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NEWS GILBERT&ROACH Huntingwood The Truck People Dealer Licence No: 13965
FEBRUARY 2015
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NEWS Hi there, Welcome to our second edition of G&R News, where we highlight all the great things that are happening at our dealership. As the dealer principal at G&R Huntingwood I am very fortunate to head up a great team that individually and collectively has the right knowledge to help our customers make their final choice when it comes to vehicle purchase. I am very pleased to announce two new staff appointments in the Isuzu Ute division at Huntingwood, with Chris Bloor as sales manager and Tony Maka as fleet manager. Since establishing the Isuzu Ute franchise within G&R Huntingwood, our team has just been recognised as the #1 Isuzu D-Max dealer in Australia and the highest selling D-Max dealership both in NSW and nationally for 2014. Many of our sales team at Gilbert & Roach, myself included, have notched up over 25 years with the company. Being able to rely on working with the same contacts through the years builds confidence, as you know the person you are dealing with and they in turn understand and are interested in your business. We see our team working with you in the form of a partnership, where the purchase of a new vehicle is only the first stage. The next step comes from providing you with the highest level of technical support and back up to keep your business running smoothly, efficiently and profitably. Knowledge only comes from experience, and being able to work with our customers to find the right solution for their business is a major part of what we, as a dealership, aim to provide to every customer, every day. With the top truck brands such as Kenworth, DAF and Isuzu, together with the D-Max and MU-X from Isuzu Ute Australia, each of these manufacturers
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is a leader in its field. And it’s from that base that we hope we can help you plan your vehicle requirements, solidly backed by our own industry and product experience. Our maintenance centre, with 33 service bays, 4 wash bays and 3 detailing bays, is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., plus on Saturdays by appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. If you need service assistance outside those hours, our 24/7 breakdown service team is standing by to help. If you handle your own service requirements, our parts department is open the same 14.5 hours each weekday as the service workshops, plus it stays open longer on Saturdays, from 8:00 a.m. through until 5:00 p.m. If a problem occurs outside those hours you can still access parts supply, thanks to our emergency hours service. During normal operating hours our parts delivery team can bring you the parts you need, direct to your door. Our aim is to provide you with the most responsive team of professionals that are interested in your business and provide the right level of support to help you grow in the months and years ahead. Our sincere thanks for allowing our team to work with you. Kind regards,
Gary Melrose Dealer Principal
BEHIND
THE SCENES Customer
Service is the key to the support of every business, and with clients that run trucks across Australia it can be the key that holds customer loyalty for the operator and the brand. Relationships may start with the sale of a new or used truck, but the ongoing relationship will depend on the level of service the customer can expect in order to keep his or her truck on the road. Peter Davies is Gilbert and Roach’s parts manager at Huntingwood, and with many years of experience it’s his job to ensure that there’s always the right part for any vehicle that needs assistance. Gilbert and Roach Huntingwood itself holds $6.2 million of parts stock, covering the brands of Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu Trucks and Isuzu Utes. With 58,000 separate products lines held in the G&R parts warehouse, Peter has a team of 42 personnel to make sure that when a part is required it’s ready and waiting for the customer or their vehicle. “In the past 18 months our parts warehousing capability has expanded by over 30 percent. To match that growth in business has resulted in an increase of racking and storage options from 300 pallet spaces out to 700 pallet spaces stored on five different levels, said eter. “As well as supplying the needs of our own service workshop staff, we also provide a daily delivery service to local companies through our fleet of five su u Max tes and a larger four tonne su u rigid truck. “Our delivery drivers are the front line of G&R, but supporting them are 18 parts interpreters and an entire team that provides parts selection, picking and packing on our front counters and also our workshop supply counter.
ur definition of customer service results in our parts supply being available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. If an emergency occurs on a Sunday or at other times of the night, we offer a call out service to supply our customers with whatever they need. hether our customers have one truck or a fleet of 100 vehicles, we need to ensure that each of them receives the very best level possible of customer service. It’s where G&R can provide a difference, with the highest level of support and commitment we can give, said eter.
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GAINING G OPERATING A KENWORTH T359A 10X4 PROVIDES AN EXTRA FOUR TONNES PAYLOAD FOR DALE PRICE
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quest for increased payload in the concrete agitator business saw a move by some operators towards a 10x4 chassis. The improved productivity in this segment was sometimes offset by customers wanting smaller volumes of concrete, proving that more volume doesn’t always mean more business. The rigid tipper market is not hampered by customers that want less than a full load. In the end over tipper market it’s all a question of how much can be shifted in the shortest profitable time. Get the equation correct and the results are there by way of improved productivity. Dale Price of DCP Haulage of Kellyville is a permanent subcontractor to Benedict Sand and Gravel, suppliers of quarried and recycled products, landscaping and civil construction materials. With earlier experience in the transport industry gained from working in cement distribution, the concept of a 10x4 rigid concrete agitator was a well-proven way of delivering bulk concrete. Dale’s first entry into the rigid tipper sector was with a six-wheeler Sterling, but before long he looked at how he could gain additional load volume without increasing costs by moving to the more expensive capital investment that occurs when towing tipping trailers. After discussion with Bill Anderson and Lloyd Moran, responsible for Kenworth truck sales at Gilbert & Roach, Huntingwood, Dale worked through an ideal specification that would enable him to operate in the rigid tipper market with a twin-steer, 10x4 rigid tipper, fitted with a lifting lazy axle ahead of the bogie-drive tandem. 4
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Dale’s choice was to go with a Kenworth T359A, a design with a wide range of applications from 4x2, 6x4, 8x4 and 10x4 to suit prime mover or rigid truck configurations. In twin-steer application the front axles are by DANA with the rear tandem drive and lazy axle option also by DANA. The lazy pusher axle was fitted by Gilbert & Roach at Huntingwood. The GCM for 10x4 application is 33 tonnes and the rear suspension choice is the Kenworth Airglide 600. Kenworth’s T359A has been engineered to include the full suite of safety features contained in the optional Electronic Brake Safety Systems. This Bendix/Knorr-Bremse system provides full rollover mitigation systems with Kenworth being the first North American truck maker to offer this important safety feature in the Australian market. In line with this focus on advanced safety systems the T359A is also optionally available with airoperated disc brakes. The standard engine fitment in the T359A is the Cummins ISLe5. This is an 8.9-litre, six-cylinder, in-line mid-range engine that is turbocharged and charge air cooled and uses SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology to comply with Euro 5/ADR80/03
CLEAN LIVING
emissions requirements. The engine may be rated from 280-400hp (208-298 kW) and can be electronically uprated without hardware changes to suit specific applications.
“I chose Borcat for the tipping body and found them very easy to work with when it came to providing the exact specifications I needed, said Dale.
This engine uses high-pressure, common-rail fuel injection with electronic injectors, and its heavy-duty design features targeted piston cooling, roller cam followers and steel top pistons for improved reliability/durability. Being an electronically controlled engine it provides the standard Cummins diagnostic features with data downloading, PTO control, maintenance monitoring and engine protection. The compression engine brake fitted to the ISLe5 produces a retardation effect of 250 hp (186Nm).
“The Borcat tipping body is obviously of greater length than that possible with a standard 6x4, a result of the extended wheelbase of 5,900 mm and a total frame length of 8,895 mm.
A performance uprating was applied by Cummins to the engine in Dale’s truck during the warranty period, increasing the power output from the standard horsepower of 380 up to 400 hp (283-298 kW). At 400 hp (298 kW) the torque output is 1,255 lb-ft (1700 Nm) from 1,300 to 1,400 rpm with a clutch engagement of 575 lb-ft. (780 Nm).
“I wanted the bin mounted as far forward as possible to minimise wasted space on the chassis. This positions the bin within a very short distance from the back of the cab. As you will see, the exhaust is routed through under the truck rather than between the cab and the body. There were a few issues initially in routing the exhaust system to avoid the second steering axle and the lift axle, but that was subsequently easily accomplished. “I had done some research and found that having the lazy axle in front of the drive is preferable as it enables the truck to turn better. The positioning of the weight over the axles is better and the truck doesn’t tend to sit back as some can do when the lazy axle is at the rear behind the tandem. It’s easier to come in and out of sites to tip with the lazy axle ahead of the drive tandem. If you reverse with a rear-mounted lazy axle mounted behind the tandem it can pick up the drive axles and cause wheel spin, said Dale. Dale has been operating the Kenworth T359A for two and a half years. This is Dale’s first experience with an AdBlue/DEF engine.
Power comes from a Cummins ISLe5 engine at 400 hp matched to an Eaton RTLO 14918B manual transmission.
“I normally get two weeks out of a 70-litre AdBlue tank and I use 400 litres of fuel every two days. At 400 hp I am happy with the available power, it holds its own well. GILBERT & ROACH FEBRUARY 2015
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“I stayed with a manual Eaton RTLO 14918B transmission. I find it better to be able to pick the gear you want for a hill. An Allison full automatic is probably better for short haul work, like the concrete industry said Dale. The body was built by Borcat, and as Borcat’s managing director John Thompson explained, this configuration is attracting increasing attention from members of the tipper industry. e have now supplied five units of this configuration to Benedict’s and have ust supplied another to an independent operator. The dimensions of the bin are .4 m in length with a width of .5 m and a height of 1.5 m. That gives a total volume of 4 cubic metres, said ohn. e fitted 5.0 mm rock sheets on the sides and a tailgate with an electric waterproof rollover cover supplied by owertarp of etherill ark in Sydney. The hoist is by Edbro, added ohn. “Borcat has been good to work with. They designed all the back section for additional lights to suit our requirements as a one-off design. They have boxed in the rear section for lights and this contains a rear-vision camera. The interior of the body has reinforced sides and sheeting with a 8.0 mm oor to prevent damage that can occur from carrying rocks, said Dale. I had the bin fitted as far forwards as possible in order to get the best volume but also the best weight distribution over the front axle. e achieved this ob ective with a very narrow gap between the front of the body and the rear of the day cab, added Dale, The 10x4 is only about one foot longer than a Kenworth eight-wheeler and the turning circle is quite good on them. ou get an extra four tonnes payload on the 10x4 over a standard eight-wheeler, and when you get paid by the tonne it makes sense. hile a rigid truck and dog has a 3 -tonne payload, that specific combination requires the extra investment in equipment plus the extra running costs, tyres, rego etc. If you are working in the same environment as rigid and dog trailer operators, by the time they load the truck and the dog you are already tipped off in the 10x4 unit and get away within a shorter timeframe before them.
“I prefer the layout of the T359A. Although it’s a short bonnet I like the driving position. About the only thing I would change in the spec would be to replace the KAB seat supplied by Kenworth with an ISRI unit. In a replacement truck I might also look at the larger 11-litre engine, but that might increase the tare weight and reduce the profitability of the higher load volume. I would have to look closely at that. “In terms of unusual items on the truck, it is very much a standard vehicle, except for the powered cargo cover above the load on the tipper body. I also have a fully automated system that lowers the lazy axle as the weight comes on the tandem axles when loading. It also has a manual override. Kenworth fitted aftermarket diff breathers. e have drum brakes all round with automatic slack adjusters and I handle all the service requirements such as greasing and oil drains myself. Tyre wear is good with the second set of steer tyres ust fitted at 50,000 km. The second set of drives has also ust been fitted. “The stainless trims and other additional marker lights were fabricated by Damian Grima, and his father Charlie, who also has nine trucks of his own working in the Benedict’s eet, said Dale.
“There are a few subbies now that are starting to get 10x4 units and this has resulted in a further four units oining the eet. All are Kenworth and each of the four is pretty similar. One has a Cummins 315 engine with a ten-speed auto transmission; the others are all the same spec with the ISLe5 and 18-speed manual gearboxes. “I would certainly look at the idea of putting on a second truck with a driver in the future.
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Dale Price, managing director of DCP Haulage.
CLEAN LIVING
A CONCRETE
CERTAINTY
It’s a case of selection by consultation with Isuzu as the first choice for the Hanson fleet
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n the concrete business, profitability and efficiency is all about moving as much material as possible in the safest, easiest way.
As one of Australia’s leading suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry, Hanson, a division of HeidelbergCement Group, produces aggregates, including crushed rock, sand, gravel, crusher dust and road base and a high quality premixed concrete range. This includes over 10,000 standard mixes, as well as premium and decorative concrete solutions that offer additional benefits like increased strength, higher durability, or, in the case of the company’s Imagecrete range, greater aesthetic appeal.
The association between Hanson and Sydney Isuzu specialist dealership Gilbert & Roach has grown consistently in recent years, with an increasing supply of 6x4 and 8x4 concrete agitators delivered to the Hanson eet. Larki Missiris, vice-chairman of the Hanson Owner/ Drivers Group, told G&R News the relationship had developed because the Isuzu product was particularly well suited to their type of work. “It all started from two or three of our drivers having used Isuzu products for 11 or 1 years. e liked the Isuzu as a product, and when the time came for vehicle replacement we were keen to look at the brand more closely, said Mr. Missiris.
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GILBERT & ROACH f the 0 owner/drivers in the Hanson eet working in the Sydney area we have close to 40 using Isuzu 8x4s. In the country areas the eet also comprises x4 units where access into concrete batching plants or building sites for delivery can be restricted. The Isuzu’s enable us to maintain efficiency with vehicles that are comfortable, reliable and well suited for the ob. Dependent on the mix of the concrete, the 8x4s are able to carry .8- .0 cubic metres of material, while the x4s carry 5. -5.9 cubic metres. olume is everything in terms of efficiency in this business, Mr. Missiris added. Isuzu’s 000 8x4 Auto was developed specifically with the agitator industry in mind by the engineering team at Isuzu Trucks Australia. The ’s Diesel xidation Catalyst (D C) exhaust system resists the move as taken by other manufacturers into SCR technology, and this is matched to Isuzu’s sixcylinder, 4-valve, 9.3-litre diesel that produces 345 hp ( 5 k ) at ,000 rpm. eak torque of 1,4 Nm is rated at 1,400 rpm. The engine uses a variable nozzle turbocharger together with an air-to-air intercooler, and the emissions levels are fully Euro compliant. Automatic transmissions have always been popular in the concrete agitator segment and Isuzu has teamed the six-speed automatic Allison HD 4430 series with Hendrickson HAS4 1 airbag rear suspension within a shorter wheelbase, shaving 13 mm off the length when compared to the medium-wheelbase model to achieve 5,08 mm.
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The reduction in wheelbase and overall length has been achieved by repositioning chassis-mounted components such as air tanks and batteries. This enables the fullybodied unit to offer a turning circle of under 1 .5 metres. eight savings have also been achieved by fitting Alcoa alloy wheels and specially selected 11R .5 okohama tyres that individually also represent weight reductions when compared with other brands. The result is a compact yet capable agitator with great manoeuvrability around the inner city and within building sites that are tight for space. hen working in more open areas with low traction levels, such as on mud and wet ground, the standard driver-controlled differential cross locks are a ma or asset in maintaining traction. The fuel tank has been downsized from the standard 400-litre unit and Isuzu has implemented a vertical exhaust stack to save space on the chassis and to avoid stirring up dust on building sites. The load-sharing front suspension features single stage alloy taper leaf springs.
CLEAN LIVING Meritor Q-Plus dual-circuit, full air “S-Cam” drum brakes with automatic slack ad usters are fitted to all axles. Gilbert & Roach has been excellent to work with throughout the whole selection process of choosing Isuzu. Because of the nature of the work we do, our annual distance travelled is only in the region of 25-30,000 km per year. e do, however, have a lot of engine idle time with power-take-off operation, and for that reason we service on a time basis of 400 hours, rather than the more conventional distance period, said Mr. Missiris. The Isuzu cab stacks up very well against European competition and is coil-sprung to reduce road shocks from affecting comfort levels inside the cab. Driver safety is looked after by the fitment of a driver’s SRS airbag, and, with a cab construction that conforms to ECE-R29 crash
resistance compliance, the unit comes with full under-run protection (FUPS), anti-lock braking, cruise control and an ISRI 8 0 driver suspension seat as standard. The 8x4 cabin features the now standard Digital Audio isual Entertainment (DA E) system with 15. cm touchscreen, CD/D D player, digital radio, AM/ M tuner, Bluetooth phone connection and audio streaming, combined with voice commands. The same unit can also incorporate optional satellite navigation, tyre pressure monitoring system and up to four video cameras to allow the driver to monitor vehicle operation. The Isuzu’s come with everything we need, including Bluetooth, digital radio and satellite navigation, all integrated into the cab. The Allison automatic transmission reduces stress on the vehicle, especially in the inner city areas, and also improves safety levels by reducing driver fatigue, added Mr. Missiris.
The Isuzu 6x4 and 8x4 units have proven to be an ideal choice for the Hanson fleet.
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It s
over 40 years now since Sydney operators Geoff and Liz Dobe of Bulldog Transport bought their Peterbilt 352. At that time, the Peterbilt was already ten years old, having been purchased when new by Boland Trading and supplied by Max Keir of Peterbilt Truck Sales, both of Dubbo, NSW. After a productive life on the road during which it has travelled an estimated 3.2 million kilometres, it’s experienced a few engine and suspension upgrades but can still turn in a respectable day at work. The Peterbilt remains a regular worker in the Bulldog fleet today, even though eoff has an almost brand new Kenworth K200 in the shed. The enworth was built specifically for heavy work with over dimensional loads, and with a rating of tonnes it can also be used in triple road train work. Boasting a very high content level, it features a Cummins ISXe5 engine rated at hp k at , rpm. eak tor ue of , m is rated at , rpm.
Gilbert & Roach supplied the latest Kenworth K200 for heavy duty application with Geoff and Liz Dobe of Bulldog Transport. It joins an immaculate Peterbilt that’s notched up half a century of hard work.
ith self greasing systems, and Ad lue it’s a very different type of vehicle from the Peterbilt. The transmission is a uller T with a Meritor , kg rated front axle and Meritor T drive axles and . ratios. The rear suspension is uway A airbag with a wheelbase of , mm. “We stayed with a manual transmission but thought very seriously about an Eaton UltraShift Plus. We did feel though that with exceptional loads there are times when you just want to move forwards a really short distance. It’s easier we feel with a manual gearbox,” said Geoff. upplied by ydney enworth dealer, ilbert oach, it’s painted in the same livery as the Peterbilt and is obviously more appropriate for the heavy haulage exceptional loads that form the basis of the workload these days. ulldog Transport is a specialist in moving exceptional length beams used for roofing spans and also to carry beams used for overhead gantry cranes. To cater for this type of work the company operates a Southern Cross double extendable metre trailer plus a . metre pullout steerable tri axle.
NEW TRICKS Bulldog Transport’s K200 Kenworth is a worthy companion for its predecessor, a 50-year-old Peterbilt 352 10 GILBERT & ROACH FEBRUARY 2015
CLEAN LIVING “In our business we have ten trailers of different types and we are able to handle a wide variation of work. We specialise in over-dimensional loads with dropdecks, extendable and rear-steer jinkers, but we still carry standard loads on flat tops. e have our own permanent subcontractors and our priority is to keep them in work, and Liz and I then cover off what is left outstanding,” said Geoff. eople rely on us to get what we do right the first time. If it’s not done right it can add a lot of time, and increase the workload for the customer. That’s where all the experience of years in this business really counts. We can cope with extendable loads out to around 35 metres, but it’s knowing how to get the best out of the equipment that makes the ultimate difference,” added Geoff.
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LIFTING YOUR PROFILE DAF’s CF shows its versatility in the crane truck industry.
FIJIAN
“Being able to supply anything that a customer wants actually enables us to grow our business in any area that we see developing. e want to get more into pro ect management in the future and expand also into storage opportunities. very piece of e uipment we have is tracked and monitored. Every appliance, even company cars, anything with tyres, has got tracking through inpoint ommunication systems so can see where everything is,” said Fred. lenn ewell of ilbert oach untingwood worked with red Mohammed on the specification of the A rigid trucks in the fleet.
born Fred Mohammed is the founder and managing director of Crane Trucks R Us and its sister company Tranzhire R Us. Both companies share certain synergies, with Crane Trucks R Us specialising in rigid trucks and trailers of all si es fitted with alfinger cranes for hire with an operator. As an alternative, Tranzhire R Us provides the availability of a fleet of trucks and trailers for medium to long term dry hire.
From one truck operating in Brisbane, the company has grown in its first ten years of operation to now control over pieces of e uipment from depots in risbane, ydney, Townsville, ockhampton, erth and Melbourne. The e uipment list currently available through rane Trucks R Us and Tranzhire R Us is impressive, with new A rigid trucks establishing an excellent reputation in the mixed fleet of prime movers and rigid trucks. e hire specialised gear through Tran hire s with crane trucks, tilt trays with cranes, drop deck and extendible trailers, the option of all wheel drive rigid trucks, plus the fitment of oll ver rotection . e dry hire and most contracts are for months. t splits the business up into different sections to suit the different needs of the industry,” said Fred.
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The DAF CF85 460 as supplied to the Crane Trucks s fleet is available in day cab, sleeper cab and space cab configuration as a x or as an x rigid truck. ower comes from the A A M engine of . litres and the units supplied feature the highest output of hp k produced at , , rpm. eak tor ue of , m is rated from , to , rpm. Other engine ratings available with the DAF CF85 include hp and hp. Available with the speed A Tronic Automated Manual Transmission or with an aton speed manual gearbox, the A is fully uro compliant and uses technology to minimise exhaust emissions.
CLEAN LIVING Anti-lock braking systems are standard and disc brakes are fitted to the steer axle with drum brakes operating on the rear axles. ther safety items include anti slip regulation, brake assist, drag tor ue control and hill start aid when fitted with the A Tronic transmission . Also available is adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure assist and axle load monitoring systems. or heavier duty applications the A is also available with A trape ium leaf suspension for the rear axles where the axle is located by eight reaction rods, mounted on spring units that pivot on a central trunnion located by eight tor ue rods. The A eight bag air suspension is also available as an option. ub reduction rear axles with cross and inter axle differential locks are available only with A axles.
The A is highly versatile, boasting a M , kg and a M of , kg. itted with . stud Alcoa aluminium rims, the tyre si e is on the steer axle with . si ed tyres on the rear axles. The front suspension uses parabolic type leaf springs with the rear suspension being Airglide eight bag air suspension. of
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ABOVE: Fred Mohammed, founder of Crane Trucks R Us is expanding his company on a national basis.
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TELEPATHIC WHEN TRUCKS START TALKING TO EACH OTHER, IT’S TIME TO LISTEN.
MONITORING
a fleet has never been easier thanks to latest innovation of telematics systems by su u Trucks. hile manufacturers are doing their best to improve their products to provide the best return on investment, companies like su u are introducing telematics systems that enable fleet managers to keep track of each truck and driver remotely, as they receive the information needed to identify any inefficiencies among the fleet. hile there are a few third party telematics suppliers to the transport industry in Australia, su u Trucks is the first truck maker that can offer a system direct from the showroom floor. eveloped in con unction with a local Australian provider, the su u Telematics package has been designed with the Aussie operator in mind and is now on offer across the entire range of su u models.
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CLEAN LIVING
IC TRUCKS Smart trucks that talk back to base go a lot further than simple Sat/Nav location systems.
The system goes a long way beyond satellite tracking, and covers a range of information allowing a multi-faceted approach to improving efficiency. ata on fuel economy and driving habits such as harsh braking, heavy-footed acceleration and idle time can also be monitored. Another handy feature is the system’s ability to notify management via text message or email when a vehicle reaches one or more pre set waypoints along its route. The system also allows the operator to set up geo-fencing, which can be used to alert when a vehicle is going “out of bounds”, or, alternatively, to alert of a vehicle’s pending arrival to a depot. ne good example of this is a concrete batching plant that uses the telematics to communicate when a truck is almost at the yard, allowing the plant to plan ahead and be ready to go as soon as the truck is under the chute. t also keeps track of how long a truck is in the yard, providing accurate details on loading and turn around times.
Real time access delivers real time data including geo-fencing options.
While the purchaser has direct real-time access to the data, it is also securely stored by the system supplier for future reference or auditing purposes. This adds another dimension to the value of telematics, and brings with it the ability to confirm delivery times, charge customers accurate waiting times and provide valid evidence of work hours should it be re uired. This includes use as an electronic work diary , when legislation allows, having been designed to comply as an approved device. The su u telematics program has been developed to work in con unction with the Mobil ye safety device. The MobilEye unit uses a single camera, mounted on the windscreen, to provide the driver with warnings related to the environment around the vehicle. These include warnings related to imminent collisions, lane departure, tailgating and speed limit breaches.
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The MobilEye system can even be used to detect oncoming headlights and automatically dip your headlights to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. This unit is clever enough to read speed restriction signs, including roadwork zones, so adapts to any environment, as opposed to the usual GPS-based speed warning system. Any warnings thrown up by the MobilEye unit will be relayed back to base through the Isuzu telematics unit immediately, allowing the owner to get the full picture in regard to driver behaviour. This stage of the system will not be available until next year, but certainly demonstrates the capability of Isuzu’s telematics and the thought that has been put into its development. The entire system is controlled through Isuzu’s new DAVE multimedia unit. This takes control of the entertainment, navigation, phone connection and reversing camera duties, while also providing the interface for the telematics. here telematics is fitted, the driver is prompted to enter his or her driver ID through the touchscreen, but from then on the unit operates as per normal. The exception to this is when management needs to contact the driver, in which case they can send a message that will appear on the screen. This could be instructions for the next pickup, or simply a driver welfare check, and would generally only require one touch of the screen to acknowledge receipt of the message. This eliminates the need for driver to use their phone or text a reply. The system also includes a distress button, which will notify the office immediately with the exact location of the vehicle, providing increased security for drivers and valuable freight. In a smart move, the whole system has been designed for easy retrofitment on older trucks. This means an operator who may only be updating part of their fleet can have the same system operating in every truck, even in mixed fleets.
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hen specified as part of the e uipment on a new truck the Isuzu telematics package includes connection to the Telstra network for data transfer and long-term data storage. t also brings with it a company specific login to allow constant monitoring of your trucks and drivers, and direct messaging to and from each vehicle, and the ability to receive direct notifications every time a driver does something they shouldn’t. While it is not marketed as such, it also has the potential to work as a driver training tool, helping to identify the areas of most concern for both individual drivers and the entire fleet. American and European transport operators are already advanced in the use of telematics, and can demonstrate the benefits many times over. The extra outlay to have telematics fitted could, and should, be easily recouped over the life of the vehicle if it is used to its full potential. What’s more, it covers the full range of Isuzu trucks, meaning your entire fleet can be monitored under the same system. It keeps it simple but provides the opportunity to improve fleet scrutiny and data recording, in turn making your business more productive and profitable.
CLEAN LIVING UTE
BITS AND PIECES
PERSONALISING YOUR OWN UTE CAN ADD SIGNIFICANT AAPP APPEAL PPEAL PPEAL
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uying your new ute can be ust the start of a long lasting personal relationship that may see you add accessories and optional extras that increase the capability and appeal of your everyday transport.
or those heading off-road the opportunities for adding extras are as open as your wallet. This time around we are looking at those that stay on the bitumen but want that little bit more than came as part of the standard package. As an example of some of the possible variations we started with a standard space cab D-MA cab/chassis to form the basis for our test bed and we started by switching the standard AM/ M radio cassette player for a ioneer A IC 950-DAB. ccupying a double DIN slot on the dashboard, the ioneer unit connects through Bluetooth to your phone plus your i od to access your music and also plays your D Ds.
Through its touchscreen it provides Sat/Nav mapping, audio streaming and digital as well as analogue radio connections. There’s a huge advantage in being able to incorporate a SAT/NA unit within the dashboard area and you can say goodbye to cables running over the top of the dashboard to a windscreen-mounted alternative. As an added safety feature we connected up a waterproof rear-vision camera mounted above the registration plate holder, and this displays high-quality vision through the ioneer A IC touchscreen. Mounted up high on the windscreen, virtually behind the central rear-vision mirror, we mounted the latest Navman Mi ue dash-cam. This unit records everything happening on the road ahead of the D-Max, and is a great safeguard to any professional driver. The high definition video footage stored within the unit can match up to a C computer programme that identifies Sat/Nav locations, speeds, times and dates of events that happen in front of you.
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The software is currently not compatible with Apple computers. Cable routing for power is made particularly easy on the D-Max as the cable can be trimmed into the windscreen surround and powered through a 1 -volt socket within the top dashboard locker without showing any of the cable. ur Space Cab D-Max has a factory-supplied all-steel bull bar on which is mounted a pair of Hella uminator ED driving lamps. These are phenomenal driving lamps that pro ect a clear white light in a broad fan pattern making them ideal for anyone in country areas. D-Max now rates its maximum towing ability at 3,500 kg, but make sure your towball and mount is rated for that level. Go for the officially approved tow package rather than some of the cheaper and inferiorrated units, and remember to include an electric brake unit that can be matched to suit the trailer in all varying states of laden conditions. If you are in the market for a cab/chassis then you can also choose the construction material of the tray to match the type of work you have planned. If you are ust moving light materials then an alloy tray is certainly up to the task. If your workload is a bit tougher then a heavy-duty alloy tray fits the bill. or those aiming at really heavy work then head straight for the steel heavy-duty tray. As you decide on your tray strength it’s also time to consider whether additional ladder racks are going to be useful. Again these are available in two standard-duty strengths for general duties or tougher work. ou can also option up with storage lockers or water containers that mount under the tray oor.
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Digital drive recorders or Crash Cams provide an accurate record of driving incidents.
CLEAN LIVING UTE
Choose between over-rail and under-rail tub liners, upgrade your base audio unit to include Sat/Nav or add a CB Radio and Hella LED driving lamps. The choices are endless.
If you are buying a ute with a tub then make sure you also choose the right tub liner. The choice is between an underrail or over-rail unit and you’ll easily notice the difference. The over-rail version reduces the risk of damage to the paintwork, but the under-rail unit forms a better match when you have a canopy fitted. If you still have some spare cash in the kitty, how about a locking hard tonneau cover to safeguard your equipment But remember, if you carry loads of different shapes and sizes, the traditional soft cover with tie down loops will adapt to the shape of the load and protect it against the elements. ther great additions include a set of carpet or rubber oor mats, side window weathershields and a bonnet protector to guard against stone chips. If you are a bit on the short side, then side steps can make access a lot easier, and if you drive in dusty areas or want to keep your air intake up high then a snorkel can also be a great benefit. G&R News will report back on more accessory options in future issues.
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GILBERT&ROACH Huntingwood The Truck People
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