Big Rigs 12 May 2023

Melbourne truck body builder ned $225,000

PRESTIGE Truck Bodies was ned $225,000 and convicted in the Melbourne County Court last month after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work, so far as was reasonably practicable.

e court heard that in its production process, the Carrum Downs company used breglass and particle board panels that arrived at the workplace in shipping containers, packed in a manner that meant they could only be unloaded manually.

In January 2020, ve workers, including the manager Kevin Smith, 56, were emptying stacks of panels weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total from a container. e panels had not been securely packed and had become loose in transit.

As the rst panel was being removed, several others fell and fatally crushed Smith against the container wall.

e court heard that it was reasonably practicable for Prestige Truck Bodies to have implemented a system of work that required the supplier to pack panels in a manner that would allow them to be unloaded

using machinery, such as a forklift, and to return any containers that were not packed in this manner.

In a WorkSafe Victoria media statement, executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said the risks of removing heavy loads from shipping containers were well known and employers must ensure they have a safe system of work in place.

“Once a load begins to fall, there’s often no opportunity to escape for anyone inside a container, and the consequences are all too often deadly,” Dr Beer said. “Duty holders should never allow workers to attempt to unload a shipping container that has not been safely packed, and WorkSafe will continue to prosecute those who put workers in harm’s way.”

In sentencing the business, Judge Peter Lauritsen said Smith was a “greatly loved and admired man”.

He also said the death of Smith has had a “profound” impact on the Prestige Truck Bodies’ founder and director, Paul Williams, who he said was unable to enter the plea himself due to his distress.

Judge Lauritsen said Williams su ered “recognised

psychological disorders” as a result of his oor manager’s death and undergoes regular counselling.

e judge also said the company had made “increased e orts to safeguard its employees” since the accident, including the hiring of a full-time health and safety adviser and regular external audits.

Prestige Truck Bodies did not wish to comment.

Timber consignor ned $75,000 over rollover

A consignor of timber goods has pleaded guilty to one category two o ence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and was convicted and ned $75,000 at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

e consignor had breached its safety duty by exposing drivers and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury by failing to comply with section 26G of the HVNL.

e NHVR rst charged the Victorian-based compa-

ny with this safety o ence after a truck rolled over onto a pedestrian island crossing. e heavy vehicle was loaded with a 40-foot shipping container carrying 26 tonnes of imported timber plywood products when it rolled in 2019.

e regulator said that its investigation revealed that the consignor had failed to:

• Comply with its own CoR policy.

• Provide overseas suppliers with instructions regarding

compliance with Australian safety regulations.

• Require records and photographs of the container’s load and restraint to be provided prior to shipping.

• Advise the driver and operator of the vehicle on how the load was restrained.

Unsecured or inappropriately packed freight in shipping containers transported by road poses a signi cant safety risk to drivers, workers, other road users and the community, the NHVR said

in a media statement.

NHVR executive director statutory compliance Ray Hassall stated that all parties in the chain should take note of this court outcome.

“ is is a signi cant decision that should be heeded by all duty holders under the HVNL, but particularly those involved in the consignment of imported goods,” said Hassall.

“ ese obligations are in place to ensure all parties in the CoR manage the safety of their transport activities

and can’t simply delegate responsibility to drivers and transport operators.”

e NHVR added that consignors and consignees have the best opportunity to in uence how shipping containers are packed and loaded at the point of origin through contractual and commercial relationships.

“ ey must communicate with suppliers, manufacturers, packers and loaders to ensure processes are carried out to meet safety requirements.”

What is Australasia’s best truck?

THIS is a perennial question argued about for many hours in truck stops across Australia. In fact, you will never get a de nitive answer, because everybody has a di erent opinion.

In many cases, it’s simply a matter of taste. Some people are Kenworth, International, Freightliner or Western Star fans, while others love their Volvo, Scania, Benz or MAN.

e fact of the matter is that merely mentioning choosing the best truck on the road always provokes plenty of discussion and argument when the subject comes up.

e teams at PowerTorque magazine in Australia and TruckingNZ in New Zealand have decided to get involved in this age-old argument and present an award for the best truck on the market.

At this year’s Brisbane Truck Show (BTS), from May 18-21, one lucky truck manufacturer will be taking away the Truck of the Year Australasia (ToYA) 2023 Award for their latest model. e editors of the two

magazines, Tim Giles and Dave McCoid, are associate members of the International Truck of the Year (IToY) jury, which presents a similar award every year in Europe.

e thinking behind the award is simple. What the jury of ve are looking for is the truck which has been introduced in the last year or so, which has contributed to and improved the standards of safety and e ciency of the transport of goods by road in Australasia.

Any truck which ful ls this and which has a gross vehicle mass 4.5 tonnes or above is eligible. e truck must contain considerable technological improvements. A minor facelift etc. does not make a truck eligible. e truck nominated must be reasonably new, shall be produced in series and shall be ordered, according to an o cial price list.

Australasia presents truck makers with challenges unlike those it faces elsewhere in the world, and also considerably tougher. Trucks are working in the harshest conditions, extreme heat, sub-zero temperatures and

mountainous topography at weights up to and over 200 tonnes, in some cases, and the trucks are running at higher speeds than most of the rest of the world.

Unlike the other regions in the world, Australia and New Zealand utilise trucks from Europe, North America and Asia, and loading these trucks to much higher weights than they are designed for in their domestic markets.

In no particular order, the trucks in the running for this year’s ToYA are: the MAN TG3, the Kenworth K220, the Iveco S-Way and the Fuso Shogun 500, all of which have arrived with something new to o er Australasian truckies.

e Fuso Shogun 510 is a completely new concept for our trucking industry, a Japanese truck which actually has some real power. Okay, it’s only a 13-litre engine, but it does knock out genuine power, and torque to match. Anyone getting into this truck will be surprised at how it performs and how good it is to drive.

e Iveco S-Way is a

complete renewing of what the Iveco brand has on offer in Australasia. It comes at a point where the whole Iveco organisation has gone through a massive change and is virtually starting again. e new range is based upon a tried and trusted formula for Iveco, with the latest version of the Cursor engine, an AMT made for Iveco by ZF and the stylish Italian design we have come to expect from the brand.

e introduction of the

K220 by Kenworth may be contentious for some, but the changes introduced in the new model had to happen, to keep the model abreast of the new regulations coming through. It is a delicate balance for the designers to try and maintain the traditional look and feel of an industry favourite, while also bring the K-Series into the 2020s.

MAN is a truck brand which has struggled to make headway in the Australian market, despite being regard-

ed as a quality truck brand and selling well in Europe.

e driveline is up to the kinds of tasks we would use a truck like this for and is a development from a driveline which has shown its durability in the past. e new design elements in the cab are well thought out and are clearly designed after driver feedback.

For more on the contenders for the top honour, check out our bumper BTS liftout from page 17.

The four nalists for the inaugural Truck of the ear Australasia 0 3 pri e.

Govt inaction hampering EV uptake, says industry

BY JAMES GRAHAM

INDUSTRY bosses are calling on federal and state governments to fast-track alignment of legislation and incentives with the burgeoning electric truck technology and emission-free vehicle uptake.

e biggest display of zero-emission trucks ever seen in Australia goes on show at the Brisbane Truck Show from May 18-21 [see this edition’s special liftout from page 17].

But in the lead-up to the event, many industry heads and experts have vented their frustrations over the red-tape failing to keep pace.

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) chief executive Todd Hacking used the launch of Heavy Vehicle Industry Week to highlight the fact that current truck axle load limits are too low for electric vehicles.

“If not addressed, they will completely strangle e orts to decarbonise the industry, preventing it from contributing to Australia’s mandated emissions reductions targets,” he said.

At the same event, Volvo

Group Australia president Martin Merrick also sent a clear message to Canberra to get on board with how fast industry and eets are already embracing the technology.

“Volvo Trucks now have a full range of heavy-duty electric vehicles that we intend to launch in Australia this year, with a view to manufacturing these vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027,” Merrick said.

“However – let me be clear – these targets will not be met, unless we have all levels of government working together to change legislation that will

allow these vehicles to operate here in Australia.”

Merrick said that the lack of political decisiveness on the issue is hindering investment decisions, and needlessly shackling Australia’s economy.

“ e stakes are too high to ignore this issue any longer,” he said.

“I call on all levels of government to create a taskforce to deal with this issue as a matter of urgency.

“ is is not a Volvo problem; this is a zero-emissions future problem; this is an industry-wide problem.”

Hacking echoed Volvo’s

position with insights gained directly from other HVIA members.

“ e heavy vehicle industry wants to transition the eet to zero emissions vehicles, and the technology is available right now,” he said.

“Australia has everything it needs to meet emissions reductions targets, creating more local jobs and investment in the process.

“ e only missing piece is the regulatory framework to support us.

“HVIA urgently calls on government at all levels to accelerate truck axle mass regulatory reform,” Hacking added.

“ e ongoing contribution of the industry to Australia’s economy and emissions reduction targets is at stake.”

HVIA’s chief technical ocer Adam Ritzinger proposed four practical actions that can be implemented by regulators right now: classify roads based on structure type, strength, and durability; develop road maps suitable for ZEVs; utilise telematics; and seal pavement research to support higher axle loads.

“We are on a path to be-

coming the highest emitting industry in Australia if nothing is done,” he said.

He called on road managers to urgently classify roads based on their current structural capacity, leading to the development of networks that can support the heavier axles of zero-emissions trucks.

“Australia has been ‘sweating the road asset’ for many years to meet productivity demands. It is time to refocus on the environmental demands and sweat the asset from that perspective.

“Australia has the capability and technology to resolve this problem and must urgently

act to do so.”

e Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has also been lobbying Canberra for change.

It’s zero emission truck plan includes:

• Australia signing the global zero emission truck memorandum of understanding in which leading countries commit to working together to enable 100 per cent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040 with an interim goal of 30 per cent by 2030, to facilitate achievement of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. e US, Canada, UK and New Zea-

Transport Minister Catherine King jumped behind the wheel of a Volvo EV at Trucking Australia on the Sunshine Coast.

TGE introduced 24 all-electric Fuso eCanters as part of a bold carbon reduction project in Sydney.

land are already signatories.

• Fixing vehicle design rules, including 7.5 tonnes steer axle mass and increasing width for trucks and trailers.

• Investing in electrical recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for trucks.

• Delivering a purchase price incentive.

• Exempt zero emission trucks from curfews.

In line with the association’s recommendations, the ATA said that Australian Government has committed to mandating Euro 6 and equivalent emissions standards and has begun to increase funding for deploying zero emission trucks and infrastructure.

But Sam Marks, the ATA’s sustainability and future transport manager, told Big Rigs that the wheels aren’t turning fast enough.

For example, there wasn’t a single reference to trucking in the recently released National Electric Vehicle Strategy.

“It was disappointing,” said Marks. “And it means as other markets in Europe and North America are now starting to move ahead in this space, that Australia is now in a position where we will fall behind.

“Leadership is happening overseas. e US has incentives. ey’ve also already got some vehicle design rules, and they’ve also got clear statements of intent as well in terms of where they’re going, and we don’t have any of that yet.”

Marks said the solutions come back to xing the regulatory barriers, providing

the alternative energy infrastructure, whether it’s EVs, or hydrogen, and also have some sort of temporary purchase price incentive.

“ e cost of these zero emission trucks will come down in time, but if we want to accelerate the transition, which makes for a smoother trajectory, and reduces the amount of emissions we produce over the next couple of decades, you need some sort of incentive to bring that whole transition forward.

“Australia has now legislated commitment to net zero [by 2050], but for trucks we have no plan to get there.

“Europe has wider trucks and narrower tra c lanes so there’s not a good argument for not doing it, it’s just a matter of bureaucracy catching up with modern needs.”

e ATA has now joined forces with HVIA, the Electric Vehicle Council and the Australian Hydrogen Council to lobby for the federal government to develop and implement a National Zero Emission Truck Strategy.

A media release from the newly formed consortium says the freight industry contributes 38 per cent of Australia’s transport emissions.

At the ATA’s recent Trucking Australia conference on the Sunshine Coast, Transport Minister Catherine King told attendees that she was aware that they were up to the challenge of decarbonising transport.

“With our commitment to net-zero emissions, we need to

drive these down – whether it be through hydrogen highways, electric trucks, or cleaner fuels.

“I know that industry is ready and wanting to do your part.”

“ is ingenuity is why I am con dent that Euro 6 emissions standards can be phased in for new trucks and buses, from November next year.

“ is will bring Australian noxious emissions standards

closer to those already in place in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.”

In making this change, King said she was conscious of the development costs faced by industry to meet steer axle mass and vehicle width limits when introducing low and zero emission heavy vehicles to their eets.

“ at’s why our government is working closely with the heavy vehicle industry through the National Trans-

port Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to settle any outstanding concerns before the implementation of Euro 6.

“We have to take these steps – even when they might be di cult – because the alternative is too damaging.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts told Big Rigs that plans to further reduce emissions across transport, including in the heavy vehicle sector, will be led by a newly established net zero unit.

“We expect to have more to say following the budget [on May 9],” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said the government would continue to “support the decarbonisation” of heavy vehicles via investments such as the Team Global Express (TGE) EV trial. TGE received $20.1 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to deliver the largest battery electric vehicle eet of its kind in Australia.

“As well as investment into hydrogen highways to help industry eets acquire heavy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and construct renewable hydrogen refuelling stations on major freight routes across Australia, starting with the Hume Highway.”

e new ADR which will phase in Euro 6 noxious emissions standards for new heavy vehicles from November 1, 2024, will also provide

a “pathway” for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to operate at the same mass limits as new diesel trucks under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, the spokesperson added. “ e department understands the concerns of the heavy vehicle industry regarding barriers to the uptake of heavier low and zero-emissions trucks in the Australian market, including axle mass limits speci ed in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“ at’s why we are working, through the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers meeting, with the NHVR, National Transport Commission and industry to consider options to ensure operators can purchase and safely utilise more low and zero-emissions trucks.

“ is also includes discussions with industry partners about how Australian heavy vehicle manufacturing can be supported with the low and zero-emissions transition.” e department has also prepared a Regulation Impact Statement - released in 2021 - on options to increase the width of heavy vehicles that include certain safety updates and technologies. “We are nalising advice and recommendations for the government on this package of safety technologies, which would be regulated through the national road vehicle standards.

“Should the government agree to the recommendations, we expect the package to come into e ect later this year.”

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HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking said industry needs regulatory framework to support the transition.

VGA president Martin Merrick believes that the lack of political decisiveness on the issue is hindering investment decisions.

Peak body opposes ‘toll grab’ in Melbourne

THE National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has voiced its opposition to tolling giant Transurban swallowing another operator in a submission to the country’s competition regulator.

NatRoad was asked by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to contribute to its review of Transurban’s proposed majority acquisition of Horizon Roads in Victoria, which operates the 39km EastLink motorway in Melbourne.

Horizon Roads, through ConnectEast, holds a conces-

sion from the State of Victoria to operate the EastLink toll road until November 2043.

NatRoad has opposed the deal, reported to be worth $2.5 billion, which it says will have a negative impact on competition and open the way for higher toll charges for road freight operators.

EastLink is the second-busiest tollway in the country, with around 250,000 users each day, and serving 40 per cent of Melbourne’s population.

According to the EastLink website, truckies currently pay $17.91 per trip in one direction.

“In our opinion, the proposed acquisition will increase Transurban’s bargaining power and therefore result in a lack of price competition,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.

“We have strongly recommended that the ACCC consider the potential for increased toll charges and their impact on end consumers.”

Clark says, as in New South Wales, Transurban already operates a signi cant number of toll roads in Victoria.

“Toll tra c data is crucial in competing for toll road development, ownership, and oper-

ation. “ e purchase could also limit the Victorian government’s ability to in uence or control future competitive processes for toll road concessions.

Transurban provides electronic tolling and tag-issuing services under its Linkt brand, and in Victoria has interests in CityLink and the West Gate Tunnel, which is currently under construction. In NSW, it has a near monopoly on toll roads in and around Sydney.

“With the election of a new government in NSW, we are expecting real toll relief

for truck drivers in that state but the creeping rise in tolls is something that needs attention nationwide,” Clark said.

“We have urged the ACCC to carefully consider our submission and to prohibit the

proposed acquisition.”

Transurban is Australia’s largest toll road operator. In Melbourne, it operates the CityLink toll road, and is building and will operate the West Gate Tunnel toll road.

Construction underway on $2 billion Sydney motorway

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a new 16-kilometre toll-free motorway – being built at a cost of $2 billion – which will provide a connection to the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

Due to open in 2026, the M12 Motorway is expected to carry 52,000 vehicles per day by 2036. It will have connectivity via Elizabeth Drive to the east and e Northern Road to the west; aiming to meet demand for the airport’s passenger and

freight transport requirements.

“ e M12 is an important part of the $4.4 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing over $1.6 billion to the project,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.

“ is road is an essential part of the strategy to ensure Western Sydney International

Airport enjoys good transport connections from the outset.”

Current works are being delivered by contractors Seymour Whyte along the central section and CPB-Georgiou Group Joint Venture through the western section of the future motorway with more than 2000 people being directly or indirectly employed.

As NSW Roads Minister John Graham explained, “It has also been built to accommodate future freight movements and

growing economic zones such as the Aerotropolis and employment zones stretching from Liverpool to Erskine Park and beyond.

“Importantly, the M12 will also take tra c o Elizabeth Drive, giving the road back to the local communities that rely on it for their day to day needs.”

Major construction on the M12 will be complete prior to the opening of the new Western Sydney International Airport in 2026.

M12 West drainage works are underway on the motorway that is expected to open in 2026. Photo: Transport for NSW

EastLink in Melbourne is the second-busiest tollway in the country.

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EDITOR

JAMES GRAHAM

AFTER all the Covid-related uncertainty that plagued the build-up to the 2021 event, what a relief it is to see such a turnout for this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

Most of the major brands are back on the main floor and with what organisers are calling the biggest display of emission free trucks ever seen in the southern hemisphere.

Hopefully Canberra takes note. The clear message coming through in the build-up was the glaring gap between the industry’s willingness to embrace the new technology and the regulations that are so far failing to keep pace. Factor in the lack of incentives for buyers and charging infrastructure and you can see why the calls for change are growing louder.

As frustrating as it must be for early investors, I’m sure we’ll get there. The government simply can’t reach its net zero goal in 2050 without transport playing its part.

HOT WEB TOPICS

train Call for Gatton pads time limit

Both Jenny Varcoe and Nick Renowden remarked that the facility was not well planned to begin with and there wasn’t enough consultation done to include all the stakeholders, particularly drivers.

World- rst electric triple road

facilities” instead of “consulting with the wrong people”.

TRUCKIES say authorities need to step in and regulate the use of this busy Queensland decoupling facility because too many companies are using it as a trailer depot.

“Place was never planned right, no toilets, not enough parking, simply too bloody small and no input from the people that use it,” Varcoe wrote.

Leanne Dyer agreed that the authorities must “talk to the actual drivers that use these

Eddie Roberts said the government must “keep up with the economy and build bigger pads and amenities, instead of Band-Aid measures keep up with the economic needs of the transport industry.”

Gary Morton agreed with the thought, adding: “The infrastructure needs to get with the times in a growing society with higher freight demands. The state or federal governments need to allocate more land and funds.”

THERE was some interesting response from readers to the first pics and video of the world-first electric triple road train launched in South Australia, a converted Volvo that will cart copper concentrate to the Whyalla port.

Many readers have wondered if it is worthwhile to bring in EV technology to transport, putting further strain on the power supply chain. Peter Hughes said: “100% EV is not the way… hybrid is a better way to go, recharging itself.”

Damien Hedger questioned the logistics of the batteries that will be used. “What do the bat-

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teries cost? How long to charge given the truck will do about six loads a day and use a full charged battery for each load? How volatile are the batteries if damaged?”

Ian House also questioned how much electricity it would take to charge one set of batter-

ies, and whether it is viable to invest in this technology considering the cost to the broader community. “Electricity prices are at an all-time high Australia wide and here we have a company wanting to put more pressure on an already strained power grid.”

Steven Angel responded: “Ian House, yes, I agree I just do not understand either how can they just jump into something which is only a dream idea” before adding “what about a traineeship program for new and inexperienced drivers first? At least we can fix that!”

Frustrated drivers say the facility isn’t running as well as it could.

The converted Volvo from Janus Electric starts work for OZ Minerals this month.

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Sludge hopeful about getting back behind the wheel

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

FOLLOWING a horrific motorcycle accident on March 4, that left him with serious injuries, Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews recently returned home to continue his long recovery.

e popular truckie became well known after his regular appearances on Outback Truckers, alongside his beloved 2008 Peterbilt 379 called ‘ e Phantom’.

Sludge has spent a lifetime behind the wheel and has travelled to all corners of the country. But now it could be a long time before he’s able to get back on the road again.

e accident happened just around the corner from his home. He had headed out on the motorbike, with his 16-year-old son following behind him on a scooter, when the unthinkable happened.

Sludge su ered a fractured skull, eye sockets,

cheeks and ribs, a bleed to the brain, and torn ligaments in his neck, along with back and hip pain. It left him unconscious for several minutes, and he is unable to remember the accident.

Sludge was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital’s trauma unit, where he stayed for two weeks, before being transferred to the Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he was for close to ve weeks.

“ ey also did surgery on his brain to block an artery, to stop any more bleeding on the brain,” said his ancé Wendy Kennedy.

Sludge was discharged in late April so he could continue his rehabilitation from home, with Wendy being his full-time carer.

His rehab will include physiotherapy, speech therapy and continuous doctor and specialist appointments, along with hydro pool therapy several times a week. e recovery is expected to take

6-12 months, but it could be even longer before he’s able to drive a truck again.

ough Sludge is now back on his feet and able to walk short distances, Wendy told Big Rigs there’s still a long way to go. “Sludge is walking now, but very slowly. He couldn’t go to the shops for example without being in a wheelchair. He can walk little distances but then he gets fatigued. It’s good for him to walk though, where he can. So I let him walk and then get the wheelchair out when he gets tired. It can be emotionally trying too though.”

Sludge also opened up about how di cult it’s been. “I’m actually a little over it. It’s not coming along like I thought it would. I’m alright with walking, but still a bit unsteady,” he said.

In fact, just three days after coming home, Sludge had a fall – thankfully he didn’t hurt himself too badly. Wendy explained, “He keeps losing his balance. He’ll be walking and then his leg will give way. He had a nasty fall outside our house. He grazed his head on the pole and hurt the wrist that wasn’t injured, on the concrete. It could have been a lot worse.”

Sludge added, “A fall like that puts me back two or three days, and that annoys me. We’ll get there, it’s just going to take time.”

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been an easy ride for this couple in recent times. Sludge’s motorbike accident came just a week after he had returned to work, following a jet ski accident at the end of December 2022. He had suffered seven broken ribs as a result and was sidelined from work for six weeks.

“No one can give an answer about when Sludge will be able to drive again. With a head injury, this is really fresh, it’s still early days,” said Wendy.

When asked about getting back behind the wheel, Sludge said he was hopeful,

“It’s probably 12-18 months away – it could even be two years before I’m driving again. I need to be able to pass my main medical too, so I might not be able to road train again, I may only be

able to do singles. But you never know. I had a mate who had a stroke and he was set way back, and he’s going again.”

He continued, “From the head injury, I get car sick at

the moment. Every time I get in the car, I have to take medication. I can handle not being able to drive, but this is the one thing I’m really struggling with. I struggle to even go in the car to get to appointments.”

Wendy added, “ e doctors can’t say how long it will take but he won’t be driving a truck for a very long time. What people don’t understand is that we’re not loaded – we’re just an average working couple.

“He nearly lost everything seven years ago and had to rebuild. Everything he does is because he’s passionate about trucks and loves doing it. Now we’re looking long term, because we don’t want to go broke again.”

A friend of the couple, Donna Gell, has created a GoFundMe page to help with the associated costs while Sludge’s business is on hold. At the time of writing (May 3), $15,530 had been raised of the $25,000 goal.

There’s still a long road to recovery ahead, but Sludge is making great progress.

Sludge is being looked after at home by his anc Wendy, who is currently his full time carer.

Sludge and The Phantom were a regular site on reality show utback Truckers.

COME AND VISIT OUR UNIQUE STAND AT THIS YEARS BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW AND SEE ALL THINGS KRUEGER AS WE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF OUR AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION.

This 1965 DCO is a rare nd

also an upgrade on the Mack.

“I had no troubles with it, with the 44s under it, it could do anything. She hauled some big loads and it never saw a weighbridge in New South Wales,” McGlinchie said with a smile.

“Of course, there was still 600 miles of dirt roads – when I started running out there in 1959 the dirt started at the Kimba turno and nished at Norseman – it was rugged, but the truck stood up to it. I had slept across the seats for 10 years, so it was a step up in comfort. It did 90 per cent of its time running Sydney to Perth, carrying general and then copper tube and loading timber back out of the south-west.”

McGlinchie sold the truck in the mid 1970’s in favour of a Detroit-powered Atkinson, with the DCO a familiar sight around Sydney for a number of years working as a salvage unit for Retriever Towing.

Buying the truck back, McGlinchie started his restoration project, which has resulted in the truck today nished with a white roof, blue cab and gold trims.

a lot more sociable too,” he said.

In between owning the DCO, McGlinchie spent a number of years carting steel between Sydney and Newcastle before nishing his fulltime driving delivering BP fuel for a sub-contractor. In more recent times he worked shifting the Stihl Timbersports woodchopping carnival around the country before the various Covid shutdowns saw him call time on his driving duties.

For older readers he is best known for his 14-year stint as test driver and technical contributor for the much-missed Truck and Bus magazine.

“I would have done that job for nothing – at one time International built us a Big Cam powered Atkinson for a road test between Sydney and Perth, it was nice that they trusted you enough to build a truck for you to do a test,” he said.

BY DAVID VILE

LOOKING back through the archives of road transport in Australia and in particular the myriad of makes and models of trucks that have graced our roads, the International DCO-F does not come as readily to mind as other trucks such as a Mack Super-Liner or Kenworth SAR.

e only known DCO-F still on the road in Australia along with its owner, did the hard yards on the Nullarbor between Sydney and Perth when the road was not much more than a dirt track.

Don McGlinchie has twice owned the 1965-model DCO, in the rst instance purchasing the Emeryville, California-built truck with which he ran across ‘ e Paddock’, and other destinations between 1969 and 1974. He once again bought the truck

around 10 years ago and spent four years overhauling and rebuilding it into an immaculate example of the model, which he had on display recently at the Gundagai Tractor Pull and Swap Meet.

“ e DCO-F was the predecessor to the Transtar, there is no documented history of

them in Australia but as near as I can nd out the rst series had a 280 Cummins which was de-rated from a 335. It’s a D-series, the CO is for cabover, and the F denotes a bogie drive,” McGlinchie explained.

Having been running a B-Model Mack east-west, McGlinchie bought the DCO

Midland.

INSURANCE BROKERS

from Phil Murray, another Sydney-based operator. With the tment of a 15-speed Roadranger and the International rear end swapped out for a 44,000lb Rockwell setup, the International soon proved its worth, and with the sleeper cab somewhat of a rarity at the time, the comfort levels were

“It still had the tow-truck body on it, but the chassis was cracked in a couple of places, I bought an old Kenworth and ogged all the good stu out of it and put it back in this. With the 350 Big Cam Cummins, it runs along nicely, you can sit on 100k and she’s only doing 1300 revs. It also now has air suspension so that’s made it

For now, McGlinchie wheels the DCO out for events such as the Gundagai event and Haulin’ the Hume, where the truck’s rarity makes it somewhat of a talking point.

“I know where there are three others being restored but they are long term projects. ey built 33,800 of them which would have been the best-selling International in the USA until the Transtar came out. But you just can’t seem to nd much history of them here in Australia which is a real shame.”

Don McGlinchie’s 1965 International DCO-F on display in Gundagai. Photos: David Vile

“She hauled some big loads”: The DCO-F loaded up with a dozer and machinery in the early 1970s.

The signwriting on the rear of the cab salutes the truck’s builders at the International Harvester plant in Emeryville, California.

Dedicated to ‘Dynamite Kate’

BY DAVID VILE

‘A MODERN classic’ would probably be an apt term to describe the 1976 Kenworth which is owned and operated by Matt and Courtney Hambridge.

e 47-year-old Kenworth’s iconic SAR styling is straight out of the 1970s, coupled up to a current era engine and driveline.

Based just south of Sydney at Yerrinbool, Matt and Courtney operate MCH Heavy Haulage, with a eet of predominantly cabover Kenworths, joined last year by the SAR, which has taken pride of place as both a agship vehicle for the business and one which will be part of the Hambridge operation for many years to come.

Coupled up to a Drake quad oat and loaded with a Caterpillar PM620 pro ler, the couple had the Kenworth on display in late February at the Gundagai Tractor Pull and Swap Meet.

With the truck having recently once again become a fully working truck as opposed to an historic one, Matt gave a background to both the unique speci cations of the SAR and its new home as

part of the MCH eet.

“It has the features of a modern truck in an older truck. It actually has a Series 60 Detroit in it and all the running gear out of a K104 Kenworth with an 18-speed ‘box and an airbag rear end,” explained Matt.

“ e 14-litre Detroit is rated at a little over 600 horsepower, so it has no problem getting over the hills! It is a bit of a toy, I just wanted something that I could do up so we got a hold of it and started tinkering.”

Having been on the lookout for an older SAR and having just missed out on another example, a ick through the classi eds on Gumtree late in 2022 soon had Courtney on a plane to Western Australia to check out the truck.

“Courtney found it on Gumtree and went straight over to Perth that afternoon to look at it, she came back and got a bank cheque and we went back over and drove it home,” said Matt.

“It has been converted with all the newer gear over there and the fella needed to buy a set of grain tippers for the harvest season and needed to sell it.

“We were a bit lucky; the truck had been sitting in his

shed for four years, and he had only had it on Gumtree for two days.

“We bob-tailed her home – I am a bit time poor so didn’t have time to get a trailer sorted – there was a bit of hopping and carrying on but with the airbags it wasn’t too bad.”

Having planned to take a couple of his restored GM-powered Dodges on a trailer to Gundagai behind the SAR, Matt’s plans soon changed when one of his clients needed the pro ler picked up out of Wagga to go back to Sydney.

With the truck having been put back on full registration the week before it was an opportunity for the Kenworth to start earning its keep.

“It’s the rst week on the road as a working truck. It had been on vintage plates prior.

“I said to Courtney that it’s a bit of a waste having it sit in the shed and not being utilised so we got it spec’d to 75-tonne and got it back on full rego.

“Coming down here it was a perfect opportunity to take it for a run and still utilise it in the business. We took the

weekend o for the show but this will save two trips.

e MCH operation is run as a family business and undertakes a variety of roadworks and road maintenance projects for companies such as Fulton Hogan.

From their Yerrinbool base the MCH trucks and equipment work throughout the Southern Highlands, and with the recent oods requiring a number of road projects to be undertaken, Matt’s team has been as far a eld as West Wyalong and Narrandera.

e current eet includes ve K200s, a K104 and a K108, and looking to the future Matt is about to put two A-double tipper sets on the road to haul asphalt.

“We built up the business with excavation and heavy haulage. We wound it down a bit through Covid and have found our niche market, the A-doubles we have invested money in to maximise what we can do with our sta and so forth. We are a small family business but we all work together and get through it, taking on the two double setups is a big risk but if you don’t have a go you’ll never know,” he said.

e family ties extend through to the SAR, which has been dedicated to Matt’s great grandmother, Catherine Grace Hambridge, who was better known around the place as ‘Dynamite Kate’.

“I wanted a truck I could do up in honour of her. I was probably a little too young but she drove for TNT on parcel freight for a number of years,” recalled Matt fondly.

“She had a reputation, apparently she used to go o like a recracker at Marulan!” he added with a smile.

Also adorning the sleeper cab are the names of Matt and Courtney’s three children, Katie, Tyler and Chloe, with 13-year-old Katie apparently showing good form already changing gears around the MCH yard.

Matt reckons with the support of Courtney, who is also regularly behind the wheel of a truck, his father Ian, and other family members helping out along the way his business is well poised for the future.

It is the passion for his machinery and work that will keep the MCH name, and the ‘best of both worlds’ Kenworth out on the roads for a long time yet.

“It is old but modern enough that I can still put it to work, and this is something we can hand on down to the next generation,” he concluded.

Editor’s note: Astute readers may recall this story from the previous issue. We’re running it again in its entirety this time after a le error at the printing stage inadvertently deleted the second half.

A quick ick through the classi eds on Gumtree opened up a whole new world for this Yerrinbool couple.

Matt and Courtney Hambridge with kids Tyler, Chloe and Katie.

The SAR has been dedicated to Matt’s great grandmother Catherine ‘Dynamite Kate’ Hambridge.

The best of both worlds, the Kenworth has once again become a working truck.

A key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Heavy vehicle extravaganza

HEAVY Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) chief executive Todd Hacking said this year’s Heavy Vehicle Industry Week will be the biggest and the most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia.

e week-long celebration from May 15-21 also includes the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere, one of the most talked-about features of the Brisbane Truck Show at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

“It is a tremendous honour and thrill to host Queensland’s biggest business-to-business event, which is expected to contribute $40 million to Queensland’s economy,” said Hacking at the o cial launch.

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and support we receive from the Queensland government and Brisbane City Council who work with us to deliver this world-leading industry event.

“With an extraordinary program of informative, interactive and educational activities we expect 40,000 attendees to the Brisbane Truck Show over four days, lling over 70,000 hotel room nights across the city.”

Hacking said that a key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and environmentally friendly transport.

“We will feature the future of heavy vehicle technology including the largest display of zero-emission vehicles in the southern hemisphere including hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, hybrids, renewable diesel and much more.”

Volvo Group Australia pres-

ident Martin Merrick said the event is an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse of the future of transport, a vital industry that lies at the heart of the Australian economy.

“It is no secret that we are on a zero-emissions journey both globally and locally,” Merrick said.

“By 2030, at least 30 per cent of the new trucks we sell globally will be either electric or utilising a zero-emissions power source.

“We intend for that gure to rise to 100 per cent by 2040.

“Electric trucks will bring lower running costs, lower emissions, and more choice for

trucking operators.

“But most importantly they make our cities and urban environment a better place to live and work.

“We are expanding our electric o ering with a view to manufacturing heavy electric vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027.”

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor, Krista Adams said the Brisbane Truck Show was a major business and tourism drawcard for the city, a vital hub for road transport which supports thousands of jobs for locals.

“ e Brisbane Truck Show will also be a massive boost

for the events industry, attracting 40,000 people to the city thanks to an exciting line-up, including free and a ordable events for the whole family,” she said.

e week incorporates the following heavy vehicle events:

• e Brisbane Truck Show, May 18-21 (BCEC).

• South Bank Truck Festival (South Bank Parklands).

• Mack Anthem Truck built by LEGO bricks as a Guinness World Record attempt.

• Rock on Riverside Live @ South Bank concerts.

• Electric Avenue – zero-emission truck display on Little

Stanley Street.

• National Apprentice Challenge at the South Bank Piazza.

• Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show (Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills).

• Heritage Truck Show (Rocklea Showgrounds).

Program highlights include:

• e largest display of zero emissions heavy vehicles in the southern hemisphere.

• Electric Avenue display on Little Stanley Street, South Bank.

• Complimentary community concerts in South Bank Park-

lands Riverside Green.

• Co-presented by Live at South Bank, Eat South Bank, QMusic.

• e Superjesus and Australian Rock Collective plus many more.

• e Live at South Bank program is proudly supported by the Australian Government Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund.

• Full-scale replica Mack Anthem built from Lego bricks. celebrating 60 years of Mack

• Trucks being manufactured in Queensland.

• e battle of Australia’s best automotive apprentices at the HVIA National Apprentice Challenge, featuring a crowd of almost 2000 students from an anticipated 50 high schools to experience the diverse and rewarding career opportunities.

“ e heavy vehicle industry has shown incredible resilience and tenacity over the last few years, helping to keep the country moving through drought, bush res and the pandemic,” added Hacking.

“Our ability to support the largest accelerated increase in online shopping in the world’s history is a testament to the sector’s character, agility and capacity to scale and deliver in the face of extraordinary challenges.

“ is year we celebrate our achievements as an industry and also demonstrate our commitment to, and embrace of, innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport technology.

“We have also partnered with industry and mental and wellbeing charity, Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, to support the mental health of our greatest asset, our people.”

Manufacturers on emission at 2023 Brisbane Truck Show

TRANSPORT Minister

Catherine King and Climate

Change Minister Chris Bowen only need to take a quick walk around the main auditorium to see that manufacturers are more than willing to play their role in helping Australia reach its net zero target by 2050.

Zero-emission vehicles have been the talk of the show in the build-up with all the main players eager to show o their latest o erings.

So big was the hype, some were still under wraps at deadline for this issue, including Volvo’s eagerly-anticipated heavy-duty prime mover, which was set to be revealed to industry media for the rst time on May 17, the day before the covers come at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Until then, here are more details about some of the other zero emission trucks that we do know will be on display.

Despite the regulatory handbrakes and lack of incentives for buyers (see story on page 4-5), Volvo is an early frontrunner in Australia in the EV truck space.

Early adopters of the Volvo product so far include heavyweight clients such as Australia Post, Linfox, Team Global Express and GEODIS.

Just recently, Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick also announced the group’s intentions to build

battery-electric vehicles at its Brisbane facility by 2025, with the heavy-duty model coming on line two years later.

e current models available in Australia include the Volvo FE Electric, a 300hp (225kW) rigid, that runs a dual-motor driveline with a two-speed gearbox with three to four batteries; and the FL Electric, a medium-duty truck designed for city rigid work that’s powered by a single electric motor with a two-speed

gearbox.

e range for the FE is up to 200km and its gross combination weight pushes up to 26 tonnes and comes in 4×2 or 6×2 axle con gurations.

e FL claims a 300km range and pushes out 174hp (130kW) from its single electric motor. e FL also boasts GCW of up to 16 tonnes and has four battery packs at 265kW.

Charging time takes 11 hours with alternating current

and two hours with direct current charging.

Team Global Express has chosen a eet comprising 36 Volvo FL electric trucks tted with 10-pallet van bodies, a GVM of 5900kg, and a range of up to 300km.

Continued on page 22

The Volvo FL is undergoing six month trial with Australia Post. The medium-duty rigid is perfect for city work. The range for the Volvo FE is up to 200km.

(L-R) Brisbane Truck Show mascot Sunny, Martin Merrick, Todd Hacking and Krista Adams give the thumbs up to the launch of Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week.

The team Australia trusts.

Going the Extra Mile

To nd out more, contact your UDTrucks dealer on 1300 BUYA UD or visit udtrucks.com/australia

When you’re running a trucking business, or you’re out on the road, trust is everything. You need a team behind you that you can rely onpeople you know are always on your side.

At UD Trucks, we have one of the widest networks of sales and service experts dedicated to your success. From local dealership managers to finance specialists, from performance specialists to truck technicians, our people take the time to get to know your business, and they work with you like they’re part of the team.

Find the team and truck Australia trusts at the Brisbane Truck Show - Stand Number 49

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

All-electric eActros debut

MERCEDES-BENZ Trucks will present the all-electric eActros for the rst time in Australia at the show.

e battery-electric eActros is focused on heavy-duty short radius distribution and development trucks have been working away in select eets in Europe since 2018, impressing customers with its advanced design, strong performance and e ciency.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will soon begin a local validation program for the eActros in Australia and New Zealand.

Daimler Truck already has considerable experience with electric trucks in Australia. It was the rst manufacturer to launch an all-electric truck

when Fuso introduced the pioneering eCanter locally in 2021.

e eActros validation program is designed to ensure the eActros speci cation is tailored for the unique conditions of Australia and New Zealand and meets the speci c requirements of local customers.

Initially, four eActros trucks will get to work in Australia and one unit will hit the road in New Zealand, with additional units to follow.

As we were going to print, Mercedes-Benz Trucks also con rmed that the all-electric eEconic will also be on display in Brisbane for the rst time.

e Econic, which is best known for waste collection was designed from the ground-up to

Latest eCanter revealed

work in densely-populated areas and is known for its excellent visibility, practicality and active safety features.

Now, the electric eEconic version will also be known for its near-silent powertrain and zero local emissions.

e eEconic that will feature on the Daimler Truck Stand at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre will also be part of a validation trial that will take place in Australia and New Zealand after the show.

STAND: FOYER 44

Ph: 1800 033 557

Web: mercedes ben trucks.com/en_AU

THE lightning-fast electric evolution continues with the next-generation Fuso eCanter making its debut in Brisbane.

Fuso Fuso launched the rst eCanter globally in 2017. It was the rst OEM electric truck introduced locally in 2021 and has worked for big brands including Bunnings, Toohey’s, Centurion, Goldstar, Linfox and Australia Post.

e next-generation eCanter moves the needle further with a raft of new technology that demonstrates how quickly electric truck technology is moving.

ese include a state-ofthe-art eAxle electric Power Take O (PTO), advanced safety, connectivity, boosted range and a bigger choice of models that covers di erent wheelbases, weight ratings and a choice of a City Cab or Wide Cab.

e eAxle is big highlight as it delivers big e ciency bene ts and reduces weight. For the existing model, the power is fed through a driveshaft from an electric motor that sits just behind the cab to the drive axle. For the next generation eCanter, engineers have developed a drive axle that also houses the electric motor.

Another smart piece of technology is the electric PTO, which opens up a bunch of new opportunities for the new eCanter. It means

Heavy rigid hydrogen truck

HYZON Motors is showcasing its heavy rigid truck platform, an Australian-designed and built hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, at the show.

e company is developing the heavy rigid truck as a global platform, adaptable for international markets, with a multitude of uses, such as garbage compactors, tilt trays and atbed trucks.

Leading the development of the global heavy rigid program in Australia has allowed Hyzon to tap into the rich

resources of highly skilled local engineering and technical knowledge to build a team, process, and product for its global and domestic markets, the company says.

Last year, the US-based company announced development of a purpose-built assembly plant in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Noble Park, to locally manufacture hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.

Hyzon’s team has designed and built the rst three trucks

over the past year, replacing the diesel engines in new Mercedes trucks with hydrogen gas tanks and a fuel cell.

STAND: PLAZA 297

that the new truck’s electric power can also be used to move things like a tipper body, crane, or fridge body.

e eCanter will come with clever factory connectivity that will allow eet operators to see battery information, including charge level, remotely, along with a vast amount of other information.

ere is a newly-developed eMotor that makes a maximum output of 129kW and 430Nm. e ‘engine brake’ system that slows the truck while harvesting energy at the same time now has four stages for even better control.

is powerful system means that eCanter drivers can slow the truck in tra c, even to a complete stop, without having to touch the service brakes. e energy recouped also increases the range.

Like the existing model the new eCanter can be charged with regular AC charging technology or a faster DC

charging station.

ere are new thermally-controlled battery packs available in three di erent sizes. Australian tests will soon be conducted with a fully loaded eCanter to determine how much the range has improved and to make it t for our market.

Fuso has introduced a new look exterior, while the interior has been given a major freshen-up with a futuristic digital dash and upgraded steering wheel.

Customers will also have more choice, with 14 variants all up. e range will start at 4.5 tonnes and move up to 8.55 tonnes.

Order books open toward the end of the year.

STAND: FOYER 44

1800 033 557

Ph:

Mighty entry to EV market

A HUGE array of battery and hydrogen fuel cell EVs are set for display at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show, with Korean brand Hyundai the latest to unveil plans to launch a new EV at the upcoming event.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia will enter the electric commercial vehicle market with the arrival of the 4×2 Mighty electric truck, which will be shown for the rst time in public in Brisbane.

Rated at up to 7.3-tonnes GVM, with a payload of up to

3.5-tonnes and a laden range in excess of 200km, the Mighty is suited for nal-mile deliveries for operators seeking a zero-tailpipe emission vehicle.

It is quiet and smooth to drive and comes with many safety and comfort features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning and electronic stability control.

Trucks displayed at the Brisbane show will include a atbed and a pantech box, with further body options available

once sales commence.

e Hyundai Mighty electric truck is powered by a 120kW, 320Nm traction motor fed by a 114.5kWh battery system with rapid DC charging capability that can replenish the batteries from 10 per cent to 100 per cent in under 70 minutes.

STAND: FOYER 112

The new eCanter comes with clever factory connectivity.

The Mighty is well suited for nal mile deliveries.

The eActros will soon begin a validation process in Australia and NZ.

ROARING TO LIFE.

MAN’s TGX 26.510 is trucking redefined. Featuring the generous GM cab and powered by MAN’s technologically-advanced 510hp 13L Euro 6 engine with over 390hp of engine braking, the TGX will go the distance. Come and see us in the main hall to learn how our new MAN truck generation boasts excellent driver fit, great efficiency and economy features, optimised uptime, and makes for a strong business partner.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Futureproo ng with PACCAR

WHILE the anniversary Legend SAR on display in 2021 stepped back in time to pay homage to an icon, the future of Kenworth trucks can be found in the recently released Kenworth K220.

e K220 is the brand’s most technologically advanced truck and will sit front and centre of its popular stand at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.

e truck is also one of four nalists for the inaugural Truck of the Year Australasia prize, with the winner to be crowned at the show.

e most noticeable change to its predecessor, the K200, is the operating environment. Stepping inside the K220 cab, you’ll nd a more modern interior tted with a 15-inch high-de nition display as well as a new eight-inch audio-visual navigation unit that has smartphone integration. However, it still feels and looks like a Kenworth inside.

PACCAR Australia has also updated the automatic transmission, with the new K220 swapping out its previous Eaton Ultrashift for the new Eaton 18-speed Endurant XD Pro automated transmission. An 18-speed Road Ranger box is still available.

Safety-wise, the company says the K220 has the largest range of active and passive safety options ever o ered by Kenworth Australia and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, side object detection and collision mitigation.

Early adopter Mark Tobin, chief executive at Followmont Transport, has been impressed with what he’s found in the new model and already has plans to buy more. “ e K220s are universal,

they can just handle anything you throw at them,” Tobin said.

“When we purchase eet, we really look for trucks that are durable as we want to get the most out of our equipment, and the K220s really stand up.

“ eir durability makes them the best on market and the trucks speak for themselves. I just love this product.”

Tobin added that a key factor for Followmont is driver satisfaction with any of the trucks they buy.

“Our team love these vehicles and the comfort they provide,” he said.

“ e sleeper is spacious and a big drawcard for our drivers.

“Everyone you speak to wants to look at the K220, it’s becoming Followmont’s newest tourist attraction!”

Our WA writer David Meredith struck the same level of curiosity when test driving a pre-production model late last year from Perth to Coolgardie.

“Everyone in the parkups were drawn to the rig, emblazoned with Kenworth’s “Next Level” marketing message for the K220. And they all wanted a cockpit tour,” he wrote at the time.

e major mechanical upgrade for Meredith was the lighter, smoother Eaton Endurant XD Pro automated manual, which shifted between cogs with its usual e ciency, but with faster changes to smooth out the torque interruption.

“Using the manual mode on the few hills we encountered was easy to manage and allowed me to optimise fuel usage. ere is more room for the driver too, and as with all K Series driver placement is as far to the RHS of

the truck as you can get.

“A new grille optimises cooling and there are LED headlights. e roof and fairings have been smoothed out to reduce drag, and wheel arches changed to reduce spray into the engine compartment.”

Meredith was also impressed with the “acres” of room in the cab.

“Certainly, a life on the road will not be cramped in the K220.”

Meredith was also taken with the massive 15” high-de nition instrument panel that is switchable between displays.

e K Series engine brake was especially e ective, noted Meredith. “Not as good as a retard er, of course, but the combina tion of a driver

who drives well ahead of themselves and the twostage engine brake will minimise service brake use anyway.

“Certainly, the transmission’s connection to the auxiliary brake was helpful, particularly as the rst two

clicks on the engine brake lever were followed by a spring-loaded additional click which instantly dropped down a gear.

“Down the road, an overnight run would be good to assess the new cab, but so far there is no doubt that for Kenworth devotees the changes will be received with enthusiasm. And that’s already happening.”

Also on show for PACCAR will be the legendary T909 with a 50” sleeper, the T610 with a 1400mm sleeper, the T360A and

T410SAR con gured in a low-roof car carrier specication.

DAF fans will also have plenty to take in at the show’s most popular stand with the Kenworth cousin displaying the XF530, CF530, the CF340, and a special preview of what’s coming in 2024, the biggest design project in DAF Trucks Australia’s history.

Zero emission vehicles

Although its diesel rigs are always fan favourites, the 2023 Brisbane event will herald in a new era for PACCAR in cutting-edge design and technology with the rst public appearance of its hydrogen and battery electric models. PACCAR future fuels initiatives include the Kenworth hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, the T680, equipped with a 630hp electric motor.

Sixty kilograms of hydrogen gas stored at 10,000psi can supply enough energy to the fuel cell for a range of 480km, with a mere 15-minute refuelling time.

At the lighter end of the spectrum, the 19-tonner DAF LF o ers an ideal zero emissions distribution truck. It has a 260kW electric motor powered by a 282kWh battery pack. e result, says PACCAR, is outstanding performance, and a range of up to 280km.

Mark Tobin (left) and Brown & Hurley’s Jim Boler at the handover of ollowmont s rst K 0.

The eye catching K 0 attracts plenty of attention when it hits the road.

The A can get up to 0km powered by 0kW electric motor.

The new Kenworth hydrogen T 0 which has a range of 0km.

retardcombina19-ton elec motor perfor of

ON-ROAD

FOR DRIVERS... THERE’S ONLY ONE CHOICE

With undisputable road presence and trusted reliability, there’s no place you’d rather be than behind the wheel of a Kenworth.

kenworth.com.au

Iveco’s new S-Way: S for slick, smooth and silent

beady eye on you as well as the road, and will now report your driving performance, focused on braking use, e cient throttle management and truck road placement.

e bunk area is symmetric so you can pick which side your sleepy head goes and still operate all the controls without getting out from under the doona.

On the road, the truck systems and driveline are a significant upgrade from the X-Way, adding features that help a driver to maximise fuel e ciency no matter what the terrain.

e Cursor 13 engine develops up to 550hp and 2500Nm of torque, and in the S-Way it is further re ned to be as smooth and silent as a car driveline.

BY DAVID MEREDITH

FOR some time now Iveco dealers in Australia have been hanging out for a solution to undeservedly low market share in the heavy-duty sector.

Although the X-Way competes favourably with the other European competition in terms of driveability, fuel e ciency and reliability, its spec excluded Iveco from big eet purchasing programs that required trucks with broader weight capacities.

e new S-Way still tops out at 70t GCM, so a full B-double role is its limit. We’ll wait to see if Iveco can develop that spec so that the trend towards B-triples doesn’t leave the brand oundering in the wake of the 110t GCM competition.

In the meantime, Big Rigs took to the road in one of the rst Aussie road tests of the new truck.

In broad terms, the new S-Way is the sum of a myriad of tweaks to an already solid hard-working platform. Few of the changes would warrant a new truck launch, but together

the package delivers a fundamentally di erent driving and operating experience that, in my view, should attract drivers and owners to a better and safer on-road experience.

Add to that a new cab, which explores design opportunities for better air ow, improved cooling capacity and more usable driver space, and S-Way is a signi cant improvement to Iveco’s o ering in the heavy-duty sector.

Every part of S-Way’s exterior has been tweaked for better aero performance and accessibility.

e new high roof, bumper design and door extensions drop fuel consumption by a signi cant 4 per cent. Mirrors and wheel arches have top and side spoilers and a side skirt. e door extensions cover the middle step to make thieving more di cult and minimise movement of mud onto the steps and into the cab.

Lighting now includes cornering illumination, LEDs as standard and a twilight sensor switches the driving lights on for you. A headlamp grill helps

with stone protection.

Under oor storage is boosted by 12 per cent and the access is wider, allowing a couple of 130-litre water cages.

Inside, the audio system screen in the centre of the stack will mirror your mobile, and the options available on the large touch screen will allow the fussiest driver to get set. Voice recognition and DAB radio is standard.

e driver’s seat is lower, but features more movement range.

e shelf is sculptured to increase visibility and the middle side pillar has been removed.

e steering wheel brings mostused functions to the driver’s ngertips as well as improving cab movement with a attened bottom to the wheel itself.

e central dash stack is uncluttered and littered with storage nooks and crannies. e door panels now accept 1.5L drink bottles and the fridge and cooler each have an easy-access hatch so your drink can stay cooled but still at hand.

A new Driver Attention Support system will keep its

T-Way takeover in Brisbane

JOINING the S-Way on stand in Brisbane will be Iveco’s latest o -road model, the T-Way, which replaces the Trakker range.

T-Way is available in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x4 con gurations and shares many innovations and technology advancements featured in S-Way, including Euro6 (Step E) engines, Hi-Tronix transmissions and safety equipment such as Electronic Braking System (EBS), ABS and ASR (Anti-Skid Regulator) and Hill Holder.

ese models also feature Daytime Running Lamps, LED headlamps (with corner-

ing fog lights), transmission intarder and engine brake, and a tough ECE-R29.03 certi ed cab. An optional Lane Departure Warning System and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also available.

e display vehicle is a 4x4 variant that boasts a host of o -road systems including fulltime 4x4, hub reduction to all axles and front, centre and rear di erential locks to provide superior traction in slippery conditions.

A two-speed transfer case also delivers excellent tractability in low range, allowing T-Way to overcome steep ascents and

descents easily and safely.

Further aiding o -road capabilities is a generous 33° approach angle, front parabolic suspension with dampers and stabiliser bar, and rear 3-Leaf parabolic suspension with stabiliser bar, which provides outstanding articulation while smoothing out the bumps.

To experience the new S-Way and T-Way ranges rsthand, visit Iveco at stand 58 at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

An additional Iveco S-Way prime mover will also be exhibited at the South Bank Truck Festival in the South Bank Parklands, May 17-21.

e emissions system is Iveco’s patented Hi-eSCR which provides many bene ts compared to EGR and SCR equivalents, including reduced fuel consumption and a lower tare weight.

e ZF designed 16-speed transmission allows various transmission modes to handle loading bays, parking areas, broken surfaces and tricky reversing tasks.

Take a tip from me - read the transmission manual to be clear about all the features and modes available at your ngertips. You’ll save fuel as well as bumps, scrapes and abuse from your mates if you do.

I was pleasantly surprised in my shortish test drive, but I did enough to nd that S-Way is at least on the level of the very best European trucks currently available.

Iveco has increased the warranty period and kms by healthy 50 per cent, to 3-years and 750,000km, plus the service intervals are out to 75,000km, or 12 months for the 11- and 13-litre engines.

In summary, Iveco now has a contender in the sub-70t GCM sector that is as good as the best and better than some.

If you’re in the market for a single trailer or B-double prime

nder oor storage is boosted by per cent and the access is wider, allowing a couple of 30 litre water cages.

mover, or a 6x4, 8x4 or 6x2 rigid tray, curtainsider or pantech, make sure you get behind the S-Way’s newly sculptured steering wheel before any money changes hands.

STAND: FOYER 58

Ph: 03 9238 2200 Web: iveco.com.au

The central dash stack is uncluttered and littered with storage nooks and crannies.

Every part of S-Way’s exterior has been tweaked for better aero performance and accessibility.

The audio system screen in the centre of the stack will mirror your mobile, and the options available on the large touch screen allows the fussiest driver to get set.

T-Way replaces the Trakker range and features a new driveline, cabin and interior appointments.

Your way to superior Safety, Performance and Comfort

The S-Way’s high efficiency engine, transmission and Fuel Efficiency System continuously evaluates conditions boosting performance.

The fully redesigned cab transforms the driving experience so that you can work, relax and rest to always perform at your best.

And the S-Way’s uncompromised safety means that every journey is a destination that brings you back home. iveco.com.au

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Fuso Shogun 510 makes shortlist for major prize

THE Fuso Shogun 510 has been announced as a nalist for Truck of the Year Australasia.

Australia’s most powerful Japanese truck is one of four nalists for the inaugural award, which seeks to shine a spotlight on the excellence of the product-hauling freight on our highways.

e Truck of the Year Australasia is judged on criteria used globally by existing International Truck of the Year awards, but also takes into account the particular characteristics of the Australian and New Zealand truck markets.

e other three nalists are the MAN TG3, the Kenworth K220, and the Iveco S-Way, with the winner announced at the show.

Fuso will also present the Shogun 510 as a tipper for the rst time at the show, while a prime mover version of the same truck will also be on hand.

e 510 Tipper speci cation model has the lightest tare weight of any tipper with 500hp-plus in Australia and New Zealand, which is a boost for productivity.

e Shogun 510 was devel-

oped speci cally for Australian and New Zealand customers who asked for an advanced Japanese truck with more than 500hp and a mountain of torque.

Fuso listened and sourced a 13-litre OM471 engine from the Daimler Truck family, creating the ultimate Japanese

truck that belts out 510hp and 2500Nm of torque while meeting Euro 6 emission standards, well ahead of local mandates. e package also includes a smart shifting DT12 fully Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which is well-suited to the potent engine.

Fuso Truck and Bus Australia director, Alex Müller, was excited the 510 Shogun has been recognised as a nalist.

“We are very pleased to see the Shogun 510 make thenals of the Truck of the Year Australasia award,” he said.

“ e Shogun 510 is a very special truck because it was

developed for the hard working truck drivers of Australia and New Zealand. It is a great example of listening to your customers and giving them exactly what they want.”

Müller said the Shogun 510 combines the robustness of a Japanese truck with the power normally found in trucks from

Europe and North America in a package that also includes the latest generation active safety technology.

“Australian and New Zealand customers love their horsepower and their Japanese trucks. We thought it made sense to combine them both and the Shogun 510 has been huge hit,” he said.

e Fuso Shogun is available as a prime mover that can be used for single trailer or B-double work. A rigid version was also made available recently and is a very popular speci cation for tipper and dog work thanks to its power and torque.

e Shogun 510 was put through an extensive durability testing regime, including an outback Australian test of an initial prototype in 2017. Extensive hot weather durability testing was also carried out in South Africa and a nal production-ready test program was undertaken in Australia and New Zealand.

Comfort is king in Cascadia Fuel e ciency to the fore

THE Freightliner Cascadia has proven that comfort is king when your truck doubles as your home out on the road. Its road-focused design and optimum layout means the Cascadia ride quality leads the class, while its premium seats, ergonomic layout and high levels of re nement mean drivers can still feel fresh after a long drive.

e top of the range 126 will be the star of the stand and this imposing machine features a spacious 60-inch cab that turns it into a homeaway-from home.

All 126 models feature the big 16-litre six-cylinder DD16

Detroit engine that pumps out up to 600hp and 2050lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that is so smart it can use GPS and topographic data to help the truck maximise its coasting and pick the perfect gear for the terrain. Of course, you can also select an old-school 18-speed Eaton manual.

Freightliner will also showcase the shorter 116 Cascadia, which gets the job done with a strong 13-litre Detroit six-cylinder.

e Cascadia has quickly established itself as a fuel economy leader in the convention-

al class thanks to its strong but smart engine and transmission as well as its aerodynamic design. It also features Detroit Assurance safety features and class-leading connectivity.

Freightliner has prepared a special cut-away of its largest cab, so attendees can check out the comfort features of the cavernous space including the bunk beds and other elements that turn the Cascadia into a premium mobile motel.

THE Australian Actros is about to become even more e cient as Mercedes-Benz Trucks delivers fuel cuts of up to four per cent with the third generation OM471 engine.

Already known for its excellent fuel economy, the Actros will push further with a raft of minor changes that add up to a major improvement of the 13-litre OM471 powerplant.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will present the 13-litre engine at the show, and trucks tted with upgraded heart have just started arriving on Australian shores. e fuel saving of up to four per cent is compared to the previous generation OM471.

e OM471 is the middle engine in the Actros line up,

sitting between the 11-litre and 16-litre units.

Several key engine elements have been redesigned to reduce friction and optimise combustion.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Director Andrew Assimo says the most recent fuel e ciency improvement is clear evidence that Mercedes-Benz Trucks is committed to further developing diesel engines as well as the new battery electric and fuel cell heavy truck technology.

“Mercedes-Benz Trucks and many of our customers are very excited about advanced battery electric trucks such as the eActros, which produces zero local emissions. We also think further advancements of our diesel internal combustion engine

technology will deliver considerable fuel e ciency improvement and emission reductions across many eets,” he said.

Mercedes-Benz has also introduced PowerShift Advanced Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which enables faster and smoother moving o and acceleration thanks to optimised clutch control. Gearshifts have also been improved and are considerably faster than before, further reducing torque interruption.

The impressive new Shogun 5 0 was developed speci cally for Australian and ew ealand customers.

Trucks tted with upgraded heart pictured inset have ust started arriving on Australian shores.

THE SMOOTH POWER ON STEEP TERRAIN, THE BUNK SPACE,

I CHOOSE THE CASCADIA EVERY TIME”

TROY HAMILTON, HAMILTON CONTRACTING

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Bulldog’s rst major Aussie outing

WHILE the Mack Superliner may be the most iconic Mack truck to ride the roads in Australia, it’s the company’s new Anthem model that will set its future course.

e next-generation Bulldog is here and the Anthem is that for Mack. Just take a look at its sleeker, more aerodynamic design in comparison to the big,

and muscular, Macks that have come before it.

After years in the US, the Anthem nally arrived in Australia in 2021. Had it not been for Covid, the Anthem would have been on display in full at the previous truck show but will now have its rst major Australian outing at the 2023 event.

e Anthem has a keen fo-

cus on safety and comes loaded with the Bendix Wingman Fusion safety system as standard.

It is also one of the most fuel-e cient Macks ever, thanks to tweaks to the MP8 engine and the mDrive transmission, which now talk more seamlessly to each other, and its new aerodynamic cabin.

Speaking of cabins, you’ll nd plenty of room inside the Anthem. In fact, the new standup sleeper has 35 per cent more space than previous cabins with the intention to provide the operator with a more comfortable rest experience.

e Anthem is still ‘Mack’ enough to appeal to rusted-on Bulldog lovers but will also provide the luxuries that come with modernisation. With Mack’s parent company Volvo Group leading the way with the latest technologies, it’s safe to say that Mack is in safe hands for the

future.

e Anthem will also be centre stage during the show due to a Guinness World Record for the largest truck made from LEGO bricks to celebrate 60 years of manufacturing in the western corridor of Brisbane.

Professional LEGO builder Ben Craig will be using close

to a million pieces at his Gold Coast studio to achieve the record build of a life-size Mack Anthem.

Measuring 4m high, 2m wide, and 8m long, the truck will take two months to build before it is displayed at South Bank Parklands. is compares to just six days for a real Mack

Anthem. e nishing touches will be added live in front of the public at the Brisbane show.

STAND: FOYER 49

Ph: 07 3718 3313 Web: macktrucks.com.au

Isuzu excited to be back with biggest and best display

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) are thrilled to be back at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, with a product display set to be bigger and better than ever before.

IAL is showcasing a range of the brand’s popular light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, including Isuzu’s ever-popular Ready-to-Work (RTW) models. All are backed by the best aftersales support available in the Australian truck market.

Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS) also has a strong presence on the stand,

with a comprehensive line-up of power units and generator sets on show.

e time away from live events has made Isuzu Trucks even more excited to be back at such historic events like the Brisbane Truck Show. Originally held in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea when the show launched under the name the Queensland Truck Show in the 1970s, the event has held a special place in the hearts of truck owners and those in the industry for over 50 years.

In a landmark 2022, Isuzu

Trucks celebrate its 50th year of operation in Australia, the sale of the brand’s

250,000th truck and the achievement of a remarkable 34th consecutive year as the top-selling truck brand in the country. Adding to that, 2022 saw record sales of 13,360 units, representing 30.1 per cent of all trucks sold in Australia.

What to expect at the show

Isuzu Trucks cannot wait to show Brisbane Truck Show attendees the breadth of the famous Ready-to-Work (RTW) range. With a large variety of units including the market leading N Series on display during the show, there will be something for everyone thanks to the N Series broad GVM span that covers all manner of applications and end-uses.

In the light-duty space Isuzu are continuing to forge an unshakable reputation in the critical market segment as more trade businesses and eet

buyers are taking a pass on traditional utes and making the strategic business move into e cient and t-for-purpose light-duty trucks.

Born ready, Isuzu’s RTW line-up includes the Vanpack, Freightpack, Traypack, Servicepack, Tradepack and a broad range of Tippers.

Stand-goers will also experience a selection of Isuzu’s market-leading medium-duty F Series models, including a range of engine, transmission and wheelbase options equipped to tackle just about every application imaginable.

At the heavier end of the product spectrum, Isuzu is represented in Brisbane by the popular, t-for-purpose FY Series. Finding a home in a range of di erent industries from concrete agitation to construction, freight and waste, the FY Series punches well above its weight.

Full support of the trucks once they’re out on the road will also be a feature of the stand with representation from Isuzu’s parts range and information on Isuzu Service Agreements – a straightforward and easy way to make servicing and maintenance a seamless and predicable process for owner drivers and eet managers alike.

We care

Isuzu Trucks have signalled that the Brisbane Truck Show will also see the launch of the new era of Isuzu Care, the muchloved aftersales support and customer experience program, rst established back in 2006.

Covering all customer touch points, from initial enquiry to purchase, to build and delivery through to initial and ongoing use, 2023 marks the biggest change to the customer-focused care program since its inception. One such part

is the industry leading six-year warranty and six-year roadside assistance. Across the board, a greater level of customer experience is the new standard for Isuzu Care.

Rounding-out the display in Brisbane, the Isuzu stand features a range of engine products from Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS). ese cover the range of applications that includes irrigation, remote power generation, mining, viniculture and excavation.

e knowledgeable IPS team can discuss the integration of secondary engine requirements into truck applications, including rural re truck applications.

STAND:

52

The next-generation Bulldog is here and the Anthem is that for Mack.

t is one of the most fuel efficient Macks ever, thanks to tweaks to the MP8 engine and the mDrive transmission.

24 MONTH PARTS WARRANTY

WE’VE DOUBLED OUR WARRANTY TO 24 MONTHS ON ALL GENUINE PARTS WHEN FITTED BY AN AUTHORISED DAIMLER TRUCK DEALER.

All-new MAN truck range sets a new benchmark

THE rst newly-developed MAN truck generation in two decades, Penske Australia and MAN Truck & Bus introduced the all-new MAN truck generation (TG) to the Australian market late last year.

Boasting excellent driver t, great e ciency and economy features, and optimised uptime, the new truck generation makes for a strong business partner.

With over 167,000 hours invested by MAN Truck & Bus in the design of the allnew truck generation, customers will realise the ultimate package.

When it comes to excellent driver t, the streamlined and modern MAN workspace sets a new bench-

mark. e intuitive and fully digital dash is centrally located and displays in high resolution and full colour.

e multi- function steering wheel is highly ergonomic and intuitively arranged. e advanced infotainment system with a 12.3” display is easy to navigate and delivers an exceptional infotainment experience.

e rotary/push SmartSelect navigator allows for quick and straightforward navigation of functions. is all yields a user- friendly and ergonomically optimal cabin environment.

e spacious rest and sleep area are fully furnished with everything a driver could require in a home away from home. And when combined

with MAN’s innovative driver assistance features such as ACC, steering wheel airbag, cabin safety cell, emergency brake assist, ComfortSteering, and much more, drivers won’t want to leave the cabin.

Delivering great e ciency and economy, MAN takes customers further with less. Economical engines range from the 250hp D08 to the 640hp D38 Euro 6e engine, with various options in between.

e MAN Tipmatic gearbox shift system uses software to determine the optimum moving o and gearshift strategy in all situations in conjunction with load and inclination detection. Coupled with ‘SmartShifting’ and the ‘idle speed driving’ func-

tionality, MAN delivers the ultimate transmission.

E ciency is further improved through an enhanced overall aerodynamic package and the Turbo EVBec that produces 840hp of engine braking.

e modern and intuitive cabins, and e cient and economical truck features, are further complemented by highly reliable and fully integrated technology that delivers optimised uptime. Extended oil drain intervals mean less time o the road for customers, and low tare weights mean higher payload availability, further increasing productivity. is is backed by an extensive national MAN dealer footprint and a host of rental and leasing

options from Penske Truck Rental’s national network.

Furthermore, over the last decade, German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) reports have con rmed that MAN’s quality has continually improved, giving MAN and its customers an edge over competitors.

All of this is underpinned through MAN’s comprehensive 24/7 roadside assist program, customised repair and maintenance packages, generous warranties, and powerful enterprise-grade telematics solution, MAN Opti- Connect, o ering customers the ultimate strong business partnership.

is year’s Brisbane Truck Show will showcase the following:

• e seriously adaptable 12 t GCM TGL powered by MAN’s 250 hp D08 SCR-only engine with a TN cab;

• e incredibly e cient and versatile 26 t GCM TGX powered by MAN’s 13 L D26 engine in a 6x4 conguration with the spacious GM cab;

• TGX 26.640 6x4 GX Cab MAN’s powerhouse, 15 L TGX with 26 t GCM powered by MAN’s mighty 640 hp D38 engine in a 6x4 con guration with the maximum GX cab.

STAND: Foyer 54

Ph: 07 3877 6126

Web: man.com.au

Tough new Western Star X-Series ‘packs a mean punch’

THE most-tested Western Star truck ever, the all-new X-Series, comprising the 47X, 48X, and 49X, is seriously tough. Proudly distributed by Penske Australia, the X-Series boasts legendary Star durability, features a powerful integrated driveline, an advanced safety package, and superior com-

fort – even in the most rugged applications.

Underpinned by a long-standing North American heritage, the X-Series exudes legendary durability. With the capability to go up to 200+ tonne GCM, the X-Series has the strongest and most tested Western Star cabs and chassis ever. A 20-tonne

cab crush test, 230,000 door slams, and 400 hours on the shaker mean Western Star can say this with con dence.

With durable stainless steel and aluminium bright works, the most robust Star bonnet ever, ISO Tech bonnet suspension that reduces vibration, high air intakes, and a high-e ciency radiator

cooling package, the X-Series packs a mean punch.

Advanced Detroit Connect and Virtual Technician telematics mean eets can be accessed remotely to obtain valuable diagnostic data as well as fuel and safety performance insights.

And with a choice of engine, transmission, cabin con guration, nal drive, wheelbase, fuel tank, and upt options, the X-Series can be customised to suit all needs.

Featuring Detroit and Cummins engine choices and Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, and Eaton manual transmission options, the X-Series features a powerful integrated driveline that will tick the boxes in any application. From the versatile and high-performing Detroit DD13 Gen 5 to the most powerful on-highway engine ever produced by Detroit – the DD16, and the Cummins L9, the X-Series has a comprehen-

sive range of t-for-purpose engine options.

Delivering an advanced safety package that is unbeatable, the X-Series has a range of key systems, including Active Brake Assist 5, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tailgate warning, brake hold mode, plus an improved visibility package and a RollTek driver’s seat with rollover restraint and a seat-mounted airbag.

Furthermore, the X-Series o ers superior comfort, delivering a highly ergonomic and intuitive driving environment. With generous ingress and egress access, a multi-function steering wheel, wrap-around interactive dash, premium noise and temperature insulation, triple door seals, and an extensive range of cabin and sleeper options, including the largest sleeper on the Australian market – the 72” Stratosphere model – drivers won’t want to leave the cab.

All of this is backed by Western Star’s 24/7 STAR ASSIST roadside assist program and an expansive national dealer network.

Taking the spotlight at the Brisbane Truck Show this year will be these trucks:

• e highly-versatile 47X with a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload exibility, a set-back front axle, and a day cab;

• e Australian-exclusive 48X featuring a set-forward front axle, a BBC of 113”, and the 36” mid-style roof – with a second 48X located in Technology Alley;

• e toughest of the tough, the 49X with up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and the class-leading 72” Stratosphere sleeper.

STAND: Foyer 54

Ph: 07 3877 6126

Web: westernstar.com.au

The all-new MAN truck generation line-up.

The T range is both efficient and versatile.

The Series has the strongest and most tested Western Star cabs and chassis ever produced by the manufacturer.

A FLEET YOU WON’T FORGET.

Highly versatile, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a set-back front axle, and choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5, either the Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmission, and various sleeper options.

Designed specifically for Australia, the 48X is powered by the 450-525 hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500-600 hp DD16 engine, features a set-forward front axle, and has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 113 inches yielding a flexible solution.

The toughest of the tough, the 49X is powered by the 500-600 hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72" Stratosphere sleeper.

Drivers leading the charge with game-changing app

WHEN the idea of Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) was rst proposed, many in the industry were sceptical, and some staunchly opposed them. Many drivers thought they would be forced on them by the regulator or their employer.

“Fast forward a few years and a lot has changed,” said Hub eet EWD founder James Doherty. “When we developed the product, we expected it would be rolled out from the top down and eet managers would require drivers to move from paper to EWDs for all the bene ts they o er in the o ce. is has certainly been the case for

some businesses, but what has surprised us is how often it is the other way around.”

So many drivers now understand the bene ts of EWDs. Working to the nearest minute, rather than rounding time into 15-minute blocks can save a driver 30 to 40 minutes on a typical day. en there is the time it takes to ll in an EWD which is so much less.

“ e feedback we are getting from drivers about the Hub eet app has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Doherty. “ ey love the fact that it’s very fast and smooth and works even if there’s no network connection. ey

also love the way their work hours are displayed with respect to each period in their ruleset, so there is no more stressing about counting time or trying to work out when their next seven- or 24hour break is due. It is all laid out clearly in the app.”

Hub eet has adapted the app to suit a driver-led rollout by introducing a new lower cost single driver plan for $14 per month.

“ is plan includes the same EWD but doesn’t have the more advanced reporting features in the web portal. We found single drivers weren’t using them, so we didn’t think they should have

to pay for them,” Doherty said.

Hub eet has also introduced a new feature that makes it simple and easy for drivers to send an electronic copy of their diary directly to their employer. Drivers save their employer as a contact, choose a speci c date range and simply hit the send button. e app takes care of the rest by automatically sending an email with a PDF attachment of the driver’s records. For some companies that are still dealing with the old yellow sheets, it can be disruptive to have to deal with PDF records as well as the yellow sheets.

“ is is a good reason for companies to get on the front foot and roll out EWDs in their business sooner rather than later. Looking ahead, we are very much continuing to cater for our big customers,” said Doherty. “One of our most requested features has been a Loads/Trips module, which we are currently putting the nishing touches on. is will include mass veri cation, customisable checklists for things like load dimensions and restraints, as well as capturing customer and supplier details for each load/trip. Our aim is to develop a complete safety management system covering fatigue,

maintenance, mass, and general safety and compliance. We will do this either through features within our system or where it makes sense through integrations with other established products, like we currently do with Gearbox for maintenance.”

As drivers and managers reap the bene ts of the game-changing app, Hub eet continues to evolve its product to better serve the heavy vehicle industry.

Delivering service you can rely on

perspective, if a customer calls us, and wants to know how far away a delivery is, we can check with a quick look at the system.”

ESTABLISHED in 1962, G.M. Kane & Sons was started by John Kane, with just one truck. He named the company after his parents George and Muriel.

In the early days it o ered general freight services between Sydney and Camden.

John soon decided to start specialising in ooring products, seeking out specialised equipment to handle carpet and vinyl rolls. As demands for its services grew, the company began o ering statewide services across NSW.

From humble beginnings, the company – now known as GMK Logistics – has grown into one of Australia’s leading ooring logistics providers.

e business was acquired by CTI Logistics Limited – a publicly listed logistics business based in WA – in June 2015 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary.

Today, GMK Logistics operates from Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

It manages a eet of approximately 70 trucks, including sub-contractors. Local trucks range in size from 2-12 tonne rigids, while prime movers are sub-contracted for depot to depot runs.

Around seven years ago, GMK Logistics began rolling out Procon Telematics devices and its Fleetlocate GPS tracking software across the entire eet of company owned and sub-contractor trucks. And as the company’s national compliance manager Gary Satara explains, they’ve never looked back.

From a compliance, vehicle maintenance and operational perspective, Procon ticks all the boxes.

“Procon o ers a really simple and intuitive software package, but its functionality and capability go much further. If you just want GPS positioning, you can simply open it up and can see where all your trucks are located - in real time,” Satara said.

“If our eet controllers get

calls for a pick up, they know which truck is where, can see which is the closest and what pick-ups and drop o s that truck already has assigned. ey can then contact the drivers to get it all organised.

“From a customer service

Basic telematics aside, the Fleetlocate software can be customised to suit a wide range of needs. For example, GMK Logistics focuses heavily on the speed management package. “Every depot around the country looks after its own drivers. We have speed alerts

set up for each state depot, so if a driver goes over the speed limit, their state managers will receive an overspeed alert. We also have a scheduled overspeed report that gets emailed to me and the state managers, so we are able to deal with any o enders promptly and e ectively,” Satara explained.

“If someone needs a rst warning, they will get one based on what the report says, so it’s performance manage-

ment as well as speed management.”

Along with the functionality, Satara says the Fleetlocate software is also very reliable.

“I don’t think I can remember a single time the system had a glitch. I don’t believe it’s ever gone down on us, and we’ve always been able to access it in the entire seven years we’ve been using Fleetlocate. Uptime has to be 100 per cent.

So as far as maintenance goes, there’s never been a problem.

“Procon’s director, René Bueman, is across everything. I can call or email him and he gets back to me straight away. With new installs, we just let him know when a truck is going to be delivered and he schedules the installation, which is done either by him or an approved contractor. He’s always friendly, always responsive, knows the system back-to-front and is across everything he needs to be. And he’s always available, which is important for a transport business.”

MK ogistics has grown into one of Australia s leading ooring logistics providers.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

SCTR enters truck leasing market

SOUTHERN Cross Truck

Rentals (SCTR) was founded in Camden on Sydney’s outskirts in 2004. e business started the with a single truck, a van and a couple of utes. Within a short space of time the business grew from a eet of four, to a eet of 10, then 20, and soon had over 50 trucks and commercial vehicles. e business acquired Sydney based SemiTrailer Rentals to add 40 semi trailers to its eet.

“I started this business to help transport businesses in the south-west of Sydney.

ere really was little on o er in 2004,” said company owner Steve Blackmore. “ e business grew faster than I imagined it would, but I had great support from Fuso Trucks and local truck dealers Sydney Truck and Machinery.”

Today the eet has over 170 trucks and trailers and is no longer just servicing the outskirts of Sydney. “Our vehicles are travelling the

whole east coast of Australia these days,” said Blackmore.

“We buy our assets new and utilise the incredible manufacturer service support o erings, including veyear warranty on most of our rigid and prime mover eet. is level of manufacturer support ensures our customers are looked after in the event of an incident, anywhere they may be, up and down the whole east coast.”

SCTR is continuing to grow – it’s done so by expanding the eet o ering, which now has vans, refrigerated trucks, buses, crane trucks, civil spec vehicles, and an increasing range of semi-trailers to go with their large eet of rigids and prime movers.

Business environment

From 2021 through to 2023, SCTR faced the same challenges as most other operators within the transport sector, new equipment

was plagued by shortages of trucks and delays in production and shipping. Whilst this helped keep utilisation at an all-time high, it also meant SCTR struggled to

keep up with customer demand.

“For the rst time in the history of our business we were turning customer’s away, we just couldn’t help them,” Blackmore explained. “It was so frustrating for everyone.”

Obviously 2022/23 has also seen rapid rises in interest rates, putting lots of pressure on borrowing costs. Add to this the signi cant increases in the price of new equipment and now the end of instant asset write-o , the industry has been going through some challenging times.

SCTR has been engaging with the industry to consider the needs of customers, and where the business could help. ey were not surprised that at this part of the cycle, long-term rental or maintained leases would once again be in high demand.

SCTR has worked close-

ly with manufacturers and now has a pipeline of vehicles arriving each month that we will be available for long-term hire or lease.

“Ordering on demand is no longer a thing,” said Blackmore. “You order something today, you might be waiting over 12 months to get it.

“First there are manufacturing delays, then shipping delays, and now body builders are months and months behind.

“We have done a significant amount of research and started ordering the most popular vehicles some six months ago and these are now starting to arrive in the country. We prebooked slots with body builders and although we are still dealing with delays, we are in a much better position than many of our competitors.”

SCTR has vehicles for long term hire or lease available immediately.

Fleet management

As part of a broader restructure to position ourselves for future growth we have launched SCFM, otherwise known as Southern Cross Fleet Management. is division of the business has been speci cally set up to manage term rental and lease vehicles, as well as the growing eet of SCTR. In its rst two months it added seven fully maintained leases.

Introducing leasing as a product is pivotal to the business and its success.

Today, leasing is fast becoming one of the top performing products for Southern Cross Truck Rentals. We have done extremely well with predominantly casual rental for so long, but we needed to meet the customer’s needs and that meant changing our business and building capability to meet those demands and stay relevant in the market.

Fleet coordinator Kelly Phillips standing in front of the 8 tonne 14 pallet tautliner, a popular leasing product.

The Freighter drop-deck tautliner is also available for leasing.

Central tyre in ation ticks all the

AIR CTI was developed over 20 years ago by Chet Cline. is was a time when other Central Tyre In ation systems were expensive, complicated and unreliable.

e main focus of AIR CTI was to improve traction, provide better tyre life and quality of ride. is also reduced the

bad health e ects of vibration upon drivers. ere were big safety aspects as well. When tyre pressures were correctly matched to the size of the load being carried, stopping distances were shorter and pretty much every component in the truck would last longer.

WA has the last reserve of

bees that are disease free. It’s highly regulated and very pristine. e bee industry is an example of how the use of AIR CTI has made a big di erence. In the past, bee keepers would travel to environmentally sensitive sites, then manually wheel in many hives by hand, which was a slow and arduous process. With AIR CTI providing improved traction and reduced vibration to hives, they are able to drive right to the site. Hive losses are much lower this way. Saving bees is just one example of the benets AIR CTI can provide. is reduction in road vibration has a big health bene t to drivers as well. Despite the addition of fancy seats in modern trucks, road vibration that comes from over-in ated tyres continues to be a contributing factor to poor health outcomes for drivers.

Although Chet Cline is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the AIR CTI company today. Chet was a visionary,

ahead of his time. He was an awarded inventor with drive, zest for life and energy that many envied. Chet was passionate in his endeavours to create an enterprise that could help the entire transport industry. Improvements in safety and the environment were his reward.

AIR CTI’s aim in business is to ensure that the customer always remains a priority. Informed dialogue, honest recommendations and a rm handshake form a stronger business relationship than

World Rides

words alone on a contract form. is is the philosophy Chet created, which remains embedded into every aspect of the AIR CTI enterprise. It’s how our valued team works every day.

AIR CTI will be on hand at the Brisbane Truck Show to discuss the wide range of bene ts of its central tyre in ation system – with our sales team, Rod Densley and Peter Davis, on hand to answer any questions about the bene ts of this tyre in ation technology.

I’m Wendy Cline, AIR

CTI CEO. I look forward to seeing you at the show. I have had the privilege of being married and working side by side with Chet in this amazing industry. We shared common values and philosophies in life. Finally, I echo one of Chet’s favourite expressions, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”

AIR CTI has proven to be a game changer for the bee industry.

A group of ag spreaders tted with A R T .

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

50 years of

THE story of Hendrickson started over a century ago, when in 1913, Magnus Hendrickson started a small Chicago-based manufacturing business that built trucks. In 1926, he introduced the rst tandem truck suspension, which mounted the axles on each end of an equalising beam. is unique walking beam design distributed the truck’s load evenly between the two rear axles, which improved traction and greatly reduced the e ects of bumps and potholes in the road.

But it was in 1973 that Hendrickson rst made its mark down under, with the launch of Hendrickson Australia.

Lynn Brown was the company’s rst managing director. Initially he was running Hendrickson Australia out of his home in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley. e rst parts shipment he received was delivered onto his

nature strip!

It wasn’t long before Hendrickson leased a warehouse in Mulgrave, which it quickly outgrew. With the facility unable to keep up with demand, Hendrickson moved to a purpose-built building in Abbotts Road, Dandenong in 1982.

e RT walking beam suspension was among Hendrickson Australia’s initial products. It was well suited to the construction industry, which was experiencing a boom in truck sales – and this, in turn, resulted in rapid growth for Hendrickson.

In the 1980s, Hendrickson Australia’s US parent company acquired Hutch, an Ohio based trailer suspension manufacturer. Hendrickson’s trailer headquarters are based at that same location to this day.

Subsequently, Hendrickson Australia expanded into the trailer market during the 1990s and that took the business to the next level,

as Hendrickson Asia Paci c general manager Arthur Mitsel explained. “In the early days we were really focusing on truck products, but the truck market in Australia was shrinking, with many manufacturers relocating their operations overseas and then bringing complete vehicles into the country,” he said.

“ e growth really started when we began bringing the trailer products in, starting with the HT suspension, launched in 1991.”

is was followed by the launch of INTRAAX Trailer Suspension in 1996.

Today, INTRAAX remains the company’s most popular product, with over 10,000 units produced in 2022 for Australia alone.

“INTRAAX continues to grow in popularity year on year. I think this is the product that most typi es our philosophy as a business. When Hendrickson introduces a

product, we really think of it in terms of the operator, in the sense that it needs to add value to their business,” said Mitsel.

“INTRAAX does that in spades because it’s an integrated suspension and axle with superior weight to capacity ratio, with long life wheel ends and easy maintenance it is the complete package, allowing operators to increase their payload due to it being a lightweight integrated suspension with exceptional durability; therefore increasing their uptime due to it being so low maintenance.”

ough INTRAAX was launched down under nearly 30 years ago, much has changed. “It’s a very di erent product to what it was when it rst came to our shores. We’ve really worked to re ne that core American technology to suit our market conditions, so we’ve continued to evolve and develop the product as time went on,” Mitsel explained,

adding that Hendrickson’s ability to customise its products to suit local requirements has been key to its success.

“ at’s allowed us to be very successful in all the markets we operate in. Our products tend to be quite di erent, depending on the region. In Australia for example, the core di erence is that there are road friendly requirements unique to our market. We do a lot of onsite manufacture and assembly, whereas some other brands bring the products in complete.

“ e durability aspect is also quite di erent to what it would be in the US. e length of time the product needs to survive in the eld is signi cantly higher. In the US, a trailer would be used for about 10 years, whereas in Australia they’re running up to 20 years, so here they tend to do a lot more miles.”

Hendrickson Asia Paci c’s expansion beyond Australia started with the opening of a

New Zealand facility in 1995. A Japanese arm was set up in the 2000s and in 2011, it took over the Korean business of Watson & Chalin.

e company’s entire Asia Paci c region is managed out of its current facility in Dandenong South, home to its headquarters from 2008.

Since that time, Hendrickson Asia Paci c has continued to grow its distribution and support throughout the region. e product range has also greatly expanded to encompass axles for trailers and suspensions to suit trucks, trailers and buses, along with very heavy-duty suspensions for mining applications. e engineering facility at Dandenong South allows Hendrickson to take a concept, develop and prove it, before ultimately bringing it into production.

More recently, in March 2022, Hendrickson Australia further bolstered its operations by securing the adjacent

endrickson sta pictured outside the Mulgrave building in .

Magnus endrickson with his son and grandson.

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

facility to its current location, bringing it up to approximately 15,000 square metres.

In a prelude to the brand’s Australian 50th anniversary, the latest expansion marks Hendrickson’s ongoing commitment to continue to support customer growth

within the region by leveraging proven expertise and an ever-evolving quest for innovation within the heavy commercial vehicle industry.

Incorporated within the expansion is a state-of-the-art customer engagement centre which allows Hendrickson to

further develop its product training programs and continue to partner with some of the industry’s key stakeholders and its customers.

Global sourcing is also a feature of the new facility. Using the latest resources and communication, sta are able

to source from the location most suited to the speci cation and quality required, to maintain the high standard expected from Hendrickson’s end users.

“Our vision is to continue to support the industry and our customers in their pur-

suit of improved productivity and safety within an ever-demanding commercial environment,” said Mitsel.

“Hendrickson, particularly in the trailer space, was the new kid on the block, even though we’ve been here for a long time. Over the past 10 years especially, people are really recognising the value our product brings.

“We’re very excited about our future and will be bringing a whole lot of new products into the marketplace. e onset of electric vehicles provides another opportunity to continue to add value in that space.”

With the early years of Hendrickson in Australia framed through the Hendrickson family in uence, it’s been Hendrickson’s people who have continued to shape the company’s growth over the past 50 years.

“Something that is really important and dear to my heart is really in terms of people. I’d like to think that we’ve built a very good culture over my time here, and we’ve got engaged and loyal sta members” said Mitsel.

ere are many sta members with over 15 years service, including Mitsel, along with Andrew Martin (MD and VP of international operations), Tracie Hart (HR executive manager), Simon Iyer (DOF international operations), John Stewart (sales

and marketing executive manager), Evan Edmonds (trailer product coordinator); plant operatives Kim Nguyen, Nga Kareroa, John Colverd and Guna Dissanayake; and sales team members Matt Huigens, Brad Sleath and Patrick Duncan. A true testament to the culture at Hendrickson is the 10 Year Club Annual Luncheon where past and present employees with 10 years or more under their belts come together to celebrate, reminisce and enjoy an afternoon seeped in Hendrickson Australia history. e group currently boasts 31 members and a combined tally of over 400 years of industry experience. Some of the Hendrickson team will celebrate 50 years with customers at a cocktail event at the Brisbane Truck Show. ey will be joined with US based division heads from the truck and trailer divisions. An all-sta event will follow in July where the team can celebrate the company’s success and Hendrickson Australia can show its appreciation to a team of over 120 employees who continue to support Hendrickson’s growth at every level.

STAND:

Validation engineers providing production support.

John Stewart, Brad Sleath and Arthur Mitsel inside the Hendrickson Customer Centre.

The front of the current building, with endrickson Australia sta .

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

See a range of complete end-to-end solutions

Leading Australian trailer solutions manufacturer and supplier, MaxiTRANS, is excited for the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show as it proudly showcases the range of brands and complete end-to-end solutions available under its banner. With its equipment brands Freighter, MaxiCUBE, Lusty EMS, Trout River and AZMEB showcased throughout the show.

“We are very excited to once again be a part of this great industry event to showcase the diverse product o ering available under the MaxiTRANS banner,” said Kevin Man eld, MaxiTRANS general manager sales and marketing.

“ e products on display sit under the common theme of ‘Freight it for life’, which is a demonstration of our total commitment to supporting customers for the life of our product.” is show is a particularly special event for the company as it is the rst since the MaxiTRANS business was purchased by Australian Trailer Solutions Group (ATSG).

Previously an ASX-listed company, in September 2021 the MaxiTRANS trailer business was acquired by ATSG, comprising a group of private investors, including a number of Ballarat locals.

Under new ownership, MaxiTRANS is committed to delivering high-quality Australian-made products, with a far-reaching network of after-market service and support that will continue to provide peace of mind for its customers and the wider transport network.

Leading the display will be two popular trailer models from Freighter. Firstly, a drop deck semi-trailer with ramps, which Man eld said has built a reputation in our industry

as an iconic Freighter classic, as well as a drop deck T-liner featuring a revamped mezz deck design which customers will be able to see rst-hand.

Another iconic product, the Maxi-CUBE Classic Reefer, will be on display offering an interactive experience for visitors to be able to walk inside the trailer and see the product up close.

For the bulk transport segment, we will have a Lusty EMS Chassis Tipper. While Trout River will feature a Live Bottom Semi trailer, an

innovative product that utilises conveyor technology to unload product without the need to tip.

With space limitations on the MaxiTRANS stand, its Hamelex White product will not feature on display, however visitors can still discuss and explore the full MaxiTRANS range with its experienced sta during the show.

Lastly, we are excited to have an AZMEB Door Side Tipper combination at South Bank, which visitors are encouraged to check out when

strolling along the display.

“One of our key priorities is to make sure that we are spending time with our customers to truly understand their business needs. It’s important that we listen to our customers to come up with the best possible solution for them. In line with this, we will see the return of a popular inclusion to the MaxiTRANS display with specialists in Performance-Based Standards (PBS) available on the stand during the show,” said Man eld.

“We’re inviting all visitors to come and talk to us about their freight challenges, including PBS.

“Whether you are new to PBS, or have some speci c questions in mind, our specialists are here to help with your freight task and recommend the best possible solution.

“We are very excited for this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. As we saw with the 2021 show, the event is invaluable as it o ers the opportunity to meet as many

customers as possible in one location.

“It also allows our industry to come together and celebrate, highlighting the importance of our local industry and the vital role we all play.”

To nd out more about MaxiTRANS, visit stand 63 in the Great Hall or head to maxitrans.com.

STAND: GREAT HALL 63

Ph: 03 5339 0300 Web: maxitrans.com

The Lusty EMS chassis tipper.

A Freighter Drop Deck T-liner.

Phoenix rising in Brisbane

TATRA’S latest import, the thoroughly ripped 62t GVM 10x10 Phoenix dump truck, is opening eyes on mining sites where it is comprehensively outperforming articulated dumptrucks.

e positives are plentiful, especially as the Phoenix, which promises to be a standout attraction in Brisbane, is a road-legal truck that can move itself between sites without the need for a heavy-haulage rig with a oat.

Presently, that’s only possible in WA, where the expanded limit of 12-tonnes for the front twin-steers has been a boon.

Tatra’s greatest technical asset is of course its chassis design, which is why operators can mix and match drive, steer and lazy axles in any con guration. All the wheels drive, through Tatra’s modular swing-arm set-up, mounted on the unique tubular chassis pipe.

At the front, there’s air-bellows suspension with telescopic shocks, plus dis-engageable front drive and hub reduction.

e rear bogie has leaf springs instead of air, with its own di locks and hub reduction. e pusher axle has air bellows, and

steers as well, helping – just a little – with the turning circle. e result is the smoothest o -road ride of any heavy-duty truck by far, especially on broken surfaces with undulating and uneven terrain.

Each sub-axle handles the road surface independently of its mates on the other side, in front, and behind.

Truck bodies on Tatra’s experience minimal twisting moments when o -road, or indeed on some of Australia’s bitumen nightmares. at’s also the secret to its traction capability, and the reason Tatras are pretty much unstoppable.

Jason Hooper has personal experience with the new Tatra con guration. He owns WAbased Manage Mi Operations and has three of the new trucks, with another two on order.

Hooper rst experienced Tatra before launching Manage Mi, when Chevron used some Tatras on Barrow Island for the tasks other trucks couldn’t handle.

He got to know O Road Trucks Australia owner, the late Larry Gill who brought Tatra to Australia, and they developed the idea of the 10×10 tipper

together.

He is on his way to building a eet of the 10×10 con guration as his business grows. e Phoenix has worked in cycle with 8x4s, 6x4s, semi-tippers, 6×4 with dog and 40t articulated dump trucks (ADTs) in soft sand and limestone.

Hooper has frequently jumped the queue at the loader when other trucks have traction problems.

“I get more loads than oth-

er tippers on site as this thing takes six buckets of material versus the four buckets on 8x8s. It does ve times the volume of the 6x6s,” said Hooper. e truck is imported with a tipping body by VS-Mont, also a Czech company well experienced in heavy-duty o -road applications. e cable operated tailgate saves on hydraulics and servicing.

Hooper hardly uses the service brakes on-site, as the en-

gine brake and Allison’s retarder do most of the work. Tyres are another economy. ey cost between $1200 and $1500 each, a lot less than the several thousand dollars for a loader tyre. Tyres on typical mine site plant are not designed for long transits at speed, and this is where the Phoenix cruises comfortably between loading and drop-o .

Fuel is a major saving – between 8-14l/hour, around half the rate of an ADT. It also helps

the equation that the up-front cost of a dump truck can probably fund close to two Phoenix 10x10s.

Tatra’s distributor, O Road Trucks Australia, keeps parts for every component on the ground in Perth, so he’s never had an issue with service delays. e Phoenix model range has been a huge boost for Tatra in Australia.

Tatra’s standard eastern European styled cab, which is still available on certain models, is what you might call “functional,” although even that’s a little kind.

Phoenix’s DAF-sourced cab on the other hand brings the latest European digital trimmings, as well as the PACCAR MX-13 530hp 2600Nm turbo diesel six, with an Allison 4700 7-speed auto transmission bolted on the back. e drive transits through Tatra’s own auxiliary gearbox which delivers two ratios and up to 1.435 reduction.

STAND: FOYER 143

Ph: (08) 9459 8911

Web: o roadtrucks.com.au

The 0x 0 Tatra chassis delivers t M.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

A valuable helping hand

WHEN it comes to organising insurance for your truck or transport business, having an experienced brokerage like Ryno Insurance in your corner can be very helpful.

Based in Coopers Plains, Brisbane, the company has a long history of helping truckies nd competitive insurance that covers the right bases.

e Ryno story began in 1984 when founder Greg Rynenberg struck out on his own and started East West Insur-

ance Brokers out of his garage.

He spent many hours pounding the pavement around Brisbane’s South West industrial suburbs, dropping into workshops and warehouses o ering aid for one of business’ duller necessities.

Rynenberg’s passion for working with the transport industry was a driving factor behind him creating Ryno Insurance, a specialist transport brokerage.

“I knew how important

the transport industry was to the country, and I saw it only getting more important in the future, linking in with more and more industries,” he said.

With the help of his wife Debbie, the business soon grew a portfolio of happy clients, ranging from single vehicle owners to large eet operators.

“We work with a range of eet sizes, but I’ve always had a lot of respect for owner operators, probably because

I understand the struggle of running a small business and the pressure and strain it puts on you and your family,” Rynenberg said.

Ryno Insurance maintains that small-business attitude to this day, with their small team dedicated to working directly with truckies to take care of their insurance needs.

Taylor Burstow, the team leader at Ryno, says an insurance broker’s role is to do the heavy lifting by assisting businesses to nd suitable insurance cover.

“Insurance can be very confusing, with seemingly endless pages to read when obtaining and comparing quotes, our job is to make that easier for you.”

He says a key aspect of insurance is understanding how your business activities line up with the cover you choose, otherwise you may not be properly protected.

“You might go directly to an insurer for an o -the-shelf policy, only to nd out at the worst time possible that you aren’t covered under a speci c policy wording or exclusion, leaving you high and dry.”

He says this is a surprisingly common pitfall, and the fact that not all policies are the same makes it harder for truckies to decide which insurance cover is best for their needs.

“ is is where having a relationship with a broker is most valuable, it’s our role to nd gaps in cover and assist you in arranging insurance that suits your individual business.

“Another bene t of having an insurance broker on your side is that if the unfortunate does happen, we have your

back, helping you through the claims process.”

Burstow says the Ryno team enjoy the variety of clients and business types they work with, from short or long-haul owner-drivers to eet operators.

“As a specialist transport broker, we get to work with all di erent types of operators from general freight to fridge, to tippers – you name it, we can help you cover it.”

Find out more at rynoinsurance.com.au or call the team on 1300 650 670.

Founder Greg Rynenberg (Ryno) and his team have a wealth of experience with transport insurance.

Lubricants that keep trucks running smoothly

LET’S take a moment and reect on the importance of lubrication, which is a vital aspect of ensuring the longevity and e ciency of truck engines. At Ei el Lubricants, we take great pride in providing high-quality lubricants that keep Australian

trucks running smoothly.

Our company has been a trusted name in the lubricant industry in over 50 countries for over 25 years, providing superior products that have helped countless truck drivers and eet managers keep their vehicles running smoothly. We believe that our commitment to quality and innovation is what sets us apart from other lubricant manufacturers.

At Ei el Lubricants, we understand that the transport industry is constantly evolving, and have made it our mission to stay ahead of the curve. Our team of experts is always researching and developing new lubricants speci cally designed to meet the unique needs of Australian truck drivers.

One of our newest products, Ei el Marvela Xtreme SAE 10W40 CK4/SN, is a prime example of our commitment to quality and standards. It is now approved with Volvo VDS 4.5, Mack and Renault. is

high-performance engine oil is designed to meet the demands of modern truck engines, providing superior protection against wear and tear, while improving fuel e ciency.

Ei el Marvela Xtreme SAE 10W40 CK4/SN is formulated with advanced additives that help to reduce emissions, making it an environmentally responsible choice for truck drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Another product we are particularly proud of is Ei el Vista Xtreme 15W40 CK4/ SN, which is now approved with Volvo VDS 4.5, Mack and Renault. is premium engine oil provides maximum protection against engine wear and tear, helping to extend the lifespan of truck engines. Ei el Vista Xtreme 15W40 CK4/SN is formulated with advanced detergents that help to keep engines clean, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and repairs.

At Ei el Lubricants, we

have a comprehensive range of lubricants blended from the nest grade base stock procured from world class Exxon Mobil and European re neries and technologically advanced and superior additives industry giants Lubrizol and Afton. Our products meet the speci cation of major OEMs and the highest standards of API, MIL, European and Japanese manufacturers which indicates our commitment to adhere to the latest technological developments. All our lubricants are rigorously tested in our state-of-the-art laboratory, ensuring they meet or exceed industry standards for performance and quality.

We are also committed to exceptional customer service. We understand truck drivers and eet managers have unique needs, and work closely with customers to ensure our products meet their speci c requirements. Our team of lubricant experts is always available to answer questions and provide

support, helping customers get the most out of our products.

Ei el Lubricants is excited to showcase our range of high-quality lubricants at the Brisbane Truck Show. We believe our products can help Australian truck drivers improve vehicle performance and e ciency, while reducing

their carbon footprint. We look forward to demonstrating the many bene ts of our lubricants.

i el ura Maxx series of lubricants are high performance heavy duty gear oils.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Changing the face of tyre management

TRUCK Art Trailers remains at the forefront of custom livestock trailer manufacturing and has acted on the key issues continually reported by heavy vehicle owners and drivers, maintaining tyre pressures, minimising loss time through punctures and tyre blowout and reducing the risk to other road users through serious tyre loss via delamination and shredding.

Truck Art Trailers has implemented an innovative

approach to mitigating this major issue through the use of a Constant Tyre In ation System (CTI) that out-performs any other CTI system available across the country.

Tyre pressure management and associated risks are not isolated to the trucking industry as this also impacts the larger passenger vehicles used in the public domain where public safety, liability and reliability are ongoing issues.

Truck Art Trailers is now the Australian importer of the Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system. e Vigia Constant Tyre in ation system provides ongoing monitoring of tyre pressures and the ability to maintain cold set tyre pressure during a puncture situation.

e system also has the ability to close o rapid air loss due to the loss of a tyre through shredding or delamination, protecting the remaining trailer functions dependant on air.

Currently in the nal stages of development is a new Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system that also has the ability to lower tyre pressure to suit harsh driving conditions (dirt roads) and then rein ate the tyres to cold set tyre pressures on-the-run via the push of a button situated in the cab.

In the background, Vigia has been running a pilot program for a Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system that has been paired with the GESTYA GPS

system to allow remote monitoring of tyre pressures, slow leaks, punctures, and extreme air-loss back at the o ce. is can all be achieved while still providing the driver with the same data via a dash mounted digital monitor. is approach will change the face of tyre management, extend tyre life and place the driver more in-control as the vehicle moves across the Australian highway and regional road network. With ever increasing pressure from government bodies

and insurance companies to minimise risk across the transport industry, the Vigia Constant Tyre In ation System (CTI) is quickly becoming the go-to CTI for risk management and tyre life management across the heavy vehicle and large passenger vehicle industries.

e Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system and GESTYA GPS system has been trialled across a number of countries with similar road and terrain networks to

the conditions experienced in Australia. Trial results have been outstanding and Truck Art looks forward to releasing this innovative approach to risk management and tyre pressure management in the future. Visit

Truck Art Trailers is now the Australian importer of the Vigia onstant Tyre n ation system.

Sagasser Transport’s livestock trailers on the road.

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