3 minute read
Million Mile Club
ORUANUI TRIFECTA COMPLETE
The dilemma! You can’t say we’re saving the best until last because this month’s Oruanui Linehaul jewel cannot be separated from the two proceeding units.
July finds fleet No.930 in front of the camera and its rightful place in the limelight.
Like its brethren, ORUNU1 works under the TAA banner, keeping the good folk in Auckland and Christchurch happy, relentlessly delivering their needs and wants in Oruanui Linehaul’s old-schoolcool style.
A 2005 model Kenworth K104, she’s sitting on 2,000,000km, and with a Cummins 620 Signature, 18-speed Roadranger manual transmission and 46-160 Meritor rears, she handles her 50Max HPMV status with ease.
ORUNU1 is driven by Kelly McKenzie, a 20-year veteran of the transport industry. Kelly got her Class 5 licence just under two years ago, having worked toward it in-house at Oruanui Linehaul. This is her first linehaul job, and Kelly fits the company mould perfectly.
“She brings personality and passion to our operation that is priceless,” says company owner Michael Purvis.
Thanks to Michael and the Oruanui Linehaul team for sharing these grand machines over the past three months. Be sure to give them a huge wave when you see them out on the road.
Photo: Traye Porta McKenzie
CALLING ALL TRUCKS ON OR OVER
1 MILLION MILES
This Mack Super-Liner, new on the road in 1991, was the pride and joy of Geoff Dibble of Dibble Indepenent Transport, Te Awamutu. Its name at the time ‘Destination Unknown’ was appropriate and summed up its travels as a bulk tipper around the North Island. Throughout its life, bulk tipping has been a mainstay, and it also travelled the South Island for some time with a couple of other owners.
Now named ‘Big Chief Sitting Dog’, this legendary V8 is currently owned by JW & L Crooks in Tuakau. Jimmy Crooks is behind the wheel these days, carting chicken manure around the Pukekohe/ Tuakau area.
With a V8 E9 engine under the hood pumping 500hp, an 18-speed Mack gearbox and 44,000lb diffs riding on Mack camel-back spring suspension, a day’s work is a breeze, as long as said breeze is not blowing from the rear forward!
The days of long hours for this Mack are getting less. Jimmy’s son, Paul, reckons she’s semi-retired now. “She’s just a glorified work ute, really, jumping on front line duties when required.”
At 31 years old, this big chief has travelled more than 1.18 million miles (1,900,000km), and long may she continue to be seen on the highways.
Yep, we all like to say it after we’ve given our favourite wheels a bit of spit-and-polish – but in this case it’s pretty much true. “It constantly gets mistaken for a new truck,” says Daniel Connell of this Kenworth K108E, “and it’s done 2,100,000km.”
Daniel, who drives for Jae Haulage, running out of Waikouaiti, just north of Dunedin, in Bascik Transport livery, has been on the unit for four and a half months. “Huge credit must also go to the previous driver, Jaden Pearson.”
It runs a Cummins 620hp Signature, 18-speed Roadranger manual transmission, and Daniel puts it succinctly when he says: “What’s not to like?”
The big ‘K Whopper’ is a testament to every brand it implicates. Keep a keen lookout in your travels around the South Island for this immaculate unit.
Bridgestone and New Zealand Trucking Media want to recognise trucks that have achieved this milestone in the act of carrying the nation on their backs. Each month, up to eight trucks will be selected, and will feature in the magazine, as well as on our social media.
Those selected will get a Million Mile Club cap and badge for the truck.
Terms • Only owners can submit • NZ trucks only • Supply chain may affect the timing of cap and badge arrival
TO JOIN, EMAIL:
editor@nztrucking.co.nz • Quality image of the truck • Name of owner and driver • Basic spec (model, engine, trans, rear end) • Contact details
