300 Series 4x4 Media Coverage by Hino Australia

HINO 300 SERIES 4X4 MEDIA COVERAGE

What do Australia’s leading trucking journalists think?

Ed Higginson – Power Torque

David Meredith – The West Australian

What a great piece of equipment this truck is. Hino has put the hard yards in and developed a vehicle that is immensely capable off-road Steve Brooks, Australasian Transport News

The Hino 300 Series 4x4 is a good little truck. In modern day parlance, this modest oldschool assessment would translate to ‘awesome’. Bruce Honeywill, Big Rigs

Joel Helmes heavyvehicles.com.au

All in all, this new 4x4 is quite an achievement for the Hino organisation.

Tim Giles, Diesel

It’s better specified than the Japanese competition…. Standard ride is also better than the Japanese… Let the off-road battle commence! Peter Shields, Prime Mover

Allan Whiting, Outback Travel Australia

Rod Chapman, trucksales.com.au

300 Series 4x4 - online media coverage Trucksales.com.au https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/news/2017/hino/hino-launches-300-series-4x4-60108/ Outback Travel Australia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; review https://www.outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/buyers-guide-heavy-duty/hino-300-series-4x4-previewmay-2017 Outback Travel Australia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSFcg_477w&feature=youtube_gdata Drive.com.au https://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/hino-300-series-4x4-review-118226.html GoAuto http://premium.goauto.com.au/customers-test-hino-prototypes/ Uteguide.com.au https://www.uteguide.com.au/hino-300-series-4x4-truck-ute-vs-toyota-landcruiser-70-series-gxlute/ Trucksales.com.au https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/2017-hino-300-817-4x4-crew-review-60249/ Dieselnews.com.au http://www.dieselnews.com.au/developing-a-4x4/ Behindthewheel.com.au https://behindthewheel.com.au/hino-300-series-4x4-launch-review/ Ozroamer.com.au https://www.ozroamer.com.au/hino-300-series-817-4x4-motorhome-base/ Thewest.com.au https://thewest.com.au/lifestyle/motoring/local-input-helps-hino-ng-b88656928z electricalconnection.com.au http://electricalconnection.com.au/hino-prepares-to-launch-300-series-817-4x4/ Uteguide.com.au https://www.uteguide.com.au/hino-300-series-817-4x4-truck-ute/

FEATURE

THE URBAN JUNGLE

Hino’s 300 Series 4x4 gets to grips with traction for specific applications – words by Ed Higginson Hino Australia revealed the full specifications of its muchanticipated 300 Series 4x4 ahead of the AFAC conference in Sydney for fire and emergency service professionals back in September 2017. Devised in response to the demands of Australian customers for a better light-duty 4x4 truck, and comprehensively tested in an Australian field test programme over a number of years, the Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 sets a new benchmark for light-duty 4x4 truck specifications and driving performance. Devised specifically for Australian applications, and thoroughly tried, tested and proven for Australian conditions, the Hino 300 Series 4x4 has already undergone years of extensive testing and evaluation here with realworld customers.

DELIVERY ISSUE 77

Prototypes of the Hino 300 Series 4x4 have been used in day-to-day operations with a number of customers across Australia, with two customers taking part in long-term field testing: Cook Shire Council in Far North Queensland and Kennedy Drilling in remote Western Australia. Hino test engineers have studied the vehicles in these operations, and, those experiences combined with the testing carried out at its durability facilities in Japan, produced a model purpose-built for Australian applications. “We have been testing prototypes of the 4x4 here for over three years, with real-world customers whose feedback has enabled us to refine the specification of a truck built specifically for the Australian market,” Daniel Petrovski, Hino product strategy manager said. “The 300 Series 4x4 is a specialised vehicle, and this sort of approach has genuinely benefited what we can now offer our customers”.

HINO 300 4x4 Among the myriad of information gained from this local testing was the importance of operational competency off-road, such as the incorporation of a high-mounted air intake to minimise dust intake on dirt roads. Another feature that helps with its off-road ability over conventional 4x2 light-duty trucks is its high stance. This helps give the 4x4 model approach angles of 34 degrees with realistic departure angles of 30 degrees. The 3500 mm wheelbase also offers a rampover angle of 159 degrees with a road clearance of 205 mm. Fellow PowerTorque and Delivery journalist, Brenton O’Connor, attended the launch of the Hino 300 series 817 4x4 and covered the full range in the December issue of Delivery magazine, where it definitely impressed with its off-road ability. In order to add some further components to our evaluation of the Hino, the Christmas break provided the opportunity for me to climb behind the wheel to see how the 300 Series Crew Cab 4x4 would handle a full week-long test to move dirt around a small farm in Northern Melbourne. Initial thoughts whilst driving the truck from Dandenong, through Melbourne and out on the highway past the airport, was that, as impressive as it is for 4x4 work, there are some compromises when trucks are specced for serious off-road work – particularly the high centre of gravity and firm ride. During the launch event, the trucks waded through river crossings and climbed some serious muddy embankments, which could never be attempted by a standard 4x2 truck. So, for applications such as the fire and emergency service, or mining exploration, then this type of truck would be a great fit. Where the off-road travel is of a more conservative nature, such as found in common terrain such as quarries, building sites, or driving over firm grass, traction can come down to the quality of the operator. An experienced driver using a diff lock on a 4x2 should be able to get pretty much where they choose to go, meaning that you need to

way up the pros and cons before ordering the all-wheeldrive alternative. For the positives, the Hino 300 series is a great small truck with its proven reliability, great support through the Hino Australia network and with the Japanese fit and finish you would expect. Operational safety is class leading with the standard inclusion of vehicle stability control (VSC), a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category, together with fourwheel disc brakes and a reversing camera that includes night vision and a microphone to assist the driver when manoeuvring. It also gets cruise control, dual SRS airbags and ABS. In terms of power, the 4x4 gets the Hino N04C 4.0-litre diesel engine rated to 165 hp (121 kW) at 2500 rpm and 464 Nm of torque at 1400 rpm, both of which are more than its Japanese 4x4 competitors. The Hino N04C engine is Euro 5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises the Hino Diesel Particulate Active Reduction filter (DPR), which has proven its reliability in Australian applications over the past 10 years. This is mated to a six-speed manual overdrive transmission and a dual-range 4x4 transfer case, providing an ideal combination of gears to suit any terrain. A 6.369:1 first gear transmission ratio and a low range gear ratio of 2.2:1 enables a crawling speed of just 2.3 km/h for the trickiest of off-road conditions. It was easy to drive in traffic when loaded to a GVM of 6090 kg, slightly less than its rated maximum of 7500 kg, giving a quick response for getting up to speed when needed. But if you intend to run the truck with a trailer and load the combination to the maximum GCM of 11,000 kg, you may be better off looking at some of the larger Hino models as the 165 hp may struggle at this higher weight level. The driveline combination offers exceptional flexibility and efficiency both on and off-road. Before venturing off the bitumen, the simple press of a dash-mounted button switched the box into low range, and another button locks it into 4x4 easily.

DELIVERY ISSUE 77

FEATURE

The Hino 300 Series 4x4 is available in single-cab for three people, and a crew-cab configuration as tested that can take up to seven. However, with the multi-leaf spring suspension the ride is noticeably stiffer than a standard 4x2.

some difficulties through lack of experience on the part of the drivers. Those that knew what they were doing, and maintained the vehicles momentum to keep rolling, didn’t suffer to anywhere near the same extent.

For the driver, they get a magnetically dampened driver’s suspension seat, which takes some of the bumps out of the ride, but at 100 km/hr on the freeway you still get bounced around a little. The bigger Hino truck range, the 500 Series and above, get the comfort of the ISRI fully air suspended seat that would make a big difference in the 4x4.

Overall, Hino has produced a serious off-roader in the lightduty market to complement their already large range of 300 Series options on offer.

The rear bench seats are all fixed in position and nonadjustable, so when taking the family for a ride to the local shops to get their in-depth reviews, the feedback was always going to be somewhat unenthusiastic, due to the firmness of the suspension. There were also the expected complaints in terms of audio quality in the rear of the cabin due to the lack of speakers, which meant relying on those in the front cranked up to a higher volume to keep them happy. Choosing an all-wheel-drive chassis comes down to the intended application of the vehicle. If you were to be venturing into some difficult areas regularly, the smart choice would be to opt for the 4x4 version. The property I used for my evaluation had recently seen some standard 6x4 tippers running across the paddocks encounter

DELIVERY ISSUE 77

It is a competitive sector, up against the updated IVECO Daily 4x4, Isuzu’s long-running NPS, plus the 4x4 FUSO Canter FG, but, with Hino’s reliability and impressive list of specifications, it a worthy contender. Verdict + 4x4 ability + Safety devices as standard + Total cost of ownership with Hino Advantage – Hard 4x4 ride when driving at road speeds – Fixed seats for the passengers make for an uncomfortable ride

31 Jan 2018 West Australian, Perth Author: David Meredith • Section: Motoring • Article Type: News Item Audience : 147,676 • Page: 4 • Printed size: 542.00cm² • Market: WA Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 9,502 • words: 567 • Item ID: 905831012

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To boldly go where no Hino has gone before 300 series 4x4 will take you anywhere David Meredith

omeone in Hino’s engineering department arranged a Vulcan mind-meld between products to get the new 300 series 4x4 on the road, despite it taking nearly a decade since dealers started asking for it. The chassis from the 4x2 Hino is sitting there but jacked up a considerable distance from the ground. There’s a sub-frame bolted to the bottom of the chassis at the rear. That allows the rear suspension to connect without the need for a kink in the chassis just behind the cab as per the Fuso 4x4. But it also means the payload loading height is sky-high, and the front of the Hino looks as gangly as a teenager in a growth spurt. Underneath all that lot is an air-operated transfer case from the 500 series — there’s an air compressor and reservoir bolted on — connected to the usual Hino 300 diff and rear axle, and a front diff and axle

developed for remote applications in Japan’s north island. The manual front hubs are also out of the Hino parts bin, and are a bit of a techno throwback, particularly as the 4x4 system is engaged by a push-button control on the dash, as is the low-range. This was queried with Hino at the national launch, and we got some twaddle about how much better manual hubs were “in certain circumstances”. The result is that the cab has no real indication you’re in a rock-hopping light truck. You’ll feel instantly at home if you drive a regular 300 series for work. Anyway, the formula — “your parts to my parts; my parts to your parts” — works, and works well. The manual five-speed gearbox takes a bit of practice as the spring loading is a touch off-centre. But once that’s ingrained it’s easy to get a decent gear, particularly as the engine has a

wide torque band starting at 1000rpm. It’s a mighty climb to get on board this Hino. There are two metal steps and they’re heavily skewed towards the front bumper. If you’re carrying lunch you’ll need to put it on the seat first as you’ll need oard rd. d both hands to gett on b board. Once in the seat it’s a spectacular view from your perch in the sky. You’re up there with some prime movers, so traffic is no problem. All the controls are well set for ease of use. There’s an exhaust brake on the left of the steering column but it’s a classic Japanese unit which really only makes a noise. The infotainment unit is a touchscreen which incorporates up to three cameras. The Hino cab trim is familiar

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and designed for drivers and passengers with lots of “stuff” such as keys, pens, papers, drinks, logbooks and the like. On the road, any kind of road or track, this is a Hino that will perform with the dependability to reassure any user that they can send it anywhere, anytime, and it will just get the job done — without breaking. WA Hino’s Paul McGovern loved it so much he’s ordered a bunch. He’s tipping the crew cab to be the star.

Once in the seat it’s a spectacular view from your perch in the sky. You’re up there with some prime movers.

Hino's product boss took this 300 4x4 away on Christmas holidays. The transfer case from the 14-tonner, right, will outlast this chassis

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March, 2018 ATN - Australasian Transport News, National Author: Steve Brooks • Section: General News • Article Type: News Item Audience : 7,397 • Page: 50 • Printed size: 3036.00cm² • Market: National Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 26,247 • words: 1928 • Item ID: 918663615

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Hino TRUCK REVIEWS

OFF-ROAD RUNNER Arriving in the wake of a dramatically improved range of 500-series wide-cab models, Hino's launch late last year of its much-anticipated 300-series 4x4 marked 2017 as a year when the Japanese maker did much to shake the shackles of mediocrity. There's no better proof than its new and seriously adept off-roader W O R D S

S T E V E

t's entrenched as the second most popular brand of truck on the Australian market but, even so, for the first time in a long time, Hino appears to be on a roll. That's not to suggest Hino will soon be biting at Isuzu's heels for overall market leadership. Not at all. Right now, and probably for many years to come, that's a mountain still way too high for a viable assault. Nonetheless, from the outside looking in, there's a level of excitement and confidence within the Hino camp these days directly at odds with the somewhat sombre demeanour of the past decade or so. And the reason for this newfound and increasingly obvious optimism is a batch of new models entirely capable of taking the fight to the competition rather than simply making do with whatever Japan agrees to send this way. That might sound a tad harsh but the reality is Hino Motor Sales Australia is part of the gargantuan Toyota empire, and while that has many merits, it also places significant constraints on the engineering, research and development resources available to a relatively low-volume, demanding market such as ours. In effect, it means that, while Japanese

B R O O K S

decision-makers may smile and nod and say they understand what Australia needs, their apparent understanding doesn't necessarily extend to giving local engineers and product planners what they want and need to reach the top. At least, not anytime soon. Last year, however, came a couple of critical new contenders that, not only put smiles on the dials of Hino operatives at every level on the ladder, but effectively made 2017 a time of overdue evolution. First cab off the rank came early in the year with a vastly upgraded range of 500-series wide-cab models in 2- and 3-axle rigid configuration. A long time coming, the new trucks are unquestionably a huge step in the right direction with more grunt and a suite of smart safety initiatives - including the standard inclusion of vehicle stability control. Yet whereas the latest 500-series wide-cab models are effectively much-improved versions of an existing range, the light-duty 300-series 4x4 is not only an entirely new addition to Hino's local line-up but, from all appearances, the best in its Japanese class. In fact, after a long day behind the wheel in a wide range of conditions with all versions loaded close to maximum GVM of 7.5 tonnes, Hino's new truck surprised and impressed

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Above: Home on the range, in single or crew-cab form Below: In the drink. Early testing led to increased air intake height

in equally high measure. Then again, it needed to be something special given the amount of hype leading up to the model's launch. The truck was first previewed with plenty of fanfare at last year's Brisbane Truck Show, then at the important AFAC conference for fire and emergency service professionals in Sydney last September. At both events, Hino certainly wasn't shy about singing the praises of its new double-differ before its official release just six weeks out from Christmas. Instrumental in tailoring the truck's specification to Australian conditions, and

-«•?-

perhaps highlighting the hype more than most, Hino product strategy manager Daniel Petrovski proudly pronounced: "If you're going to enter a new category in the Australian truck market for the first time, you want to do it with a product that sets a new benchmark." Indeed you do, and fortunately for Hino, it's a statement backed more by dusty deeds than executive claims. As Petrovski said at the official launch of the truck at an off-road test centre in Werribee, Victoria: "We have been testing prototypes of the 4x4 for over three years, with real-world customers whose feedback has enabled us to refine the specification of a truck built specifically for the Australian market." Much of the model's testing over several years was with the Cook Shire Council in far-north Queensland and Kennedy Drilling, based in Kalgoorlie, WA. Testimonials from both companies reinforce Hino's assertion that several years of careful planning and rigorous testing in Australia and Japan have created a truck with the right mix of manners, muscle and modern technology. A significantly raised air intake is, for example, one of several important changes resulting from the extensive Australian test program. Yet, as Petrovski added, while Australia was the prime focus for development of Hino's light-duty off-roader and is the first market to offer the model, it is definitely not the only market in mind.

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Asia and South America are also firmly on Hino's agenda. Still, Hino's local leaders insist "demands of Australian customers for a better light-duty 4x4 truck" were the driving factor in the model's development, leading to a specification which, they assert, simply has no equal among its Japanese contemporaries.

STAYING SAFE Safety features were high on the agenda and, like the latest 500-series wide-cab models, vehicle stability control is a standard item. So, too, are driver and passenger airbags, disc brakes all-round, electronic brake-force distribution, anti-lock and anti-slip systems, and a submersible waterproof reversing camera. Considering its likely roles with fire and emergency departments and mining operations, a good deal of work also went into the OH&S standards of the cab that comes in both singleand crew-cab form. While Hino says the structure complies with Europe's cab crash-test standard, the A-pillars have actually been narrowed to just 65mm to enhance visibility. It's a good point given that the front quarters of many trucks these days actually infringe on the driver's view at roundabouts and the like. Importantly, particularly for a truck that necessarily sits much higher than its 4x2 counterpart, entry and exit is convenient thanks to well-positioned steps and grab handles. It's worth noting, too, that the 4x4 model is built

on an 840mm wide chassis with no rivets on the top flange of the rails to hinder body fitment. On the inside, there's a tilt-adjustable steering column and a comfortable suspension seat for the driver, while the passenger gets to sit on a fixed bench seat. Still, even on bumpy bits, I didn't hear too many gripes about discomfort from the other side of the truck or from the backseat bench of dual-cab versions... not that I was really listening. However, one feature sure to please backseat passengers is a separate air-conditioning and heating-control console. A wise move, indeed! Meanwhile, back in the front, four-wheel drive can be engaged on the move (just be sure to lock the manual free-wheeling hubs) by the simple push of a dash-mounted button. Likewise, there's a button for high and low range selection but, in stating the obvious, Hino explains: "The vehicle must be stationary to change ranges." Does that mean there are really some numb-nuts out there who actually try to jump from high to low while on the move? Whatever, low range employs a deep 2.2:1 reduction ratio described by Hino as "class leading". Combined with a first-gear transmission ratio of 6.369:1, it certainly gives the new 4x4 an exceptionally deep 'bog cog'. But with the 6-speed manual transmission sporting a reasonably tall 0.782:1 overdrive top gear driving into a 4.625:1 diff ratio, the 300-series 4x4 will cruise comfortably at lOOkm/h with the engine running at a relatively frugal 2440rpm.

"We have been testing prototypes of the 4x4 for over three years"

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•»-...

"When it comes to ride quality, the Hino 4x4 is truly surprising"

One thing about the transmission that doesn't excite is the shift pattern. First gear is in a dog-leg down to the left and sixth in a dog-leg up to the right. That means, of course, that second through to fifth are ideally sighted in a H-pattern and, gratefully, the truck will easily cope with second gear lift-offs on level ground. But then, when you need a fast swap from first to second, it's awkward and finicky. Surely, in a 6-speed layout, it can't be all that difficult to engineer a shift pattern that sees 'Reverse' as the only slot on a dog leg. Just a thought! Besides, it's hard to believe early testing didn't raise the same suggestion.

BROAD TORQUE It's underneath, however, where the truck ticks many of the right boxes, not least with an extremely flexible and willing 4-litre turbo-diesel engine. In Hino parlance, it's known as the N04C-UT, a 4-cylinder layout using common-rail fuel injection and a variable nozzle turbocharger to dispense peak outputs of 121kW (165hp) at 2500rpm and 464Nm of torque at 1400rpm. Singularly, these are not particularly

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Above: Outputs of the four litre turbo-diesel are certainly up to the job Left: On the inside. The only complaint is a shift pattern that could be improved but, in a smart move, backseat passengers have their own air-con console

potent performance figures, but with peak torque on tap from 1400 all the way up to 2400rpm, it makes for an impressively determined road runner, especially in undulating conditions. In fact, the engine's tenacity and willingness to hold a gear was, at times, as surprising as it was impressive. Yet it's also an engine that achieves Euro 5 emissions compliance through the combined inputs of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a diesel paniculate filter, or as Hino puts it, "diesel paniculate active reduction (DPR) system which traps over 95 per cent of exhaust carbon soot in a ceramic filter". Call it what they like, though, the DPR system requires a regenerative 'bum off of accumulated soot which, as many truck operators know only too well, can be a problematic exercise no matter whose brand of truck it is. Hino, however, is entirely confident. "The DPR can begin to regenerate or 'self-clean' once the filter reaches 30 per cent capacity," a Hino press statement says. "This process involves the engine control unit (ECU) automatically regenerating the soot build-up. "The soot level is indicated in a multi-information dashboard display which extinguishes as regeneration is complete." Meanwhile, when it comes to ride quality, the Hino 4x4 is truly surprising, not least because it

rides on multi-leaf spring packs and, as anyone who has had much to do with Japanese off-roaders with similar suspension layouts will also know only too well, the term 'ride comfort' can be something of a misnomer. Fortunately, the new Hino is an exception, and engineers appear to have found an acceptable compromise between the sometimes opposing goals of ride quality and rugged reliability, with six-leaf main packs front and rear, and the back end also sporting a six-leaf auxiliary pack. For sure, it's not the best-riding truck ever developed but, on black top or dirt, it's way better than some off-road models I've had the displeasure of driving. In fact, after putting several versions of Hino's new off-roader through their collective paces on everything from freeways, to country roads, forest tracks with plenty of potholes and corrugations, and, at day's end, a play on the tortuous tracks of the Werribee 4x4 Training and Proving Ground, it's hard to see anything other than a bright future for Hino's latest addition. Or, as an upbeat Daniel Petrovski put it: "Quite simply, we believe this is the best light-duty 4x4 truck on the Australian market." From what we've seen and experienced at this early stage, it'd take a good argument and a very good truck to prove him wrong. A

Hino 6-speed 7500kg sti 4495kg optional , 7995kg optional EGR

Euro 5

FUU. SPECS @

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22 Sep 2017 Big Rigs, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 26,329 • Page: 27 Printed size: 460.00cm² • Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 328 words: 377 • Item ID: 847552286

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22 Sep 2017 Big Rigs, National Section: General News â&#x20AC;˘ Article Type: News Item â&#x20AC;˘ Audience : 26,329 â&#x20AC;˘ Page: 27 Printed size: 460.00cmÂ˛ â&#x20AC;˘ Market: National â&#x20AC;˘ Country: Australia â&#x20AC;˘ ASR: AUD 328 words: 377 â&#x20AC;˘ Item ID: 847552286

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December, 2017 Delivery, National Author: Brenton O'Connor • Section: General News • Article Type: News Item Audience : 17,000 • Page: 44 • Printed size: 2417.00cm² • Market: National Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 15,501 • words: 1661 • Item ID: 889641283

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FEATURE

WITH ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ALTERNATIVES, HINO IS HEADING INTO . NEW TERRITORY. WORDS BY BRENTON • O'CONNOR /

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p until now, operators requiring a light-duty, 4x4 truck in cabover configuration, were limited to either an Isuzu N Series or a Fuso Canter. Whilst Hino has been a very successful contender in the light-duty Japanese truck market for many years, its variants only included 4x2 axle configurations.

Hino Australia's product manager, Daniel Petrovski, has been the driving force behind the company's newly released 4x4 300-Series truck. This is a truck that was designed, tested and introduced primarily for the Australian market, and, consequently, it's a credit to Daniel and the team that pushed to make it happen. 44

DELIVERY

ISSUE 75

Given the small size of the Australian market, and also the high concentration of manufacturers from Japan, Europe and USA, Australian buyers are traditionally limited to the available model ranges from a parent company's global product line-up. Except in the rare cases of locally produced PACCAR, Volvo Group and Iveco products manufactured in Australia, manufacturers have found it economically unviable to produce models in response to demand from just Australia. The Hino 300 4x4 project started back in 2012, with Petrovski as the driving force, working with Hino's engineering department in Japan and in consultation with operators in Australia already operating this class of

Page 1 of 4

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Page 2 of 4

HINO 3OO vehicle, even though they were traditionally from other Japanese manufacturers. Initial prototypes were built and placed into operations with a drilling company in Western Australia and Cook Shire Council in Far North Queensland. Petrovski and his team spent considerable time with the operators in these locations constantly evaluating, testing and gauging feedback from the test companies. The conditions in which both test operators were located were harsh, and high temperatures, rough roads and dusty conditions were the norm. These test conditions gave Hino valuable feedback and provided the impetus behind product enhancements including the raising of the engine air intake system to assist in gaining cleaner air for the engine and reducing the need for constant air cleaner blowouts in dusty conditions. The new Hino 817 300 4x4 is available in both a standard cabin with three seats and as a crew cabin with seven seats, a configuration that is particularly appealing to fire and emergency services. The GVM of the vehicle is 7500 kg, however, it can be downgraded to 4495 kg to allow for car licence drivability. The GCM of the vehicle is 11,000 kg (optionally downgradable to 7995 kg for car licence holders), which implies the 817 has a towing capacity of 3500 kg. Standard wheels are a six-stud 8.5R17.5-121 all-terrain pattern tyre, including a spare tyre and rim mounted to the chassis. Hino has included dual fuel tanks to extend the range of this vehicle, with a total capacity of 170 litres. There are four key standout features of the new Hino 300 4x4, and these include the standard-fit safety features, the six-speed transmission with deep reduction provided by the transfer case, the engine and the power it delivers, and, finally, the occupant comfort - all of which will be discussed later in the review.

4X4

When it comes to safety, the 300 4x4 pushes the boundaries of what is expected of a truck in this class. Unlike many 4x4s, Hino has elected to use disc brakes rather than the industry standard drum brake. "The choice of disc rather than drum is two-fold. Firstly, disc brakes are far superior in off-road conditions, particularly when traversing river crossings and mud, as the disc brake is self-cleaning and doesn't block up with water and mud. Secondly, disc brakes are much easier and quicker to change pads. As a worst-case scenario, the driver could change the disc brake pads on the side of the road, however, you would not attempt to change brake shoes in any place other than a workshop," said Daniel. The disc brake system is fitted with ABS as standard; however, the ABS is disengaged when low range is selected, as ABS brakes can be somewhat dangerous off-road. Furthermore, the truck is incredibly highly spec'd, including vehicle stability control (VSC), driver and passenger airbags, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and anti-slip regulation (ASR) systems. Plus, as an industry first on a 4x4 truck, a standard-fit reverse camera has been included. Cabin access is excellent, including both entry into the front cabin and also into the rear doors on the optional crew cabin, with three points of contact maintained at all times when entering and exiting the vehicle. As mentioned earlier, the 300 4x4 is fitted with a six-speed synchromesh manual transmission, with a somewhat unusual layout - sixth gear is positioned in its own gate, against a spring detent, closest to the driver. The selection of gears from the cabin to the transmission is done by cables rather than linkages, which lack some feel. In particular, selecting second gear is somewhat difficult, as the detent position is slightly offset from where you would expect it to be. However, the ratio spacings are well thought out and top gear (sixth) is an overdrive.

DELIVERY

ISSUE 75

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FEATURE'

Selection of both 4x4 and low range is done via electro switches in the cabin; however, the driver will need to engage the hubs manually. The truck isn't available with differential locks ex-factory, however, a local fitment is something a customer could consider. The exhaust brake provided sufficient retardation so that steep declines could be negotiated without the need to use the service brakes.

Using single hypoid reduction axles, the final drive ratios Hino has selected (4.625:1) are particularly impressive. This relatively high gearing for a 4x4 allows the Hino to sit on 100 km/h at just 2440 rpm. This provides added benefits of improved fuel economy and reduced engine noise while enabling the engine to operate in its 'sweet' spot of near maximum horsepower and within the flat torque curve. The transfer case used on the 300 4x4 is borrowed from the larger GD 4x4, and has a huge reduction of 2.224:1 when low range is selected. This is another reason why Hino was able to use the above-mentioned axle ratios, as it allows for high gearing on road, without sacrificing reduction when off-road in low range. For instance, when low first gear is selected, a massive reduction of 14.165:1 is achieved, which is superb for traversing river crossings, climbing steeps hills and crawling over rocks. The test day provided the opportunity for plenty of time to evaluate off-road performance, and the results were incredible, with the truck wading through a river crossing and then climbing a steep bank exiting the river with aplomb.

Powering the 400 4x4 is Hino's own NO4C UT, which is a diesel four-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled engine. Displacement is 4.009 litres, and maximum power outputs are 121 kW (165 hp) and 464 Nm of torque. The engine is also used and proven in Hino's existing range of 300 4x2 trucks, and, as such, has proven to be a reliable workhorse. Emission reduction requirements are met using EGR and a DPF filter. Somewhat concerning is the DPF filter and the potential of frequent blockages requiring manual burn offs due to high idle times and also low travel speeds typically encountered by 4x4 vehicles, however, Petrovski confirmed it hasn't been an issue with any of the test vehicles. Driver comfort is a standout for the 817, and, in addition to the numerous driver aids mentioned earlier, the Hino is a nice place to spend the day. Standard fit is an adjustable, magnetically damped drivers seat. Other mod cons include cruise control, and a navigation system that includes truck mapping, Bluetooth telephony, AM/FM/DAB+ radio and Bluetooth audio system, together with a waterproof reversing camera, all of which are fitted as standard. In the crew cab variant, an auxiliary independent heater and air conditioning system are included in the rear of the cab to either heat or cool the occupants. This was also extremely welcome as it allowed for a comfortable interior during the evaluation while ambient temperatures were recorded at 34 degrees C.

Page 3 of 4

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The test route included a variety of road surfaces, in addition to the river crossings, steep climbs and rock paths mentioned earlier. In all of these situations the Hino was well up to the task, dealing with everything from freeway driving, sealed C roads, as well as rough gravel forest roads in the Daylesford (Victoria) area.

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HINO 3OO 4X4 f-f^

The ride is firm, but not uncomfortable, and was much better than expected from a Japanese 4x4 that rides on 17.5" wheels. The test vehicles were all loaded to just under their 7500 kg legal GVM, which prevented the opportunity for evaluating the difference in ride comfort of an unladen vehicle. With near full payload, the engine was somewhat busy providing adequate horsepower, and it would certainly be interesting to trial the vehicle at maximum GCM (11,000 kg) to ascertain the performance with a high overall weight. The warranty is fairly industry standard, with three years/100,000 km included with all purchases, however, an extended driveline warranty is available for purchase through the selling dealer at the time of sale. When it comes to service intervals, the standard is at 20,000 km. Minor services are required at 20, 60, 100, 140 etc., with major services at 40, 80, 120 and 160 etc. There are some additional service items required from time to time that are based on higher/different kilometres or time - brake and clutch fluid, air filter, coolant or DPR hoses. The Hino 817 4x4 is testimony to Hino's interest and commitment to the Australian market, having invested much time and money to bring the 300 Series 4x4 to fruition. The test programme proved Hino has achieved an extremely accomplished overall package, which will no doubt appeal to a myriad of operators requiring a 4x4 vehicle in this weight class.GI

"THE OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE RESULTS WERE INCREDIBLE, WITH THE TRUCK WADING THROUGH A RIVER CROSSING AND THEN CLIMBING A STEEP BANK EXITING THE RIVER WITH APLOMB"

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• •

I I

HINO moving into FWD It comes as a bit of a shock to realise Hino has not sold a light-duty 4x4 truck before now, and the new 817 4x4 is now on the road. POD went to see the new model unveiled and took the truck out to put it through its paces.

hen you are a major player in the Australian truck market like Hino, the idea is to fill as many market segments and applications as possible. Therefore, many would be surprised to find the company has never built a lightduty 4x4 truck. The 500 Series has always featured four-wheel-drive models, but not the 300 Series. Now, all that has changed. The Australian market is the first to release a new set of models, based on the 300 Series with 4x4 capability. The initiative to develop these models and much of the development work came from Hino Australia, but these trucks will become available elsewhere in the world, over time. The development of this truck began

DIESEL WASN’T GAME ENOUGH TO PUSH THE LIMITS TO SEE HOW THE STABILITY CONTROL PERFORMED BUT, NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT DOES ADD TO THE SENSE OF SECURITY THE DRIVER FEELS. back in 2009 with a survey of customer needs that identified the possibilities of such a truck. In 2012 Hino’s global technical team came from Tokyo to see for themselves the conditions such a truck would have to handle. By 2014, Hino Australia began field-testing prototype models to fine-tune its design. The decision to go into production with a model came in 2016, and late 2017 saw the introduction of the Hino 817 4x4 models onto the Australian truck market. The engine used in this new model is

the Hino N04C UT, which is rated at 165hp (121kW) of power at 2,500rpm, with a flattopped torque curve at 464Nm (342 ft lb) from 1,400rpm up to 2,400rpm. The basic transmission being used is a six-speed manual. This gives the truck a deeper first gear and a higher overdrive capability. Low-range first gear uses a 14.165:1 ratio, whereas at the other end of the scale, top gear uses 0.782:1 to get to 100km/h at 2,450rpm. Both of these ratios are vital for the truck to be able to do its job properly.

www.dieselnews.com.au

PROOF OF DELIVERY

In Australia, 4x4 trucks are sold 30 per cent into mining type tasks, 30 per cent into the fire and rescue services, and local government makes up another seven per cent.

The low ratio makes manoeuvring at slow speeds and maintaining traction possible, but the high ratio means the truck can cruise at 100km/h on long highway journeys into the kind of remote areas this truck is designed to cope with. The transfer case uses a 2.2:1 ratio and comes from the bigger 500 Series 4x4 models – clearly able to cope with the task. All of the models are fitted with disc brakes. This is a first on a 4x4 from a Japanese manufacturer in Australia. All trucks are also fitted with vehicle stability control, which is useful in improving safety out on the highway for a vehicle with a high centre of gravity. ABS is fitted, but automatically turned off when four-wheel drive is engaged. Through its extensive testing program, Hino had customers working in the dustiest of conditions for a drilling company based out of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The disc brakes stood up well in those conditions. Another design feature to come from this testing in both Western Australia and North Queensland was the positioning of the air intake – one metre higher than the current

DIESEL March-April 2018

300 Series models. In fact, this air intake configuration will be feeding into the rest of the Hino light-duty range over the next couple of years. The truck comes as a single cab or a crew cab, both built on the same wheelbase truck. There is a suspended driver’s seat in all cabin options. Reversing camera is standard on all models. Suspension design, a vital issue for a 4x4 truck, sees the new 817 4x4 using multi-leaf steel springs. In Australia, 4x4 trucks are sold 30 per cent into mining type tasks, 30 per cent into the fire and rescue services, and local government makes up another seven per cent. The rest of the market varies across tasks like forestry and others where a 4x4 capability will come in handy.

OUT ON THE ROAD Quite often, when it comes to developing a 4x4 version of a truck, the all-wheel drive lags behind the rest of the range, often using an older cab and not including all of the latest gadgetry. The 817 4x4 is different. These are the latest Hino 300 Series cabin and systems on a 4x4 chassis platform. Of course, there are compromises to the

needs of all-terrain truck users, and fixtures and fittings do get a little pared down, just because of the conditions the truck will be working in. However, this Hino feels very similar in look and feel to the current 4x2 light-duty trucks in the range. This engine is smooth and has the right amount of grunt in the right places. The power levels now being made available in trucks this size are much higher than in the past, leading to a situation where the engine never seems to be toiling hard, no matter what the driver is putting it through. The gearbox has a solid and positive feel through the cable linkage, and once the driver gets accustomed to the gear layout it is a simple box to handle. Unfamiliar drivers could get caught out by the gearbox layout on the six-speed box. The detent position for the gear stick, if left to its own devices, is in the middle of the gearbox and not between second and third gear, as it often is on a six-speed box. Engaging four-wheel drive is simple enough with two buttons on the dashboard to press when the freewheeling hubs have been locked. The ride is always going to be stiffer

PROOF OF DELIVERY

The ride is always going to be stiffer than we find in the 4x2 models but it does feel surprisingly smooth.

than we find in the 4x2 models but it does feel surprisingly smooth. Then, when out on the forest roads and in less than ideal conditions the truck’s suspension comes into its own. The suspension gets the most out of the traction available. Diesel wasn’t game enough to push the limits to see how the stability control performed but, needless to say, it does add to the sense of security the driver feels. Noise levels are relatively low inside the cabin at highway speeds. There is bound to be a higher level of tyre whine, but this is due to the nature of 4x4 tyre design. The dashboard layout is well thought out. On the left is the tachometer, and in the middle is the speedometer. A bar goes across the middle of the speedo and on this is the LCD screen, with things like fuel, temperature, odometer and also the DPF levels. Underneath are the indicators the driver needs to see all of the time – high or low range, cruise control on or off, fourwheel drive engaged, etc. Cruise control is controlled not by a stalk on the steering column, but by one

This new 4x4 is quite an achievement for the Hino organisation.

DIESEL March-April 2018

fixed to the steering wheel. Therefore it travels around with the driver’s hand and is close at hand, even when turning the wheel. It is also well designed and easy to use, not too complicated. Substantial grab handles on all of the pillars, A, B, and C, aid entry into each of the doors on the day cab and crew cab. This ensures there are three points of contact available to anyone climbing in and out of any door. The size of the A pillar grab handle does, however, compromise access for the driver to the – normally well accessible – holder for the vital cup of coffee just below the driver’s side air vent. All in all, this new 4x4 is quite an achievement for the Hino organisation. The conservative Japanese truck manufacturers take a lot of convincing to head in a new direction. Hino Australia has managed its own development program to come up with a design that ticks all of the boxes in Tokyo, and will be added to the portfolio of models offered by the company around the world.

February, 2018 Prime Mover, National Author: Peter Shields And Bianca Dohnt • Section: General News Article Type: News Item • Audience : 15,000 • Page: 56 • Printed size: 1116.00cm² Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 7,998 • words: 910 Item ID: 911917259 Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

FiNAL MILE

MADE TOUG

AFTERTH REE YEARS OF EXTENSIVETESTING, HINO HAS LAUNCHEDTHE 300 SERIES 4X4 EXCLUSIVELY IN AUSTRALIAN, FILLING A MARKET GAP FORTHE JAPANESE MANUFACTURER. Story by Peter Shields and Bianca Dohnt.

n November 2017, Japanese truck manufacturer, Hino, held the longawaited launch for its new 300 Series 4x4 models. The Australian location for the launch was appropriate for the global release, considering that the truck was built specifically to fill a market gap that Hino had identified among its Australian clientele. The lack of a light-duty 4x4 truck in the Hino lineup was a deal-breaker for some large buyers, Hino says, particularly those looking to approach one manufacturer to supply their entire fleet. So in 2009, the company made the decision to develop the 300 series 4x4, and the project began to engineer a 4.5-7.5-tonne gross vehicle ib

• February 2 0 1 8

mass (GVM) truck. Real-world testing of prototypes began here in 2014 with the Cook Shire Council in Cape York in far north Queensland, and Kennedy Drilling in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Passing the test with flying colours, the Kennedy Drilling team particularly highlighted the use of the four disc brakes, which are less likely to be affected by water or dust compared to drum brake systems - something of extreme importance for off-road applications. In recognition of these environments, the 300 4x4's air intake has been raised more than a metre compared to the 4x2 to better protect the engine from dust.

The engine is the Euro 5 Hino N04C four-litre engine, which delivers 121kW (165hp) at 2,500rpm and a maximum torque of 464Nm at l,400rpm. For the type of work that such a vehicle can be expected to handle the engine still has around 380Nm available at l,000rpm, which makes the truck very tractable. During our test we tackle some of the roughest terrains using low range in either third or fourth gear and the engine doesn't even seem like it will stall. The truck trundles along nicely in freeway and suburban driving, but really comes into its own on the logging track section of the test. Manually engaging the twist action front hub locks sets the vehicle

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O FAST FACT According to Hino, the 4.5-7.5-tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM) 4x4 market in Australia represents approximately 700 new units per year, spread predominantly across mining (32 per cent) and fire (27 per cent) applications.

ready to engage 4x4 mode, which is easily selected with switches located in the centre of the dash. Although we don't drop any air pressure in the tyres, the Hino takes the roughest and steepest sections with ease. Using low range third and fourth gears and the torque of the engine to maintain momentum, we are able to negotiate just about any obstacle and only resort to the lower gears when climbing up sandstone shelves that exceed around 300mm in height. The 4x4 versions of the Hino 300 are fitted with a six-speed all-synchromesh manual transmission. The transfer case provides a low range reduction of 2.2:1 and has been sourced from the 13-tonne GVM Hino 500 GT 4x4, so it is well proven. The front and rear suspension incorporates multi leaf springs in place

of the softer riding parabolics on the 4x2 models, and the shock absorbers perform a reasonable job of smoothing out the smaller bumps and corrugations. Over the bumpy tracks, the driver's magneticallydampened, torsion bar spring suspended seat works hard to keep the driver comfortable, though the same comfort isn't afforded to the passenger or rear bench seat. However, the rear passengers are treated to a dedicated air conditioning console mounted at the back of the front row of seats and a separate heater unit located beneath the rear seat. Getting in and Out is assisted for passengers and drivers alike with three points of contact, helping crew into the raised vehicle, which is quite high off the ground for a small truck. The Hino 300 is the first Japanese 4x4 light truck to have Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and

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Hino says 33 per cent of fatal accidents recorded could have been prevented had VSC intervened. However, the feature along with the ABS - is disengaged when the 1 lino is in 4x4 mode, to allow tighter manual control over rough terrain at slower speeds. VSC is on the must-have list for many mine operators as well as those involved in bushfire fighting applications. In acknowledgement that the truck can be destined for applications in remote locations the 300 4x4 has a total of 170 litres of fuel capacity spread across two tanks. The test truck is a dual cab so both tanks are mounted on the driver's side, while the single cabs have the 100-litre tank on the driver's side and the 70-litre auxiliary tank mounted on the kerb side. Another handy feature for the target market is the optional locally sourced alloy bull bar that is capable of accommodating up to an eight-tonne capacity winch, and the reversing camera is a handy piece of standard equipment that uses the familiar audio unit's screen. Forward vision is enhanced by the cab's height and the slim A pillars. Though a long time in the making, Hino Australia made a good decision not to rush the release of the 4x4 versions of the 300 Series, and its commitment to years of comprehensive testing in harsh environments has resulted in vehicles that will be well up to the tasks expected of them - and sometimes beyond. (3) primemovermag.com.au

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02 Jun 2017 Big Rigs, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 28,491 • Page: 35 Printed size: 454.00cm² • Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,945 words: 526 • Item ID: 784560737

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September, 2017 Owner Driver, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 33,690 • Page: 76 Printed size: 446.00cm² • Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 2,077 words: 546 • Item ID: 843659431

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First for Hino MORE POWER and torque, more gears, more comfort and more safety that's what Hino Australia is promising with the release of its first 300 Series 4x4 light-duty truck. Hino Australia revealed the full specifications of its 300 Series 4x4 ahead of the display of the new vehicle, at the recent AFAC conference for fire and emergency service professionals in Sydney. "Quite simply, we believe this is the best light-duty 4x4 truck on the Australian market," says Daniel Petrovski, manager, product strategy for Hino Australia. Hino says the new light-duty 4x4 was devised in response to the demands of Australian customers. It adds that the 300 4x4 was comprehensively tested in an Australian field test program over a number of years. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 is available in single cab and crew cab configurations, both powered by a 165hp (12lkW), 464Nm, 4-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual overdrive transmission and a dual-range 4x4 transfer case. Operational safety comes through the standard inclusion of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which Hino says is a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category, together with four-wheel disc brakes and a reversing camera. The Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 combines a six-speed manual transmission with a dual-range transfer case and selectable 4x4. "With a six-speed overdrive manual transmission mated to a Hino transfer case with superior low-range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class," Petrovski says. "This means the 300 Series 4x4 can crawl slower off-road than its rivals, providing better vehicle control in tricky off-road conditions, which is a key measure of performance in that market." The driveline combination is also said to improve fuel efficiency, reduce noise levels and increase comfort levels during long-distance driving by lowering the engine rpm at highway speeds. According to Hino, when 4x4 is engaged via the transfer case, drive is delivered 50/50 to the front and rear axles. Free-wheeling hubs are a standard feature and are manually locked; once engaged, 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver, via a button on the dashboard. High or low range is also driver selectable via a button on the dashboard — the vehicle must be stationary to change ranges. The selection of 4x4 and high low range are indicated to the driver within the vehicle's instrumentation display. "The Hino 300 Series 4x4 is now the safest Japanese-built truck in its class, with an impressive list of standard features, including driver and passenger SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, cruise control, four-wheel disc brakes and reverse camera," Petrovski continues. Hino states that the vehicle is the only 7500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 4x4 truck in Australia, with VSC and reverse camera as standard features. "The Hino 300 Series 4x4 will be the only 7500 GVM 4x4 with four-wheel

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disc brakes, which reduce stopping distances and increase servicing efficiency, which we know is key for our customers in remote locations." Hino says driver comfort was a priority when designing the new truck. Features include the ergonomically designed interior, featuring a magnetically dampened driver's suspension seat and updated instrumentation and switches for 4x4 operation. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 will be begin arriving at selected Hino dealerships in October. •

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01 Dec 2017 Transport & Trucking Australia, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 0 • Page: 22 Printed size: 2626.00cm² • Market: NSW • Country: Australia • ASR: N/A • words: 1369 Item ID: 899540673

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* *•*+

WITH CURRENT ANNUAL SALES OF AROUND 600 UNITS THE LIGHT DUTY 4X4 SECTOR IS NOT HUGE. SO HINO'S ENTRY INTO THIS NICHE ISN'T LIKELYTO BRING A HUGE SALES BOOST, HOWEVER IT IS STILL ATTRACTIVE, DELIVERING GOOD FLEET CONNECTIONS, PARTICULARLY WITH RURAL FIRE SERVICES AND MINING OPERATIONS, AS ISUZU AND FUSO HAVE PROVED. EDITOR WHITING WENT ALONG TO THE LAUNCH TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT HINO'S 300 SERIES 4X4. www.truckandbus.net.au 023

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ino chose the 2017 Brisbane truck show to preview its new 4x4 light truck competitor, the 300, so by the time the launch came around in November we were chomping at the bit to try it. Hino's chosen model for Australia is the 300 Series 817 and that model number roughly indicates eight tonnes GVM and 170hp. However the actual GVM is 7.5 tonnes and the output is 165hp. The Hino 4x4 is available in single cab and crew cab configurations, both powered by the 165hp (121kW), 464Nm, four-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual overdrive manual transmission and a dualrange 4x4 transfer case. The Hino N04C engine is Euro 5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises a Diesel Particulate active Reduction filter (DPR), which has proven its reliability in Australian applications over the past 10 years. The Hino DPR is said to capture 95 per cent of exhaust particulates and is designed to be automatically self-cleaning (regenerating) without the need for driver intervention. The Hino transfer case comes from the larger GT 4x4 model and, with low range

gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class. Overall reduction in low-low is 65:1. A bonus of using the GT's air-shift transfer case is an on-board electric air compressor that can be upgraded to act as a tyre inflator and to power air tools. Free-wheeling hubs are standard and are manually locked. Once the hubs are engaged 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver, via a button on the dashboard. Standard equipment includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) - a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category - fourwheel disc brakes, driver and passenger SRS airbags and a reversing camera. Working in conjunction with the brake and engine control systems, VSC helps prevent the truck from rolling over after entering a corner too fast by monitoring the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces. VSC can take the appropriate action: reducing engine power and/or applying individual brakes with the intent of keeping the vehicle upright. VSC is also able to enhance vehicle stability on loose or slippery surfaces by

reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels. The new Hino 4x4 uses a novel chassis layout that features a straight-rail ladder frame, with a supplementary frame bolted underneath it from around the mid point all the way to the rear. The rear suspension bolts to this lower frame. This unique layout provides straight upper rails, for ease of mounting bodywork and accessories; a high-set forward chassis to accommodate a drive axle underneath it and rear suspension hangers that don't need to be complex and heavy dropped types. As a result, the 817 has the highest tare weight in its class, but the upside should be great inherent strength. It gives away around 300kg to the Isuzu NPS 4x4 and that may be critical in such vocations as fire-fighting, where every litre counts. Although there's no plan for a factorybuilt, single-tyred version to tackle the burgeoning 4WD motorhome market the prototype had inbuilt front hub spacers, to widen front axle track to better match the wheel track of the rear duals. Although Hino has pulled up short of providing a wide-single-tyre package,

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wide-singles will be available as a dealerfit option, probably using All Terrain Warrior wheels. Likewise, there's no rear axle differential lock in the specification, but an Eaton No Spin self-locker is also a dealer-fit option. The extensive Australian testing that the Hino 4x4 has undergone underpins its 'Made 4 Australia, Made 4 Work' positioning. Developed specifically for the Australian market, the 817 4x4 has undergone extensive testing in some of the country's most rugged operating conditions. Selected Hino customers have been evaluating prototype trucks on and offroad in some of the harshest Australian bush-tracks, trails and roads since 2014.

VSC IS ALSO ABLE TO ENHANCE VEHICLE STABILITY ON LOOSE OR SLIPPERY SURFACES

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"In addition to developing the truck on test tracks in Japan, three prototype 300 Series 4x4 vehicles have also undergone years of real-life infield testing," said Daniel Petrovski, the manager of product strategy for Hino Motor Sales Australia. "The test vehicles have operated flawlessly across various types of terrain from the deserts of Australia's interior to the rain forests of Queensland's Cape York. "Given the success of the Hino 500 Series FT and GT 4x4 models and the record breaking results we have seen by Hino at the Dakar Rally, the new 300 series 4x4 models come with a champion 4x4 pedigree. "With this and the extensive Australian field testing, we are extremely confident

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that it will be a popular choice for our customers," concluded Mr Petrovski. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty. Getting in and out of 4x4 trucks can be an awkward climb, but Hino has made the task relatively easy. The three access steps are arranged in a 'staircase' layout that puts the bottom step outboard of the upper ones. The front tyre can also serve as an additional step. Two grab handles flank the door opening, so it's always possible to have three contact points when getting in and out. A standard suspension seat with magnetically variable damping is standard, but, unfortunately, a singlepassenger suspension seat to replace the standard two-place bench is not. That's another dealer-fit option. Ergonomics are generally good, but we reckon the 4WD and High-Low range switches are too far from the driver. There's vacant switch space nearer to the steering column and that's where they should be. The heated, power-adjustable rear vision mirrors are 'big truck' types that give excellent flat-plane and spotter images. The swing-away brackets are strong and

easy enough to fold in while on the move, to reduce the chance of mirror damage from tree branches. The Hino six-speed main box is stirred by a stubby lever that has short throws. The test trucks were brand new, so shift action was a tad tight. We like the gate layout that puts first gear and reverse directly opposite - essential for quick shifting when 'rocking' a stuck vehicle out of rut hollows. The four-litre diesel did its job quietly, with mechanical noise evident only with revs above 3000rpm. That red band was useful only for engine braking, because the torquey donk did its best from around 1400rpm up to 2800rpm, climbing most highway grades in fifth or sixth cog. Ride quality isn't the strong point of Japanese 4x4 trucks, but the loaded Hinos we drove rode better than their Japanesemade competitors, thanks to their longer front springs. A set of top-quality dampers should improve that even further. Obviously, the driver's suspension seat damped out more bump action than the fixed passenger perches, but ride quality in the passenger perches - without suspension seating - was acceptable.

Fatter, lower-pressure tyres would improve it even more, but there are payload compromises with the single-tyre option. Handling was flat and steering was accurate with good road feel on bitumen surfaces, but the skinny front tyres showed some side slip and understeer on pea gravel roads. The ABS disc brake system worked effectively on sealed and dirt roads, but the ABS function was deactivated when 4WD was selected. Selecting 4WD and low-range was done with the simple press of dashboard buttons and the action was instantaneous. High-range-4WD could be selected on the run, provided the front free-wheeling hubs were locked. The system is part-time4WD, so it's not intended for full-time use on high-friction surfaces. For low-range selection the truck needed to be stopped and in neutral. With overall reduction of 65:1 the Hino 300 4x4 climbed and descended very steep grades effortlessly, including a testing 1:1.5 concrete ramp. We'll have a test vehicle for a week's evaluation in the very near future. Watch this space. 0

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October, 2017 Prime Mover, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 15,000 • Page: 16 Printed size: 340.00cm² • Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 2,437 words: 461 • Item ID: 860532728

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Hino 300 series 4x4 details revealed Hino has revealed the full specifications of the long-awaited Hino 300 4x4 model, available in single cab and crew cab configurations. Both are powered by a four-litre diesel engine delivering 165hp (121 kW) at 2,500rpm and 464Nm of torque at 1,400 rpm, mated to a sixspeed manual overdrive transmission and a dual range 4x4 transfer case. "With a six-speed overdrive manual transmission mated to a Hino transfer case with superior low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class," said Daniel Petrovski, Manager, Product Strategy for Hino Australia. "This means the 300 Series 4x4 can crawl slower off-road than its rivals, providing better vehicle control in tricky off-road conditions, which is a key measure of performance in that market." Free-wheeling hubs are a standard feature and are manually locked. Once engaged 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver via a button on the dashboard, which delivers drive 50/50 to the front and rear axles. High or low range is also driver selectable via a button on the dashboard - the vehicle must be stationary to change ranges. The selection of 4x4 and high low range are indicated to the driver within the vehicle's instrumentation display. The Hino N04C engine is Euro V ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises the Hino Diesel Particulate active Reduction filter (DPR), which reportedly captures over 95 per cent of the

exhaust particulates (soot). In terms of safety, the Hino 300 Series 4x4 list of standard features includes driver and passenger SRS airbags, cruise control, four wheel disc brakes and reverse camera. The Hino 300 is reportedly the only 7,500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 4x4 in Australia with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which helps prevent the truck from potentially rolling over when entering a corner too fast by monitoring the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces. The 300 series 4x4 has significantly increased ground clearance over a 4x2 model, and has been designed with a 'surefooted step arrangement' and long hand grips for three points of contact when entering and exiting the truck via

the slip resistant access steps. Driver comfort features include an economically designed interior, featuring a magnetically dampened driver's suspension seat and reinforced multi-leaf front and rear suspension for ride stability. The new model's 840mm wide chassis with rivet-less top flange and grid hole design also reportedly allows for easier body fitting. According to Hino, the 300 series 4x4 has undergone extensive in field Australian testing. "Selected Hino customers have been evaluating prototype trucks on and off-road on some of Australia's harshest bush tracks, trails and roads over a number of years, and they haven't missed a beat," said Petrovski.

January, 2018 Australian Mining Review, National Section: General News â&#x20AC;˘ Article Type: News Item â&#x20AC;˘ Audience : 3,669 â&#x20AC;˘ Page: 40 Printed size: 963.00cmÂ˛ â&#x20AC;˘ Market: National â&#x20AC;˘ Country: Australia â&#x20AC;˘ ASR: AUD 4,240 words: 947 â&#x20AC;˘ Item ID: 894080160

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HINO

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All images: HINO.

BRINGS LIGHT DUTY 4X4 TO MARKET

JAPANESE auto manufacturer HINO has recently launched its 4x4 300 Series light duty trucks to the Australian market. 7KH 6HULHV PDUNV +,12ÂˇV Ă&#x20AC;UVW HQWUDQW into the light duty category of vehicles, aimed at complementing its medium (500 Series) and heavy (700 Series) vehicle lines. Australia, with its rugged and diverse WHUUDLQ ZDV FKRVHQ DV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW PDUNHW WR launch its new category. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been testing prototypes of the 4x4 here for over three years, with real-world customers whose feedback has HQDEOHG XV WR UHĂ&#x20AC;QH WKH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ RI D WUXFN EXLOW VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ IRU WKH $XVWUDOLDQ market,â&#x20AC;? HINO product strategy manager Daniel Petrovski said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 300 Series 4x4 is a specialised vehicle and this sort of approach has JHQXLQHO\ EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WWHG ZKDW ZH FDQ QRZ RIIHU our customers.â&#x20AC;? Mr Petrovski said real world testing of the vehicles gave the production team valuable information on how to approach the market. 6SHFLĂ&#x20AC;F WR WKH PLQLQJ LQGXVWU\ WKH\ chose exploration drilling contractor .HQQHG\ 'ULOOLQJ WR Ă&#x20AC;HOG WHVW WKH YHKLFOHV across Australia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kennedy Drilling specialises in RC, RAB and air core drilling and has an area of operation that is basically all of WA out through NT, over to QLD and down through South Australia,â&#x20AC;? Mr Petrovski said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They cover more than half of the country, and a lot of that is off-road, or severe off-road, towing trailers and operating through the scrub â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is essentially one of the harshest RSHUDWLRQV WKDW ZH FRXOG Ă&#x20AC;QG Âľ Kennedy Drilling maintenance supervisor Wade Bransgrove said he was impressed with the seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; air intake ability driving through dusty terrain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The low air intake on the test truck sucked up the dust but the most impressive thing for me was that the intake never bypassed,â&#x20AC;? Mr Bransgrove said. Â´,ÂˇYH VHHQ D ORW RI Ă&#x20AC;OWHUV JHW WR WKDW SRLQW they start to crush and let dirt passed and there goes your engine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I purposely let it do 10,000 kilometres before even checking if it could cope â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it could.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about being able to offer our customers a one-stop shop solution, where HINO can provide a complete range of trucking requirements, from light duty 4x4, our medium duty 500 series, right up to our heavy duty 72-tonne GCM trucks.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 300 Series has four wheel ventilate disc brakes as standard and vehicle stability control (VSC) is a part of that disc brake solution,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It keeps the vehicle on the corner or where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got it pointed. Basically it looks at your centre of gravity, how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving around a corner and it will take the steps needed to help you get around that corner safely; that may mean de-powering the engine or individual brake applications.

BeneďŹ ts to miners

Built for Australia â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to enter a new category in WKH $XVWUDOLDQ WUXFN PDUNHW IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW time, you want to do it with a product that sets a new benchmark for that category and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done with the new 300 Series 4x4,â&#x20AC;? Mr Petrovski said.

and the press of a dash-mounted button to engage with 4x4 in the transfer case which sends drive through the front drive shaft. Likewise, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range can be selected with the press of a dash-mounted button to engage the transfer cases class leading 2.2:1 low range reduction ratio.

Both Single and Crew Cab variants are powered by a 4-litre HINO N04C-UT turbocharged diesel engine.

The transmission and transfer case ratios have been specially selected and recognise the broad range of applications in which the Hino 300 Series 4x4 is likely to work in.

The N04C utilises common-rail fuel injection technology combined with a Variable Nozzle Turbocharger (VNT) to deliver a maximum power of 165hp (121kW) and 464Nm of torque.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This means the Hino 300 Series 4x4 ZLWK LWV Ă&#x20AC;UVW JHDU WUDQVPLVVLRQ UDWLR RI 6.369:1 and the transfer cases low range 2.2:1 ratio will crawl across the most rugged terrain,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Petrovski.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an engine thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed to perform and to deliver the right mix of useable performance on highways, dirt roads and in serious off-road 4x4 applications.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Conversely, it is equally as comfortable cruising at 100km/h with the engine running at a conservative 2440rpm.â&#x20AC;?

4-wheel-drive (4x4) is selected by a combination of manual locking front hubs

Mr Petrovski said that safety was GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ QRW DQ DIWHU WKRXJKW LQ WKH GHVLJQ and manufacture of the 300 Series.

Mr Petrovski said the 300 Series would easily stand up to hard accessibility and the heavy loads necessary in mining and exploration duties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has more power and torque than any other competitor, more gears (6 speed manual) and a transfer case with a lower low range,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What that combination does is give you better â&#x20AC;&#x153;crawlabilityâ&#x20AC;? and slow speed PDQRHXYULQJ LQ Ă&#x20AC;UVW JHDU ORZ UDQJH â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also has great six gear two-wheel drive high range with 100km/hr cruising speed, low engine RPM and a nice quiet cabin ride. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mining customers are always looking for a truck with a great payload. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our HINO 4x4 enters at the top of the light duty market with 7.5 tonnes GCM.â&#x20AC;? Mr Petrovski said that with the addition of the 300 Series to the Australian market would give customers a superior range of required vehicles. Â´7KH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI DGGLQJ WKH VHULHV WR the market is that we are able to provide our customers a consolidated product offering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about being able to offer our customers a one-stop shop solution, where HINO can provide a complete range of trucking requirements, from light duty 4x4, our medium duty 500 series, right up to our heavy duty 72-tonne GCM trucks.â&#x20AC;? *An Australian Mining Review journalist was at the launch as a guest of HINO Australia.

08 Feb 2018 South Western Times, Bunbury WA Section: Wheels • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 7,270 • Page: 19 Printed size: 455.00cm² • Market: WA • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,270 words: 490 • Item ID: 909584759

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Hino tested to suit Aussie conditions H INO has launched its much anticipated 300 Series 4x4 at Bunbury Trucks. Although not a high volume model, the 300 Series 817 will provide Hino a much-needed competitor in the light duty 4x4 truck market. The 817 model number roughly indicates eight tonnes GVM and 170hp. The actual GVM is 7.5 tonnes and the output is in fact 165hp. The new Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 will be available in single and crew cab configurations, both powered by the 165hp (121kW), 464Nm, fourlitre diesel engine mated to a sixspeed manual overdrive transmission and a dual range 4x4 transfer case. The Hino N04C engine is Euro 5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises a Diesel Particulate active Reduction filter (DPR), which has proven its reliability in Australian applications for 10 years. The Hino DPR is said to capture 95 per cent of exhaust particulates and is designed to be automatically self-cleaning (regenerating) without the need for driver intervention. The Hino transfer case comes from the bigger GT 4x4 model and, with low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 Series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class. Overall reduction in low-low is 65:1. A bonus of using the GT’s airshift transfer case is an on-board electric air compressor that can be upgraded to act as a tyre inflator

and to power air tools. Free-wheeling hubs are standard and are manually locked. Once the hubs are engaged, 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver via a button on the dashboard. Standard equipment includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) – a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category – four-wheel disc

brakes, driver and passenger SRS air-bags and a reversing camera. Working in conjunction with the brake and engine control systems, VSC helps prevent the truck from rolling over after entering a corner too fast by monitoring the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces.

VSC can take the appropriate action: reducing engine power and/or applying individual brakes with the intent of keeping the vehicle upright. It is also able to enhance vehicle stability on loose or slippery surfaces by reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels. The extensive Australian testing that the Hino 4x4 has undergone means it has been developed specifically for the Australian market and country in the most rugged operating conditions. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 comes with a three year/100,000km warranty. Contact Bunbury Trucks to inquire about the new Hino by visiting the centre at 1 Olive Court, Bunbury or by calling Torren on 0417 961 940.

Built for harsh conditions, the new Hino is built for Australia.

The Hino 300 Series 4x4 has been proven to perform in one of the world’s toughest testing grounds.

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hi l stability bili l ddual l air-bags i b d a reverse camera are all ll ffeatures of f the h new Hino. i Vehicle control, and

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18 Jan 2018 South Western Times, Bunbury WA Section: Wheels • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 7,270 • Page: 15 Printed size: 460.00cm² • Market: WA • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,284 words: 481 • Item ID: 900609674

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New Hino truck challenges market H

INO has launched its much anticipated 300 Series 4x4 at Bunbury Trucks. Although not a high volume model, the 300 Series 817 will provide Hino a much-needed competitor in the light duty 4x4 truck market. The 817 model number roughly indicates eight tonnes GVM and 170hp. The actual GVM is 7.5 tonnes and the output is in fact 165hp. The new Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 will be available in single and crew cab configurations, both powered by the 165hp (121kW), 464Nm, fourlitre diesel engine mated to a sixspeed manual overdrive transmission and a dual range 4x4 transfer case. The Hino N04C engine is Euro 5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises a Diesel Particulate active Reduction filter (DPR), which has proven its reliability in Australian applications for 10 years. The Hino DPR is said to capture 95 per cent of exhaust particulates and is designed to be automatically self-cleaning (regenerating) without the need for driver intervention. The Hino transfer case comes from the bigger GT 4x4 model and, with low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 Series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class. Overall reduction in low-low is 65:1. A bonus of using the GT’s airshift transfer case is an on-board electric air compressor that can be upgraded to act as a tyre inflator and to power air tools. Free-wheeling hubs are standard and are manually locked. Once the hubs are engaged, 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver via a button on the dashboard. Standard equipment includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) – a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category – four-wheel disc brakes, driver and passenger SRS

air-bags and a reversing camera. Working in conjunction with the brake and engine control systems, VSC helps prevent the truck from rolling over after entering a corner too fast by monitoring the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces. VSC can take the appropriate action: reducing engine power and/or applying individual brakes with the intent of keeping the vehicle upright. It is also able to enhance vehicle stability on loose or slippery surfaces by reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels. The extensive Australian testing that the Hino 4x4 has undergone means it has been developed specifically for the Australian market and country in the most rugged operating conditions. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 comes with a three year/100,000km warranty. Contact Bunbury Trucks to inquire about the new Hino by visiting the centre at 1 Olive Court, Bunbury or by calling Torren on 0417 961 940.

Built Builtfor forharsh harshconditions conditions,the thenew newHino Hinoisisbuilt builtfor forAustralia Australia.

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The Hino 300 Series 4x4 has been proven to perform in one of the world’s toughest testing grounds.

Vehicle stability control, dual airbags and a reverse camera are all features of the new Hino.

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28 Dec 2017 South Western Times, Bunbury WA Section: Wheels • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 7,270 • Page: 14 Printed size: 406.00cm² • Market: WA • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,133 words: 448 • Item ID: 892283619

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Hino unleashes its 300 Series H

INO has finally launched its much anticipated 300 Series 4x4 at Bunbury Trucks. Although not a high volume model, the 300 Series 817 will provide Hino a much-needed competitor in the light duty 4x4 truck market. The 817 model number roughly indicates eight tonnes GVM and 170hp. The actual GVM is 7.5 tonnes and the output is in fact 165hp. The new Hino 300 Series 817 4x4 will be available in single and crew cab configurations, both powered by the 165hp (121kW), 464Nm, four-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual overdrive transmission and a dual range 4x4 transfer case. The Hino N04C engine is Euro 5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant and utilises a Diesel Particulate active Reduction filter (DPR), which has proven its reliability in Australian applications over the past 10 years. The Hino DPR is said to capture 95 per cent of exhaust particulates and is designed to be automatically selfcleaning (regnerating) without the need for driver intervention. The Hino transfer case comes from the bigger GT 4x4 model and, with low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 Series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class. Overall reduction in low-low is 65:1. A bonus of using the GT’s air-shift transfer case is an on-board electric air compressor that can be upgraded to act as a tyre inflator and to power air tools. Free-wheeling hubs are standard and are manually locked.

Once the hubs are engaged, 4x4 can be selected on the move by the driver via a button on the dashboard. Standard equipment includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) – a first for a Japanese-built truck in this category – four-wheel disc brakes, driver and passenger SRS air-bags and a reversing camera. Working in conjunction with the brake and engine control systems, VSC helps prevent the truck from rolling over after entering a corner too fast by monitoring the steering angle, wheel rotation speed, yaw rate and lateral G forces. VSC can take the appropriate action: reducing engine power and/or applying individual brakes with the intent of keeping the vehicle upright. It is also able to enhance vehicle stability on loose or slippery surfaces by reducing engine power and applying the brakes to individual wheels. The extensive Australian testing that the Hino 4x4 has undergone means it has been developed specifically for the Australian market and country in the most rugged operating conditions. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 comes with a three year/100,000km warranty. Contact Bunbury Trucks to inquire about the new Hino by visiting the centre at 1 Olive Court, Bunbury or by calling Torren on 0417 961 940.

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The new Hino is built for Australia.

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February, 2018 Truckin' Life, National Author: Jereme Lane • Section: General News • Article Type: News Item Audience : 20,942 • Page: 48 • Printed size: 1055.00cm² • Market: National Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 6,680 • words: 695 • Item ID: 907271204

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Rigorous product testing in the Aussie bush has culminated in the release of a highly capable light duty 4x4 truck from Hino WORDS BY JEREME LANE

ino Australia unveiled its 4x4 version of the 300 series light duty truck to the media recently at the Melbourne 4x4 Proving Ground in Werribee. Available in single or crew cab configurations, it's powered by a 165hp (121kW), 464Nm, 4-litre diesel engine and has a 7,500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). The 300 series combines a 6-speed

manual overdrive transmission with a dual-range transfer case and selectable low and high range 4x4 delivering 50/50 drive between the front and rear axles. "With superior low range gearing of 2.2:1, the Hino 300 series 4x4 has the widest spread of ratios and the lowest crawl speed in its class," said Hino's product strategy manager, Daniel Petrovski. Free-wheeling hubs are standard and need to be manually locked before

engaging 4x4 with a button on the dash. Provided the hubs are locked 4x4 can be engaged or disengaged on the move. High and low gear is also selected using a button on the dash. The 4x4 version also features more ground clearance than the 4x2 model with the fuel tank raised by over 200mm and an extra 30 and 40mm on the diff and transmission respectively. The safety features include driver and passenger airbags, Vehicle Stability

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Control (VSC), cruise control, 4-wheel disc brakes and a reversing camera which Mr Petrovski said makes it the, "safest Japanese-built truck in its class." VSC uses the brakes and engine to help prevent the truck rolling or skidding by monitoring steering and speed and overriding the driver by applying the brakes and/or reducing engine power where necessary. The 300 series 4x4 is the only 7,500kg GVM truck that features VSC, a reversing camera and 4-wheel disc brakes. Prototypes of the 4x4 version have been trialled in day-to-day operations with both Cook Shire Council in Far North Queensland and Kennedy Drilling in remote WA. "We have been testing the 4x4 here for over three years, with real-world customers whose feedback has enabled us to refine the specification of a truck built specifically for the Australian market, Petrovski said.

Testing After looking over the vehicles, members of the media took the 300 series 4x4 on a 180km round trip through the

Letting low gear do it's thing on a steep incline

Lerderderg State Forest on a combination of sealed and unsealed roads. While it certainly wasn't a real test by any stretch, it was long enough to get a quick idea of how the truck performs. The 300 scries is powered nicely and has plenty of torque to get up the hills with minimal gear shifting even with a full payload. First gear wasn't required at all during this particular trip.

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The cab is spacious and has good vision especially at turns and roundabouts with the narrow A-pillars, and the air-con in the back of the crew cab model is a good touch. The magnetically dampened driver's suspension seat is fantastic and cushioned any bumps nicely making for a very comfortable drive. After the road drive, we then took the 300 series around the Proving Ground through a few 4x4 situations. It handled some pretty severe inclines and declines very well and has a lowrange first gear crawl speed of 2.3km/h which offers amazing control going up a steep slope or through a rough section of track. I was the only person to get bogged after I underestimated the size of a tree root through a water crossing but I'll put my hand up to driver error on that one. The recovery was simple and another 300 series snatched us out very easily. Based on the day of testing, it's easy to see why Cook Shire Council and Kennedy Drilling were full of praise for the vehicle. There's no way to test durability or true off-road ability after one-day of driving but if it's held up to the three years of testing that Hino claims it has, it's an impressive report card. The Hino 300 Series 4x4 is a comfortable and capable off-road vehicle that will appeal to anyone doing lots of work or lots of kilometres off road. Available now through the Hino dealer network. •

18 Nov 2017 Weekend West, Perth Author: David Meredith • Section: Motoring • Article Type: News Item Audience : 207,801 • Page: 19 • Printed size: 472.00cm² • Market: WA Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 13,307 • words: 590 • Item ID: 875688852

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Local input helps Hino Light-duty 4x4 impresses at testing David Meredith

ino has scored a record with the new 300 series 4x4 light-duty truck — but not in regards to volume or market share, though. This new model wasn’t anywhere on Hino’s global radar until the Australian operation fronted up to head office in Tokyo and said emphatically: “We need this.” Getting the technology right meant looking at what was in the supply lines that could be used to convert the strictly urban 300 series light truck into something it wasn’t originally intended to be. Projected volume in Australia, plus any extra that might come from a spread into other global sales areas, wasn’t enough to justify the engineering effort needed to design and build the key components from scratch. It was strictly a parts bin process: look for what you need and, if it already exists, see what you can make of it. Fortunately the central component, the transfer case, existed in the 500 series GT. It was a little larger than really necessary but had enough torque capacity to handle an engine with twice as much grunt as the 300’s 3.9-litre four. The only problem was it was air-operated, while the 300 platform is hydraulic. The solution was a small electric compressor mounted behind one of the chassis cross members and an air tank reservoir mounted on the side

of the nearside rail. Further refinement saw a protective coat applied to the front of the air tank to protect it against sand and grit damage from the tyres. The braking system was another area that was customised to meet the Australian requirements. Hino wanted to fit drum brakes all-round, assuming that the drums would be more serviceable than discs in off-road conditions. But the feedback from dealers and customers was quite the opposite. Dust and grit entry can mean a big job to remove, clean and service. But the discs largely self-clean and a pad replacement is relatively easy. So all-round discs it is. With the platform right, it was a process of refinement that needed extensive testing in Australian real-world conditions. Two candidates were represented as ideal testing grounds. Kennedy Drilling in Kalgoorlie was handed a truck three years ago and put it to work immediately. The test trucks have covered more than 40,000km each without a hitch, and Kennedy’s maintenance supervisor Wade Bransgrove told me the drivers were particularly impressed with the low-speed torque. Feedback from the testing here and in Queensland led to the air intake being raised to minimise dust intrusion and reduce air cleaner service requirements. Since the production of the prototypes, Hino has also added

an air gap between the chassis rail and rear suspension subframe. It helps with some necessary chassis flexibility but also eliminates a corrosion hot-spot. I drove the new Hino several hundred kilometres across bitumen and dirt, plus an off-road section with water crossings. The engine’s 165hp and 464Nm of torque made for a comfortable cruise. Most of the test trucks were loaded up to about seven tonnes and worked hard on steep hills but the overdrive top made for quiet cruising on the flat. WA Hino already has several orders and anticipates a strong interest from local fire and emergency people. LOWDOWN

HINO 817 Models 4x4 single and crew cab Prices $81,000 and $88,000 Engine 3.9-litre turbo-diesel Outputs 165hp/464Nm Transmission Six-speed overdrive manual with two-speed transfer case and manual front hubs Safety Airbags driver and passenger, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control

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Robust chassis and diesel torque gets the 300 4x4 through most terrain.

July, 2017 Australia’s Mining Monthly, National Section: General News • Article Type: News Item • Audience : 8,286 • Page: 55 Printed size: 169.00cm² • Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,662 words: 179 • Item ID: 806530871

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The Hino 300 Series 817 4x4

Hankering for a Hino? HINO Australia has given a sneak peek of its 300 Series 4x4 model at the recent Brisbane Truck Show - the first time the truck has been displayed globally. Developed for the Australian market the prototype has undergone extensive testing in some of the country's most rugged operating conditions. The truck has a gross vehicle mass of 7500kg and its engine turns out north of 120 kilowatts. "The test vehicles have operated flawlessly across various types of terrain from the deserts of Australia's interior to the

on trial in

Australia.

rainforests of far northern Queensland's Cape York," Hino Motor Sales Australia manager product strategy Daniel Petrovski said. "Its a model customers and dealers have been asking us for - it is particularly significant as it will allow Hino to enter new segments of the market like mining that we have not had access to before." Called the Series 300 817 the truck has vehicle stability control and a reverse camera as standard. The truck is expected to launch in the fourth quarter.