportunities in this sector of the market to invest in new vehicles to capitalise on these upcoming infrastructure projects.
THE
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This investment came about when Garry was picking up some parts for his CH Mack at the new 18 million dollar Mack facility at Blacktown (Sydney). While there he spied the Purple Phantom Super-Liner in the yard and sent a picture to his wife explaining that this was “The Dream.” She replied to leave it as just that, a dream. However, seven months later here is the truck in all its glory. Garry says he attributes a lot to Susan, who he says has actually been behind him 200 percent to give him the confidence to get to this point. Along with her unquestioning support, Garry expressed his gratitude to Trevor and Robyn Dyson who have been long-time friends, with Trevor being a great supporter of what Garry is trying to achieve. Garry also added that his employer Hi-Quality group has “very graciously” allowed him to enter into the transport side of things and realise his dream while still managing their quarries. The Phantom Purple custom paint actually came about as an unfulfilled order truck, and Garry says he will probably carry on with that colour for any new equipment to set a theme. Garry takes a lot of pride in the appearance of his vehicles and says, “With the major players you need to show you are for real, are compliant and can do the job, and appearance plays a big part in that”.
For Garry Stafford, his Mack Super-Liner in Phantom Purple sets a new standard in B-doubles
THE PURPLE PHANTOM OF THE QUARRY David Lynch of Mack Trucks handled the sale of the Super-Liner to GLS, and Garry cannot speak highly enough of David and the level of service he has received in getting the truck ready. Garry says that the new facility at Blacktown is great and they have got it right with a well fitted out drivers room with ensuites, washing machines and driers, plus the state-of-the-art service facilities. The quality of service he has received from the service department, in particular Shane Slater and Helen Williams, has been outstanding, so much so he now exclusively uses this workshop for all the work carried out on his two Macks – a one stop shop he says.
The Super-Liner provides an excellent workplace, backed up by the 685 hp Mack MP10.
“The Super-Liner will be serviced at 40,000 km intervals under Mack Care with oil sampling along the way,” Garry added. The Super-Liner itself is equipped with a MP10 directinjected overhead camshaft engine at 685 horsepower mated to an mDRIVE 12-speed overdrive automated transmission, which Garry says they are very happy with. Joining GLS to take command of the Purple Phantom is Andrew Nonnenmacher, who brings with him a wealth of experience gained through driving all types of heavy vehicles, including road trains in Western Australia. As part of the induction course to a new Mack, Andrew will be joined by one of the manufacturer’s full-time driver trainers for a day or two to help get the most out of the engine/transmission combination, including the manual hill descent speed control and power leash engine braking.
of the Quarry Words and images by Warren Caves
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PROFILE
WITH
Ross Transport is not a huge transport operation. However, with a fleet of 56 predominantly Freightliner trucks and 10 mechanics it’s no one-man show either. Three generations of the Ross family are currently working within the business – Alan Ross, his mother Frances, and Alan’s 19-year-old daughter True.
Ross Transport based in the Illawarra region south of Sydney is one such company, and as I dug a little deeper I found the family principles are flowing on to younger family members, courtesy of the current long-standing family management.
Alan says Frances has had a massive impact on the business. In the early days she used to make up all the salaries for the employees, at times even forsaking her own holiday entitlements in order to pay the drivers.
so many large national companies out there carrying so much of the freight, it’s heartening to see that some smaller family-run companies are still out there mixing it with the BIG boys and holding their own in an ever-competitive market.
Alan started with his dad when he was 19 driving a 2226 Mercedes-Benz coal truck. Alan says his father “lost the plot” in 1988 and went over to the Philippines, which meant he had to take over the business at a very young age. He and his mother were left to clean up the mess – they had 10 trucks.
FAMILY Values Warren Caves finds that Ross Transport puts its people first
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FAMILY VALUES “She comes in every morning and works through the finances, holiday pays, etc. Working in collaboration with the office girls, putting in around 20 hours per week, you can’t keep her away, and that’s a good feeling,” says Alan. When I asked Frances if she could ever see herself completely retiring from the business, without hesitation I got a resounding, “Oh no! It keeps my mind active and I love it”. Alan and Frances both agree the past few years have kept BOTH their minds very active. Neither of them has seen it so tough in the last 40 years, with customers slowing up the settling of their accounts, which in turn creates additional challenges and puts a further strain on cash flow. A lesson learnt from these hard times was that it forced them to get a deeper grasp on the core business and accounting to ensure that they kept right up with company debtors. The person I see playing a major role in the accounting side of the business is Alan’s daughter, True, who is currently in her third year of university studying a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in accounting and HR.
True is working in the family business part time while completing her studies and says she’s quite lucky in one respect that she has stable hours and the flexibility to do this, while some of her friends find it a little more difficult juggling work and study with jobs in hospitality type areas. “The more involvement I have with the business, the more I like it,” says True. However, the third generation in this story is not content to just focus on the accounting and admin side of the operation. She has her HR (Heavy Rigid) licence and intends to go from there to an MC. She has learnt how to grease a truck and trailer and currently looks after the truckwash. While True already has a good rapport with the drivers and mechanics, she is determined to get a full understanding of the business as a whole and is well on her way there, and says that someday she wants to be able to “show the boys up”. Alan said that True was always made aware she was welcome to join the family business, but was not pressured in any way. It actually came as a bit of a surprise to Alan and Frances when True expressed her desire to do so after her uni studies are completed. I also noticed a sense of pride in Alan’s voice when he said this.
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PROFILE
having
driven trucks since the age of 20, Renato Brozzesi (known in cement circles as Spaghetti) is a total convert to the attraction of hauling bulk products in pressure tankers. For the past 17 years of his total 28 years on the road, Renato has been working as a subcontractor for Boral Construction Materials and Cement, recently taking delivery of his latest prime mover, an immaculate Kenworth T909 to haul an equally immaculate Convair pressure tanker owned by Boral.
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“In the early part of my driving career, like all young guys I wanted to drive interstate. I realised when I got married at 25 years old that being away for long periods of time all over the country was not the perfect recipe for starting a family, and I made the decision to switch to more local work,” said Renato. “Initially, I started work with TNT Bulk Haulage on liquid work and soon found I really liked that side of the business. In those days there were no induction courses for drivers wanting to get into that type of work so I learned the processes by travelling with another driver in my own time to gain the necessary experience of powder tankers.
BULK MOVE “It was a stroke of luck that I heard about a vacancy with Boral, and for the past 17 years I have been working at running my own business as a subcontractor, with my wife Leanne looking after all the paperwork and accounts behind the scenes. “I started off with Boral with an early Sterling HN80 powered by a 435 hp CAT motor, then followed two Freightliner Century Class prime movers, also powered by 550 hp CAT engines. Now we have progressed to a new Kenworth T909 powered by a Cummins ISXe5 engine rated at 600 hp. “I think the best answer I heard to the question of why buy a 600 hp prime mover was that they don’t make a 700 hp version! The truck has got the right performance, sufficient interior space for me to be away overnight, and it’s magnificent to drive. “The CAT was a very torquey motor and it was quite a change getting used to the different power delivery of the Cummins ISXe5. Depending on the type of work it’s not uncommon to achieve fuel consumption that matches the smaller capacity engines. “I discussed the specification when ordering the T909 with Bill Anderson of Gilbert & Roach at Huntingwood and we went for a heavier spec’ rating of 106 tonnes, which would provide a better resale when we decided to update again in the future. The spec’ also includes the 20-Series Fuller Roadranger transmission, and I added an ICEPACK air conditioning unit to make sure I get a proper night’s sleep, even when we have to work out in higher temperatures in country areas. “From a service perspective we are running with approved oil drain intervals extended out to 35,000 km, with servicing requirements completed by Gilbert & Roach. “This truck really has everything I want. It’s got the long sleeper cab with TV, microwave and fridge. The cost of food when out on the road is now so high that I carry nearly everything I need with me. My wife Leanne makes pasta
bakes and freezes them in separate containers so they last when I am away. I also take a lot of salad and fruit with me, so from a diet perspective I can keep healthy. “To eat out on the road can easily cost upwards of $300 per week, and, by carrying my own food, the cost is only about $60 per week. Plus it’s a healthier lifestyle,” said Renato. When running at a typical gross combined weight of 44 tonnes, the average payload with a pressure tanker is around 28 tonnes. Mass management can take the gross weight out to 46 tonnes, providing an additional two tonnes payload where applicable. Typical loads include cement and fly ash. “I added a Groeneveld automatic greasing system to reduce time spent on the truck at weekends, and because family time with my wife Leanne and children Anthony and Kayla is very important. I usually have the truck and trailer cleaned by Prestige Truck Wash at Wetherill Park,” said Renato. “Everything about working with Boral is based on safety. All their processes are well established and easy to understand.
bulkmove
For Renato Brozzesi, the bulk tanker industry has proven that specialisation is the key to long-term business as a subcontractor for Boral
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PROFILE
WHEN
you accept that the very existence and efficiency of the Tamworth region depends on establishing and maintaining the best of transport links, then it becomes a priority to foster development of truck driving as a desirable occupation. Some four years ago, the Tamworth Transport Supply Chain Cluster Inc. was established to enable Tamworth regional supply chain businesses to work collaboratively to achieve business objectives that in the long term aids the economic growth of New South Wales. The Tamworth region is a major food producing and manufacturing region, and the Cluster works to provide local industry input into investment in transport and supply chain links. This in turn develops how products are moved, where the only viable and flexible transport links are those of the road network.
The formation of the Tamworth Transport Supply Chain Cluster brought together the five locally owned businesses headquartered in Tamworth. These companies collectively own over 180 trucks with over 230 drivers and employ over 300 staff in the New England North West region With each of the five businesses headquartered in Tamworth, these companies collectively own over 180 trucks with over 230 drivers, and employ over 300 staff in the New England North West region Importantly, the Tamworth Transport Supply Chain Cluster contributes at least $100 million into the local economy through wages, investing in new equipment, fuel, parts and office costs. PowerTorque met recently with Darren Carey of Carey’s Freight Lines to discuss the benefits of the Tamworth Transport Cluster, and, in particular, what benefits it had provided the members.
KENWORTH TO THE CORE
Recognising the need to develop training programmes is securing the future of transport operators in the Tamworth region Since 1947 the Carey’s Freight Lines fleet has been carrying the family name up and down the east coast, delivering refrigerated products and general freight. Like many operators, Carey’s Freight Lines is keen to develop interest in the transport industry amongst new drivers and to introduce training programmes designed to provide additional knowledge of safety and operational requirements.
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KENWORTH TO THE CORE
Kenworth with Cummins ISXe5 power is the main focus of the fleet and these are fitted with TEBBS electronic braking systems for anti-lock braking and roll stability.
“In conjunction with TAFE, the Tamworth Transport Cluster group organises two-day courses, attended by new employees, that explain the basics in vehicle mechanics, safe working loads, load restraint and handling, plus advice on the correct method of lifting cargo,” said Darren Carey.
“Tamworth is so reliant on the trucking industry, and will be so on an ongoing basis. Establishing the Transport Cluster initiative enables the group to develop an industry approach to attracting new drivers and other staff to consider the transport industry as a career,” she added.
“Additional training is also given in how to correctly tarp and rope a load and change tyres safely, as well as how to monitor fatigue management.
In the same year that the Transport Cluster was formed, Carey’s Freight Lines notched up a separate milestone with the purchase of its 100th Kenworth truck to join the fleet, which was delivered by Tamworth-based Kenworth distributor Brown and Hurley, another major contributor to the local trucking fraternity.
“Many of these aspects may be taken for granted by someone in the industry with a lot of experience. But we have to realise that these very experienced operators probably learned by travelling as a youngster with another driver early in their careers. These courses raise the level of professionalism and hopefully help to attract new people into the industry. “When we employ a young person fresh from school we start them on local work and then they progress to a light rigid licence, followed by a medium rigid then heavy rigid, before we consider moving them into semitrailer work. “We also are keen to introduce healthier diet and nutrition ideas for our drivers, and from time to time we have a competition to encourage weight loss and improved levels of fitness. These have proved to be quite popular and many of those that have taken part have stayed on the programme,” said Darren. Co-ordinator of the Tamworth Transport Supply Chain Cluster, Susan Frater-Sims, told PowerTorque that TAFE New England is the centre of excellence for transport operation. Training programmes now enable those attending to be assessed as part of the attainment of the Certificate #3 level in Driver Operation.
The relationship between Brown and Hurley and Carey’s Freight Lines has continued to grow and the fleet today numbers around 70 prime movers and 170 trailers, the majority of which are conformed as B-double combinations. “A lot of our work these days involves refrigerated containers for meat export, in addition to our normal refrigerated freight activities,” said Darren Carey. “Although Kenworth is the predominant brand, we also have 10 Western Star Constellations and a few Freightliner Argosy prime movers. Our trailer preferences include FTE, Barker and Maxi-CUBE, and these are fitted with Thermo King fridge units. “Our latest Kenworth prime movers are fitted with the Cummins ISXe5 engines and the drivers have commented on them being better to drive. We take a fairly conservative view when it comes to vehicle specifications and have not moved into buying automated manual transmissions. All our fleet uses the 18-speed manual Roadranger transmission. PowerTorque ISSUE 70
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PROFILE
TURTLE
TIME IT’S
always great to meet people filled with a whole heap of passion about what they do. The team at Turtle Nursery and Landscape Supplies is happy to comment, “Our thumbs are green, we enjoy talking about soil and we love watching grass grow.” As one of Sydney’s leading landscape suppliers, the Turtle brand identity works well in forming a strong bond with local householders and builders alike. The company’s main depots at South Windsor and Rouse Hill are packed with all types of soils, aggregates, sand and gravel, let alone the dozens of plants and different choices of landscaping equipment and building products. 60 PowerTorque ISSUE 70
Undoubtedly one of the best sources of information for finding out how to make your garden grow is to talk with any members of the sales team. There you’ll find all the experience to provide the right advice, provided the listener has time for a chat. “We have a great team and many of our employees have been with us in some cases for over 30 years. Put all that knowledge and enthusiasm together and we have an immense foundation for making our business a success,” said managing director and company founder, Barry Locock. “We literally are a seven-day-a-week business, and making sure that we keep all our supplies up to date means running a highly efficient fleet of trucks.
TURTLE TIME Our truck fleet travels all over New South Wales to bring in the materials to our nurseries and also to distribute them to our customers,” Barry added. Barry Locock founded the Turtle business some 41 years ago on July 1st 1975, with his first truck being an AEC Mammoth Major, a British truck brand that was powered by a Leyland diesel engine of 248 hp. He has subsequently repurchased the truck and it is being restored. With the one truck, Barry found wharf work and then quarry work, before moving into landscaping. Not one for taking holidays, he is usually found at work on a daily basis, although in recent years his workload has been shared with his sons Mark, Peter and Paul, with Mark controlling the yard out of Windsor and with Peter and Paul being based at Rouse Hill.
For specific applications there are two 8x4 rigids, one operating as a crane truck and the other as a conventional tipper, and more recently the fleet has been joined by a 10x4 Isuzu rigid tipper. For local home delivery activities Turtle Landscapes operates an extensive fleet of over twenty 4x2 tippers, the majority of which are Isuzu. These all operate as light truck rigids with GVMs from 5.5 tonnes. The Kenworth brand holds the position of being the flagship of the fleet, and there’s a mixture of models ranging from new SAR day-cab models and K200 cabovers, many of which are powered by the latest Cummins ISXe5 engines rated at 600 hp and matched to 18-speed Fuller Roadranger manual transmissions. The next step downwards in terms of payload and configuration are the workhorses that toil tirelessly each day delivering anything and everything to local customers. “The majority of the delivery fleet is based on the Isuzu product, with 4x2 and 6x4 units in plentiful supply, leading up to the largest Isuzu in the fleet, a 10x4 rigid tipper,” said Barry.
“I am intensely proud of the business we have built over the years and the many excellent relationships that have contributed to our growth. I am very fortunate now that I can pass on a lot of the daily responsibilities to my sons so I can actually think of taking the occasional break,” Barry added. Of course, the trucks in the fleet today are very different from the days of the Mammoth Major. The modern fleet of over 40 vehicles is predominantly based on Kenworth and Isuzu vehicles and comprises prime movers in 19-metre and 25-metre B-double and short B-train applications as well as rigid tippers coupled to three-axled and four-axled dog trailers.
Kenworth, Western Star and Isuzu all play an important role in different aspects of the Turtle Landscapes business.
“Every truck has its own personal name. We have Mork and Mindy, Bonnie and Clyde, Tom and Gerry and Rhonda and Ketut, named after the actors in the insurance company advert on TV. We even named two trucks in recognition of Steve Irwin the crocodile hunter, with Bindi and Crikey,” added Barry. Despite the light-hearted approach to presenting a family-oriented appeal to their customers, there’s nothing lacking when it comes to operating the truck fleet efficiently and safely. PowerTorque ISSUE 70
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FEATURE
making a difference It says a lot for our industry when truckies put their own vehicles and fuel towards helping out the farmers and their families – Words by Stuart Martin
when
you hear about a place that hasn’t had rain for longer than you’ve been working at a job you love, the message hits home.
Paul “Stax” Eddy has been a part of Brad Jones Racing, also known as Freightliner Racing, for nine years and has built quite a following for his exploits driving the team’s B-double car transporter. The Albury-based team is a close-knit group and its country base means they know first-hand how hard drought can hit rural families, so, when the chance to lend a hand arose, Stax grabbed it with both hands.
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The trailers of expensive race-bred machinery and spares were left behind for 32 round bales of donated hay, as, arguably, a more valuable load was taken north. Joining the Burrumbuttock Hay Run convoy to deliver hay to drought-stricken farmers in Queensland, the affable 43-year-old drove the 1800 km to Ilfracombe, near Longreach.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Having seen friends go through droughts half the length, Eddy knew how tough it was and said it was no stunt. “In the area where we took the hay they haven’t had rain for 14 years, it wasn’t a PR stunt – it was delivering hay and that’s the only reason we did it, just to deliver the hay.” “There’s a lot of kind-hearted people out there, plenty had to dip into their own pockets to make it happen, it goes to show what people are prepared to do to help, there were people lining the streets thanking us, it was awesome,” he said. Country singer Jayne Denham was part of hay convoy that headed north – including performing a concert as part of the event – and said showed a great camaraderie.
Country singing star Jayne Denham joined the hay run to entertain the drivers and farmers (that’s also Jayne on top of the hay bales). “It was just awesome to see the good old Australian spirit of pulling together.”
“It was just awesome to not only see the good old Australian spirit of pulling together – let’s face it, we’re good at it when we try to help people – but to then see the farmers’ faces….you can’t really explain it. “There was one lady standing in front of her house and around it was just barren, it was like the moon, she had her hands in the air, she was jumping up and down saying thank you,” she said. “One of the things that really blew me away, we were supposed to be up there helping them, one of the wives had baked cakes for us, then the next day when the farmers came up to get the hay, just to see their faces was just lovely,” she said. Hay run founder, Brendan Farrell, started two and a half years ago and said each of the ten runs, including the most recent one to Ilfracombe (the first to Queensland) has been a powerful event. “That’s number-ten and they are all powerful events, that was the first in Queensland, as I say to any truck driver, make sure you bring a box of tissues, some of the hardest truck drivers in the industry needed the tissues, it shows they have hearts of gold and not in it for the money.”
The NSW-based truck driver and farmer said the event had no large-scale corporate backing - “The people who can least afford to do it are funding this event”, and some help from the fuel or trucking companies would be welcome. The 11th Burrumbuttock Hay Run will return to Ilfracombe in Queensland early in April, with 220 prime movers and 300 trailers on the list so far. “Caltex gave us $10,000 in fuel vouchers last time, but other than that it is word of mouth and small businesses, who can sponsor a truck for $2000,” Mr Farrell said. The donated hay that Farrell and his volunteer convoy transport has helped more than 7500 droughteffected farmers. “Once the hay is gone and I know it’s done, I’m sitting down having a few beers, the farmers come back into town after dropping the hay home and sit down for a beer and they’re emotional wrecks…you know you’ve done the right thing,” he said. The involvement of the race team prime mover was with the blessing of the Jones brothers and Freightliner (who supply the Argosy prime mover to the team). PowerTorque ISSUE 70
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R
oll stability systems are dramatically reducing the number of rollover incidents occurring in the logging industry, and as these systems increase in their fitment there’s no doubt the industry safety record will benefit.
Oberon operator, Mangan Logging, has taken the quest for improved safety levels yet further by trialling the introduction of 23-metre B-doubles to offer greater productivity with lower load heights, as Chris Mangan explained to TrailerTorque. “We worked very closely with Kennedy Trailers of Bairnsdale, Victoria, to find alternative options to running 19-metre B-doubles whereby we could reduce the load height and raise safety standards without impairing efficiency or productivity,” said Chris Mangan. “One of the original reasons for using cabover prime movers was in the interests of running 19-metre B-double configurations.
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“We cart a full range of logs from 3.7-metre through to 6.0-metre. With the majority of logs being of 4.9-metre lengths, a cabover allows us to load three bays rather than the two bays we would be able to carry when using a bonneted truck. The additional third bay gives us an average 4.0 tonnes extra payload. “Having seen the introduction of 23-metre B-doubles in Victoria, we wanted to achieve commonality with those regulations and the additional productivity they provided.
TIMBER COUNTRY INNOVATION
“In 2013 we bought our first two 23-metre units. These were still mini-B’s with seven axles configured with bogie/bogie trailers.
“We use Kennedy trailers and they’ve put in a lot of work with us to try to get approval with 23 metres. We have also done a lot of work with RMS who have been very helpful.
“While matching the same original gross weight of the 19-metre units, we’ve increased the payload by 4.0 tonnes per load. As we can now carry 6.0-metre length logs we’ve reduced the payload height by up to 2.0 metres, so the entire combination becomes much more stable with a lower centre of gravity.
“When we started the 23-metre trials there were 15 roads that were closed to us. After presenting the findings to council, 13 of those roads in the network have been made available to us. We still have restrictions about travelling over Mount Victoria,” said Chris.
“The safety benefit is huge, and as an extra benefit we are four tonnes better off at the same gross weight of 57 tonnes on mass management. It also gives us better axle weight readings. “On a 19-metre we might typically have a reading on the on-board scales of 17 tonnes on drive then 15 tonnes in the middle and 16 tonnes on the back. With our 23-metre B-doubles the weight distribution is a consistent 17 tonnes on each axle set.
“The introduction of electronic braking systems and anti-lock brakes (EBS and ABS) has made a huge difference. All our newer gear has it and we use all BPW drum brakes and suspension. “We didn’t feel the need to go to disc brakes. Because of the nature of running over dirt roads, a typical disc brake system suffers the effects of being sandblasted continuously, which can produce troubles with the rubber boots on the callipers. The drum brake design seems to resist this type of damage more effectively. “In terms of other equipment, we fit on-board weighing systems by Pacific in Tasmania and we fit our drive axles with a tyre inflation system called Big Foot, which is manufactured in New Zealand.
TIMBER
COUNTRY
INNOVATION THE ADOPTION OF 23-METRE B-DOUBLES OFFERS HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY WITH IMPROVED SAFETY STANDARDS TRAILER TORQUE
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WARREN CAVES REPORTS ON HOW GARRY STAFFORD IS DEVELOPING HIS BUSINESS WITH SLOANEBUILT
FORWARD THINKING
W
hen GLS Transport Southern Highlands needed new equipment to cater for its expanding quarry transport business, the company’s managing director Garry Stafford decided on his next step for expansion through discussion with Sloanebuilt Trailers.
GLS already operated a truck and three-axled dog trailer with Sloanebulit bodies, and because these had performed so well in practice, this seemed a logical place to start. After Garry and his wife Susan toured the Sloanebuilt Trailers’ Smeaton Grange facility it soon became clear to them that they need go no further in choosing a manufacturer to spec up and build the trailers that they required. Sloanebuilt’s Tim and Fred Marano along with Ben Weckwerth, impressed Garry so much they sold the trailers on their personality alone, Garry says. The Sloanebuilt Trailers’ manufacturing facility at Smeaton Grange has a 70-strong team utilising the latest technology and equipment and has been delivering high quality trailers and truck bodies for the past 29 years. Sloanebuilt’s emphasis is on quality, performance, reliability and innovation.
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The B-Train configuration provides increased versatility for specific loads delivered to areas with limited access.
LT
FORWARD THINKING
All trailers and bodies are designed and manufactured onsite and with five overhead cranes, drive through bays, spray booth and water jet cutting machine, fast turnaround is assured. What Garry required was a set of trailers to carry out his quarry transport needs, providing the flexibility to cart aggregates of all types and quarry products plus demolition materials and crushed sandstone loads. The new B-train combination had to not only handle a wide variety of work, from aggregates and earthmoving to demolition, they also operate under CML and HML requirements. In line with Garry’s very high standards of vehicle presentation, the final result had to look the part. GLS transport had recently purchased a Mack Super-Liner and Sloanebuilt set about designing and manufacturing a set of 19-metre aluminium B-train tandem “A” and “B” tipping trailers to meet its unique requirements. Both trailers are “rock lined” with 5 mm high tensile, fully-welded, aluminium sheets fitted to the sides and tailgate and fitted with a 10 mm floor.
A two-metre spread on the B-trailer design helped with weight distribution and reduced the risk of overloading the centre tandem. “The design of the 19 m B-Train combination, which is also called a “jackknife and tip” rapid turnaround unit, because of the short B-trailer, can really improve the versatility of the unit. The operator can use the combination as a multi-skilling unit, dropping the trailer and adding a float where necessary to move plant and equipment or switching to a walking-floor trailer for added flexibility,” said Ben Weckwerth of Sloanebuilt Trailers. The “A” trailer is fitted with an Edbro 45-tonne capacity hoist and the “B” an Edbro 24-tonne hoist. Both trailers are running Hendrickson Intraax suspension with low-line on the “A” trailer and top-mount on the “B”. Electronic braking systems (EBS + ABS) and anti-lock braking systems are fitted to ADR 38/04 requirements, featuring roll stability to ensure the safest of operation. This provides Garry with the ultimate safety levels for current and future proposed legislation, while currently operating as General Access running gross weights of around 56.8 tonnes. The downside to the rock lining and heavy-duty application specification is the 21,340 kg tare weight this entire unit sits at half fuelled, which Sloanebuilt’s business development manager, Ben Weckwerth agrees is not the lightest possible, however it’s built to handle the job with a touch of style.
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GREEN
How an idea about conservation became a major industry with a large involvement in transport
Recycling B
ack in 2000, Geoff Harridge saw the opportunity to reduce the burning of timber waste by the Cypress timber industry and convert the material into usable bark and mulch products. With research, product development and a significant investment, Geoff finally developed his first Cypress product, the Cypress genuine red mulch.
Our bulk materials are hauled in for manufacturing using our Cypress bulk transport B Doubles and Road Trains.
The six-star Palazzo Versace hotel complex on the Gold Coast provided the team with the first major endorsement of their product by specifying the use of Cypress Genuine Red Mulch and Cypress Bark & Mulch around the luxury property. That move alone created instant demand, and in the ensuing years the company increased its supply to the point that its Cypress products can now be found in large national retailers including Bunnings and Mitre 10, as well as in local landscape supply stores.
“This new B-double trailer combination has a total capacity of over 120 cubic metres, with 2.5-metre high sidewalls that in turn give the unit an overall height of 4.3 metres. The lead “Slider” trailer can be used as a B-double or in road train configuration thanks to the fitment of a Ringfeder coupling.
As a wholesale operation based at North Tivoli in Queensland, Cypress Bark & Mulch does not supply its products direct to the general public, preferring to maintain its distribution network through bulk deliveries to its resellers. “Cypress Bulk Transport is the sister company to Cypress Bark & Mulch and looks after the distribution of our products across Queensland and NSW,” said general manager, David Harridge. “We distribute to our Reseller network using our Truck and Dog combinations including a DAF 8-wheeler Walking Floor and super dog tipper and the Isuzu and the Kenworth truck and quad dog combinations.
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“Recently we added a new Tri tri B-double 26-metre tipping combination that was designed and manufactured specifically to our operating criteria by Graham Lusty Trailers of Brisbane.
“The tubs themselves are manufactured using Matilda aluminium planks, more commonly used on aluminium walking-floor trailers. Because of the inherent strength of this type of construction,
GREEN RECYCLING This GLT B-double trailer combination has a total capacity of 120 cubic metres, with 2.5-metre high sidewalls.
g a second coaming rail is not required to provide a join for side sheets, and, consequently, the tare weight is extremely attractive at 7500 kg for the lead trailer and 7100 kg for the B-trailer. “The Matilda planks maintain side stiffness without the risk of the sidewalls bellying out when carrying full loads. Another significant advantage is that the walls can be easily repaired in the event of any damage. It is a relatively simple process to remove a panel or two and replace it,” added David. “We chose Graham Lusty Trailers (GLT) as the manufacturer/designer for our expanding fleet for a number of reasons. We needed a maximum cubic capacity trailer that had the ideal combination in volume for the lead trailer and the B trailer. This results in our being able to service our customers via split loading whilst maximising bulk stock supplies for our Cypress Bark & Mulch business. “The new GLT combination provides us with a stable platform to tip on multiple sites safely and effectively, and the trailers needed to be light in weight, strong and reliable to maximise loads and minimise downtime. The use of electric tarps also facilitates faster turnaround time during the unloading operation,” added David.
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