JUST TRUCKING AROUND www.trt.co.nz
Devin Murcott Devin Murcott was in Mount Maunganui, busy tarping a load of fertiliser before heading off to Waipukurau, when Alison and Mike Verran stopped to have a chat. With eight years’ driving experience behind him, Devin is currently behind the wheel of Twist Trucking’s International 9870 with a 458kW (615hp) Cummins engine and 18-speed Roadranger gearbox. He carts both bulk and flat deck products anywhere from Hawke’s Bay to Whangarei. “I’ve always had a passion for trucks,” says Devin. “I went for rides with the old man, all around New Zealand. I think I had my first truck ride when I was two years old. My grandfather was a truck driver for the Thames Valley Dairy Company. My uncle (Darrin Murcott) drives trucks. It’s a family thing.” Devin’s passion for trucking means he can spend his days chilling out listening to sounds while travelling the highways.
He also enjoys meeting new people each day. He has noticed there is a lack of the traditional trucking camaraderie these days. “If a driver is stuck somewhere,
not everyone stops to help.” When asked the vexing question if he favoured lawns or concrete, Devin says he doesn’t mind mowing lawns at all. “It’s all about the lawn porn.”
disadvantages of trucking these days is not being able to take young ones with you out on the job. “That’s the best way to learn. It’s the way we all learned.” Pie or quiche was the vexing question
of the day. Glen had no hesitation in expressing his love for pies. “I make my own pies every night. Today, I’ve got a cheeseburger pie, as well as a potato, gravy and popcorn chicken pie.”
Glen Ireland While on his way to the Port of Tauranga with a load of logs, Glen Ireland stopped at the Caltex Truck Stop on Hull Road for a quick catch up with Alison and Mike Verran. Glen drives for Rossiter Log Haulage in an impressive and well-presented Western Star 4884 with a 525 Detroit under the hood. Every working day is spent carting logs around the central North Island. After unloading at the port, Glen was heading off to Acacia Bay near Taupo for his next load. Glen was brought up around trucks. “My old man was a truck driver. I went for rides all of the time.” Glen completed his diesel mechanic apprenticeship after leaving school. A recession at the time forced the decision to go truck driving instead. Glen now has 14 years of experience behind the wheel. He enjoys the freedom of being out on the road. “You don’t have to sit inside all day, and you get the best view in the world.” He notes one of the biggest
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New Zealand Trucking
Dec 2021 – Jan 2022
