A U S T R A L I A’ S L E A D I N G T R U C K A N D E N G I N E M A G A Z I N E
www.powertorque.com.au ISSUE 40 April/May 2011 RRP: $7.95 (NZ $8.95)
SCANIA 730 HP
Feeling the
Blues
The Philips MasterDuty BlueVision is the first 24V upgrade on the market to offer truck drivers the advantages of 4000K White Light. A heavy duty bulb designed to give clearer vision for truck drivers operating under extreme conditions. MasterDuty bulbs are designed with BlueVision technology along with a double-coil vibration-resistance filament construction that will handle extreme conditions on or off the road. They are available in H3,
Mixing it with the best The Brisbane Truck Show is the venue for ZF Services Australia to showcase an ECOMIX II mixer transmission in parallel with the ZF AS Tronic Automated Shift Transmission and the SACHS range of shock absorbers for commercial vehicles. The new generation of ECOMIX transmissions for transport mixers weighs 20 percent less and is 50 percent shorter than previous models. “The robust design of the CML (Concrete Mixer Lowspeed) range of mixer transmissions offers the vehicle manufacturer more design freedom, potentially offering a larger load on a smaller chassis,” said Darren Leyshon,, Aftersales Manager for ZF Services. “Acoustic and mechanic decoupling of drum and vehicle frame allow for considerable noise reduction during operation and improved driving comfort,” he added. Traditionally known for strength in European makes, SACHS shock absorbers are also available for Australian, US and Asian makes of truck, as well as buses, trailers and vans. “Added to the newly launched range of passenger car applications, the SACHS shock absorber range now runs from ‘Mini to Mack,” said Darren. “ZF transmissions are known for their quality and reliability. “With workshops in Sydney and Perth, plus a network of dealers around Australia and New Zealand, ZF Services have the tools and knowledge to repair, refurbish and overhaul transmissions to an OE standard that continues that quality for the life of the vehicle,” Darren added.
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smooth operator Laydon Composites Ltd (LCL) – formerly Airshield/RudkinWiley has announced a low-cost aerodynamic solution that can be fitted to a trailer in an hour, minimizing downtime and providing fleets with a truly economical way to comply with trailer fuel saving regulations. Introduced at the spring Technology and Maintenance Council meeting in Tampa, Florida, the new Hybrid TrailerSkirt™ uses an injection moulded and patent–pending “mono clamp” and strut. The unique design means a twoman team can mount the fairings in an hour. In addition to the new Hybrid TrailerSkirt™, LCL currently produces the multiple-panel LCL trailer fairing plus a trailer nose fairing designed to stabilize vortices coming off the trailer nose. This nose fairing contributes fuel savings in addition to the 6 percent-plus provided by the side fairings. For more information, visit www.laydoncomp.com.
CHAIRMAN Tyre Themarket State of tyre Auto onSupremo the uptake Top Award of the board Staying under pressure the Nation for Wabco
Fuso Super Great Portable
Advantage Tyres of Ingleburn in Sydney has been awarded the world's leading supplier the of the Allison KumhoTransmission, Truck Tyre Dealer of the Year recognising commercial-duty fully automatic transmissions and hybrid Our correspondent in the corridors of power ponders enormous efforts of Michael Pope and his team of truck tyre HANKOOK TYRE AIMS FOR FIFTH POSITION BY 2014 Truck registrations for February reinforce Kenworth’s propulsion systems, has added a total of 11 new distributors specialists. on how company directors can loseachieving sight position as leader of the heavy duty segment, WABCO has been honoured with multiple top supplier and direct dealers to its global channel network of trusted the ball and forfeit the game. Hankook Tyre haspercent confirmed ambitious to a aof market share of 19.8 for the year to plans date with awards forinthe third a row by two China National Heavy partners theTruck pastyear yearin including new dealers in the The Kumho Tyre Dealer of the Year isnew awarded to theof become the fifth largest tyreindividual companymonth in world withofthe Mitsubishi Fuso Japan has launched the generation sales total of 205 units, but an rating 17.1 Truck Corporation (CNHTC), the largest manufacturer of heavy Australian market. tyre who Great have achieved outstanding performance in announcement that itsuch will build a new manufacturing plant the dealers Fuso Super withaatwo-faceted gross vehicle weight from 16-25 percent for sales of 105 units. duty trucks in China. Similarly, how often have failures been rewarded by live in what some call economy. One, Complete Portables, a West Australian portable servicing truck andby heavy vehicle customers throughout in Indonesia. tonnes. Powered the Daimler 6R10 engine with SCR the exorbitant bonus payments to senior executives who regularly the giant andnetwork massively profitable resources sector Allison's partners in its Australia are Heavy building hirenew specialist has renewed delivery fleet with year. technology, this is the first Fuso truck to comply with what is Western Startocurrently holds place for the year Recently, CNHTC Truck Company honoured WABCO with escape unscathed retreat to theirsecond waterfront mansions and with and seven the rest, including retail,the manufacturing, services, Automatics andtrucks, Transdiesel Australia Limited. new Hino third time inPty the company’s The $US353 million factory, to beshare built at Bekasi currently the world’s most stringent emissions standard, JP09 luxury total sales of 114 units and a segment of 11 percent. its 2010 Excellent Supplier Award for overall superlative yachts! agricultural, technology and tourism. 16-year history that it has CEO, bought all-HinoCho fleet. Kumho Tyres Australia Mran Edmund said: calls for in Java, is part of Clive a substantial planned (Japan New Long-Term Emission which In February the sold 69 units, one less than in Volvo performance and outstanding commercial partnership. The bankruptcy ofcompany the Peeters’ chain, asincrease, reported, Depending on the size of enterprise and and the spread ofIn Heavy Automatics isthe one ofPope the Regulation), largest best known “In the decade since Michael established Advantage Hankook’s global production capacity, to 100 million tyres nitrogen oxide reductions of 65 percent and particulate matter which currently ranks in third place with a total annual retail to addition, CNHTC Truck Company recognized WABCO with its was a consequence of the Chief Financial Officer’s alleged shareholders, control usually occurs in the form of a Board of repairers of Allison transmissions in Australia, having grown Six Hino 500 models and one Hino 300 six with Tyres he hasofgrown the business and the client base and a year by 2014. reductions 63 percent over the previous regulation JP05. date of 108 units. 2010 Quality Improvement Award for significantly high quality Directors from thetray principal shareholders and fromdrawn a and small owner-operated workshop in Adelaide to span cranes tilt will deliver portable offices, become oneone of Kumho’s most important truck tyre dealers and embezzlement of some $20 million over a few years to fund an across products, delivery after sales service. alleged lifestyle far above that possible for a person of her supplemented bytoprofessional individuals, usually accountants Australia with branches inand Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and and toilets. The fleet comprises four itaccommodation is The a credit the focus and drive he brings to the operation,” The Indonesian comes a month 6R10 diesel engine with SCR and using DEF (Diesel Fourth place overallannouncement is IVECO and with 9.9 just percent market income. and/or lawyers. Melbourne. Hino FD 1024s, one GD 1227, one GH 1727 and one he added.Fluid) is manufactured at the Mannheim engine plant station and after Hankook announced plans to build a third factory Exhaust share the company has retailed 103 units this year, of whichin A supplier to CNHTC since 1997, WABCO furnishes air One can only assume the CEO, the Board and its An300 elected is 716. usually selected from the Board SeriesChairman Wide Cab China, bringing theatcompany’s total number of factories in Germany. The 12.8-litre 6R10 has an output between 257 60 were sold in February. Coming in at fifth spot is Mack withto products, braking systems including anti-lock Chairman, were all asleep the collective corporate wheel. and,management one may presume, the majority shareholders see this Transdiesel Australia Pty Limited, based Melbourne,by “Michael Pope has also demonstrated his in commitment seven: two in Korea, three in China, one in Hungary and kW (350 hp) and 309 kW (420 hp). total of 102 units for thethat yearsuch and practices a market share 9.8 braking (ABS) transmission control products. It abeggars the imagination shouldofgo individual assystems being the most astute and Emanuel experienced member has been asand an Allison direct dealer. Transdiesel Company founder and principal Dillon said investing inappointed the business with initiatives such as operating one inMack Indonesia. percent. achieved 66 sales in impunity February.that one is undiscovered for so long and with such of the team, possessing knowledge with the ability to lead and enhances coverage for Allison transmissions in off-highway he renewed his truck fleet one year ahead of schedule, a fleet of 14 fully equipped mobile service vehicles for WABCO also provides CNHTC with automated manual create majority consensus from agrowing group ofon-highway often as well of as the truck toapplications stay a step ahead the competition and disparate to have thebusiness prompted to conclude the entire administrative structure of the scheduled maintenance and 24 emergency service throughout Withwas 8.4focused percent on annual has sold a total transmission (AMT) systems on a sole supplier basis through cashmarket flow i.e.share, salesIsuzu and not souls. in addition to supporting Allison's hybrid program in most environmentally friendly in the industry. the Sydney metropolitan area,fleet in training his staff and Australia. in having company UK-based Altec displayed its latest mobile crane at of 87 units, 50 Worldwide of which were in February. Freightliner, now in to 2016. In December 2008, CNHTC became the world’s first profitable marketing. Such a commission is challenging, fraught with many the newest and best machinery and tools,” he added. this year’s BAUMA Show in Munich, Germany. Mounted on an seventh position with total sales of 65 units saw a February original equipment manufacturer to adopt WABCO OptiDrive™ It is a defence for inexperienced and naïve “would-be” onerous"Complete and exacting demands Law.building Not Portables was of theCorporate first portable Iveco Trakker AD340T41K 8x4Further rigid chassis, theladder newnot design is one performance of 35 units. down the isaMercedestechnology in volume production. OptiDrive entrepreneurs to confuse cash flow with profits, but surprisingly, successful are reluctant suppliersome in the West with aindividuals fleet of WABCO’s new trucks and to the system, of the first telescopic construction cranes to be mounted onto a Benz which, at eleventh position holds 2.8 percent market a breakthrough in transmission automation technology, supposed Volvo diligent Chairman. assume directorial particularly there beis a first to have its responsibility, staff in uniforms," he said.should Trucks has launched a new magazine specially “Statistics show thatsales using Mobileye to reduce work-related regular heavy truck as opposed to a dedicated crane chassis. share and total annual volumes of 29 units. modular AMT solution for commercial vehicles. It is also the Frankly, I can but speculate. However, I have chaired in a place a powerful an aggressive CEO. iPad. carconfigured accidentsfor could offer Australian businesses significant recipient of the 2010 PACE™ Award, the many companies over the years and presided over the Unfortunately, given theAutomotive complexities Century "We pride ourselves on loyalty News in of this21st company and we savings,” he said. “That’s both in terms of OH&S and the Features include aand 38m longfill boom which offers an operating Hino, Scania Fuso the void above Mercedes-Benz automotive industry’s benchmark for innovation administration ofTrucks a prestigious long-founded urban club. taxation accounting laws, it iswith virtually impossible and for ahis haveand a fantastic relationship Paul McGovern Volvo Magazine features stories about life bottom line. Overseas, this technology has saved business in height of up to 42m, combined with a maximum lifting capacity and below Freightliner with Scania at 4.7 percent and How could such a circumstance growand andproduct fester total of Board toHino detect CEO manipulation, certainly thatservice person is in WA team - notably the back up fromif his onways the road, articlescrash-related aboutdevelop, technology two – reducing costs and lowering 36 tonnes. An sales 49additional units, including Fuso at four andfailing 41issues units Hino without theof directors, thepercent chairman, to at least cohorts withhethe Chief Financial Officer. team," said. development, and analyses of important facing insurance premiums.” jib increases the lift holding 5.9 percent and sales of 61 units for the year sotofar. detect some problems by basic examining of the corporate Complex reports, flow charts, sales projections and blue the industry. Topics may include anything from how height aThe further 16.5m UDby trucks head the remaining companies within20concert sales and accounts. truth being that if senior executives sky marketing initiatives, canfour all serve to cloud the true Complete Portables' Hino FD 1027 trucks have a minimise fuel consumption to how to increase safety-belt The Queensland University of each Technology estimates that and an manned 1.9optional percent, DAF and CATwe match other’s performance are bent on cooking the books, your board is financial position of a company, confusing a Board with 4000 GVM of Mobileye 10,400kg and a 7.7-litre HinoSystem turbocharged and use. In the first issue, alsoaverage meet two record-holders: The Advance Warning (AWS) work-related road crashes cost Australia more than $1.5 billion platform can also at 1.1 percent and 11 driver sales while International closes the well-nigh powerless. pseudo highly avoidance ambitious business plansthat forbe expansion and of intercooled direct-injection delivers 190kW the world’s fastest and record-holder for the off collision unit is engine claimed to the only technology in transform per year, with work vehicle crashes costing business upwards the crane into chart at 0.8 percent with sales of eight units. Detection oftenKilometre, results from the venture out of development. power at 2500rpm and 794Nm of torque 1500rpm. Asia’s bestrunning driver the the world that alerts about three at different kinds of of Standing $28,000 per incidentand when including itemsinsuch as third Our new website atdrivers www.powertorque.com.au was aworking versatile access capital and being unable to refinance unsustainable In recent years, the financial press has been flooded with eco-driving challenge. potential just hazard – to forward collisions; unintentional lane party costs, higher insurance premiums and property launched prior Christmas. Check it out for all the latest machine two rates In allowing overall truck market segmentation once again Isuzu leads debt. Higher interest and overpriced asset acquisitions reports of company bankruptcies preceded by glowing Standard equipment includes ABS anti-lock departures; and tailgating – often alland in one unit. damage. news, views and current affairs for apotential sneakbrakes, preview of people to work at 22.1 heights the way with percent market share and total volumes of can take their toll. board reports detailing awe-inspiring profits, cruise control, Hino Start-Take-off Assist and Volvo Trucks Magazine is issued in English and targets the latest issue. We Easy are already registering over 250,000 visits of up to can 58.5m. 723 units ahead of Hino (16 It percent and 522 units),free Fuso with One never forgive a high profile, financially takeovers of lesser competitors and ambitious plans for global airbag rear suspension. a global reading public. can be downloaded of Mobileye National that Product Manager,isCon Stogiannou, from Mobileyeand uses a smart camera drivenwith by the powerful EyeQ each month, showing PowerTorque continuing to grow 9.4 charge percent 306 unitsfailing and Kenworth 6.3onset percent sophisticated corporate type to recognize the of and expansion. from AppStore. Australian distributor Command Auto Group, says Australian ™ vision-system-on-a-chip, which has the computing power of with every issue. 205 sales. potential disaster. While many aspire to the lure of mansions, How often, in the venture capital sector, have fleets aresignificantly crying out for technology like Mobileye. two powerful Pentium computers minions, new trophy wives, the sexy car and yacht, few executive misconduct or wrongdoing by inept directors been succeed if they possess a modicum of integrity. exposed to the detriment of shareholders?
We
Up and Away
Volvo Mag Now on the iPad
Eye in the Sky
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PowerTorque ISSUE 35
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PROFILE
FIRST PICK What is it that tempts a major fleet operator to step outside its comfort zone on vehicle purchase and try a totally new product? The answer, for Mulgoa Quarries, comes down to product service and support behind the scenes. Rob Wearn, managing director of Mulgoa Quarries, together with his brother Adrian, run an earthmoving, mining and quarry operation that extends across waste transport and removal, bulk tipping haulage and civil engineering and construction. This family owned business to the West of Sydney was founded some 40 years ago and is today at the forefront of working with bio-generation operations in waste landfill. This is where careful management by the companies responsible for the creation and capture of methane gas produced by the landfill enables it to be used to power generators to create electricity that is then sold on to the national electricity supply grid or used to power local businesses.
The company runs approximately 30 rigid truck and dog or prime mover and semi-tipper or B-double units to service its bulk transport transport requirements, with current workloads resulting in the movement of up to 12,000 tonnes per day. As impressive as this figure may be, the efficiency of the company is further endorsed by looking at the overall picture of operations. This sees Mulgoa Quarries handling complex extraction operations that individually might range from volumes of 10,000 to 3,000,000 plus tonnes of material. In one civil engineering project alone, the company completed waste cell excavation and lining with associated road and drainage works over three years that required the removal of 2.2 million tonnes of off-site cartage and disposal, the supply of 100,000 cubic metres of clay lining and the construction of 35,000 cubic metres of access roadworthy pavements. The mainstay to the Mulgoa Quarries ability to operate at this high level comes down to Caterpillar equipment. With a predominantly Caterpillar fleet, the company operates a variety of dozers that range from D6R and D6T models through to D7R, D8R, D9T and out to D10R units, aided by further Komatsu D375 and D475 dozer equipment. Also sporting the yellow paint of Caterpillar products are seven open bowl CAT 631E and G scraper units and two 637G twin power scrapers plus five 40 tonne capacity CAT articulated dump trucks plus assorted CAT graders, excavators and compactors. The on-highway truck fleet is predominantly based on using Kenworth products, but there remains a presence of MACK trucks in the fleet, including a 1968 Mack Flintstone that was the first brand new truck bought by Rob and Adrian’s father. Remaining in the fleet today partly for historic reasons and partly because it remains in excellent condition, the Flintstone hauls a new Drake tri–axled float. Far from retired, the Flintstone was driven by Rob himself up to the Alice Springs Transport Hall of Fame reunion last year and driven back by Adrian to Sydney, during which the Mack performed faultlessly. 28
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FIRST PICK Into this established fleet operation has come the first CAT CT630 to be sold in Australia. Not surprisingly painted in bright yellow, the CT630 is fitted with a Muscat body and works as a tipper and dog throughout the Sydney area. “Our usual engine ratings are around the 500hp mark and the CT630 with its Cat ACERT engine set at 550hp is a little higher than normal for us. Having said that, we are finding that fuel economy is looking better than some of the comparable 500hp engines, even though the unit is still very new and bedding in the driveline,” said Rob. “The impressive point about the CAT is the feedback we are getting from the drivers. The general comment is that the ride comfort is extremely good and the cab interior noise levels are particularly low. Also commented upon is the improvement in forward visibility compared to other trucks in the fleet and the ease of manoeuvrability due to a tighter wheel cut for turning in confined spaces. “We have found the ground clearance is slightly less than our standard trucks and this is something that drivers have to be aware of, but that hasn’t proven to be a problem. In normal driving our trucks cover many roads containing speed humps and the softer suspension and good ride is certainly something the drivers are appreciating,” he added. The usual truck specification for Mulgoa Quarries includes using auto-shift transmissions as a way of reducing driver fatigue. Other trends followed by the company include the addition of EBS (Electronic Brake Systems) and ABS with the fitment of disc brakes to both trucks and trailers. ESP (Electronic Stability Programmes) to prevent rollover is currently under evaluation.
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DRIVEN
From
the smallest tradies truck, right through to B-double prime movers, and everything in between, Isuzu has a truck to fit the bill. The model range and variants, with numerous options for each, mean there really is a truck in the line-up to do any job. With a GVM of 16,500 kg, the FVR 1000 Automatic sits right in the middle of the Isuzu range. Powered by a Euro 5 compliant 7.8-litre engine, putting out 221 kW (296 hp) and 981 Nm (724 lb.ft) of torque, the FVR isn’t short on power. This power is achieved through the use of a variable speed turbo and high-pressure common-rail fuel injection. To achieve the Euro 5 rating, a combination of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a diesel particulate diffuser are used. While EGR is fairly self explanatory, the process of the particulate diffuser is worthy of an explanation. After passing through an oxidising chamber, exhaust gasses flow through the particulate diffuser, with numerous changes in direction causing soot particles to gather, due to inertia. When the soot has collected to a point where it may affect the operation of the diffuser, the diffuser is automatically super heated to burn off the build up, thus returning it to full effectiveness. This actually happened during my drive, with the only indication being the alert message displayed in the instrument cluster. The truck still drove the same, with virtually no effect on performance.
the agitator and compactor markets, where transmissions take a pounding, Allison transmissions really are a crowd favourite. Knowing this, and having limited experience in these fields, I was expecting a fairly basic, agricultural gearbox, giving clumsy and jerky gearchanges. I also thought there would be occasions when the load, road speed and terrain would cause the gearbox to do the old up, down, up, down manoeuvre to find the right gear. I could not have been more wrong! What I got was the smoothest gearchange I have ever experienced. Not just in a truck, but in any automatic vehicle I have ever driven! With the engine working right through the gearchanges, the boost from the turbo never dropped off, delivering consistent power from take-off to top speed. Depending on the position of the accelerator pedal, gears would change at different engine speeds, but, for my drive, the needle stayed within the green band (1,000-2,000 rpm) on the tacho, up hill and down. The driving environment in Japanese trucks has undergone a huge transformation in recent years. It’s not that long ago that Japanese trucks were commonly thought to be noisy and basic, with few comfort features. (Due to their legendary reliability, they still sold in bucket loads anyway!) Now, nothing could be further from the truth. The FVR cab has all the mod cons, including climate control, bluetooth hands-free, touch screen audio system, and, more importantly, an Isri seat for the driver. With inbuilt
The other part of this driveline, the Allison Automatic gearbox, has a proven history in the jobs that are harshest on driveline components. A common specification for
Fit for
Purpose 38
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FIT FOR PURPOSE seatbelt, adjustable height and shock absorber, three lumbar zones and two separate, individually adjusted sections in the seat back, these seats are second to none for comfort and safety. Even with the truck riding on spring suspension, the ride was up to Euro truck standards. The passenger gets a fixed seat, with the long standard fold down centre seat-cum-
storage compartment fitted for the occasional third person. All of these seats are comfortable for the short trips, though I wouldn’t want to be stuck in the middle seat for a long drive. The noise levels in the cab were car-like. Even with the window down (and the exhaust outlet on the driver’s side), conversation was easy, and engine noise was unobtrusive. In fact, the only real noise in the cab was the engine fan. Even during acceleration, only the fan
Isuzu finds the right truck for the job – David Whyte reports PowerTorque ISSUE 40
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PROFILE
Fruit and Veg In the world of produce transport, it’s hard to beat the enthusiasm of Gino Tripodi.
Photography by Robbie Rose
Back
in February 2004, the second issue of PowerTorque ran with a Kenworth cabover, belonging to East Gippsland haulier Gino Tripodi, on the cover. Powered by a Series 60 Detroit Diesel, the K100 had started life in 1996 being owned by Maurie and Heather Goodman, before being bought by Gino and receiving the Tripodi treatment of customising. We’ve kept in touch with Gino through the years, as this Australian with an Italian background continued his love affair with fruit, vegetables and North American trucks. It’s actually hard not to keep in touch with Gino, due to his enthusiasm for trucking and for the fact that every vehicle he owns stands out on the highway. Far from being the “Prince of Understatement”, a Tripodi truck has as much tasteful Italian bling as possible, and is always presented as though it had left the paint shop only that morning. There have been several changes of style in the Tripodi truck line-up. The K100 prime mover we featured in 2004 was coupled up to a B-double combination, but this was by no means his first foray into trucking. Earlier, in 1998, Gino had bought a white Kenworth SAR, complete with blue chassis rails. He added green striping, and by 1999, with more additions applied progressively, the SAR had morphed into a highly desirable looking prime mover with additional stainless steel trim pieces, extra chrome and more lights. Power came from a CAT 3406B rated at 450 hp, with Royco 102AR airbag suspension and additional air suspension on the cab mounts. “It was my aim to have my trucks looking as presentable as possible, and at this stage the SAR was hauling a bogie-axled Krueger trailer that had started its life as a dry freight van. “Twelve months later, and the bogie-axle set had been converted to a tri-axle installation. I’d added a Thermo-King fridge unit, repainted the rig and fitted insulated curtains and added chrome rims,” said Gino.
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FRUIT AND VEG
The SAR has finally returned to its rightful home with East Gippsland haulier Gino Tripodi, joining an equally impressive Western Star.
Recognition of the truck as a Rig of the Month winner in Truckin’ Life in March 2001 gave Gino even more enthusiasm to think of different ways to improve efficiency. In 2003 the SAR was sold to an operator in Coober Pedy as Gino moved into B-double operation with the K100 mentioned earlier. “The SAR went to an opal miner, and, for whatever reason, spent its next five years virtually parked up in a shed. I actually tried to buy it back in April 2004, but the owner at the time had sold it to a neighbour,” said Gino. For his next truck Gino went a totally different route and opted for a rigid Western Star, modelling the appearance and paintwork on the SAR. Gino’s 4800FX Western Star ran under the truck name of “The Second Coming,” certainly appropriate for a man who, at one stage, thought he could leave the trucking business for good and just subcontract out his work. The “Second Coming” project started back in September 2007. The truck was bought second-hand as a day cab, with Gino then stretching the chassis to fit a 26 ft Tautliner body. A 40-inch, high rise integrated sleeper box was sourced through Truck Art in Brooklyn, and after finishing all the chassis and body alterations, the paintwork was completed by East End Panels with signwriting by Neil Krutop of Nak Signs, and Kevin and Jenny Malone of Gippsland Signs. Image and presentation is, of course, everything to an Italian family, and the truck was soon running with a sports exhaust system, high rise air intakes, a 14-inch stainless drop visor, stainless flaring around the grille and headlamps, and the fitment of light boxes mounted on the air intakes and mirrors. Stage one of the project was finished in April 2008, with stage 2 being finished in November 2008. The natural growth of Tripodi Haulage meant that within six months the 4800FX had added a pig trailer to its rear. Within 12 months, and after a few changes in business, it became obvious that greater efficiency would be achieved by once again returning to a prime mover and semitrailer operation. Although most operators would just look for a replacement, with
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PROFILE
Going Underground New technology is revolutionising drain and sewer work, but it needs a truck to make it all happen
There’s
a whole new world of technology happening under our feet that most of the population would never know about. Welcome to the world of sewers, drains, stormwater management systems and pipes, where a blockage can spell disaster as water backs up and flash flooding occurs. The recent Brisbane floods, and those in Melbourne, highlighted the need to maintain underground pipework in order to cope with sudden torrential rains. In circumstances where a suburb received a six month quota of rainfall in as many hours, many councils were exposed for not having
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conducted regular maintenance programmes, with the result that homes flooded and residents lost their furnishings and possessions. Modern technology applied to the monitoring of the condition and effectiveness of drains, sewers and pipework now incorporates remote cameras and lights that travel the length of an underground network. This new technology now enables engineers to evaluate the condition of drains and pipes without opening up the ground and obviously results in huge time saving and greater efficiencies.
GOING UNDERGROUND PowerTorque visited Joe and Adam Finnigan at Reservoir Maintenance Contractors (RMC) in Melbourne to see this technology in use and to learn how particular truck-based systems operate. “We can provide a variety of services using truck mounted high pressure water blasting, vacuum loading, drain cleaning and maintenance and non-destructive digging, in addition to using CCTV and robotised equipment for pipeline, manhole and borehole assessment,” said Adam Finnigan. “Our latest unit is based on a DAF CF75 6x4 with a 360hp engine and this is fitted with a full pressure system by Spoutvac of Bendigo. This has joined an existing MercedesBenz Actros 8x4 rigid, also fitted with a Spoutvac unit, as well as an Isuzu 300 Series and an Isuzu CXY GIGA running at 455hp. “High pressure water blasting is pretty much self explanatory and can be used for surface preparation, tank cleaning, removal of contaminants and hydro demolition. We then add other systems such as vacuum loading, which can collect and dispose of a large variety of hazardous and non-hazardous liquids, sludges and powders. With these solutions we can be called in to solve emergency situations of sewerage overflows, potential pollution issues and to provide an emergency spill response. “There are many circumstances, these days ,where mechanical digging carries a risk to cables such as the fibre optic networks being laid throughout the country for communications links. Our non-destructive digging techniques utilise high pressure blasting with on-site water recycling to dig around such infrastructure without the risk of any damage. The resultant soil and debris is evacuated from the site using our high-flow vacuum system,” said Adam. The CCTV systems are totally self-contained and consist of a 3D Panoramo Opto-scanner on a motorised system. Unlike a video film from a conventional pan and rotate camera, which only shows the section of view saved at the time of filming the Panoramo and Panoramo SI cameras provide an all-round inspection of the manhole. This means that, after the fact, the inspector can stop at any position in the manhole and perform a continuous, unrestricted 360 degree pan.
Additional features such as the zoom and illumination utilities enable the inspector unprecedented control over the footage without having to interact with the man-hole or drains in any way at all. “Our latest truck-based system is mounted on the DAF CF75 which we have found to provide the best axle weight distribution of any truck we considered. Some makes tend towards being overweight on the front axle, a situation that doesn’t suit the type of equipment we carry,” said Adam. The DAF CF75 is powered by a 9.2- litre, Paccar PR engine with a choice of three power and torque outputs of 250, 310 and 360 hp (183, 228 and 265 kW), with respective torque ratings of 1,050, 1,275 and 1,450 Nm. This is a Euro V compliant engine range using Selective Catalytic Reduction technology and requiring Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF/AdBlue/ Urea) to complete the low emissions control. Operators looking to upsize their engine requirements can do so with the DAF CF85. Powered by the Paccar MX engine, the CF85 offers horsepower ratings of 360, 410 and 460 hp (265, 300 and 340 kW) with respective torque ratings from 1,775 – 2,300 Nm. Both engines are available with a standard exhaust brake that, in the case of the PR engine, produces a maximum braking effort of 170 kW at 2,800 rpm. For the MX engine, the brake effort performance is from 210 kW at 1,500 rpm to 320 kW at 2,100 rpm.
Above: Dean Blair of PACCAR Trucks of Derrimut, Victoria. Below: Remote controlled robotic cameras travel along the pipework mapping inclination and condition.
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51
FEATURE
THE
BIG
BANGER THIS
is not some pie in the sky power and torque projection. Scania has a new engine available globally that makes the products of some engine-makers look positively anorexic.
With 3500 Nm and 730 hp, Scania’s new flagship V8 has the highest torque and power ratings of any on-highway truck engine, and the first example of this awesome ability is already on a boat and heading towards our shores from Sweden. Due to arrive for a debut at the Brisbane Truck Show, Scania will be “talking the talk” with operators involved in mining and heavy haulage, in order to ascertain just what level of interest Australian operators will have in its “Big Banger”. Installed in Scania’s R-Series cab, which last year won the European International Truck of the Year, the very fact that the 730 is here, rather than just being talked about, stems from Scania Australia’s Managing Director, Roger McCarthy, being a true truck man. So many senior executives these days have a plethora of tertiary degrees in marketing and business administration, but lack the passion that makes the auto industry different from any other. McCarthy has the passion and the experience to make a significant dent in the sales of his competition. McCarthy knows that by drawing attention to the top end of the product line, he also has the opportunity to introduce prospective purchasers to the bread and butter products. And it’s those that sell in high numbers, not the flagship, which for many is purely aspirational. Scania V8 trucks are very popular in the high-output end of the truck market, globally accounting for more than half of the total sales volume around 600 hp and above. With four power ratings to choose from, Scania’s V8 customers now have a unique offering of 500 hp, 560 hp, 620 hp and now 730 hp. Scania’s powertrain has been adapted to handle these high-end power and torque ratings with a reinforced Scania gearbox housing the Opticruise automated manual transmission. The 12-speed transmission with two crawlers, features gearwheels with double shot-peening and revised gear geometry. Maximum torque is available in the top three gear ratios, giving maximum driveability at road speed. Torque is reduced 5-6 percent in the lower gears, but still higher than anything else on the market. The Scania GRS0925 gearbox is mated only with the Scania Fully Automated Opticruise or three-pedal Opticruise automated change systems, both featuring the re-designed software introduced recently. 54
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THE BIG BANGER The new V8 is based on the modular engine platform and technologies used on Scania’s newest in-line engines, while also sharing numerous features and components with the existing V8s. Scania also approves of the use of up to 100 percent biodiesel in its engines to reduce the carbon footprint. The 730 hp engine features the traditional easy-toservice engine architecture with individual cylinder heads for which Scania is renowned, and uses a CGI (compacted graphite iron) cylinder block to cope with higher combustion pressures without weight penalty. Other features include an increased bore and swept volume (modularised with other engines), and it uses Scania XPI (extra high-pressure injection) common-rail fuel injection enabling individual as well as multiple injections independent of camshaft position. The maximum fuel injection pressure is up to 2400 bar, with a typical operating pressure in the region of 1800 bar. Also fitted to the 730 is a Scania VGT (variable-geometry turbocharger). This works via an electric actuator, allowing boost pressure and turbine speed to be varied largely independently of engine speed. This provides better engine response at low revs and faster gear changes with the Scania Opticruise transmission. As an SCR designated engine, the 730 hp V8 uses an SCR exhaust after-treatment programme using Diesel Exhaust Fluid (Urea), and, while it matches Euro 5 and EEV compliance, it is Euro 6 ready. The introduction of the R730 coincides with the first use of an engine block cast in Compact Graphite Iron (CGI), which allows a higher maximum cylinder pressure without increased weight. CGI is already widely used in the automotive industry (engine blocks, brake drums, exhaust manifolds and high pressure gear pumps). The bore is increased to 130 mm x 154 mm (compared the previous 15.6-litre V8 engine which is 127 mm x 154 mm). The result is a larger swept volume of 16.4-litres. The crankshaft bearing diameter has been increased. A new cylinder saver ring has been introduced. This keeps the top of the piston free of carbon residue and helps restrict cylinder liner wear.
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PROFILE
BOWSER
WOWSER Refuelling Solutions makes it easy to keep track of fuel use and supply
FUEL
is often acknowledged as being the major cost component to fleet management. So, when there’s an opportunity to tighten up on monitoring systems and control distribution and use without adding extra personnel or incurring additional cost, it’s a concept that should be of interest to all transport and machinery operators. The supply and monitoring of fuel use is often outsourced to the fuel supplier, as with a traditional fuel card. But there are advantages in utilising a unique
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supplier, especially where machinery and plant and equipment is involved, as PowerTorque found recently during discussions with Refuelling Solutions. Many operators will know of Mini-Tankers and its fleet of on-site refuellers, but what may not be known is that the MiniTanker operation is but a small part of the group that goes to make up Refuelling Solutions.
BOWSER WOWSER Greg Strom, General Manager of Refuelling Solutions explained the company name came about as a re-branding of its divisions during 2010. “Our company started its operations as a refuelling service focussed alternative but has since grown to provide a wide range of services, all connected to the supply, distribution, use and storage of fuels in any type of application,” said Greg. “We made our reputation originally by providing refuelling requirements in the civil construction industry then expanded into many markets and major infrastructure programmes such as the Gateway Bridge duplication, M7 Motorway construction and at events such as the Sydney Olympic Games. The expansion of our services into new areas resulted in the need for a new name to reflect our additional activities,” Mr. Strom added. Under the Refuelling Solutions banner you’ll find the divisions of Mini-Tankers, Maxi-Tankers and Broadwater Fuels plus the supply of bulk fuel storage systems such as Mini-Cube. The Mini-Tanker fleet offers a variety of tank capacities that range from 4,500 litres through to 10,000 litres. Larger quantities are handled by the Maxi-Tanker
fleet. The Mini-Cube division provides static bulk fuel dispensers, complete with pump, metering equipment for use in a set location and holding a quantity of fuel up to 1,000 litres. Larger quantities are also available for bulk storage and distribution with container-sized systems holding bulk fuel supplies of up to 100,000 litres. The predominant fuel supplied is of course that of diesel but Refuelling Solutions is currently increasing its options through the supply of B20 diesel that incorporates a mix of soy-diesel, standard petrol products, full range of lubricants as well as investigating future options of LNG and CNG. Its vehicle fleet numbering 130 vehicles nationally and in Sydney their fleet run on B20 soy diesel . “Our advocacy of B20 soy diesel comes from working closely with National Bio-Fuels Australia. The soy-diesel that company produces is of the highest quality and removes any concerns of the varying standards of bio-diesel that were apparent in the early days of bio-fuel’s development by some producers. “What we offer is a major step forward from the days of refuelling vehicles and machinery from 40 gallon drums with a hand pump,” said Greg.
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DRIVEN
Hino Steps Ahead into Euro V
New engines and new ratings combine with additional specifications to enhance the Hino brand in Australia
Although
the Australian trucking industry always appears to be preoccupied by the constant comparison of North American versus European truck makers, behind the scenes it’s the Japanese manufacturers that have long been the quiet achievers. Without possessing the glamour or on-street presence of a long bonneted conventional, Japanese truck manufacturers have continually improved their products, adding to their specification to continually fine tune their products for the benefit of their customers’ bottom line. It’s this ability to adapt, combined with a strong reputation for reliability, which has underpinned their expansion and growing popularity. Hino has undergone a major restructuring within the past five years, as its truck division capitalised on the experience of the Toyota brand globally. By implementing management systems and controls that have been proven in the car brand, the truck division has lifted its game considerably, as it matched the ever changing demands of the legislators.
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The implementation of Euro V exhaust emissions has seen Hino revise its engine range, introducing completely new engines in some areas and upgrades in others. Divisional Manager, Product Strategy & Development, Alex Stewart, told PowerTorque the changes were confined to the 500 and 700 Series. The light-duty 300 Series has conformed to Euro V since June 2010, and the Hino Hybrid 300 Series model since 2007. The changes to the 500 Series start with an upgrade in cab safety, with cabin strength now certified to ECE-R29 standards. Also included for 2011 is a driver’s SRS airbag, electric and heated exterior mirrors, ABS brakes on all models including 4x4, and an Easy Start hill-start assist system on all 4x2 manual transmission models.
HINO STEPS AHEAD INTO EURO V Further good news for truck operators, looking at the 500 Series, stems from a review of engine power and torque ratings and a much improved gear ratio matching that sees performance gains, by substantial amounts, together with a decrease in fuel consumption. There’s a renewed focus on providing low height chassis by including the option of 19.5-inch low profile tyres, and wheelbase selections have been revised to maximise weight distribution. There’s also a new GH (17,000 kg GVM) short wheelbase (3,760 mm) model that will make an ideal lightweight round-town prime mover. At the other end of the spectrum, the heavier rated FM8J (26,000 kg GVM) has a new 6,500 mm wheelbase and the choice of nine-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The FG, GH, FL and FM8J models benefit from upgrades to Hino’s six-cylinder J08E engine, and the FG and GH models have the new feature of a four-point cabin suspension system, for increased driver comfort and, therefore, reduced driver fatigue.
“The six-cylinder, eight-litre J08E engine upgrade has seen maximum power increased by up to 16 kW. It produces 204 hp (152 kW) at 2,400 rpm with 608 Nm of torque rated at 1,500 rpm in the GT model, and 280 hp (206kW) at 2,400 rpm and 824 Nm at 1,500 rpm in the FG, GH, FL and FM models with a GVM of 15,500 kg to 20,000 kg,” said Alex Stewart. “Improvements include new engine control units (ECU’s), enhanced fuel mapping and effective variable-nozzle turbochargers (VNT), for improved fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” he added. The most noticeable change, from a driver’s perspective, comes with the release of a new five-cylinder J07E engine in the Hino FC, FD and FE models, fitted with a standard width cabin. This seven-litre, five-cylinder diesel offers a power increase of 26 percent, to 217 hp (162 kW) at 2,400 rpm, and a torque increase of 30 percent, to a rated output of 647Nm at 1,500 rpm in the FC model. There’s also a change of ratios in the six-speed gearbox that capitalise on the increased power and torque, bringing further benefits in the form of reduced fuel consumption. Although the rear axle ratio switches, with the new engine, to 4.333:1 from a previous 3.636:1, the tremendous improvement in driveability brings with it an overall improvement in fuel economy, resulting from a change from a direct drive to overdrive transmission. PowerTorque drove several models, on the evaluation of the new Euro V range, and can confirm the engine to transmission matching is a vast
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TRAILER TORQUE
talking technology Hercules adds the latest innovation to truck and trailer tipping bodies
increasing focus on safety within the trucking industry has been welcomed by truck body builders such as Hercules of Melbourne’s Kilsyth. As a leader in the Australian market, Hercules estimates it currently supplies 70 percent of the council market, plus it has an increasing customer base amongst fleet operators.
the
It would be easy to assume that not much has changed in recent years, but with the ever increasing ability of electronic control and management systems, there’s now a genuine case for an operator to discuss new trends before making a repeat order for equipment. Talking to PowerTorque, Hercules’ Sales Manager, Kevin Wright, said that operators were now able to embrace new warning and safety systems that would intervene during a tipping or loading process if a safety concern was detected. “All operators are obviously very aware of the need to prevent tipping under high capacity power lines, but accidents still occur. There are failsafe systems that detect overhead powerlines and prevent tipping actuation. “Other systems now being fitted include reverse warning cameras, blind-spot warning cameras, jack-knife prevention systems and, of course, the incorporation of the latest electronic stability programmes to prevent the risk of rollover. “Disc brakes are another development that has seen a much greater take-up by operators ordering new equipment.
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We are currently seeing around 70 percent of all trailers being supplied using disc brakes rather than drum alternatives,” Kevin Added. The introduction of electronic stability programmes, by PACCAR, across the Kenworth range has now resulted in many operators adding this option to their specification.
“We can see EBS (Electronic Braking Systems) becoming more important now that they are available on Kenworth products. “Preferences are certainly changing, and we can see four, five or even six-axled dog trailers now being considered. The advantages come with gross weights of 63 tonnes for operators with a five-axle dog trailer. This compares to 57.5 tonnes for a four-axle trailer and 49 tonnes for a three-axled dog trailer,” added Kevin. Hercules today covers the requirements of the tipper industry with a range of bodies from two cubic metres extending out to 100 cubic metre combinations. From a relatively small beginning in premises at Bayswater, the company has today expanded into new premises at Kilsyth, and maintains a factory and offices at the Brisbane suburb of Darra. The rigid truck body and dog trailer market accounts these days for 70 percent of production, with B-doubles contributing a further five percent. “Performance Based Standards (PBS) enabling higher payloads for rigid and dog trailer operation has reduced the appeal for B-doubles as an alternative,” said Kevin. “When an operator decides to apply for permission, under PBS requirements, Hercules can support that application with assistance provided by drawings of the proposed bodywork, as well as technical help in completing the application. “We provide a full range of options for all operators. Those looking for lighter weight bodywork make up 80 per cent of our business, with aluminium bodywork. Steel is still the favoured material for demolition work and heavy earthmoving requirements, and makes up the remaining 20 percent of our business,” added Kevin.
Hercules is a major player in the tipper and dog trailer market.
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AUSTRALIA’S GUIDE TO ECO FRIENDLY, FUEL EFFICIENT CARS
AUSTRALIA’S GUIDE TO UTES, VANS, LIGHT TRUCKS & PEOPLE MOVERS
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