Wanaka Memory

WHEELS AT WANAKA MEMORIES

Roaring through Tekapo two days before the show.

His royal Rocky-ness! Ed Solly’s magnificent W-model Kenworth ‘Rocky’ was proudly on display in the line-up of classic iron at Wanaka 2021. He’d earned his possie, too. Not only was he entered for display, but he was also drafted into service carting a load of exhibits for other folk from the Tasman region.

“Good on ya, Rocky!”

No wonder it’s the world’s favourite forklift.

Our 100 year history proves that when you do everything with heart, nothing is too heavy.

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Story and photos by Howard Shanks

THE WORKING MAN & HIS ‘9-OH’

A muddy dirt road on the wild west coast of Tasmania is the last place you’d expect to see glistening chrome and polished stainless steel reflecting from a T909 grill. But Adrian Cassidy is a workin’ man, and so are his immaculate Kenworth and Lusty 4x4 deck widener.

The bright flashing amber LED lights on top of Adrian Cassidy’s T909 Kenworth break the darkness way off in the distance a little before 6am. Moments later, the Speaker LED headlights light up the white frostcovered ground in front of me and the Kenworth appears over the hill.

Thankfully, Adrian has the heater notched up, and it won’t take long to thaw out after standing on the side of the road for only a few moments.

“You won’t see too many of these old dozers around nowadays,” Adrian says, pointing rearward to the Terex bulldozer sitting on the low loader behind. “They were a good machine back in their day, but they’re more of a novelty machine these days. Although they’re ideal for hobby farmers who need a bulldozer for occasional use.”

Scottsdale-based Adrian Cassidy is a secondgeneration transport operator. A decision to diversify his operation a few years back, along with a lot of hard work, is now paying dividends at long last.

“My father had trucks and, as kids, we hardly knew him. Often, when we did plan to spend time together, he’d inevitably get called back to the truck operation,” Adrian recalls. “I didn’t want that for my kids. So, a little over a decade ago, I purchased a grader with a forestry contract from Dad. It was a good job and afforded the luxury of a better family lifestyle. But you’ve heard that old saying that all good things must end. Unfortunately for Tasmania, the Green Party won a few seats in the state election a

The old two-stroke 871-GM in the Terex bursts into life.

few years later and controlled the balance of power. Their destruction of the forestry industry in Tasmania was swift.

“Thousands of forestry workers and contractors lost everything overnight, myself included. It was a bitter blow. I don’t think I slept that night, wondering how we would survive.

“The following afternoon, after having my grading contract terminated, a fortuitous phone call landed me a grading job out at an upcoming wind farm project,” Adrian continues. “Gratefully, I took that job. My guys and I worked hard and put in some big hours. When your world collapses around you overnight, and when you get a second chance, you grasp it with everything you have. My guys understood this, too. Our work ethic did not go unnoticed by the wind farm management. Before long, we had expanded from just a grading job to water-cart and excavation operations.

“The wind farm job allowed me to diversify into civil construction. I love my trucks, but we’re not technically a trucking operation. We predominantly use the truck to shift our equipment and move a few regular clients’ machinery around the state. However, there is nothing better than climbing into a nice truck and heading off to move a few machines around the state for the day. It’s certainly something I look forward to when I get a chance. Funnily enough, Dad now drives my water cart,” Adrian says with a smile. “He loves it. And importantly, I’m getting to know my father again.”

Meantime, the Kenworth T909, Lusty Low Loader and old Terex dozer rolled steadily westward along Bridport Road. “I’ve towed a lot of different floats over the years. This one is one of the better and more stable I’ve had the pleasure of towing,” Adrian says. “The hydraulic suspension plays a big part in that.

“Like any piece of equipment, there are pros and cons. Some argue deck wideners are unstable, but I believe they’re a versatile piece of equipment if you load and operate them correctly. “One of the biggest advantages with a deck widener is I can widen the deck to suit the machine width, but the wheels retain the same track as the truck. Consequently, it is ideal for operating on tight bush tracks and narrow farm laneways with narrow bridges.

“A full widening low loader with wheels that extend with the deck would restrict bush access.”

The deck is 2.5m wide in the closed position and opens to 3.7m at the rated weight when fully extended.

In his spare time, Adrian is a ‘hot-rodder’. Consequently, his attention to fine detail, polish and chrome flow through to his trucks and machines. The hydraulic and water tanks on the float are polished alloy, the wheels are chrome, and the trailer is finished with signs and lines by Tasmanian truck signwriting maestro Kevin Brown from Spectrum Signs, who incidentally signed the truck.

The T909 didn’t miss out either. The polished lowered Texas bumper boasts 24 LED lights with custom reversible oversize signs mounted on the polished stainless-steel plates. Stainless elephant ears cover the air-cleaner inlet pipe from

the large 406mm-diameter cyclopic air-cleaners with the chrome deep bowl base.

Inside, the Pearlcraft Steering wheel and gearstick knob hint at Adrian’s hotrod passion. In addition, the diff-lock, power-divider and suspension dump switches have gold extensions, and gauges include the gold bezel option.

Adrian adds that some of the credit for the shine on the truck must go to his driver Josh Bennett. “Josh and I spend a lot of time keeping it clean, and any free days in the winter are put aside for polishing.”

But this truck is no showpony. It’s very much a working truck, set up for hard bush work with AIR-CTI central tyre inflation and Elphinstone loadcells.

“The AIR-CTI works a treat. In paddocks and muddy conditions, it provides amazing traction. But one of the biggest surprises is with tyre wear, I’m actually getting better tyre life, and the tyres wear more evenly. Plus, the ride is far better when we’re empty once I’ve let the tyres down to 60psi.”

The Elphinstone loadcells provide the most actuate on-board weighing system on the market. The beauty of the system is that when paired with the EasyWeigh reader, it can be connected to any trailer fitted with an Elphinstone system without requiring additional adjustment or calibration.

The Cummins Road Relay-5 unit is not a common option seen on many trucks these days, but the system provides useable and unique features for drivers and fleet owners. It has several functions, including providing accurate time monitoring of engine operating functions and conditions, recording and storing vital engine operating data, and displaying engine fault code narrative.

Under the hood is a Cummins Signature that produces 447kW (600hp) and 2779Nm (2050lb/ft), coupled to an Eaton 18-speed Roadranger. The rear axles are Meritor RT46-160GP with a 4.56:1 final drive ratio.

It is mid-morning when Adrian turns up the narrow bush track. Here the selftracking BPW steering axles make manoeuvring the low loader a lot easier.

“You need to keep your wits about you when you’re in the bush and have the trailer’s steering wheels active,” Adrian explains.

“If you don’t watch what you’re doing, they can steer the trailer off the road in a worst-case scenario. I can lock them up electronically. This way, the trailer will behave like a traditional semi-trailer.”

Steering locked, he gently guides the trailer back into the bush clearing, paying attention to keeping the drive wheels on the hard, firm ground.

The old two-stroke 871GM in the Terex takes some gentle persuasion before finally coming to life on the cold frosty morning. It bellows out more smoke than the famous Flying Scotsman steam engine in full flight before the distinct two-stroke GM sound finally breaks the morning stillness.

Then, 15 minutes later, the Dozer is safely in its new home, the float’s ramps are raised, all the chains and rachet turnbuckles are stowed.

“Remember how I said those Terex dozers are a novelty machine? Well, the novelty wore off by the time I’d driven it off the trailer. But, my goodness, they are loud inside that cabin. It’s little wonder the old fellas who used to drive them had hearing problems,” Adiran comments.

“All low loaders require a lot of maintenance. Especially ones with hydraulic suspension because there are so many moving parts. Nevertheless, they work fine if you keep up the maintenance and keep everything finely adjusted. Then, they will steer where they are meant

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1) The PearlCaft wheel and gear knob are a nod to Adrian’s hot-rodding bent. 2) Adrian Cassidy. 3) The Lusty quad low loader is a beefy piece of kit.

to, and the hydraulic deckheight system will function as intended,” Adrian concludes.

“I’m very particular about maintaining the truck and trailer. The condition and presentation of our equipment reflect our pride in workmanship. We like to think that is why our customers come back to us.”