Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 394 i Deals On Wheels Australia

In brief Company Jeffsann Plant Hire Truck 2010 Mack Super-Liner Engine 15-litre Cummins ISX EGR Ratings 550hp (410kW); 90 tonnes GCM Trans Maxitorque 18-speed KM 450,000 Like countless other kids around the world, Jeffrey Refalo loved the classic 1970s trucking movie Convoy. He told his family that when he grew up he wanted to own a Mack, like the black Bulldog which starred in the movie, along with its driver Kris Kristofferson. Tragically Jeffrey was killed in an accident when he was hit by a car while riding his bike, and died at just 12 years of age. Jeffrey’s memory lives on. Included on the bonnet of each Mack in the Jeffsann Plant Hire fleet is the tribute ‘Jeff’s Dream’. Jeffsann was founded by Jeffrey’s older brother Joe and father…

Navistar Auspac has re-affirmed its commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets, dismissing claims recent events concerning Navistar in the United States will have any local impact. Caterpillar’s decision to independently design and manufacture its vocational truck range in July spawned speculation surrounding the future of the Cat brand in Australia under the Navistar Auspac masthead. Navistar Auspac sales and marketing director Glen Sharman says Cat is a valuable and ongoing part of Navistar’s plans. “No one should doubt the commitment and confidence that exists within Cat Trucks and its dealers around the country to grow the business,” Sharman says. “We are here for the long-haul and while recent events here and abroad have caused some competitors and commentators to suggest that the effort and energy behind Cat Trucks…

VicRoads will update its road maintenance fleet with radar-based reverse braking technology in an effort to stamp out employee injuries. The automated technology from Reverse Smart senses when an object is behind the vehicle and, if reverse is initiated, automatically applies airbrakes. Safe Work Australia says 18 workers were killed in incidents involving reversing trucks in the workplace between 2003 and 2012. “Safety in the workplace is of the upmost importance and this technology will significantly improve safe working conditions for VicRoads employees,” VicRoads CEO John Merritt says. “The safety of our people and members of the public is paramount and the autonomous braking system will make a difference.” VicRoads completed a six-month trial of the reversing technology before deciding to fit it to its fleet. It plans to share…

Iveco Trucks Australia is supporting the Trans-Help Foundation’s new mobile device app, which provides users a broad array of health and safety information that they can access while on the road. Launched at the Brisbane Truck Show in May, the app offers useful traffic notifications allowing drivers to re-route their journeys while also enabling access to daily industry news and all Trans-Help support services. The app also features a video function allowing the user to access a counsellor and other support staff face-to-face, on screen in real-time. Another key component is a link to ‘GP2U Telehealth’ which provides fast contact with medical health professionals. Trans-Help Foundation CEO Dianne Carroll says feedback since the release of the app had been very positive. “The app has been well received and we know…

It’s Secure has launched the Shaft Alarm onto the Australian and New Zealand markets to keep valuable assets in check. The Shaft Alarm is a totally portable, battery-operated, industrial-strength security device that is easily controlled from your mobile phone. It can be armed or disarmed via a simple SMS. Once armed the user and the back-to-base security control room monitoring centre is notified of the Shaft Alarm’s status. The Shaft Alarm monitoring the asset can also provide GPS location updates when required (subject to 3G or 4G network availability). The Shaft Alarm uses a regular 3G-4G micro sim card and operates on the Telstra network in Australia and the Spark network in NZ. Powered by custom-designed and powerful 3.7-volt Lithium D cell batteries, the Shaft Alarm can run in remote…

Paccar Australia managing director Mike Dozier and National Road Transport Hall of Fame CEO Liz Martin officially opened a major extension to the Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame in Alice Springs on August 28 in front of hundreds of guests gathered from the trucking industry across Australia and New Zealand. Originally inspired by the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, around the close of the last century, Kenworth and the Kenworth Dealer Council decided to develop a forum to capture and share the Kenworth story with a wider audience. The generational changes occurring across the Kenworth Dealer and customer network made it very relevant, as many pioneers of the industry were beginning to take a step back from their demanding roles and passing the baton to the next generation. All…

Eternity Meat, a meat wholesale company based out of Balliang, Victoria, has recently struggled to keep up with customer demand — that is, until it sought a non-traditional finance option. The booming transport business relied on old and outdated trailers, one of which dated back to 1982, forcing the owner to borrow from business associates in order to honour his haulage contracts. Owner Alistair Sadler says the older model trailers were beginning to negatively impact the company’s current clients; one issue was the meat-hanging rails were incompatible with the rails at the meat processing plant, which made unloading difficult. “We got by and that, I suppose, is the key to our business: We say ‘yes’ and then we wonder how we’re going to do it.” Sadler says. When Sadler heard…

Multiple Dakar Rally champion Team Hino Sugawara has begun extensive preparations for next year’s Dakar Rally with mechanical upgrades and a thorough shakedown period that includes competing in Rally Mongolia. Members of Team Hino Sugawara and Hino Motors’ vehicle development and fabrication teams completed the modifications and the initial shakedown testing of the Hino 500 Series Car 2 at one of Hino Motors’ multiple test courses in Japan. Immediately after the shakedown Car 2 was shipped to Mongolia, where the team is continuing its extended shakedown as part of its push to finish higher in the overall Dakar Rally 2016 rankings and secure its seventh straight class championship. During the shakedown period the team upgraded the vehicle’s taper leaf springs and coil-over shock absorbers — components that were fitted on…

On the back of the International ProStar’s first public appearance at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, Navistar engineers both here and in the United States are reportedly currently engaged in a detailed component analysis in preparation for the model’s entry onto the Australian market early next year. Durability is the key factor with every component detail now being scrutinised and revalidated to ensure suitability for Australian conditions. “The level of response to ProStar and the International brand in general was overwhelming,” director of sales, marketing and business development at Navistar’s Australia/ Pacific division Navistar Auspac Glen Sharman says. “It certainly highlighted the passion and extent of International’s connection to this market and there was no better stage than the Brisbane show to re-introduce the brand and present the Cummins-powered ProStar…

With transport operators wanting to increase profit margins and reduce operating costs, Graham Lusty Trailers has announced a solution to those transport operators wanting to increase profit margins and reduce operating costs — a wedge body. “Our wedge body design gives you the same increase in capacity as a drop-deck body but is lighter and stronger,” company operations manager James Yerbury says. “Where a drop-deck chassis requires a chassis beam to be joined at the step down, our wedge chassis has no joins and is therefore stronger and lighter.” The wedge body has a progressive drop in the floor of 300mm. This style body can be manufactured in a chassis tipper or tip over axle form. Graham Lusty Trailers says it has been able to produce these units as light…

MaxiTrans has announced the launch of TraileRentals, a refrigerated trailer rental division, which it says will specialise in the rental of dry freight and refrigerated vans. MaxiTrans says trailers will be initially available for collection out of its Melbourne facility, but will soon also be available via its dealership in Sydney. Group general manager — sales and distribution, Andrew McKenzie, says increasingly tight contract start-up dates and difficult-to-predict seasonal demands are a reality for its customers. “TraileRentals is an important addition to the MaxiTrans’ portfolio in order to meet these requirements and to enhance our full-service offering.” MaxiTrans says the TraileRentals fleet comprises a wide range of MaxiCube vans, ranging from dry freight through to chiller, freezer, Hi-Cube reefer and reefer. Temperature-controlled vans are available to carry fruit and vegetables,…

Hino Australia has announced the opening of a new dealership in the important growth area of Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Located almost halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, the Coffs Harbour branch is the second Hino outlet for Newcastle Commercial Vehicles, which already sells and services the brand more than 350km south of Coffs Harbour at its dealership at Beresfield. Hino Australia has awarded Newcastle Commercial Vehicles its Regional Dealer of the Year award for the past two years in recognition of its sales, parts and service performance. The new Coffs Harbour Hino dealership has a range of Hino models in stock, while demonstrators for customer test drives will be available shortly. Newcastle Commercial Vehicles is expecting strong sales of Hino Built to Go Trade…

Mavin Truck Centre has achieved a significant milestone this year with the delivery of the 200th Freightliner to well-known New South Wales mid north coast operator Jim Pearson Transport. “Our decision to buy from Freightliner 12 years ago was driven by the need to work with a manufacturer that was as committed to driver comfort and tare weight as well as the availability of commonly used componentry and support I receive from my local dealer,” Jim Pearson says. Pearson started in the trucking industry in 1978, took over management in 1999 from his father and has owned the company since 2007. Within that time it took Jim Pearson Transport 12 years of steady growth and support from local suppliers to reach the 200th truck delivery mark. “When the order for…

ALL NEW TRADEPACK YOU ALREADY KNOW ISUZU AS ‘THE INTELLIGENT TRUCK’, AND THE NEW TRADEPACK IS SMARTER THAN EVER. Firstly, we’ve introduced IESC, or Isuzu Electronic Stability Control. With IESC, if any of your wheels begin to slip, intelligent on-board sensors will pick it up and deliver power to where it’s needed, putting you right again, and if need be even apply the brakes for you. Then there’s AMT, or Automated Manual Transmission. At Isuzu, we’ve combined the best of both automatic and manual transmissions. Isuzu’s AMT uses two pedals, so it drives like an automatic, but performs like a manual, so it’s both economical and durable. If that wasn’t enough, Isuzu’s new Tradepack has an entirely redesigned body, featuring sleek black hinges and latches, plus there’s also a convenient…