Big Rigs 12 May 2023

Melbourne truck body builder ned $225,000

PRESTIGE Truck Bodies was ned $225,000 and convicted in the Melbourne County Court last month after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide or maintain safe systems of work, so far as was reasonably practicable.

e court heard that in its production process, the Carrum Downs company used breglass and particle board panels that arrived at the workplace in shipping containers, packed in a manner that meant they could only be unloaded manually.

In January 2020, ve workers, including the manager Kevin Smith, 56, were emptying stacks of panels weighing more than 3.5 tonnes in total from a container. e panels had not been securely packed and had become loose in transit.

As the rst panel was being removed, several others fell and fatally crushed Smith against the container wall.

e court heard that it was reasonably practicable for Prestige Truck Bodies to have implemented a system of work that required the supplier to pack panels in a manner that would allow them to be unloaded

using machinery, such as a forklift, and to return any containers that were not packed in this manner.

In a WorkSafe Victoria media statement, executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said the risks of removing heavy loads from shipping containers were well known and employers must ensure they have a safe system of work in place.

“Once a load begins to fall, there’s often no opportunity to escape for anyone inside a container, and the consequences are all too often deadly,” Dr Beer said. “Duty holders should never allow workers to attempt to unload a shipping container that has not been safely packed, and WorkSafe will continue to prosecute those who put workers in harm’s way.”

In sentencing the business, Judge Peter Lauritsen said Smith was a “greatly loved and admired man”.

He also said the death of Smith has had a “profound” impact on the Prestige Truck Bodies’ founder and director, Paul Williams, who he said was unable to enter the plea himself due to his distress.

Judge Lauritsen said Williams su ered “recognised

psychological disorders” as a result of his oor manager’s death and undergoes regular counselling.

e judge also said the company had made “increased e orts to safeguard its employees” since the accident, including the hiring of a full-time health and safety adviser and regular external audits.

Prestige Truck Bodies did not wish to comment.

Timber consignor ned $75,000 over rollover

A consignor of timber goods has pleaded guilty to one category two o ence under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and was convicted and ned $75,000 at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

e consignor had breached its safety duty by exposing drivers and members of the public to the risk of death or serious injury by failing to comply with section 26G of the HVNL.

e NHVR rst charged the Victorian-based compa-

ny with this safety o ence after a truck rolled over onto a pedestrian island crossing. e heavy vehicle was loaded with a 40-foot shipping container carrying 26 tonnes of imported timber plywood products when it rolled in 2019.

e regulator said that its investigation revealed that the consignor had failed to:

• Comply with its own CoR policy.

• Provide overseas suppliers with instructions regarding

compliance with Australian safety regulations.

• Require records and photographs of the container’s load and restraint to be provided prior to shipping.

• Advise the driver and operator of the vehicle on how the load was restrained.

Unsecured or inappropriately packed freight in shipping containers transported by road poses a signi cant safety risk to drivers, workers, other road users and the community, the NHVR said

in a media statement.

NHVR executive director statutory compliance Ray Hassall stated that all parties in the chain should take note of this court outcome.

“ is is a signi cant decision that should be heeded by all duty holders under the HVNL, but particularly those involved in the consignment of imported goods,” said Hassall.

“ ese obligations are in place to ensure all parties in the CoR manage the safety of their transport activities

and can’t simply delegate responsibility to drivers and transport operators.”

e NHVR added that consignors and consignees have the best opportunity to in uence how shipping containers are packed and loaded at the point of origin through contractual and commercial relationships.

“ ey must communicate with suppliers, manufacturers, packers and loaders to ensure processes are carried out to meet safety requirements.”

What is Australasia’s best truck?

THIS is a perennial question argued about for many hours in truck stops across Australia. In fact, you will never get a de nitive answer, because everybody has a di erent opinion.

In many cases, it’s simply a matter of taste. Some people are Kenworth, International, Freightliner or Western Star fans, while others love their Volvo, Scania, Benz or MAN.

e fact of the matter is that merely mentioning choosing the best truck on the road always provokes plenty of discussion and argument when the subject comes up.

e teams at PowerTorque magazine in Australia and TruckingNZ in New Zealand have decided to get involved in this age-old argument and present an award for the best truck on the market.

At this year’s Brisbane Truck Show (BTS), from May 18-21, one lucky truck manufacturer will be taking away the Truck of the Year Australasia (ToYA) 2023 Award for their latest model. e editors of the two

magazines, Tim Giles and Dave McCoid, are associate members of the International Truck of the Year (IToY) jury, which presents a similar award every year in Europe.

e thinking behind the award is simple. What the jury of ve are looking for is the truck which has been introduced in the last year or so, which has contributed to and improved the standards of safety and e ciency of the transport of goods by road in Australasia.

Any truck which ful ls this and which has a gross vehicle mass 4.5 tonnes or above is eligible. e truck must contain considerable technological improvements. A minor facelift etc. does not make a truck eligible. e truck nominated must be reasonably new, shall be produced in series and shall be ordered, according to an o cial price list.

Australasia presents truck makers with challenges unlike those it faces elsewhere in the world, and also considerably tougher. Trucks are working in the harshest conditions, extreme heat, sub-zero temperatures and

mountainous topography at weights up to and over 200 tonnes, in some cases, and the trucks are running at higher speeds than most of the rest of the world.

Unlike the other regions in the world, Australia and New Zealand utilise trucks from Europe, North America and Asia, and loading these trucks to much higher weights than they are designed for in their domestic markets.

In no particular order, the trucks in the running for this year’s ToYA are: the MAN TG3, the Kenworth K220, the Iveco S-Way and the Fuso Shogun 500, all of which have arrived with something new to o er Australasian truckies.

e Fuso Shogun 510 is a completely new concept for our trucking industry, a Japanese truck which actually has some real power. Okay, it’s only a 13-litre engine, but it does knock out genuine power, and torque to match. Anyone getting into this truck will be surprised at how it performs and how good it is to drive.

e Iveco S-Way is a

complete renewing of what the Iveco brand has on offer in Australasia. It comes at a point where the whole Iveco organisation has gone through a massive change and is virtually starting again. e new range is based upon a tried and trusted formula for Iveco, with the latest version of the Cursor engine, an AMT made for Iveco by ZF and the stylish Italian design we have come to expect from the brand.

e introduction of the

K220 by Kenworth may be contentious for some, but the changes introduced in the new model had to happen, to keep the model abreast of the new regulations coming through. It is a delicate balance for the designers to try and maintain the traditional look and feel of an industry favourite, while also bring the K-Series into the 2020s.

MAN is a truck brand which has struggled to make headway in the Australian market, despite being regard-

ed as a quality truck brand and selling well in Europe.

e driveline is up to the kinds of tasks we would use a truck like this for and is a development from a driveline which has shown its durability in the past. e new design elements in the cab are well thought out and are clearly designed after driver feedback.

For more on the contenders for the top honour, check out our bumper BTS liftout from page 17.

The four nalists for the inaugural Truck of the ear Australasia 0 3 pri e.

Govt inaction hampering EV uptake, says industry

BY JAMES GRAHAM

INDUSTRY bosses are calling on federal and state governments to fast-track alignment of legislation and incentives with the burgeoning electric truck technology and emission-free vehicle uptake.

e biggest display of zero-emission trucks ever seen in Australia goes on show at the Brisbane Truck Show from May 18-21 [see this edition’s special liftout from page 17].

But in the lead-up to the event, many industry heads and experts have vented their frustrations over the red-tape failing to keep pace.

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) chief executive Todd Hacking used the launch of Heavy Vehicle Industry Week to highlight the fact that current truck axle load limits are too low for electric vehicles.

“If not addressed, they will completely strangle e orts to decarbonise the industry, preventing it from contributing to Australia’s mandated emissions reductions targets,” he said.

At the same event, Volvo

Group Australia president Martin Merrick also sent a clear message to Canberra to get on board with how fast industry and eets are already embracing the technology.

“Volvo Trucks now have a full range of heavy-duty electric vehicles that we intend to launch in Australia this year, with a view to manufacturing these vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027,” Merrick said.

“However – let me be clear – these targets will not be met, unless we have all levels of government working together to change legislation that will

allow these vehicles to operate here in Australia.”

Merrick said that the lack of political decisiveness on the issue is hindering investment decisions, and needlessly shackling Australia’s economy.

“ e stakes are too high to ignore this issue any longer,” he said.

“I call on all levels of government to create a taskforce to deal with this issue as a matter of urgency.

“ is is not a Volvo problem; this is a zero-emissions future problem; this is an industry-wide problem.”

Hacking echoed Volvo’s

position with insights gained directly from other HVIA members.

“ e heavy vehicle industry wants to transition the eet to zero emissions vehicles, and the technology is available right now,” he said.

“Australia has everything it needs to meet emissions reductions targets, creating more local jobs and investment in the process.

“ e only missing piece is the regulatory framework to support us.

“HVIA urgently calls on government at all levels to accelerate truck axle mass regulatory reform,” Hacking added.

“ e ongoing contribution of the industry to Australia’s economy and emissions reduction targets is at stake.”

HVIA’s chief technical ocer Adam Ritzinger proposed four practical actions that can be implemented by regulators right now: classify roads based on structure type, strength, and durability; develop road maps suitable for ZEVs; utilise telematics; and seal pavement research to support higher axle loads.

“We are on a path to be-

coming the highest emitting industry in Australia if nothing is done,” he said.

He called on road managers to urgently classify roads based on their current structural capacity, leading to the development of networks that can support the heavier axles of zero-emissions trucks.

“Australia has been ‘sweating the road asset’ for many years to meet productivity demands. It is time to refocus on the environmental demands and sweat the asset from that perspective.

“Australia has the capability and technology to resolve this problem and must urgently

act to do so.”

e Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has also been lobbying Canberra for change.

It’s zero emission truck plan includes:

• Australia signing the global zero emission truck memorandum of understanding in which leading countries commit to working together to enable 100 per cent zero-emission new truck and bus sales by 2040 with an interim goal of 30 per cent by 2030, to facilitate achievement of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. e US, Canada, UK and New Zea-

Transport Minister Catherine King jumped behind the wheel of a Volvo EV at Trucking Australia on the Sunshine Coast.

TGE introduced 24 all-electric Fuso eCanters as part of a bold carbon reduction project in Sydney.

land are already signatories.

• Fixing vehicle design rules, including 7.5 tonnes steer axle mass and increasing width for trucks and trailers.

• Investing in electrical recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for trucks.

• Delivering a purchase price incentive.

• Exempt zero emission trucks from curfews.

In line with the association’s recommendations, the ATA said that Australian Government has committed to mandating Euro 6 and equivalent emissions standards and has begun to increase funding for deploying zero emission trucks and infrastructure.

But Sam Marks, the ATA’s sustainability and future transport manager, told Big Rigs that the wheels aren’t turning fast enough.

For example, there wasn’t a single reference to trucking in the recently released National Electric Vehicle Strategy.

“It was disappointing,” said Marks. “And it means as other markets in Europe and North America are now starting to move ahead in this space, that Australia is now in a position where we will fall behind.

“Leadership is happening overseas. e US has incentives. ey’ve also already got some vehicle design rules, and they’ve also got clear statements of intent as well in terms of where they’re going, and we don’t have any of that yet.”

Marks said the solutions come back to xing the regulatory barriers, providing

the alternative energy infrastructure, whether it’s EVs, or hydrogen, and also have some sort of temporary purchase price incentive.

“ e cost of these zero emission trucks will come down in time, but if we want to accelerate the transition, which makes for a smoother trajectory, and reduces the amount of emissions we produce over the next couple of decades, you need some sort of incentive to bring that whole transition forward.

“Australia has now legislated commitment to net zero [by 2050], but for trucks we have no plan to get there.

“Europe has wider trucks and narrower tra c lanes so there’s not a good argument for not doing it, it’s just a matter of bureaucracy catching up with modern needs.”

e ATA has now joined forces with HVIA, the Electric Vehicle Council and the Australian Hydrogen Council to lobby for the federal government to develop and implement a National Zero Emission Truck Strategy.

A media release from the newly formed consortium says the freight industry contributes 38 per cent of Australia’s transport emissions.

At the ATA’s recent Trucking Australia conference on the Sunshine Coast, Transport Minister Catherine King told attendees that she was aware that they were up to the challenge of decarbonising transport.

“With our commitment to net-zero emissions, we need to

drive these down – whether it be through hydrogen highways, electric trucks, or cleaner fuels.

“I know that industry is ready and wanting to do your part.”

“ is ingenuity is why I am con dent that Euro 6 emissions standards can be phased in for new trucks and buses, from November next year.

“ is will bring Australian noxious emissions standards

closer to those already in place in the UK, Europe and elsewhere.”

In making this change, King said she was conscious of the development costs faced by industry to meet steer axle mass and vehicle width limits when introducing low and zero emission heavy vehicles to their eets.

“ at’s why our government is working closely with the heavy vehicle industry through the National Trans-

port Commission and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to settle any outstanding concerns before the implementation of Euro 6.

“We have to take these steps – even when they might be di cult – because the alternative is too damaging.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts told Big Rigs that plans to further reduce emissions across transport, including in the heavy vehicle sector, will be led by a newly established net zero unit.

“We expect to have more to say following the budget [on May 9],” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said the government would continue to “support the decarbonisation” of heavy vehicles via investments such as the Team Global Express (TGE) EV trial. TGE received $20.1 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to deliver the largest battery electric vehicle eet of its kind in Australia.

“As well as investment into hydrogen highways to help industry eets acquire heavy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and construct renewable hydrogen refuelling stations on major freight routes across Australia, starting with the Hume Highway.”

e new ADR which will phase in Euro 6 noxious emissions standards for new heavy vehicles from November 1, 2024, will also provide

a “pathway” for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to operate at the same mass limits as new diesel trucks under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, the spokesperson added. “ e department understands the concerns of the heavy vehicle industry regarding barriers to the uptake of heavier low and zero-emissions trucks in the Australian market, including axle mass limits speci ed in the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

“ at’s why we are working, through the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers meeting, with the NHVR, National Transport Commission and industry to consider options to ensure operators can purchase and safely utilise more low and zero-emissions trucks.

“ is also includes discussions with industry partners about how Australian heavy vehicle manufacturing can be supported with the low and zero-emissions transition.” e department has also prepared a Regulation Impact Statement - released in 2021 - on options to increase the width of heavy vehicles that include certain safety updates and technologies. “We are nalising advice and recommendations for the government on this package of safety technologies, which would be regulated through the national road vehicle standards.

“Should the government agree to the recommendations, we expect the package to come into e ect later this year.”

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HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking said industry needs regulatory framework to support the transition.

VGA president Martin Merrick believes that the lack of political decisiveness on the issue is hindering investment decisions.

Peak body opposes ‘toll grab’ in Melbourne

THE National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has voiced its opposition to tolling giant Transurban swallowing another operator in a submission to the country’s competition regulator.

NatRoad was asked by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to contribute to its review of Transurban’s proposed majority acquisition of Horizon Roads in Victoria, which operates the 39km EastLink motorway in Melbourne.

Horizon Roads, through ConnectEast, holds a conces-

sion from the State of Victoria to operate the EastLink toll road until November 2043.

NatRoad has opposed the deal, reported to be worth $2.5 billion, which it says will have a negative impact on competition and open the way for higher toll charges for road freight operators.

EastLink is the second-busiest tollway in the country, with around 250,000 users each day, and serving 40 per cent of Melbourne’s population.

According to the EastLink website, truckies currently pay $17.91 per trip in one direction.

“In our opinion, the proposed acquisition will increase Transurban’s bargaining power and therefore result in a lack of price competition,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.

“We have strongly recommended that the ACCC consider the potential for increased toll charges and their impact on end consumers.”

Clark says, as in New South Wales, Transurban already operates a signi cant number of toll roads in Victoria.

“Toll tra c data is crucial in competing for toll road development, ownership, and oper-

ation. “ e purchase could also limit the Victorian government’s ability to in uence or control future competitive processes for toll road concessions.

Transurban provides electronic tolling and tag-issuing services under its Linkt brand, and in Victoria has interests in CityLink and the West Gate Tunnel, which is currently under construction. In NSW, it has a near monopoly on toll roads in and around Sydney.

“With the election of a new government in NSW, we are expecting real toll relief

for truck drivers in that state but the creeping rise in tolls is something that needs attention nationwide,” Clark said.

“We have urged the ACCC to carefully consider our submission and to prohibit the

proposed acquisition.”

Transurban is Australia’s largest toll road operator. In Melbourne, it operates the CityLink toll road, and is building and will operate the West Gate Tunnel toll road.

Construction underway on $2 billion Sydney motorway

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a new 16-kilometre toll-free motorway – being built at a cost of $2 billion – which will provide a connection to the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

Due to open in 2026, the M12 Motorway is expected to carry 52,000 vehicles per day by 2036. It will have connectivity via Elizabeth Drive to the east and e Northern Road to the west; aiming to meet demand for the airport’s passenger and

freight transport requirements.

“ e M12 is an important part of the $4.4 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan and is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing over $1.6 billion to the project,” said Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King.

“ is road is an essential part of the strategy to ensure Western Sydney International

Airport enjoys good transport connections from the outset.”

Current works are being delivered by contractors Seymour Whyte along the central section and CPB-Georgiou Group Joint Venture through the western section of the future motorway with more than 2000 people being directly or indirectly employed.

As NSW Roads Minister John Graham explained, “It has also been built to accommodate future freight movements and

growing economic zones such as the Aerotropolis and employment zones stretching from Liverpool to Erskine Park and beyond.

“Importantly, the M12 will also take tra c o Elizabeth Drive, giving the road back to the local communities that rely on it for their day to day needs.”

Major construction on the M12 will be complete prior to the opening of the new Western Sydney International Airport in 2026.

M12 West drainage works are underway on the motorway that is expected to open in 2026. Photo: Transport for NSW

EastLink in Melbourne is the second-busiest tollway in the country.

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EDITOR

JAMES GRAHAM

AFTER all the Covid-related uncertainty that plagued the build-up to the 2021 event, what a relief it is to see such a turnout for this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

Most of the major brands are back on the main floor and with what organisers are calling the biggest display of emission free trucks ever seen in the southern hemisphere.

Hopefully Canberra takes note. The clear message coming through in the build-up was the glaring gap between the industry’s willingness to embrace the new technology and the regulations that are so far failing to keep pace. Factor in the lack of incentives for buyers and charging infrastructure and you can see why the calls for change are growing louder.

As frustrating as it must be for early investors, I’m sure we’ll get there. The government simply can’t reach its net zero goal in 2050 without transport playing its part.

HOT WEB TOPICS

train Call for Gatton pads time limit

Both Jenny Varcoe and Nick Renowden remarked that the facility was not well planned to begin with and there wasn’t enough consultation done to include all the stakeholders, particularly drivers.

World- rst electric triple road

facilities” instead of “consulting with the wrong people”.

TRUCKIES say authorities need to step in and regulate the use of this busy Queensland decoupling facility because too many companies are using it as a trailer depot.

“Place was never planned right, no toilets, not enough parking, simply too bloody small and no input from the people that use it,” Varcoe wrote.

Leanne Dyer agreed that the authorities must “talk to the actual drivers that use these

Eddie Roberts said the government must “keep up with the economy and build bigger pads and amenities, instead of Band-Aid measures keep up with the economic needs of the transport industry.”

Gary Morton agreed with the thought, adding: “The infrastructure needs to get with the times in a growing society with higher freight demands. The state or federal governments need to allocate more land and funds.”

THERE was some interesting response from readers to the first pics and video of the world-first electric triple road train launched in South Australia, a converted Volvo that will cart copper concentrate to the Whyalla port.

Many readers have wondered if it is worthwhile to bring in EV technology to transport, putting further strain on the power supply chain. Peter Hughes said: “100% EV is not the way… hybrid is a better way to go, recharging itself.”

Damien Hedger questioned the logistics of the batteries that will be used. “What do the bat-

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teries cost? How long to charge given the truck will do about six loads a day and use a full charged battery for each load? How volatile are the batteries if damaged?”

Ian House also questioned how much electricity it would take to charge one set of batter-

ies, and whether it is viable to invest in this technology considering the cost to the broader community. “Electricity prices are at an all-time high Australia wide and here we have a company wanting to put more pressure on an already strained power grid.”

Steven Angel responded: “Ian House, yes, I agree I just do not understand either how can they just jump into something which is only a dream idea” before adding “what about a traineeship program for new and inexperienced drivers first? At least we can fix that!”

Frustrated drivers say the facility isn’t running as well as it could.

The converted Volvo from Janus Electric starts work for OZ Minerals this month.

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Sludge hopeful about getting back behind the wheel

BY DANIELLE GULLACI

FOLLOWING a horrific motorcycle accident on March 4, that left him with serious injuries, Paul ‘Sludge’ Andrews recently returned home to continue his long recovery.

e popular truckie became well known after his regular appearances on Outback Truckers, alongside his beloved 2008 Peterbilt 379 called ‘ e Phantom’.

Sludge has spent a lifetime behind the wheel and has travelled to all corners of the country. But now it could be a long time before he’s able to get back on the road again.

e accident happened just around the corner from his home. He had headed out on the motorbike, with his 16-year-old son following behind him on a scooter, when the unthinkable happened.

Sludge su ered a fractured skull, eye sockets,

cheeks and ribs, a bleed to the brain, and torn ligaments in his neck, along with back and hip pain. It left him unconscious for several minutes, and he is unable to remember the accident.

Sludge was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital’s trauma unit, where he stayed for two weeks, before being transferred to the Fiona Stanley Hospital, where he was for close to ve weeks.

“ ey also did surgery on his brain to block an artery, to stop any more bleeding on the brain,” said his ancé Wendy Kennedy.

Sludge was discharged in late April so he could continue his rehabilitation from home, with Wendy being his full-time carer.

His rehab will include physiotherapy, speech therapy and continuous doctor and specialist appointments, along with hydro pool therapy several times a week. e recovery is expected to take

6-12 months, but it could be even longer before he’s able to drive a truck again.

ough Sludge is now back on his feet and able to walk short distances, Wendy told Big Rigs there’s still a long way to go. “Sludge is walking now, but very slowly. He couldn’t go to the shops for example without being in a wheelchair. He can walk little distances but then he gets fatigued. It’s good for him to walk though, where he can. So I let him walk and then get the wheelchair out when he gets tired. It can be emotionally trying too though.”

Sludge also opened up about how di cult it’s been. “I’m actually a little over it. It’s not coming along like I thought it would. I’m alright with walking, but still a bit unsteady,” he said.

In fact, just three days after coming home, Sludge had a fall – thankfully he didn’t hurt himself too badly. Wendy explained, “He keeps losing his balance. He’ll be walking and then his leg will give way. He had a nasty fall outside our house. He grazed his head on the pole and hurt the wrist that wasn’t injured, on the concrete. It could have been a lot worse.”

Sludge added, “A fall like that puts me back two or three days, and that annoys me. We’ll get there, it’s just going to take time.”

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been an easy ride for this couple in recent times. Sludge’s motorbike accident came just a week after he had returned to work, following a jet ski accident at the end of December 2022. He had suffered seven broken ribs as a result and was sidelined from work for six weeks.

“No one can give an answer about when Sludge will be able to drive again. With a head injury, this is really fresh, it’s still early days,” said Wendy.

When asked about getting back behind the wheel, Sludge said he was hopeful,

“It’s probably 12-18 months away – it could even be two years before I’m driving again. I need to be able to pass my main medical too, so I might not be able to road train again, I may only be

able to do singles. But you never know. I had a mate who had a stroke and he was set way back, and he’s going again.”

He continued, “From the head injury, I get car sick at

the moment. Every time I get in the car, I have to take medication. I can handle not being able to drive, but this is the one thing I’m really struggling with. I struggle to even go in the car to get to appointments.”

Wendy added, “ e doctors can’t say how long it will take but he won’t be driving a truck for a very long time. What people don’t understand is that we’re not loaded – we’re just an average working couple.

“He nearly lost everything seven years ago and had to rebuild. Everything he does is because he’s passionate about trucks and loves doing it. Now we’re looking long term, because we don’t want to go broke again.”

A friend of the couple, Donna Gell, has created a GoFundMe page to help with the associated costs while Sludge’s business is on hold. At the time of writing (May 3), $15,530 had been raised of the $25,000 goal.

There’s still a long road to recovery ahead, but Sludge is making great progress.

Sludge is being looked after at home by his anc Wendy, who is currently his full time carer.

Sludge and The Phantom were a regular site on reality show utback Truckers.

COME AND VISIT OUR UNIQUE STAND AT THIS YEARS BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW AND SEE ALL THINGS KRUEGER AS WE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF OUR AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION.

This 1965 DCO is a rare nd

also an upgrade on the Mack.

“I had no troubles with it, with the 44s under it, it could do anything. She hauled some big loads and it never saw a weighbridge in New South Wales,” McGlinchie said with a smile.

“Of course, there was still 600 miles of dirt roads – when I started running out there in 1959 the dirt started at the Kimba turno and nished at Norseman – it was rugged, but the truck stood up to it. I had slept across the seats for 10 years, so it was a step up in comfort. It did 90 per cent of its time running Sydney to Perth, carrying general and then copper tube and loading timber back out of the south-west.”

McGlinchie sold the truck in the mid 1970’s in favour of a Detroit-powered Atkinson, with the DCO a familiar sight around Sydney for a number of years working as a salvage unit for Retriever Towing.

Buying the truck back, McGlinchie started his restoration project, which has resulted in the truck today nished with a white roof, blue cab and gold trims.

a lot more sociable too,” he said.

In between owning the DCO, McGlinchie spent a number of years carting steel between Sydney and Newcastle before nishing his fulltime driving delivering BP fuel for a sub-contractor. In more recent times he worked shifting the Stihl Timbersports woodchopping carnival around the country before the various Covid shutdowns saw him call time on his driving duties.

For older readers he is best known for his 14-year stint as test driver and technical contributor for the much-missed Truck and Bus magazine.

“I would have done that job for nothing – at one time International built us a Big Cam powered Atkinson for a road test between Sydney and Perth, it was nice that they trusted you enough to build a truck for you to do a test,” he said.

BY DAVID VILE

LOOKING back through the archives of road transport in Australia and in particular the myriad of makes and models of trucks that have graced our roads, the International DCO-F does not come as readily to mind as other trucks such as a Mack Super-Liner or Kenworth SAR.

e only known DCO-F still on the road in Australia along with its owner, did the hard yards on the Nullarbor between Sydney and Perth when the road was not much more than a dirt track.

Don McGlinchie has twice owned the 1965-model DCO, in the rst instance purchasing the Emeryville, California-built truck with which he ran across ‘ e Paddock’, and other destinations between 1969 and 1974. He once again bought the truck

around 10 years ago and spent four years overhauling and rebuilding it into an immaculate example of the model, which he had on display recently at the Gundagai Tractor Pull and Swap Meet.

“ e DCO-F was the predecessor to the Transtar, there is no documented history of

them in Australia but as near as I can nd out the rst series had a 280 Cummins which was de-rated from a 335. It’s a D-series, the CO is for cabover, and the F denotes a bogie drive,” McGlinchie explained.

Having been running a B-Model Mack east-west, McGlinchie bought the DCO

Midland.

INSURANCE BROKERS

from Phil Murray, another Sydney-based operator. With the tment of a 15-speed Roadranger and the International rear end swapped out for a 44,000lb Rockwell setup, the International soon proved its worth, and with the sleeper cab somewhat of a rarity at the time, the comfort levels were

“It still had the tow-truck body on it, but the chassis was cracked in a couple of places, I bought an old Kenworth and ogged all the good stu out of it and put it back in this. With the 350 Big Cam Cummins, it runs along nicely, you can sit on 100k and she’s only doing 1300 revs. It also now has air suspension so that’s made it

For now, McGlinchie wheels the DCO out for events such as the Gundagai event and Haulin’ the Hume, where the truck’s rarity makes it somewhat of a talking point.

“I know where there are three others being restored but they are long term projects. ey built 33,800 of them which would have been the best-selling International in the USA until the Transtar came out. But you just can’t seem to nd much history of them here in Australia which is a real shame.”

Don McGlinchie’s 1965 International DCO-F on display in Gundagai. Photos: David Vile

“She hauled some big loads”: The DCO-F loaded up with a dozer and machinery in the early 1970s.

The signwriting on the rear of the cab salutes the truck’s builders at the International Harvester plant in Emeryville, California.

Dedicated to ‘Dynamite Kate’

BY DAVID VILE

‘A MODERN classic’ would probably be an apt term to describe the 1976 Kenworth which is owned and operated by Matt and Courtney Hambridge.

e 47-year-old Kenworth’s iconic SAR styling is straight out of the 1970s, coupled up to a current era engine and driveline.

Based just south of Sydney at Yerrinbool, Matt and Courtney operate MCH Heavy Haulage, with a eet of predominantly cabover Kenworths, joined last year by the SAR, which has taken pride of place as both a agship vehicle for the business and one which will be part of the Hambridge operation for many years to come.

Coupled up to a Drake quad oat and loaded with a Caterpillar PM620 pro ler, the couple had the Kenworth on display in late February at the Gundagai Tractor Pull and Swap Meet.

With the truck having recently once again become a fully working truck as opposed to an historic one, Matt gave a background to both the unique speci cations of the SAR and its new home as

part of the MCH eet.

“It has the features of a modern truck in an older truck. It actually has a Series 60 Detroit in it and all the running gear out of a K104 Kenworth with an 18-speed ‘box and an airbag rear end,” explained Matt.

“ e 14-litre Detroit is rated at a little over 600 horsepower, so it has no problem getting over the hills! It is a bit of a toy, I just wanted something that I could do up so we got a hold of it and started tinkering.”

Having been on the lookout for an older SAR and having just missed out on another example, a ick through the classi eds on Gumtree late in 2022 soon had Courtney on a plane to Western Australia to check out the truck.

“Courtney found it on Gumtree and went straight over to Perth that afternoon to look at it, she came back and got a bank cheque and we went back over and drove it home,” said Matt.

“It has been converted with all the newer gear over there and the fella needed to buy a set of grain tippers for the harvest season and needed to sell it.

“We were a bit lucky; the truck had been sitting in his

shed for four years, and he had only had it on Gumtree for two days.

“We bob-tailed her home – I am a bit time poor so didn’t have time to get a trailer sorted – there was a bit of hopping and carrying on but with the airbags it wasn’t too bad.”

Having planned to take a couple of his restored GM-powered Dodges on a trailer to Gundagai behind the SAR, Matt’s plans soon changed when one of his clients needed the pro ler picked up out of Wagga to go back to Sydney.

With the truck having been put back on full registration the week before it was an opportunity for the Kenworth to start earning its keep.

“It’s the rst week on the road as a working truck. It had been on vintage plates prior.

“I said to Courtney that it’s a bit of a waste having it sit in the shed and not being utilised so we got it spec’d to 75-tonne and got it back on full rego.

“Coming down here it was a perfect opportunity to take it for a run and still utilise it in the business. We took the

weekend o for the show but this will save two trips.

e MCH operation is run as a family business and undertakes a variety of roadworks and road maintenance projects for companies such as Fulton Hogan.

From their Yerrinbool base the MCH trucks and equipment work throughout the Southern Highlands, and with the recent oods requiring a number of road projects to be undertaken, Matt’s team has been as far a eld as West Wyalong and Narrandera.

e current eet includes ve K200s, a K104 and a K108, and looking to the future Matt is about to put two A-double tipper sets on the road to haul asphalt.

“We built up the business with excavation and heavy haulage. We wound it down a bit through Covid and have found our niche market, the A-doubles we have invested money in to maximise what we can do with our sta and so forth. We are a small family business but we all work together and get through it, taking on the two double setups is a big risk but if you don’t have a go you’ll never know,” he said.

e family ties extend through to the SAR, which has been dedicated to Matt’s great grandmother, Catherine Grace Hambridge, who was better known around the place as ‘Dynamite Kate’.

“I wanted a truck I could do up in honour of her. I was probably a little too young but she drove for TNT on parcel freight for a number of years,” recalled Matt fondly.

“She had a reputation, apparently she used to go o like a recracker at Marulan!” he added with a smile.

Also adorning the sleeper cab are the names of Matt and Courtney’s three children, Katie, Tyler and Chloe, with 13-year-old Katie apparently showing good form already changing gears around the MCH yard.

Matt reckons with the support of Courtney, who is also regularly behind the wheel of a truck, his father Ian, and other family members helping out along the way his business is well poised for the future.

It is the passion for his machinery and work that will keep the MCH name, and the ‘best of both worlds’ Kenworth out on the roads for a long time yet.

“It is old but modern enough that I can still put it to work, and this is something we can hand on down to the next generation,” he concluded.

Editor’s note: Astute readers may recall this story from the previous issue. We’re running it again in its entirety this time after a le error at the printing stage inadvertently deleted the second half.

A quick ick through the classi eds on Gumtree opened up a whole new world for this Yerrinbool couple.

Matt and Courtney Hambridge with kids Tyler, Chloe and Katie.

The SAR has been dedicated to Matt’s great grandmother Catherine ‘Dynamite Kate’ Hambridge.

The best of both worlds, the Kenworth has once again become a working truck.

A key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Heavy vehicle extravaganza

HEAVY Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) chief executive Todd Hacking said this year’s Heavy Vehicle Industry Week will be the biggest and the most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia.

e week-long celebration from May 15-21 also includes the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere, one of the most talked-about features of the Brisbane Truck Show at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre.

“It is a tremendous honour and thrill to host Queensland’s biggest business-to-business event, which is expected to contribute $40 million to Queensland’s economy,” said Hacking at the o cial launch.

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and support we receive from the Queensland government and Brisbane City Council who work with us to deliver this world-leading industry event.

“With an extraordinary program of informative, interactive and educational activities we expect 40,000 attendees to the Brisbane Truck Show over four days, lling over 70,000 hotel room nights across the city.”

Hacking said that a key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and environmentally friendly transport.

“We will feature the future of heavy vehicle technology including the largest display of zero-emission vehicles in the southern hemisphere including hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, hybrids, renewable diesel and much more.”

Volvo Group Australia pres-

ident Martin Merrick said the event is an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse of the future of transport, a vital industry that lies at the heart of the Australian economy.

“It is no secret that we are on a zero-emissions journey both globally and locally,” Merrick said.

“By 2030, at least 30 per cent of the new trucks we sell globally will be either electric or utilising a zero-emissions power source.

“We intend for that gure to rise to 100 per cent by 2040.

“Electric trucks will bring lower running costs, lower emissions, and more choice for

trucking operators.

“But most importantly they make our cities and urban environment a better place to live and work.

“We are expanding our electric o ering with a view to manufacturing heavy electric vehicles right here in Brisbane by 2027.”

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor, Krista Adams said the Brisbane Truck Show was a major business and tourism drawcard for the city, a vital hub for road transport which supports thousands of jobs for locals.

“ e Brisbane Truck Show will also be a massive boost

for the events industry, attracting 40,000 people to the city thanks to an exciting line-up, including free and a ordable events for the whole family,” she said.

e week incorporates the following heavy vehicle events:

• e Brisbane Truck Show, May 18-21 (BCEC).

• South Bank Truck Festival (South Bank Parklands).

• Mack Anthem Truck built by LEGO bricks as a Guinness World Record attempt.

• Rock on Riverside Live @ South Bank concerts.

• Electric Avenue – zero-emission truck display on Little

Stanley Street.

• National Apprentice Challenge at the South Bank Piazza.

• Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show (Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills).

• Heritage Truck Show (Rocklea Showgrounds).

Program highlights include:

• e largest display of zero emissions heavy vehicles in the southern hemisphere.

• Electric Avenue display on Little Stanley Street, South Bank.

• Complimentary community concerts in South Bank Park-

lands Riverside Green.

• Co-presented by Live at South Bank, Eat South Bank, QMusic.

• e Superjesus and Australian Rock Collective plus many more.

• e Live at South Bank program is proudly supported by the Australian Government Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund.

• Full-scale replica Mack Anthem built from Lego bricks. celebrating 60 years of Mack

• Trucks being manufactured in Queensland.

• e battle of Australia’s best automotive apprentices at the HVIA National Apprentice Challenge, featuring a crowd of almost 2000 students from an anticipated 50 high schools to experience the diverse and rewarding career opportunities.

“ e heavy vehicle industry has shown incredible resilience and tenacity over the last few years, helping to keep the country moving through drought, bush res and the pandemic,” added Hacking.

“Our ability to support the largest accelerated increase in online shopping in the world’s history is a testament to the sector’s character, agility and capacity to scale and deliver in the face of extraordinary challenges.

“ is year we celebrate our achievements as an industry and also demonstrate our commitment to, and embrace of, innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport technology.

“We have also partnered with industry and mental and wellbeing charity, Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, to support the mental health of our greatest asset, our people.”

Manufacturers on emission at 2023 Brisbane Truck Show

TRANSPORT Minister

Catherine King and Climate

Change Minister Chris Bowen only need to take a quick walk around the main auditorium to see that manufacturers are more than willing to play their role in helping Australia reach its net zero target by 2050.

Zero-emission vehicles have been the talk of the show in the build-up with all the main players eager to show o their latest o erings.

So big was the hype, some were still under wraps at deadline for this issue, including Volvo’s eagerly-anticipated heavy-duty prime mover, which was set to be revealed to industry media for the rst time on May 17, the day before the covers come at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Until then, here are more details about some of the other zero emission trucks that we do know will be on display.

Despite the regulatory handbrakes and lack of incentives for buyers (see story on page 4-5), Volvo is an early frontrunner in Australia in the EV truck space.

Early adopters of the Volvo product so far include heavyweight clients such as Australia Post, Linfox, Team Global Express and GEODIS.

Just recently, Volvo Group Australia president Martin Merrick also announced the group’s intentions to build

battery-electric vehicles at its Brisbane facility by 2025, with the heavy-duty model coming on line two years later.

e current models available in Australia include the Volvo FE Electric, a 300hp (225kW) rigid, that runs a dual-motor driveline with a two-speed gearbox with three to four batteries; and the FL Electric, a medium-duty truck designed for city rigid work that’s powered by a single electric motor with a two-speed

gearbox.

e range for the FE is up to 200km and its gross combination weight pushes up to 26 tonnes and comes in 4×2 or 6×2 axle con gurations.

e FL claims a 300km range and pushes out 174hp (130kW) from its single electric motor. e FL also boasts GCW of up to 16 tonnes and has four battery packs at 265kW.

Charging time takes 11 hours with alternating current

and two hours with direct current charging.

Team Global Express has chosen a eet comprising 36 Volvo FL electric trucks tted with 10-pallet van bodies, a GVM of 5900kg, and a range of up to 300km.

Continued on page 22

The Volvo FL is undergoing six month trial with Australia Post. The medium-duty rigid is perfect for city work. The range for the Volvo FE is up to 200km.

(L-R) Brisbane Truck Show mascot Sunny, Martin Merrick, Todd Hacking and Krista Adams give the thumbs up to the launch of Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week.

The team Australia trusts.

Going the Extra Mile

To nd out more, contact your UDTrucks dealer on 1300 BUYA UD or visit udtrucks.com/australia

When you’re running a trucking business, or you’re out on the road, trust is everything. You need a team behind you that you can rely onpeople you know are always on your side.

At UD Trucks, we have one of the widest networks of sales and service experts dedicated to your success. From local dealership managers to finance specialists, from performance specialists to truck technicians, our people take the time to get to know your business, and they work with you like they’re part of the team.

Find the team and truck Australia trusts at the Brisbane Truck Show - Stand Number 49

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

All-electric eActros debut

MERCEDES-BENZ Trucks will present the all-electric eActros for the rst time in Australia at the show.

e battery-electric eActros is focused on heavy-duty short radius distribution and development trucks have been working away in select eets in Europe since 2018, impressing customers with its advanced design, strong performance and e ciency.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will soon begin a local validation program for the eActros in Australia and New Zealand.

Daimler Truck already has considerable experience with electric trucks in Australia. It was the rst manufacturer to launch an all-electric truck

when Fuso introduced the pioneering eCanter locally in 2021.

e eActros validation program is designed to ensure the eActros speci cation is tailored for the unique conditions of Australia and New Zealand and meets the speci c requirements of local customers.

Initially, four eActros trucks will get to work in Australia and one unit will hit the road in New Zealand, with additional units to follow.

As we were going to print, Mercedes-Benz Trucks also con rmed that the all-electric eEconic will also be on display in Brisbane for the rst time.

e Econic, which is best known for waste collection was designed from the ground-up to

Latest eCanter revealed

work in densely-populated areas and is known for its excellent visibility, practicality and active safety features.

Now, the electric eEconic version will also be known for its near-silent powertrain and zero local emissions.

e eEconic that will feature on the Daimler Truck Stand at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre will also be part of a validation trial that will take place in Australia and New Zealand after the show.

STAND: FOYER 44

Ph: 1800 033 557

Web: mercedes ben trucks.com/en_AU

THE lightning-fast electric evolution continues with the next-generation Fuso eCanter making its debut in Brisbane.

Fuso Fuso launched the rst eCanter globally in 2017. It was the rst OEM electric truck introduced locally in 2021 and has worked for big brands including Bunnings, Toohey’s, Centurion, Goldstar, Linfox and Australia Post.

e next-generation eCanter moves the needle further with a raft of new technology that demonstrates how quickly electric truck technology is moving.

ese include a state-ofthe-art eAxle electric Power Take O (PTO), advanced safety, connectivity, boosted range and a bigger choice of models that covers di erent wheelbases, weight ratings and a choice of a City Cab or Wide Cab.

e eAxle is big highlight as it delivers big e ciency bene ts and reduces weight. For the existing model, the power is fed through a driveshaft from an electric motor that sits just behind the cab to the drive axle. For the next generation eCanter, engineers have developed a drive axle that also houses the electric motor.

Another smart piece of technology is the electric PTO, which opens up a bunch of new opportunities for the new eCanter. It means

Heavy rigid hydrogen truck

HYZON Motors is showcasing its heavy rigid truck platform, an Australian-designed and built hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, at the show.

e company is developing the heavy rigid truck as a global platform, adaptable for international markets, with a multitude of uses, such as garbage compactors, tilt trays and atbed trucks.

Leading the development of the global heavy rigid program in Australia has allowed Hyzon to tap into the rich

resources of highly skilled local engineering and technical knowledge to build a team, process, and product for its global and domestic markets, the company says.

Last year, the US-based company announced development of a purpose-built assembly plant in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Noble Park, to locally manufacture hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.

Hyzon’s team has designed and built the rst three trucks

over the past year, replacing the diesel engines in new Mercedes trucks with hydrogen gas tanks and a fuel cell.

STAND: PLAZA 297

that the new truck’s electric power can also be used to move things like a tipper body, crane, or fridge body.

e eCanter will come with clever factory connectivity that will allow eet operators to see battery information, including charge level, remotely, along with a vast amount of other information.

ere is a newly-developed eMotor that makes a maximum output of 129kW and 430Nm. e ‘engine brake’ system that slows the truck while harvesting energy at the same time now has four stages for even better control.

is powerful system means that eCanter drivers can slow the truck in tra c, even to a complete stop, without having to touch the service brakes. e energy recouped also increases the range.

Like the existing model the new eCanter can be charged with regular AC charging technology or a faster DC

charging station.

ere are new thermally-controlled battery packs available in three di erent sizes. Australian tests will soon be conducted with a fully loaded eCanter to determine how much the range has improved and to make it t for our market.

Fuso has introduced a new look exterior, while the interior has been given a major freshen-up with a futuristic digital dash and upgraded steering wheel.

Customers will also have more choice, with 14 variants all up. e range will start at 4.5 tonnes and move up to 8.55 tonnes.

Order books open toward the end of the year.

STAND: FOYER 44

1800 033 557

Ph:

Mighty entry to EV market

A HUGE array of battery and hydrogen fuel cell EVs are set for display at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show, with Korean brand Hyundai the latest to unveil plans to launch a new EV at the upcoming event.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia will enter the electric commercial vehicle market with the arrival of the 4×2 Mighty electric truck, which will be shown for the rst time in public in Brisbane.

Rated at up to 7.3-tonnes GVM, with a payload of up to

3.5-tonnes and a laden range in excess of 200km, the Mighty is suited for nal-mile deliveries for operators seeking a zero-tailpipe emission vehicle.

It is quiet and smooth to drive and comes with many safety and comfort features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning and electronic stability control.

Trucks displayed at the Brisbane show will include a atbed and a pantech box, with further body options available

once sales commence.

e Hyundai Mighty electric truck is powered by a 120kW, 320Nm traction motor fed by a 114.5kWh battery system with rapid DC charging capability that can replenish the batteries from 10 per cent to 100 per cent in under 70 minutes.

STAND: FOYER 112

The new eCanter comes with clever factory connectivity.

The Mighty is well suited for nal mile deliveries.

The eActros will soon begin a validation process in Australia and NZ.

ROARING TO LIFE.

MAN’s TGX 26.510 is trucking redefined. Featuring the generous GM cab and powered by MAN’s technologically-advanced 510hp 13L Euro 6 engine with over 390hp of engine braking, the TGX will go the distance. Come and see us in the main hall to learn how our new MAN truck generation boasts excellent driver fit, great efficiency and economy features, optimised uptime, and makes for a strong business partner.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Futureproo ng with PACCAR

WHILE the anniversary Legend SAR on display in 2021 stepped back in time to pay homage to an icon, the future of Kenworth trucks can be found in the recently released Kenworth K220.

e K220 is the brand’s most technologically advanced truck and will sit front and centre of its popular stand at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.

e truck is also one of four nalists for the inaugural Truck of the Year Australasia prize, with the winner to be crowned at the show.

e most noticeable change to its predecessor, the K200, is the operating environment. Stepping inside the K220 cab, you’ll nd a more modern interior tted with a 15-inch high-de nition display as well as a new eight-inch audio-visual navigation unit that has smartphone integration. However, it still feels and looks like a Kenworth inside.

PACCAR Australia has also updated the automatic transmission, with the new K220 swapping out its previous Eaton Ultrashift for the new Eaton 18-speed Endurant XD Pro automated transmission. An 18-speed Road Ranger box is still available.

Safety-wise, the company says the K220 has the largest range of active and passive safety options ever o ered by Kenworth Australia and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, side object detection and collision mitigation.

Early adopter Mark Tobin, chief executive at Followmont Transport, has been impressed with what he’s found in the new model and already has plans to buy more. “ e K220s are universal,

they can just handle anything you throw at them,” Tobin said.

“When we purchase eet, we really look for trucks that are durable as we want to get the most out of our equipment, and the K220s really stand up.

“ eir durability makes them the best on market and the trucks speak for themselves. I just love this product.”

Tobin added that a key factor for Followmont is driver satisfaction with any of the trucks they buy.

“Our team love these vehicles and the comfort they provide,” he said.

“ e sleeper is spacious and a big drawcard for our drivers.

“Everyone you speak to wants to look at the K220, it’s becoming Followmont’s newest tourist attraction!”

Our WA writer David Meredith struck the same level of curiosity when test driving a pre-production model late last year from Perth to Coolgardie.

“Everyone in the parkups were drawn to the rig, emblazoned with Kenworth’s “Next Level” marketing message for the K220. And they all wanted a cockpit tour,” he wrote at the time.

e major mechanical upgrade for Meredith was the lighter, smoother Eaton Endurant XD Pro automated manual, which shifted between cogs with its usual e ciency, but with faster changes to smooth out the torque interruption.

“Using the manual mode on the few hills we encountered was easy to manage and allowed me to optimise fuel usage. ere is more room for the driver too, and as with all K Series driver placement is as far to the RHS of

the truck as you can get.

“A new grille optimises cooling and there are LED headlights. e roof and fairings have been smoothed out to reduce drag, and wheel arches changed to reduce spray into the engine compartment.”

Meredith was also impressed with the “acres” of room in the cab.

“Certainly, a life on the road will not be cramped in the K220.”

Meredith was also taken with the massive 15” high-de nition instrument panel that is switchable between displays.

e K Series engine brake was especially e ective, noted Meredith. “Not as good as a retard er, of course, but the combina tion of a driver

who drives well ahead of themselves and the twostage engine brake will minimise service brake use anyway.

“Certainly, the transmission’s connection to the auxiliary brake was helpful, particularly as the rst two

clicks on the engine brake lever were followed by a spring-loaded additional click which instantly dropped down a gear.

“Down the road, an overnight run would be good to assess the new cab, but so far there is no doubt that for Kenworth devotees the changes will be received with enthusiasm. And that’s already happening.”

Also on show for PACCAR will be the legendary T909 with a 50” sleeper, the T610 with a 1400mm sleeper, the T360A and

T410SAR con gured in a low-roof car carrier specication.

DAF fans will also have plenty to take in at the show’s most popular stand with the Kenworth cousin displaying the XF530, CF530, the CF340, and a special preview of what’s coming in 2024, the biggest design project in DAF Trucks Australia’s history.

Zero emission vehicles

Although its diesel rigs are always fan favourites, the 2023 Brisbane event will herald in a new era for PACCAR in cutting-edge design and technology with the rst public appearance of its hydrogen and battery electric models. PACCAR future fuels initiatives include the Kenworth hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, the T680, equipped with a 630hp electric motor.

Sixty kilograms of hydrogen gas stored at 10,000psi can supply enough energy to the fuel cell for a range of 480km, with a mere 15-minute refuelling time.

At the lighter end of the spectrum, the 19-tonner DAF LF o ers an ideal zero emissions distribution truck. It has a 260kW electric motor powered by a 282kWh battery pack. e result, says PACCAR, is outstanding performance, and a range of up to 280km.

Mark Tobin (left) and Brown & Hurley’s Jim Boler at the handover of ollowmont s rst K 0.

The eye catching K 0 attracts plenty of attention when it hits the road.

The A can get up to 0km powered by 0kW electric motor.

The new Kenworth hydrogen T 0 which has a range of 0km.

retardcombina19-ton elec motor perfor of

ON-ROAD

FOR DRIVERS... THERE’S ONLY ONE CHOICE

With undisputable road presence and trusted reliability, there’s no place you’d rather be than behind the wheel of a Kenworth.

kenworth.com.au

Iveco’s new S-Way: S for slick, smooth and silent

beady eye on you as well as the road, and will now report your driving performance, focused on braking use, e cient throttle management and truck road placement.

e bunk area is symmetric so you can pick which side your sleepy head goes and still operate all the controls without getting out from under the doona.

On the road, the truck systems and driveline are a significant upgrade from the X-Way, adding features that help a driver to maximise fuel e ciency no matter what the terrain.

e Cursor 13 engine develops up to 550hp and 2500Nm of torque, and in the S-Way it is further re ned to be as smooth and silent as a car driveline.

BY DAVID MEREDITH

FOR some time now Iveco dealers in Australia have been hanging out for a solution to undeservedly low market share in the heavy-duty sector.

Although the X-Way competes favourably with the other European competition in terms of driveability, fuel e ciency and reliability, its spec excluded Iveco from big eet purchasing programs that required trucks with broader weight capacities.

e new S-Way still tops out at 70t GCM, so a full B-double role is its limit. We’ll wait to see if Iveco can develop that spec so that the trend towards B-triples doesn’t leave the brand oundering in the wake of the 110t GCM competition.

In the meantime, Big Rigs took to the road in one of the rst Aussie road tests of the new truck.

In broad terms, the new S-Way is the sum of a myriad of tweaks to an already solid hard-working platform. Few of the changes would warrant a new truck launch, but together

the package delivers a fundamentally di erent driving and operating experience that, in my view, should attract drivers and owners to a better and safer on-road experience.

Add to that a new cab, which explores design opportunities for better air ow, improved cooling capacity and more usable driver space, and S-Way is a signi cant improvement to Iveco’s o ering in the heavy-duty sector.

Every part of S-Way’s exterior has been tweaked for better aero performance and accessibility.

e new high roof, bumper design and door extensions drop fuel consumption by a signi cant 4 per cent. Mirrors and wheel arches have top and side spoilers and a side skirt. e door extensions cover the middle step to make thieving more di cult and minimise movement of mud onto the steps and into the cab.

Lighting now includes cornering illumination, LEDs as standard and a twilight sensor switches the driving lights on for you. A headlamp grill helps

with stone protection.

Under oor storage is boosted by 12 per cent and the access is wider, allowing a couple of 130-litre water cages.

Inside, the audio system screen in the centre of the stack will mirror your mobile, and the options available on the large touch screen will allow the fussiest driver to get set. Voice recognition and DAB radio is standard.

e driver’s seat is lower, but features more movement range.

e shelf is sculptured to increase visibility and the middle side pillar has been removed.

e steering wheel brings mostused functions to the driver’s ngertips as well as improving cab movement with a attened bottom to the wheel itself.

e central dash stack is uncluttered and littered with storage nooks and crannies. e door panels now accept 1.5L drink bottles and the fridge and cooler each have an easy-access hatch so your drink can stay cooled but still at hand.

A new Driver Attention Support system will keep its

T-Way takeover in Brisbane

JOINING the S-Way on stand in Brisbane will be Iveco’s latest o -road model, the T-Way, which replaces the Trakker range.

T-Way is available in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x4 con gurations and shares many innovations and technology advancements featured in S-Way, including Euro6 (Step E) engines, Hi-Tronix transmissions and safety equipment such as Electronic Braking System (EBS), ABS and ASR (Anti-Skid Regulator) and Hill Holder.

ese models also feature Daytime Running Lamps, LED headlamps (with corner-

ing fog lights), transmission intarder and engine brake, and a tough ECE-R29.03 certi ed cab. An optional Lane Departure Warning System and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also available.

e display vehicle is a 4x4 variant that boasts a host of o -road systems including fulltime 4x4, hub reduction to all axles and front, centre and rear di erential locks to provide superior traction in slippery conditions.

A two-speed transfer case also delivers excellent tractability in low range, allowing T-Way to overcome steep ascents and

descents easily and safely.

Further aiding o -road capabilities is a generous 33° approach angle, front parabolic suspension with dampers and stabiliser bar, and rear 3-Leaf parabolic suspension with stabiliser bar, which provides outstanding articulation while smoothing out the bumps.

To experience the new S-Way and T-Way ranges rsthand, visit Iveco at stand 58 at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

An additional Iveco S-Way prime mover will also be exhibited at the South Bank Truck Festival in the South Bank Parklands, May 17-21.

e emissions system is Iveco’s patented Hi-eSCR which provides many bene ts compared to EGR and SCR equivalents, including reduced fuel consumption and a lower tare weight.

e ZF designed 16-speed transmission allows various transmission modes to handle loading bays, parking areas, broken surfaces and tricky reversing tasks.

Take a tip from me - read the transmission manual to be clear about all the features and modes available at your ngertips. You’ll save fuel as well as bumps, scrapes and abuse from your mates if you do.

I was pleasantly surprised in my shortish test drive, but I did enough to nd that S-Way is at least on the level of the very best European trucks currently available.

Iveco has increased the warranty period and kms by healthy 50 per cent, to 3-years and 750,000km, plus the service intervals are out to 75,000km, or 12 months for the 11- and 13-litre engines.

In summary, Iveco now has a contender in the sub-70t GCM sector that is as good as the best and better than some.

If you’re in the market for a single trailer or B-double prime

nder oor storage is boosted by per cent and the access is wider, allowing a couple of 30 litre water cages.

mover, or a 6x4, 8x4 or 6x2 rigid tray, curtainsider or pantech, make sure you get behind the S-Way’s newly sculptured steering wheel before any money changes hands.

STAND: FOYER 58

Ph: 03 9238 2200 Web: iveco.com.au

The central dash stack is uncluttered and littered with storage nooks and crannies.

Every part of S-Way’s exterior has been tweaked for better aero performance and accessibility.

The audio system screen in the centre of the stack will mirror your mobile, and the options available on the large touch screen allows the fussiest driver to get set.

T-Way replaces the Trakker range and features a new driveline, cabin and interior appointments.

Your way to superior Safety, Performance and Comfort

The S-Way’s high efficiency engine, transmission and Fuel Efficiency System continuously evaluates conditions boosting performance.

The fully redesigned cab transforms the driving experience so that you can work, relax and rest to always perform at your best.

And the S-Way’s uncompromised safety means that every journey is a destination that brings you back home. iveco.com.au

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Fuso Shogun 510 makes shortlist for major prize

THE Fuso Shogun 510 has been announced as a nalist for Truck of the Year Australasia.

Australia’s most powerful Japanese truck is one of four nalists for the inaugural award, which seeks to shine a spotlight on the excellence of the product-hauling freight on our highways.

e Truck of the Year Australasia is judged on criteria used globally by existing International Truck of the Year awards, but also takes into account the particular characteristics of the Australian and New Zealand truck markets.

e other three nalists are the MAN TG3, the Kenworth K220, and the Iveco S-Way, with the winner announced at the show.

Fuso will also present the Shogun 510 as a tipper for the rst time at the show, while a prime mover version of the same truck will also be on hand.

e 510 Tipper speci cation model has the lightest tare weight of any tipper with 500hp-plus in Australia and New Zealand, which is a boost for productivity.

e Shogun 510 was devel-

oped speci cally for Australian and New Zealand customers who asked for an advanced Japanese truck with more than 500hp and a mountain of torque.

Fuso listened and sourced a 13-litre OM471 engine from the Daimler Truck family, creating the ultimate Japanese

truck that belts out 510hp and 2500Nm of torque while meeting Euro 6 emission standards, well ahead of local mandates. e package also includes a smart shifting DT12 fully Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which is well-suited to the potent engine.

Fuso Truck and Bus Australia director, Alex Müller, was excited the 510 Shogun has been recognised as a nalist.

“We are very pleased to see the Shogun 510 make thenals of the Truck of the Year Australasia award,” he said.

“ e Shogun 510 is a very special truck because it was

developed for the hard working truck drivers of Australia and New Zealand. It is a great example of listening to your customers and giving them exactly what they want.”

Müller said the Shogun 510 combines the robustness of a Japanese truck with the power normally found in trucks from

Europe and North America in a package that also includes the latest generation active safety technology.

“Australian and New Zealand customers love their horsepower and their Japanese trucks. We thought it made sense to combine them both and the Shogun 510 has been huge hit,” he said.

e Fuso Shogun is available as a prime mover that can be used for single trailer or B-double work. A rigid version was also made available recently and is a very popular speci cation for tipper and dog work thanks to its power and torque.

e Shogun 510 was put through an extensive durability testing regime, including an outback Australian test of an initial prototype in 2017. Extensive hot weather durability testing was also carried out in South Africa and a nal production-ready test program was undertaken in Australia and New Zealand.

Comfort is king in Cascadia Fuel e ciency to the fore

THE Freightliner Cascadia has proven that comfort is king when your truck doubles as your home out on the road. Its road-focused design and optimum layout means the Cascadia ride quality leads the class, while its premium seats, ergonomic layout and high levels of re nement mean drivers can still feel fresh after a long drive.

e top of the range 126 will be the star of the stand and this imposing machine features a spacious 60-inch cab that turns it into a homeaway-from home.

All 126 models feature the big 16-litre six-cylinder DD16

Detroit engine that pumps out up to 600hp and 2050lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that is so smart it can use GPS and topographic data to help the truck maximise its coasting and pick the perfect gear for the terrain. Of course, you can also select an old-school 18-speed Eaton manual.

Freightliner will also showcase the shorter 116 Cascadia, which gets the job done with a strong 13-litre Detroit six-cylinder.

e Cascadia has quickly established itself as a fuel economy leader in the convention-

al class thanks to its strong but smart engine and transmission as well as its aerodynamic design. It also features Detroit Assurance safety features and class-leading connectivity.

Freightliner has prepared a special cut-away of its largest cab, so attendees can check out the comfort features of the cavernous space including the bunk beds and other elements that turn the Cascadia into a premium mobile motel.

THE Australian Actros is about to become even more e cient as Mercedes-Benz Trucks delivers fuel cuts of up to four per cent with the third generation OM471 engine.

Already known for its excellent fuel economy, the Actros will push further with a raft of minor changes that add up to a major improvement of the 13-litre OM471 powerplant.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will present the 13-litre engine at the show, and trucks tted with upgraded heart have just started arriving on Australian shores. e fuel saving of up to four per cent is compared to the previous generation OM471.

e OM471 is the middle engine in the Actros line up,

sitting between the 11-litre and 16-litre units.

Several key engine elements have been redesigned to reduce friction and optimise combustion.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Director Andrew Assimo says the most recent fuel e ciency improvement is clear evidence that Mercedes-Benz Trucks is committed to further developing diesel engines as well as the new battery electric and fuel cell heavy truck technology.

“Mercedes-Benz Trucks and many of our customers are very excited about advanced battery electric trucks such as the eActros, which produces zero local emissions. We also think further advancements of our diesel internal combustion engine

technology will deliver considerable fuel e ciency improvement and emission reductions across many eets,” he said.

Mercedes-Benz has also introduced PowerShift Advanced Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), which enables faster and smoother moving o and acceleration thanks to optimised clutch control. Gearshifts have also been improved and are considerably faster than before, further reducing torque interruption.

The impressive new Shogun 5 0 was developed speci cally for Australian and ew ealand customers.

Trucks tted with upgraded heart pictured inset have ust started arriving on Australian shores.

THE SMOOTH POWER ON STEEP TERRAIN, THE BUNK SPACE,

I CHOOSE THE CASCADIA EVERY TIME”

TROY HAMILTON, HAMILTON CONTRACTING

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Bulldog’s rst major Aussie outing

WHILE the Mack Superliner may be the most iconic Mack truck to ride the roads in Australia, it’s the company’s new Anthem model that will set its future course.

e next-generation Bulldog is here and the Anthem is that for Mack. Just take a look at its sleeker, more aerodynamic design in comparison to the big,

and muscular, Macks that have come before it.

After years in the US, the Anthem nally arrived in Australia in 2021. Had it not been for Covid, the Anthem would have been on display in full at the previous truck show but will now have its rst major Australian outing at the 2023 event.

e Anthem has a keen fo-

cus on safety and comes loaded with the Bendix Wingman Fusion safety system as standard.

It is also one of the most fuel-e cient Macks ever, thanks to tweaks to the MP8 engine and the mDrive transmission, which now talk more seamlessly to each other, and its new aerodynamic cabin.

Speaking of cabins, you’ll nd plenty of room inside the Anthem. In fact, the new standup sleeper has 35 per cent more space than previous cabins with the intention to provide the operator with a more comfortable rest experience.

e Anthem is still ‘Mack’ enough to appeal to rusted-on Bulldog lovers but will also provide the luxuries that come with modernisation. With Mack’s parent company Volvo Group leading the way with the latest technologies, it’s safe to say that Mack is in safe hands for the

future.

e Anthem will also be centre stage during the show due to a Guinness World Record for the largest truck made from LEGO bricks to celebrate 60 years of manufacturing in the western corridor of Brisbane.

Professional LEGO builder Ben Craig will be using close

to a million pieces at his Gold Coast studio to achieve the record build of a life-size Mack Anthem.

Measuring 4m high, 2m wide, and 8m long, the truck will take two months to build before it is displayed at South Bank Parklands. is compares to just six days for a real Mack

Anthem. e nishing touches will be added live in front of the public at the Brisbane show.

STAND: FOYER 49

Ph: 07 3718 3313 Web: macktrucks.com.au

Isuzu excited to be back with biggest and best display

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) are thrilled to be back at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, with a product display set to be bigger and better than ever before.

IAL is showcasing a range of the brand’s popular light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, including Isuzu’s ever-popular Ready-to-Work (RTW) models. All are backed by the best aftersales support available in the Australian truck market.

Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS) also has a strong presence on the stand,

with a comprehensive line-up of power units and generator sets on show.

e time away from live events has made Isuzu Trucks even more excited to be back at such historic events like the Brisbane Truck Show. Originally held in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea when the show launched under the name the Queensland Truck Show in the 1970s, the event has held a special place in the hearts of truck owners and those in the industry for over 50 years.

In a landmark 2022, Isuzu

Trucks celebrate its 50th year of operation in Australia, the sale of the brand’s

250,000th truck and the achievement of a remarkable 34th consecutive year as the top-selling truck brand in the country. Adding to that, 2022 saw record sales of 13,360 units, representing 30.1 per cent of all trucks sold in Australia.

What to expect at the show

Isuzu Trucks cannot wait to show Brisbane Truck Show attendees the breadth of the famous Ready-to-Work (RTW) range. With a large variety of units including the market leading N Series on display during the show, there will be something for everyone thanks to the N Series broad GVM span that covers all manner of applications and end-uses.

In the light-duty space Isuzu are continuing to forge an unshakable reputation in the critical market segment as more trade businesses and eet

buyers are taking a pass on traditional utes and making the strategic business move into e cient and t-for-purpose light-duty trucks.

Born ready, Isuzu’s RTW line-up includes the Vanpack, Freightpack, Traypack, Servicepack, Tradepack and a broad range of Tippers.

Stand-goers will also experience a selection of Isuzu’s market-leading medium-duty F Series models, including a range of engine, transmission and wheelbase options equipped to tackle just about every application imaginable.

At the heavier end of the product spectrum, Isuzu is represented in Brisbane by the popular, t-for-purpose FY Series. Finding a home in a range of di erent industries from concrete agitation to construction, freight and waste, the FY Series punches well above its weight.

Full support of the trucks once they’re out on the road will also be a feature of the stand with representation from Isuzu’s parts range and information on Isuzu Service Agreements – a straightforward and easy way to make servicing and maintenance a seamless and predicable process for owner drivers and eet managers alike.

We care

Isuzu Trucks have signalled that the Brisbane Truck Show will also see the launch of the new era of Isuzu Care, the muchloved aftersales support and customer experience program, rst established back in 2006.

Covering all customer touch points, from initial enquiry to purchase, to build and delivery through to initial and ongoing use, 2023 marks the biggest change to the customer-focused care program since its inception. One such part

is the industry leading six-year warranty and six-year roadside assistance. Across the board, a greater level of customer experience is the new standard for Isuzu Care.

Rounding-out the display in Brisbane, the Isuzu stand features a range of engine products from Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS). ese cover the range of applications that includes irrigation, remote power generation, mining, viniculture and excavation.

e knowledgeable IPS team can discuss the integration of secondary engine requirements into truck applications, including rural re truck applications.

STAND:

52

The next-generation Bulldog is here and the Anthem is that for Mack.

t is one of the most fuel efficient Macks ever, thanks to tweaks to the MP8 engine and the mDrive transmission.

24 MONTH PARTS WARRANTY

WE’VE DOUBLED OUR WARRANTY TO 24 MONTHS ON ALL GENUINE PARTS WHEN FITTED BY AN AUTHORISED DAIMLER TRUCK DEALER.

All-new MAN truck range sets a new benchmark

THE rst newly-developed MAN truck generation in two decades, Penske Australia and MAN Truck & Bus introduced the all-new MAN truck generation (TG) to the Australian market late last year.

Boasting excellent driver t, great e ciency and economy features, and optimised uptime, the new truck generation makes for a strong business partner.

With over 167,000 hours invested by MAN Truck & Bus in the design of the allnew truck generation, customers will realise the ultimate package.

When it comes to excellent driver t, the streamlined and modern MAN workspace sets a new bench-

mark. e intuitive and fully digital dash is centrally located and displays in high resolution and full colour.

e multi- function steering wheel is highly ergonomic and intuitively arranged. e advanced infotainment system with a 12.3” display is easy to navigate and delivers an exceptional infotainment experience.

e rotary/push SmartSelect navigator allows for quick and straightforward navigation of functions. is all yields a user- friendly and ergonomically optimal cabin environment.

e spacious rest and sleep area are fully furnished with everything a driver could require in a home away from home. And when combined

with MAN’s innovative driver assistance features such as ACC, steering wheel airbag, cabin safety cell, emergency brake assist, ComfortSteering, and much more, drivers won’t want to leave the cabin.

Delivering great e ciency and economy, MAN takes customers further with less. Economical engines range from the 250hp D08 to the 640hp D38 Euro 6e engine, with various options in between.

e MAN Tipmatic gearbox shift system uses software to determine the optimum moving o and gearshift strategy in all situations in conjunction with load and inclination detection. Coupled with ‘SmartShifting’ and the ‘idle speed driving’ func-

tionality, MAN delivers the ultimate transmission.

E ciency is further improved through an enhanced overall aerodynamic package and the Turbo EVBec that produces 840hp of engine braking.

e modern and intuitive cabins, and e cient and economical truck features, are further complemented by highly reliable and fully integrated technology that delivers optimised uptime. Extended oil drain intervals mean less time o the road for customers, and low tare weights mean higher payload availability, further increasing productivity. is is backed by an extensive national MAN dealer footprint and a host of rental and leasing

options from Penske Truck Rental’s national network.

Furthermore, over the last decade, German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) reports have con rmed that MAN’s quality has continually improved, giving MAN and its customers an edge over competitors.

All of this is underpinned through MAN’s comprehensive 24/7 roadside assist program, customised repair and maintenance packages, generous warranties, and powerful enterprise-grade telematics solution, MAN Opti- Connect, o ering customers the ultimate strong business partnership.

is year’s Brisbane Truck Show will showcase the following:

• e seriously adaptable 12 t GCM TGL powered by MAN’s 250 hp D08 SCR-only engine with a TN cab;

• e incredibly e cient and versatile 26 t GCM TGX powered by MAN’s 13 L D26 engine in a 6x4 conguration with the spacious GM cab;

• TGX 26.640 6x4 GX Cab MAN’s powerhouse, 15 L TGX with 26 t GCM powered by MAN’s mighty 640 hp D38 engine in a 6x4 con guration with the maximum GX cab.

STAND: Foyer 54

Ph: 07 3877 6126

Web: man.com.au

Tough new Western Star X-Series ‘packs a mean punch’

THE most-tested Western Star truck ever, the all-new X-Series, comprising the 47X, 48X, and 49X, is seriously tough. Proudly distributed by Penske Australia, the X-Series boasts legendary Star durability, features a powerful integrated driveline, an advanced safety package, and superior com-

fort – even in the most rugged applications.

Underpinned by a long-standing North American heritage, the X-Series exudes legendary durability. With the capability to go up to 200+ tonne GCM, the X-Series has the strongest and most tested Western Star cabs and chassis ever. A 20-tonne

cab crush test, 230,000 door slams, and 400 hours on the shaker mean Western Star can say this with con dence.

With durable stainless steel and aluminium bright works, the most robust Star bonnet ever, ISO Tech bonnet suspension that reduces vibration, high air intakes, and a high-e ciency radiator

cooling package, the X-Series packs a mean punch.

Advanced Detroit Connect and Virtual Technician telematics mean eets can be accessed remotely to obtain valuable diagnostic data as well as fuel and safety performance insights.

And with a choice of engine, transmission, cabin con guration, nal drive, wheelbase, fuel tank, and upt options, the X-Series can be customised to suit all needs.

Featuring Detroit and Cummins engine choices and Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, and Eaton manual transmission options, the X-Series features a powerful integrated driveline that will tick the boxes in any application. From the versatile and high-performing Detroit DD13 Gen 5 to the most powerful on-highway engine ever produced by Detroit – the DD16, and the Cummins L9, the X-Series has a comprehen-

sive range of t-for-purpose engine options.

Delivering an advanced safety package that is unbeatable, the X-Series has a range of key systems, including Active Brake Assist 5, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, side guard assist, tailgate warning, brake hold mode, plus an improved visibility package and a RollTek driver’s seat with rollover restraint and a seat-mounted airbag.

Furthermore, the X-Series o ers superior comfort, delivering a highly ergonomic and intuitive driving environment. With generous ingress and egress access, a multi-function steering wheel, wrap-around interactive dash, premium noise and temperature insulation, triple door seals, and an extensive range of cabin and sleeper options, including the largest sleeper on the Australian market – the 72” Stratosphere model – drivers won’t want to leave the cab.

All of this is backed by Western Star’s 24/7 STAR ASSIST roadside assist program and an expansive national dealer network.

Taking the spotlight at the Brisbane Truck Show this year will be these trucks:

• e highly-versatile 47X with a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload exibility, a set-back front axle, and a day cab;

• e Australian-exclusive 48X featuring a set-forward front axle, a BBC of 113”, and the 36” mid-style roof – with a second 48X located in Technology Alley;

• e toughest of the tough, the 49X with up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and the class-leading 72” Stratosphere sleeper.

STAND: Foyer 54

Ph: 07 3877 6126

Web: westernstar.com.au

The all-new MAN truck generation line-up.

The T range is both efficient and versatile.

The Series has the strongest and most tested Western Star cabs and chassis ever produced by the manufacturer.

A FLEET YOU WON’T FORGET.

Highly versatile, the 47X has a short, sloped bonnet that yields payload flexibility, a set-back front axle, and choice of power with the Cummins L9 or the Detroit DD13 Gen 5, either the Detroit DT12, Allison fully automatic, or Eaton Fuller manual transmission, and various sleeper options.

Designed specifically for Australia, the 48X is powered by the 450-525 hp Detroit DD13 Gen 5 or 500-600 hp DD16 engine, features a set-forward front axle, and has a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 113 inches yielding a flexible solution.

The toughest of the tough, the 49X is powered by the 500-600 hp DD16, has up to 200+ tonnes GCM capability, and is available with multiple cabin options, including the largest cab on the Australian market, the 72" Stratosphere sleeper.

Drivers leading the charge with game-changing app

WHEN the idea of Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) was rst proposed, many in the industry were sceptical, and some staunchly opposed them. Many drivers thought they would be forced on them by the regulator or their employer.

“Fast forward a few years and a lot has changed,” said Hub eet EWD founder James Doherty. “When we developed the product, we expected it would be rolled out from the top down and eet managers would require drivers to move from paper to EWDs for all the bene ts they o er in the o ce. is has certainly been the case for

some businesses, but what has surprised us is how often it is the other way around.”

So many drivers now understand the bene ts of EWDs. Working to the nearest minute, rather than rounding time into 15-minute blocks can save a driver 30 to 40 minutes on a typical day. en there is the time it takes to ll in an EWD which is so much less.

“ e feedback we are getting from drivers about the Hub eet app has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Doherty. “ ey love the fact that it’s very fast and smooth and works even if there’s no network connection. ey

also love the way their work hours are displayed with respect to each period in their ruleset, so there is no more stressing about counting time or trying to work out when their next seven- or 24hour break is due. It is all laid out clearly in the app.”

Hub eet has adapted the app to suit a driver-led rollout by introducing a new lower cost single driver plan for $14 per month.

“ is plan includes the same EWD but doesn’t have the more advanced reporting features in the web portal. We found single drivers weren’t using them, so we didn’t think they should have

to pay for them,” Doherty said.

Hub eet has also introduced a new feature that makes it simple and easy for drivers to send an electronic copy of their diary directly to their employer. Drivers save their employer as a contact, choose a speci c date range and simply hit the send button. e app takes care of the rest by automatically sending an email with a PDF attachment of the driver’s records. For some companies that are still dealing with the old yellow sheets, it can be disruptive to have to deal with PDF records as well as the yellow sheets.

“ is is a good reason for companies to get on the front foot and roll out EWDs in their business sooner rather than later. Looking ahead, we are very much continuing to cater for our big customers,” said Doherty. “One of our most requested features has been a Loads/Trips module, which we are currently putting the nishing touches on. is will include mass veri cation, customisable checklists for things like load dimensions and restraints, as well as capturing customer and supplier details for each load/trip. Our aim is to develop a complete safety management system covering fatigue,

maintenance, mass, and general safety and compliance. We will do this either through features within our system or where it makes sense through integrations with other established products, like we currently do with Gearbox for maintenance.”

As drivers and managers reap the bene ts of the game-changing app, Hub eet continues to evolve its product to better serve the heavy vehicle industry.

Delivering service you can rely on

perspective, if a customer calls us, and wants to know how far away a delivery is, we can check with a quick look at the system.”

ESTABLISHED in 1962, G.M. Kane & Sons was started by John Kane, with just one truck. He named the company after his parents George and Muriel.

In the early days it o ered general freight services between Sydney and Camden.

John soon decided to start specialising in ooring products, seeking out specialised equipment to handle carpet and vinyl rolls. As demands for its services grew, the company began o ering statewide services across NSW.

From humble beginnings, the company – now known as GMK Logistics – has grown into one of Australia’s leading ooring logistics providers.

e business was acquired by CTI Logistics Limited – a publicly listed logistics business based in WA – in June 2015 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary.

Today, GMK Logistics operates from Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

It manages a eet of approximately 70 trucks, including sub-contractors. Local trucks range in size from 2-12 tonne rigids, while prime movers are sub-contracted for depot to depot runs.

Around seven years ago, GMK Logistics began rolling out Procon Telematics devices and its Fleetlocate GPS tracking software across the entire eet of company owned and sub-contractor trucks. And as the company’s national compliance manager Gary Satara explains, they’ve never looked back.

From a compliance, vehicle maintenance and operational perspective, Procon ticks all the boxes.

“Procon o ers a really simple and intuitive software package, but its functionality and capability go much further. If you just want GPS positioning, you can simply open it up and can see where all your trucks are located - in real time,” Satara said.

“If our eet controllers get

calls for a pick up, they know which truck is where, can see which is the closest and what pick-ups and drop o s that truck already has assigned. ey can then contact the drivers to get it all organised.

“From a customer service

Basic telematics aside, the Fleetlocate software can be customised to suit a wide range of needs. For example, GMK Logistics focuses heavily on the speed management package. “Every depot around the country looks after its own drivers. We have speed alerts

set up for each state depot, so if a driver goes over the speed limit, their state managers will receive an overspeed alert. We also have a scheduled overspeed report that gets emailed to me and the state managers, so we are able to deal with any o enders promptly and e ectively,” Satara explained.

“If someone needs a rst warning, they will get one based on what the report says, so it’s performance manage-

ment as well as speed management.”

Along with the functionality, Satara says the Fleetlocate software is also very reliable.

“I don’t think I can remember a single time the system had a glitch. I don’t believe it’s ever gone down on us, and we’ve always been able to access it in the entire seven years we’ve been using Fleetlocate. Uptime has to be 100 per cent.

So as far as maintenance goes, there’s never been a problem.

“Procon’s director, René Bueman, is across everything. I can call or email him and he gets back to me straight away. With new installs, we just let him know when a truck is going to be delivered and he schedules the installation, which is done either by him or an approved contractor. He’s always friendly, always responsive, knows the system back-to-front and is across everything he needs to be. And he’s always available, which is important for a transport business.”

MK ogistics has grown into one of Australia s leading ooring logistics providers.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

SCTR enters truck leasing market

SOUTHERN Cross Truck

Rentals (SCTR) was founded in Camden on Sydney’s outskirts in 2004. e business started the with a single truck, a van and a couple of utes. Within a short space of time the business grew from a eet of four, to a eet of 10, then 20, and soon had over 50 trucks and commercial vehicles. e business acquired Sydney based SemiTrailer Rentals to add 40 semi trailers to its eet.

“I started this business to help transport businesses in the south-west of Sydney.

ere really was little on o er in 2004,” said company owner Steve Blackmore. “ e business grew faster than I imagined it would, but I had great support from Fuso Trucks and local truck dealers Sydney Truck and Machinery.”

Today the eet has over 170 trucks and trailers and is no longer just servicing the outskirts of Sydney. “Our vehicles are travelling the

whole east coast of Australia these days,” said Blackmore.

“We buy our assets new and utilise the incredible manufacturer service support o erings, including veyear warranty on most of our rigid and prime mover eet. is level of manufacturer support ensures our customers are looked after in the event of an incident, anywhere they may be, up and down the whole east coast.”

SCTR is continuing to grow – it’s done so by expanding the eet o ering, which now has vans, refrigerated trucks, buses, crane trucks, civil spec vehicles, and an increasing range of semi-trailers to go with their large eet of rigids and prime movers.

Business environment

From 2021 through to 2023, SCTR faced the same challenges as most other operators within the transport sector, new equipment

was plagued by shortages of trucks and delays in production and shipping. Whilst this helped keep utilisation at an all-time high, it also meant SCTR struggled to

keep up with customer demand.

“For the rst time in the history of our business we were turning customer’s away, we just couldn’t help them,” Blackmore explained. “It was so frustrating for everyone.”

Obviously 2022/23 has also seen rapid rises in interest rates, putting lots of pressure on borrowing costs. Add to this the signi cant increases in the price of new equipment and now the end of instant asset write-o , the industry has been going through some challenging times.

SCTR has been engaging with the industry to consider the needs of customers, and where the business could help. ey were not surprised that at this part of the cycle, long-term rental or maintained leases would once again be in high demand.

SCTR has worked close-

ly with manufacturers and now has a pipeline of vehicles arriving each month that we will be available for long-term hire or lease.

“Ordering on demand is no longer a thing,” said Blackmore. “You order something today, you might be waiting over 12 months to get it.

“First there are manufacturing delays, then shipping delays, and now body builders are months and months behind.

“We have done a significant amount of research and started ordering the most popular vehicles some six months ago and these are now starting to arrive in the country. We prebooked slots with body builders and although we are still dealing with delays, we are in a much better position than many of our competitors.”

SCTR has vehicles for long term hire or lease available immediately.

Fleet management

As part of a broader restructure to position ourselves for future growth we have launched SCFM, otherwise known as Southern Cross Fleet Management. is division of the business has been speci cally set up to manage term rental and lease vehicles, as well as the growing eet of SCTR. In its rst two months it added seven fully maintained leases.

Introducing leasing as a product is pivotal to the business and its success.

Today, leasing is fast becoming one of the top performing products for Southern Cross Truck Rentals. We have done extremely well with predominantly casual rental for so long, but we needed to meet the customer’s needs and that meant changing our business and building capability to meet those demands and stay relevant in the market.

Fleet coordinator Kelly Phillips standing in front of the 8 tonne 14 pallet tautliner, a popular leasing product.

The Freighter drop-deck tautliner is also available for leasing.

Central tyre in ation ticks all the

AIR CTI was developed over 20 years ago by Chet Cline. is was a time when other Central Tyre In ation systems were expensive, complicated and unreliable.

e main focus of AIR CTI was to improve traction, provide better tyre life and quality of ride. is also reduced the

bad health e ects of vibration upon drivers. ere were big safety aspects as well. When tyre pressures were correctly matched to the size of the load being carried, stopping distances were shorter and pretty much every component in the truck would last longer.

WA has the last reserve of

bees that are disease free. It’s highly regulated and very pristine. e bee industry is an example of how the use of AIR CTI has made a big di erence. In the past, bee keepers would travel to environmentally sensitive sites, then manually wheel in many hives by hand, which was a slow and arduous process. With AIR CTI providing improved traction and reduced vibration to hives, they are able to drive right to the site. Hive losses are much lower this way. Saving bees is just one example of the benets AIR CTI can provide. is reduction in road vibration has a big health bene t to drivers as well. Despite the addition of fancy seats in modern trucks, road vibration that comes from over-in ated tyres continues to be a contributing factor to poor health outcomes for drivers.

Although Chet Cline is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the AIR CTI company today. Chet was a visionary,

ahead of his time. He was an awarded inventor with drive, zest for life and energy that many envied. Chet was passionate in his endeavours to create an enterprise that could help the entire transport industry. Improvements in safety and the environment were his reward.

AIR CTI’s aim in business is to ensure that the customer always remains a priority. Informed dialogue, honest recommendations and a rm handshake form a stronger business relationship than

World Rides

words alone on a contract form. is is the philosophy Chet created, which remains embedded into every aspect of the AIR CTI enterprise. It’s how our valued team works every day.

AIR CTI will be on hand at the Brisbane Truck Show to discuss the wide range of bene ts of its central tyre in ation system – with our sales team, Rod Densley and Peter Davis, on hand to answer any questions about the bene ts of this tyre in ation technology.

I’m Wendy Cline, AIR

CTI CEO. I look forward to seeing you at the show. I have had the privilege of being married and working side by side with Chet in this amazing industry. We shared common values and philosophies in life. Finally, I echo one of Chet’s favourite expressions, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.”

AIR CTI has proven to be a game changer for the bee industry.

A group of ag spreaders tted with A R T .

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

50 years of

THE story of Hendrickson started over a century ago, when in 1913, Magnus Hendrickson started a small Chicago-based manufacturing business that built trucks. In 1926, he introduced the rst tandem truck suspension, which mounted the axles on each end of an equalising beam. is unique walking beam design distributed the truck’s load evenly between the two rear axles, which improved traction and greatly reduced the e ects of bumps and potholes in the road.

But it was in 1973 that Hendrickson rst made its mark down under, with the launch of Hendrickson Australia.

Lynn Brown was the company’s rst managing director. Initially he was running Hendrickson Australia out of his home in the Melbourne suburb of Mount Waverley. e rst parts shipment he received was delivered onto his

nature strip!

It wasn’t long before Hendrickson leased a warehouse in Mulgrave, which it quickly outgrew. With the facility unable to keep up with demand, Hendrickson moved to a purpose-built building in Abbotts Road, Dandenong in 1982.

e RT walking beam suspension was among Hendrickson Australia’s initial products. It was well suited to the construction industry, which was experiencing a boom in truck sales – and this, in turn, resulted in rapid growth for Hendrickson.

In the 1980s, Hendrickson Australia’s US parent company acquired Hutch, an Ohio based trailer suspension manufacturer. Hendrickson’s trailer headquarters are based at that same location to this day.

Subsequently, Hendrickson Australia expanded into the trailer market during the 1990s and that took the business to the next level,

as Hendrickson Asia Paci c general manager Arthur Mitsel explained. “In the early days we were really focusing on truck products, but the truck market in Australia was shrinking, with many manufacturers relocating their operations overseas and then bringing complete vehicles into the country,” he said.

“ e growth really started when we began bringing the trailer products in, starting with the HT suspension, launched in 1991.”

is was followed by the launch of INTRAAX Trailer Suspension in 1996.

Today, INTRAAX remains the company’s most popular product, with over 10,000 units produced in 2022 for Australia alone.

“INTRAAX continues to grow in popularity year on year. I think this is the product that most typi es our philosophy as a business. When Hendrickson introduces a

product, we really think of it in terms of the operator, in the sense that it needs to add value to their business,” said Mitsel.

“INTRAAX does that in spades because it’s an integrated suspension and axle with superior weight to capacity ratio, with long life wheel ends and easy maintenance it is the complete package, allowing operators to increase their payload due to it being a lightweight integrated suspension with exceptional durability; therefore increasing their uptime due to it being so low maintenance.”

ough INTRAAX was launched down under nearly 30 years ago, much has changed. “It’s a very di erent product to what it was when it rst came to our shores. We’ve really worked to re ne that core American technology to suit our market conditions, so we’ve continued to evolve and develop the product as time went on,” Mitsel explained,

adding that Hendrickson’s ability to customise its products to suit local requirements has been key to its success.

“ at’s allowed us to be very successful in all the markets we operate in. Our products tend to be quite di erent, depending on the region. In Australia for example, the core di erence is that there are road friendly requirements unique to our market. We do a lot of onsite manufacture and assembly, whereas some other brands bring the products in complete.

“ e durability aspect is also quite di erent to what it would be in the US. e length of time the product needs to survive in the eld is signi cantly higher. In the US, a trailer would be used for about 10 years, whereas in Australia they’re running up to 20 years, so here they tend to do a lot more miles.”

Hendrickson Asia Paci c’s expansion beyond Australia started with the opening of a

New Zealand facility in 1995. A Japanese arm was set up in the 2000s and in 2011, it took over the Korean business of Watson & Chalin.

e company’s entire Asia Paci c region is managed out of its current facility in Dandenong South, home to its headquarters from 2008.

Since that time, Hendrickson Asia Paci c has continued to grow its distribution and support throughout the region. e product range has also greatly expanded to encompass axles for trailers and suspensions to suit trucks, trailers and buses, along with very heavy-duty suspensions for mining applications. e engineering facility at Dandenong South allows Hendrickson to take a concept, develop and prove it, before ultimately bringing it into production.

More recently, in March 2022, Hendrickson Australia further bolstered its operations by securing the adjacent

endrickson sta pictured outside the Mulgrave building in .

Magnus endrickson with his son and grandson.

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

facility to its current location, bringing it up to approximately 15,000 square metres.

In a prelude to the brand’s Australian 50th anniversary, the latest expansion marks Hendrickson’s ongoing commitment to continue to support customer growth

within the region by leveraging proven expertise and an ever-evolving quest for innovation within the heavy commercial vehicle industry.

Incorporated within the expansion is a state-of-the-art customer engagement centre which allows Hendrickson to

further develop its product training programs and continue to partner with some of the industry’s key stakeholders and its customers.

Global sourcing is also a feature of the new facility. Using the latest resources and communication, sta are able

to source from the location most suited to the speci cation and quality required, to maintain the high standard expected from Hendrickson’s end users.

“Our vision is to continue to support the industry and our customers in their pur-

suit of improved productivity and safety within an ever-demanding commercial environment,” said Mitsel.

“Hendrickson, particularly in the trailer space, was the new kid on the block, even though we’ve been here for a long time. Over the past 10 years especially, people are really recognising the value our product brings.

“We’re very excited about our future and will be bringing a whole lot of new products into the marketplace. e onset of electric vehicles provides another opportunity to continue to add value in that space.”

With the early years of Hendrickson in Australia framed through the Hendrickson family in uence, it’s been Hendrickson’s people who have continued to shape the company’s growth over the past 50 years.

“Something that is really important and dear to my heart is really in terms of people. I’d like to think that we’ve built a very good culture over my time here, and we’ve got engaged and loyal sta members” said Mitsel.

ere are many sta members with over 15 years service, including Mitsel, along with Andrew Martin (MD and VP of international operations), Tracie Hart (HR executive manager), Simon Iyer (DOF international operations), John Stewart (sales

and marketing executive manager), Evan Edmonds (trailer product coordinator); plant operatives Kim Nguyen, Nga Kareroa, John Colverd and Guna Dissanayake; and sales team members Matt Huigens, Brad Sleath and Patrick Duncan. A true testament to the culture at Hendrickson is the 10 Year Club Annual Luncheon where past and present employees with 10 years or more under their belts come together to celebrate, reminisce and enjoy an afternoon seeped in Hendrickson Australia history. e group currently boasts 31 members and a combined tally of over 400 years of industry experience. Some of the Hendrickson team will celebrate 50 years with customers at a cocktail event at the Brisbane Truck Show. ey will be joined with US based division heads from the truck and trailer divisions. An all-sta event will follow in July where the team can celebrate the company’s success and Hendrickson Australia can show its appreciation to a team of over 120 employees who continue to support Hendrickson’s growth at every level.

STAND:

Validation engineers providing production support.

John Stewart, Brad Sleath and Arthur Mitsel inside the Hendrickson Customer Centre.

The front of the current building, with endrickson Australia sta .

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

See a range of complete end-to-end solutions

Leading Australian trailer solutions manufacturer and supplier, MaxiTRANS, is excited for the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show as it proudly showcases the range of brands and complete end-to-end solutions available under its banner. With its equipment brands Freighter, MaxiCUBE, Lusty EMS, Trout River and AZMEB showcased throughout the show.

“We are very excited to once again be a part of this great industry event to showcase the diverse product o ering available under the MaxiTRANS banner,” said Kevin Man eld, MaxiTRANS general manager sales and marketing.

“ e products on display sit under the common theme of ‘Freight it for life’, which is a demonstration of our total commitment to supporting customers for the life of our product.” is show is a particularly special event for the company as it is the rst since the MaxiTRANS business was purchased by Australian Trailer Solutions Group (ATSG).

Previously an ASX-listed company, in September 2021 the MaxiTRANS trailer business was acquired by ATSG, comprising a group of private investors, including a number of Ballarat locals.

Under new ownership, MaxiTRANS is committed to delivering high-quality Australian-made products, with a far-reaching network of after-market service and support that will continue to provide peace of mind for its customers and the wider transport network.

Leading the display will be two popular trailer models from Freighter. Firstly, a drop deck semi-trailer with ramps, which Man eld said has built a reputation in our industry

as an iconic Freighter classic, as well as a drop deck T-liner featuring a revamped mezz deck design which customers will be able to see rst-hand.

Another iconic product, the Maxi-CUBE Classic Reefer, will be on display offering an interactive experience for visitors to be able to walk inside the trailer and see the product up close.

For the bulk transport segment, we will have a Lusty EMS Chassis Tipper. While Trout River will feature a Live Bottom Semi trailer, an

innovative product that utilises conveyor technology to unload product without the need to tip.

With space limitations on the MaxiTRANS stand, its Hamelex White product will not feature on display, however visitors can still discuss and explore the full MaxiTRANS range with its experienced sta during the show.

Lastly, we are excited to have an AZMEB Door Side Tipper combination at South Bank, which visitors are encouraged to check out when

strolling along the display.

“One of our key priorities is to make sure that we are spending time with our customers to truly understand their business needs. It’s important that we listen to our customers to come up with the best possible solution for them. In line with this, we will see the return of a popular inclusion to the MaxiTRANS display with specialists in Performance-Based Standards (PBS) available on the stand during the show,” said Man eld.

“We’re inviting all visitors to come and talk to us about their freight challenges, including PBS.

“Whether you are new to PBS, or have some speci c questions in mind, our specialists are here to help with your freight task and recommend the best possible solution.

“We are very excited for this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. As we saw with the 2021 show, the event is invaluable as it o ers the opportunity to meet as many

customers as possible in one location.

“It also allows our industry to come together and celebrate, highlighting the importance of our local industry and the vital role we all play.”

To nd out more about MaxiTRANS, visit stand 63 in the Great Hall or head to maxitrans.com.

STAND: GREAT HALL 63

Ph: 03 5339 0300 Web: maxitrans.com

The Lusty EMS chassis tipper.

A Freighter Drop Deck T-liner.

Phoenix rising in Brisbane

TATRA’S latest import, the thoroughly ripped 62t GVM 10x10 Phoenix dump truck, is opening eyes on mining sites where it is comprehensively outperforming articulated dumptrucks.

e positives are plentiful, especially as the Phoenix, which promises to be a standout attraction in Brisbane, is a road-legal truck that can move itself between sites without the need for a heavy-haulage rig with a oat.

Presently, that’s only possible in WA, where the expanded limit of 12-tonnes for the front twin-steers has been a boon.

Tatra’s greatest technical asset is of course its chassis design, which is why operators can mix and match drive, steer and lazy axles in any con guration. All the wheels drive, through Tatra’s modular swing-arm set-up, mounted on the unique tubular chassis pipe.

At the front, there’s air-bellows suspension with telescopic shocks, plus dis-engageable front drive and hub reduction.

e rear bogie has leaf springs instead of air, with its own di locks and hub reduction. e pusher axle has air bellows, and

steers as well, helping – just a little – with the turning circle. e result is the smoothest o -road ride of any heavy-duty truck by far, especially on broken surfaces with undulating and uneven terrain.

Each sub-axle handles the road surface independently of its mates on the other side, in front, and behind.

Truck bodies on Tatra’s experience minimal twisting moments when o -road, or indeed on some of Australia’s bitumen nightmares. at’s also the secret to its traction capability, and the reason Tatras are pretty much unstoppable.

Jason Hooper has personal experience with the new Tatra con guration. He owns WAbased Manage Mi Operations and has three of the new trucks, with another two on order.

Hooper rst experienced Tatra before launching Manage Mi, when Chevron used some Tatras on Barrow Island for the tasks other trucks couldn’t handle.

He got to know O Road Trucks Australia owner, the late Larry Gill who brought Tatra to Australia, and they developed the idea of the 10×10 tipper

together.

He is on his way to building a eet of the 10×10 con guration as his business grows. e Phoenix has worked in cycle with 8x4s, 6x4s, semi-tippers, 6×4 with dog and 40t articulated dump trucks (ADTs) in soft sand and limestone.

Hooper has frequently jumped the queue at the loader when other trucks have traction problems.

“I get more loads than oth-

er tippers on site as this thing takes six buckets of material versus the four buckets on 8x8s. It does ve times the volume of the 6x6s,” said Hooper. e truck is imported with a tipping body by VS-Mont, also a Czech company well experienced in heavy-duty o -road applications. e cable operated tailgate saves on hydraulics and servicing.

Hooper hardly uses the service brakes on-site, as the en-

gine brake and Allison’s retarder do most of the work. Tyres are another economy. ey cost between $1200 and $1500 each, a lot less than the several thousand dollars for a loader tyre. Tyres on typical mine site plant are not designed for long transits at speed, and this is where the Phoenix cruises comfortably between loading and drop-o .

Fuel is a major saving – between 8-14l/hour, around half the rate of an ADT. It also helps

the equation that the up-front cost of a dump truck can probably fund close to two Phoenix 10x10s.

Tatra’s distributor, O Road Trucks Australia, keeps parts for every component on the ground in Perth, so he’s never had an issue with service delays. e Phoenix model range has been a huge boost for Tatra in Australia.

Tatra’s standard eastern European styled cab, which is still available on certain models, is what you might call “functional,” although even that’s a little kind.

Phoenix’s DAF-sourced cab on the other hand brings the latest European digital trimmings, as well as the PACCAR MX-13 530hp 2600Nm turbo diesel six, with an Allison 4700 7-speed auto transmission bolted on the back. e drive transits through Tatra’s own auxiliary gearbox which delivers two ratios and up to 1.435 reduction.

STAND: FOYER 143

Ph: (08) 9459 8911

Web: o roadtrucks.com.au

The 0x 0 Tatra chassis delivers t M.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

A valuable helping hand

WHEN it comes to organising insurance for your truck or transport business, having an experienced brokerage like Ryno Insurance in your corner can be very helpful.

Based in Coopers Plains, Brisbane, the company has a long history of helping truckies nd competitive insurance that covers the right bases.

e Ryno story began in 1984 when founder Greg Rynenberg struck out on his own and started East West Insur-

ance Brokers out of his garage.

He spent many hours pounding the pavement around Brisbane’s South West industrial suburbs, dropping into workshops and warehouses o ering aid for one of business’ duller necessities.

Rynenberg’s passion for working with the transport industry was a driving factor behind him creating Ryno Insurance, a specialist transport brokerage.

“I knew how important

the transport industry was to the country, and I saw it only getting more important in the future, linking in with more and more industries,” he said.

With the help of his wife Debbie, the business soon grew a portfolio of happy clients, ranging from single vehicle owners to large eet operators.

“We work with a range of eet sizes, but I’ve always had a lot of respect for owner operators, probably because

I understand the struggle of running a small business and the pressure and strain it puts on you and your family,” Rynenberg said.

Ryno Insurance maintains that small-business attitude to this day, with their small team dedicated to working directly with truckies to take care of their insurance needs.

Taylor Burstow, the team leader at Ryno, says an insurance broker’s role is to do the heavy lifting by assisting businesses to nd suitable insurance cover.

“Insurance can be very confusing, with seemingly endless pages to read when obtaining and comparing quotes, our job is to make that easier for you.”

He says a key aspect of insurance is understanding how your business activities line up with the cover you choose, otherwise you may not be properly protected.

“You might go directly to an insurer for an o -the-shelf policy, only to nd out at the worst time possible that you aren’t covered under a speci c policy wording or exclusion, leaving you high and dry.”

He says this is a surprisingly common pitfall, and the fact that not all policies are the same makes it harder for truckies to decide which insurance cover is best for their needs.

“ is is where having a relationship with a broker is most valuable, it’s our role to nd gaps in cover and assist you in arranging insurance that suits your individual business.

“Another bene t of having an insurance broker on your side is that if the unfortunate does happen, we have your

back, helping you through the claims process.”

Burstow says the Ryno team enjoy the variety of clients and business types they work with, from short or long-haul owner-drivers to eet operators.

“As a specialist transport broker, we get to work with all di erent types of operators from general freight to fridge, to tippers – you name it, we can help you cover it.”

Find out more at rynoinsurance.com.au or call the team on 1300 650 670.

Founder Greg Rynenberg (Ryno) and his team have a wealth of experience with transport insurance.

Lubricants that keep trucks running smoothly

LET’S take a moment and reect on the importance of lubrication, which is a vital aspect of ensuring the longevity and e ciency of truck engines. At Ei el Lubricants, we take great pride in providing high-quality lubricants that keep Australian

trucks running smoothly.

Our company has been a trusted name in the lubricant industry in over 50 countries for over 25 years, providing superior products that have helped countless truck drivers and eet managers keep their vehicles running smoothly. We believe that our commitment to quality and innovation is what sets us apart from other lubricant manufacturers.

At Ei el Lubricants, we understand that the transport industry is constantly evolving, and have made it our mission to stay ahead of the curve. Our team of experts is always researching and developing new lubricants speci cally designed to meet the unique needs of Australian truck drivers.

One of our newest products, Ei el Marvela Xtreme SAE 10W40 CK4/SN, is a prime example of our commitment to quality and standards. It is now approved with Volvo VDS 4.5, Mack and Renault. is

high-performance engine oil is designed to meet the demands of modern truck engines, providing superior protection against wear and tear, while improving fuel e ciency.

Ei el Marvela Xtreme SAE 10W40 CK4/SN is formulated with advanced additives that help to reduce emissions, making it an environmentally responsible choice for truck drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Another product we are particularly proud of is Ei el Vista Xtreme 15W40 CK4/ SN, which is now approved with Volvo VDS 4.5, Mack and Renault. is premium engine oil provides maximum protection against engine wear and tear, helping to extend the lifespan of truck engines. Ei el Vista Xtreme 15W40 CK4/SN is formulated with advanced detergents that help to keep engines clean, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns and repairs.

At Ei el Lubricants, we

have a comprehensive range of lubricants blended from the nest grade base stock procured from world class Exxon Mobil and European re neries and technologically advanced and superior additives industry giants Lubrizol and Afton. Our products meet the speci cation of major OEMs and the highest standards of API, MIL, European and Japanese manufacturers which indicates our commitment to adhere to the latest technological developments. All our lubricants are rigorously tested in our state-of-the-art laboratory, ensuring they meet or exceed industry standards for performance and quality.

We are also committed to exceptional customer service. We understand truck drivers and eet managers have unique needs, and work closely with customers to ensure our products meet their speci c requirements. Our team of lubricant experts is always available to answer questions and provide

support, helping customers get the most out of our products.

Ei el Lubricants is excited to showcase our range of high-quality lubricants at the Brisbane Truck Show. We believe our products can help Australian truck drivers improve vehicle performance and e ciency, while reducing

their carbon footprint. We look forward to demonstrating the many bene ts of our lubricants.

i el ura Maxx series of lubricants are high performance heavy duty gear oils.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Changing the face of tyre management

TRUCK Art Trailers remains at the forefront of custom livestock trailer manufacturing and has acted on the key issues continually reported by heavy vehicle owners and drivers, maintaining tyre pressures, minimising loss time through punctures and tyre blowout and reducing the risk to other road users through serious tyre loss via delamination and shredding.

Truck Art Trailers has implemented an innovative

approach to mitigating this major issue through the use of a Constant Tyre In ation System (CTI) that out-performs any other CTI system available across the country.

Tyre pressure management and associated risks are not isolated to the trucking industry as this also impacts the larger passenger vehicles used in the public domain where public safety, liability and reliability are ongoing issues.

Truck Art Trailers is now the Australian importer of the Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system. e Vigia Constant Tyre in ation system provides ongoing monitoring of tyre pressures and the ability to maintain cold set tyre pressure during a puncture situation.

e system also has the ability to close o rapid air loss due to the loss of a tyre through shredding or delamination, protecting the remaining trailer functions dependant on air.

Currently in the nal stages of development is a new Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system that also has the ability to lower tyre pressure to suit harsh driving conditions (dirt roads) and then rein ate the tyres to cold set tyre pressures on-the-run via the push of a button situated in the cab.

In the background, Vigia has been running a pilot program for a Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system that has been paired with the GESTYA GPS

system to allow remote monitoring of tyre pressures, slow leaks, punctures, and extreme air-loss back at the o ce. is can all be achieved while still providing the driver with the same data via a dash mounted digital monitor. is approach will change the face of tyre management, extend tyre life and place the driver more in-control as the vehicle moves across the Australian highway and regional road network. With ever increasing pressure from government bodies

and insurance companies to minimise risk across the transport industry, the Vigia Constant Tyre In ation System (CTI) is quickly becoming the go-to CTI for risk management and tyre life management across the heavy vehicle and large passenger vehicle industries.

e Vigia Constant Tyre In ation system and GESTYA GPS system has been trialled across a number of countries with similar road and terrain networks to

the conditions experienced in Australia. Trial results have been outstanding and Truck Art looks forward to releasing this innovative approach to risk management and tyre pressure management in the future. Visit

Truck Art Trailers is now the Australian importer of the Vigia onstant Tyre n ation system.

Sagasser Transport’s livestock trailers on the road.

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2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Delivering on service and continuing to drive results

Established since 1907, QTA has a long history of providing valuable advocacy and personal service and support to road freight operators delivering around and into Queensland. Our membership comprises eets of all sizes and from all sectors of the road freight industry. Predominantly an employer association, eet owners join the QTA with the con dence that we will take the lead to confront the major industry issues with a professional and strategic advocacy approach.

In 2023, our advocacy priorities will be focussed on much-needed industry reform of minimum standards and policy decisions that must include improved policy settings for the freight industry including asset investment, taxation, fuel taxes and training subsidies to name a few.

With tight pro tability across the industry there

have been several notable businesses failing across the country this year. Action needs to be taken by the government and key stakeholders to ensure that transport costs are respected and equitable for everyone to sustain this vital sector that underpins the Australian economy. e road freight industry has relied upon improved e ciencies through bigger trucks and productivity gains to remain viable, however there has been little done in the setting of minimum standards to ensure freight costs are understood and respected within the supply chain. e introduction of minimum standards within the road freight industry will form a large part of our advocacy e orts as we aim to shape this important reform. For many years the QTA has been active in the Industrial Relations space through ARTIO, and unlike many other

associations, this a ords us the opportunity to be at the coalface of advocacy with government. With the QTA’s trusted reputation, you can be con dent that we will be lobbying to shape minimum standards that are inclusive of important considerations for both employers and employees.

rough our specialist team of dedicated long-serving sta , we also provide members with support across all areas of their business, with a particular focus on employment and industrial relations services, compliance support, advice on implementation of the HVNL, workplace health and safety, workforce planning, training, and skilling services.

In addition, we undertake projects that provide additional value to your membership. Our current projects include Heavy Vehicle Safe Driver Project,

First on Scene Incident Response Training for Truck Drivers, Digital Literacy for Truck Drivers, Get In2 Transport and Logistics Program and Livestock Handling Program.

As a QTA member you can be assured we have a genuine commitment to providing services that deliver results for your business. Our point of di erence is our personal approach and our commitment that you receive personal contact with our specialist sta regularly throughout the year. Our team provides reliable and responsive service with whatever issues you encounter in your business, and we commit to doing our very best to support you wherever you are in Australia.

As eet owners and employers, we encourage all road freight operators to join an industry association that you can trust to support

your business and the viability, safety, and pro tability of the industry in a personal and professional manner. QTA are ready to warmly welcome you. Our Membership Team will be available during the

Truck Show and can be contacted on 0405 152 952 to arrange a time to have a conversation.

For more information, check out qta.com.au. QTA: Trusted to deliver, driven by service.

On site at Aratula talking through access during the Cunningham’s Gap Reconstruction Project with Darren Eather (Wickham Freightlines), QTA CEO Gary Mahon, and Nick Lancashire (TMR South Coast).

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

The SAF-Holland solution

everything. We’ve also built a solid relationship, because they don’t look at it as a sale and leave you on your own to gure things out. ey do stay loyal.”

MS Haulage’s third live bottom trailer, tted with SAF-Holland Intra axles and suspensions, has proven to be a suitable application by excelling in its cartage throughout Victoria.

At the age of 21, Milan Stanic founded MS Haulage and purchased his rst truck to begin the company’s transport operations in 2015. While building the company from the ground up during the next few years, he drove tippers and dogs before live bottom trailers were later introduced to the market.

In 2018, Stanic started to expand the company as business picked up and, as a result,

began investing in other trucks and trailers. Following his two previous purchases with Muscat Trailers, he returned to arrange for a third Live Bottom Etnyre trailer. is time though, it was tted with SAF-Holland Intra axles and suspension.

“I kept looking at SAF-Holland and I had a couple of people as well that dealt with the SAF-Holland axle and all of their equipment,” Stanic says. “I started looking into it more, I did some research and then I decided to bite the bullet and come across. I think I’ve made the right decision in doing that because the trailer just works

fantastic, and I think I’ll be sticking with them from now on.”

MS Haulage’s live bottom is being used to cart asphalt for roadworks across Victoria, as well as raw material such as aggregates and sands. Stanic says he used a di erent brand of live bottom trailers before, but it didn’t stack up to Muscat Trailers.

“I came over to Muscat Trailers because I believe their trailer is a better-quality build and an overall better product than some of the other ones out there,” he said. “Since then, Muscat have stayed on top of

According to Muscat Trailers, the Etnyre Live Bottom is the fastest unloading trailer of its kind in the industry. Distributed Nationally, it has the versatility to haul hot mix asphalt, sand, gravel, recycled materials, low slump concrete and aggregates of all kinds. e Live Bottom Etnyre Falcon features a 42-inch-wide conveyor belt to reduce material bridging, twin product doors which eliminate segregation and allows loads to discharge in a mass, a lighter empty weight to give larger payloads every load, and steeper side walls to prevent sticky material from bridging. And by giving SAF-Holland a chance by applying its components to this unit, Stanic says it has paid o in his operations.

“I think SAF-Holland have mastered everything, and in terms of getting that trailer with their brakes and mechanisms to work with my euro prime movers, I think it works a hundred times better,” he said. “It’s much more responsive with my trucks

compared to the other setups I was using, and it just feels how one unit should feel. Whereas before it felt like the truck was doing one thing and the trailer was doing another thing, and as much as we tried, we could never ne tune that set up.

“With SAF-Holland, the braking has been better and I’m sure they will last longer too. Everything has worked how a unit should work all together.”

Following the success the unit has delivered so far, Stanic thanked everyone involved, including his broker, Maclean Financial, who has been with the business since day one.

“ ank you to Troy, the

team at Muscat and everyone at SAF-Holland,” he said. “I’d like to thank Dayle as well, who runs the aftersales care at Muscat Trailers here in Victoria. He’s always had that anytime, anyplace attitude. He was always there for me throughout the whole process.”

Although MS Haulage’s Etnyre Live Bottom has only done 2000km so far, Stanic rests assured that it will deliver with SAF-Holland by its side.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Your parts specialists 50 Years of Innovation

ter-Drago, who serves as president of KEITH Manufacturing Co., explains why developing a dependable system was so important to her grandfather.

“Keith grew up in the state of Oklahoma and, as a farm boy, knew the importance of having reliable equipment. You can’t make money if your equipment isn’t running. And many times being down can end your business,” she said.

and a higher tolerance of dirt and foreign material.

e company designs, manufactures and assembles at its world headquarters in Madras, Oregon. Manufacturing most components onsite means superior quality control.

AT Viking Truck Parts, we are proud to o er parts compatible with Volvo and Iveco plus other European trucks. Specialising in Volvo truck parts, we have an extensive range of parts and accessories in our warehouse.

Our parts are sourced directly from manufacturers in Europe and across the globe. Sourcing parts from the original equipment manufacturers directly wherever possible ensures quality at an a ordable price. All parts are backed by a 12 month manufacturer’s defect warranty to provide you with piece of mind. We distribute parts throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Brands that we proudly stock and supply are Donaldson Filters, ZF, Bendix, Behr Hella, Sachs, Wabco, Holset Turbo Chargers, KnorrBremse, Meritor, Versus Mirrors and Sakura lters, just to name a few.

Since being at Seven Hills from 2015 Viking Truck Parts needed to expand so we relocated to a new warehouse with double the oor space and this is conveniently located at 3/24 Lidco Street, Arndell Park –and it has plenty of parking with truck access. Some of our major eet customers have their drivers pick up directly in the truck while in the area, with a turning circle in Smoothy Place that makes it

easier to turn even with trailers.

Our team of parts specialists – Simon, Mark and Adrian – have over 60 years’ combined experience in the business. Using the latest manufacturer’s electronic parts catalogues to interpret what parts you need, they are supplied to you as quickly as possible to keep you on the road at an a ordable price.

For more information, call 02 9674 1038 or email mail@ vikingtruckparts.com.au

Note: Viking Truck Parts is an independent parts business that is locally owned and operated, o ering the best available parts for retail, trade and eet. We are in no way associated with any truck manufacturer.

WHEN Keith Foster set out to develop the Walking Floor unloader, he had one goal: Design the lightest, simplest, most trouble-free self-unloading system yet devised. Fifty years later, KEITH Manufacturing Co. continues to help customers around the world make their work more e cient and pro table with its patented Walking Floor trailer unloading system.

While other versions of moving oor technology existed, it was Foster who focused on creating a 100 per cent hydraulic drive unit powerful enough to unload a semi-trailer. In 1973, KEITH Manufacturing Co. introduced the rst commercially viable moving oor unloading system under the Walking Floor brand name.

Although Foster passed away in 2006, the company remains family-owned, led by the second and third generations of Fosters. Lindsay Fos-

He took this notion to heart when designing the original Walking Floor system and the company continues his philosophy when engineering its products. “We work hard to keep the total cost of ownership the lowest in the industry.”

is includes building a drive system with interchangeable components so customers need less parts inventory and o ering a two-year warranty on hydraulic valves. e overall design also lends itself to longevity, such as a poppet switching valve lower friction, less wear

“With a majority of our haulers’ business being repeat and cross generational, it’s an incredible responsibility and privilege to be trusted by our global customers,” said Foster-Drago. “One of Keith’s favourite sayings and mine is, ‘you can’t a ord not to buy our equipment’.”

As KEITH Manufacturing Co. marks 50 years of the Walking Floor system, Foster-Drago says the company always looks to the future. “Our focus is on continuing to innovate and make our product even better tomorrow than it is today.”

Visit keithwalking oor.com or contact Zyggy Reinoga of KEITH Walking Floor Australia on 0404 041 833.

President of KEITH Manufacturing Co., Lindsay Foster-Drago.

KEITH Walking Floor systems have provided

safe unloading options since 1973.

Europe and across the globe.

Alcoa® Ultra ONE® Wheel with MagnaForce® Alloy

World’s Lightest, Strongest Heavy-Duty Truck Wheel.

ONLY 16 Kg

Lightest Wheel in the Industry

• Only 16 Kg

• Save up to 2.1L of fuel per 1,000 km’s when converting from steel on all positions

• 10-285 Standard fitment

Patent-Pending Wheel Design

• No hand holes

• Impact tested

• Designed for strength

Strongest Wheel Yet

• With proprietary MagnaForce® alloy

• 3,355kg. load rating

Take a look at the complete Alcoa Wheels spec guide

TO BE UNVEILED AT THE 2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Innovative vHub™ Bore Technology

• Up to 64% less contact area than existing wheels on the market.

• Minimizes hub-to-wheel contact area to reduce corrosion.

Alcoa® ULT36x 22.5" x 8.25" Wheel

YOU’VE likely seen the alarming ndings of Australia’s three-year Driving Health Project. Truck drivers are 13 times more likely to die at work than other Australians, and four times more likely to get injured. Concerningly, though perhaps not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of work-related deaths in truckies is due to vehicle crashes.

Fatigue can be fatal is study also uncovered some disturbing facts on fatigue, one of the biggest safety risks for employees and businesses in this sector.

• 62.1 per cent of truck drivers report experiencing fatigue whilst working.

• One in ten (11 per cent) truck drivers admitted to nodding o or falling asleep while driving in the last year.

• 17.5 per cent of truck drivers were de ned as being at high risk due to poor sleep.

New Zealand is experiencing similar issues, with recent reports highlighting a 30 per cent increase in commercial drivers falling asleep at the

wheel between 2021 and 2022.

Distraction can be just as deadly – and costly!

e NTI NTARC Major Crash Investigation 2022 Report found the proportion of large losses (>$50k) from driver inattention/distraction continues to increase year-onyear. In fact, it is now the cause of almost one in six (16.3 per cent) losses.

And the costs of an accident are not insigni cant.

e direct costs of an accident can include property and

damages, driver injury and medical expenses, legal outlays, immediate loss of revenue and administrative costs. An accident can also incur signi cant indirect costs, from workforce to equipment expenses and reputational damage.

It’s no surprise then, that many major distributors now require preventative technologies like Driver Monitoring System (DMS) technology, such as Guardian by Seeing Machines, in their vehicles, and those of their subcontractors.

It’s not just about cost,

there’s the issue of complying with Chain of Responsibility (CoR) under the Heavy Vehicle National Law. Fleet owners and operators are obliged to identify and assess the risks involved in their transport duties and eliminate or minimise them as much as possible. And fatigue and distraction are clearly two of the biggest safety risks for employees and businesses in this sector.

Preventing accidents before they happen

Powered by Seeing Machines’ industry-leading technology, Guardian is a driver fatigue, distraction and accident prevention solution scienti cally proven to reduce fatigue-related events by more than 90 per cent.

How? rough arti cial intelligence and real-time, human intervention.

Sophisticated face- and eye-tracking algorithms built into the Guardian in-vehicle system monitor a driver’s attentiveness, intervening with real-time alerts if it detects a fatigue or distraction event. But

Driving can be a very dangerous business Next-gen innovation

AT the Brisbane Truck Show, Alcoa Wheels, the global leader in aluminium wheel innovation, will unveil a new product featuring revolutionary technology that rea rms its position as the lightest aluminium truck wheel manufacturer in the industry – the new Alcoa 22.5” x 8.25” 10-285 American Fitment wheel, ULT36x.

MagnaForce alloy

e ground-breaking Alcoa ULT36x wheel is 1.6kg lighter than its predecessor, weighing just 16.3kg, and is equipped

with proprietary MagnaForce alloy. Alcoa Wheels has revolutionised wheel design with its patent-pending wheel, which features no hand holes. is departure from traditional design is sure to turn heads and make any vehicle stand out.

Despite the lack of hand holes, the wheel has been tested and engineered to ensure maximum strength and durability.

Alcoa Wheels’ patented Magnaforce alloy is 17 per cent stronger than the indus-

try standard and has played a critical role in developing the ULT36x. By harnessing this strength, Alcoa Wheels has been able to create a lighter wheel without compromising durability or strength, resulting in an innovative wheel o ering fuel eciency and performance. Commercial eet operators will be able to achieve maximum efciency and pro tability with the ULT36x wheel, even in tough conditions. Don’t miss out on this game-changing new design that combines style and strength for a winning combination.

Highlights include:

• Savings of up to 2L of fuel per 1000 km when converting from steel to aluminium on all positions

• Exceptional strength with a 3355kg load rating

• Alcoa advanced nishes LvL One and Mirror Polish

• Exclusive Alcoa Dura-Bright and Dura-BlackTM surface treatments

• Patent-pending wheel design

– No hand holes, impact tested and designed for strength

Innovative vHubTM Bore Technology

e new Alcoa ULT36x wheel also features vHubTM

Bore Technology, which reduces hub-to- wheel contact area by up to 64 per cent versus other aluminium wheels on the market, leaving less surface area for corrosion to form. In addition, it is o ered with unique valve access designed for ease of in ation and pressure checks in all positions. e system works with ATIS and Halo Tyre In ator and brings both the inner and outer dual valves into the wheel well for improved access.

Maintenance-friendly valve system

Alcoa Wheels are available with dual valves. Featuring a second valve stem, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor can operate on one valve while air pressure is serviced on the other. No disruption due to equipment removal during airing up or maintenance means added peace of mind and optimum e ciency.

Alcoa Dura-BrightTM Surface Treatment

ULT36x will be available with Alcoa Dura-Bright Wheels surface treatment.

It acts like a force eld around your wheels that repels dirt. So, when it’s time to clean, a simple soap and

what makes the Guardian solution truly unique is combining this powerful technology, driven by decades of Human Factors research, with 24/7 monitoring and intervention by real humans.

e Guardian Centre has a team of highly trained analysts literally working around the clock to review and classify every single risky driving incident captured by Guardian. Committed to getting everyone home safely, the Guardian Centre analysts then notify eets within minutes of a con-

rmed fatigue event, so managers can intervene and protect drivers, their way.

Visit Connect Source at the Brisbane Truck Show (stand number 312) to learn more about Guardian by Seeing Machines, world-leading driver fatigue and distraction technology.

STAND: PLAZA 32

Ph: 02 6103 4700 Web: guardian.seeing machines.com/anz

water wash gets you back on the road. No more polishing. Less time washing, more time driving.

Alcoa Dura-Bright Wheels are manufactured using proprietary technology and production processes speci cally tailored to achieve superior aesthetics, easy maintenance, and durability.

Alcoa Dura-Bright surface treatment penetrates the aluminium, forming molecular bond that becomes part of the wheel itself. at means it will not crack, peel, or corrode like coated wheels, looking newer for longer.

If you want to get more information about the world’s lightest, strongest heavy-duty truck wheel, come along to the stand at the Brisbane Truck Show. You can also email alcoawheels.sales@howmet.com and follow Alcoa on Facebook (alcoawheelsaustralia).

STAND: PLAZA 86

Ph: 1800 955 191 Web: alcoawheels.com.au

24/7 Guardian Centre analysts review event data and video, e uipping eet managers with the ability to intervene when unsafe driving behaviour is detected.

Arti cial intelligence built into the uardian driver safety system monitors a driver’s attentiveness and intervenes if it detects a fatigue or distraction event.

The lightweight Alcoa ULT36x wheel is 1.6kg lighter than its predecessor, weighing just 16.3kg.

FATIGUE CAN BE FATAL

Did you know over 60% of Australian truck drivers experience fatigue while working and 1 in 10 fall asleep at the wheel?

Visit Connect Source at stand 312 to learn more about Guardian by Seeing Machines; real-time driver fatigue and distraction technology, scientifically proven to reduce fatigue-related events by over 90%.

guardian.seeingmachines.com/anz

Handling the whole loan process

FLEET Finance Australia obtains competitive nance for the purchase of trucks, trailers and other equipment, both new and used.

As brokers, we handle the whole loan process and make our client’s lives as easy as possible, with great rates and fast turnaround. We are well supported with a team of 100 consultants, all proudly based in Australia – so there are no overseas call centres.

If you’re wanting to lease instead of buy, or do a hire-purchase, Fleet Finance Australia can help. We can also arrange hybrid deals, where some equipment is purchased and other equipment is leased.

As wells as heavy vehicles, Fleet Finance Australia can nance other equipment such as forklifts, dollies, vans and dual cabs. We can also o er general business nance for day-to-day expenses, as well as for upgrades and mainte-

nance. We’ll help you nance everything you need to operate e ciently and pro tably.

Trucking keeps Australia moving and we are excited to be part of an industry that impacts every Australian. We work with Australian businesses big and small to achieve their goal of running a highly pro table trucking business. Whether you’re a sole trader or large company looking for a eet upgrade, we’re here to help you get the money you need at the best rates possible. Nothing makes us prouder than to see a truck on the road that we helped nance.

e Fleet Finance Australia team is based in Adelaide, and services the entire country.

e whole loan process can be done online, and we’re also happy to talk on the phone and meet in person. Since Covid, we are also equipped for video calling. We make ourselves available to you the

whole time.

e loan market is never easy, especially for high priced items like big rigs. e process can be even harder when the borrower is a business, as lenders have di erent (harder!) standards for businesses. We have seen rsthand how many other brokers, who only deal in car or home loans, are unfamiliar with the business lending process,

leading to delays, frustrated clients and lost deals.

Fleet Finance Australia was established to provide specialists in business lending for people who require results. Our team has over 10 years in business services, with diverse backgrounds in banking, accounting, tax and law.

Unlike other brokers, we don’t close the door on our clients once the loan is ap-

proved. We work with our clients continuously, and often reach out to let them know of money saving deals they may be interested in. We can also help with general business nance for day-today expenses, and your personal a airs like home and car loans.

For equipment nance, a broker is the best bet. Going direct to the bank means you

get one option – theirs. At Fleet Finance Australia, our loan consultants have relationships with over 40 lenders. We get lenders to compete for your business, not the other way round.

With no cost and no obligation, there has never been as better time to get in touch. Call 1300 530 480, or visit eet nanceaustralia.com.au. or call 1300 530 480.

Truck parts you can trust

THE intense competition in the truck and trailer parts aftermarket has made it even more important to choose genuine parts and components from trusted retailers like PACCAR Parts and TRP stores.

According to the latest ARTSA data on truck registrations, as of 2021 Australia had more than 190,000 heavy-duty trucks registered and on the road. e sector grew 17 per cent from 2015 to 2020 and with current trends on truck sales, it’s showing no signs of slowing.

And if that’s the stats on trucks, it is easy to imagine the follow-on e ect this has on the growing demand for truck and trailer-related parts and accessories.

Wanting to get a piece of the pie, online retailers from around the world are o ering generic parts at bargain prices, preying on cost-conscious operators working in a low-pro t margin industry.

According to Trevor Dickson, PACCAR Parts Technical Sales Manager, the problem with the increasing competition is that the truck and trailer aftermarket is saturated with both original equipment (OE) and generic aftermarket products.

Due to challenges created by the complexity in enforcement of component parts standards in Australia, retailers can sell parts that have not been tested or, if they have been tested, may not meet speci c application requirements as a way to cut prices.

“If you use genuine or known-quality brands then you

can have peace of mind when it comes to quality and performance,” he said.

However, there is another way you can purchase competitively priced aftermarket parts with a proven quality guarantee. e team at PACCAR Parts has also developed the TRP range of truck and trailer components.

“We developed the TRP range to be able to put a brand out there that’s backed by a major OEM, PACCAR. We have the testing resources, and we use them,” Dickson said.

In terms of testing TRP products, Dickson says PACCAR will rst look for an Australian Design Rule (ADR) to meet the standards.

“Where ADR standards exist, then we test to those standards,” he explains. “Otherwise, we use independent US FMVSS and European ECE testing, depending on the component.”

e “Australian- rst” meth-

od also applies to parts sourcing, Dickson adds, pointing to the Australian-manufactured spring suspension equaliser pins in the TRP range as an example. “When we do source overseas, PACCAR has either o ces there or supply quality managers that visit the parts facilities on a regular basis to ensure that they are being manufactured as promised,” he adds.

As such, the company is so con dent in the quality of the components in the TRP range that each product boasts a minimum 12-month warranty.

“If a TRP part fails from a manufacturing fault, as long as there is no clear evidence of part abuse and installation was performed correctly by a quali ed technician, then we’ll honour the warranty straight away.”

PACCAR Parts has developed the competitively priced TRP range of truck and trailer components.

Fleet Finance Australia was established to provide specialists in business lending for people who require results.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

A leader in Australia’s on-board weighing systems

EFFICIENCY, accuracy and safety are the cornerstone of a successful trucking industry. When it comes to onboard weighing (OBM) systems, one name consistently outperforms the rest – AirWeigh’s LoadMaxx. A revolutionary OBM solution that boasts superior innovation, precision and simplicity.

Air-Weigh, an American-owned technology company, has been at the forefront of the OBM industry

since its inception in 1987.

eir unwavering commitment to innovation and their deep understanding of the evolving needs of the trucking industry have led to the creation of the LoadMaxx system, a technology that sets a new benchmark for OBM systems.

Unlike other OBM solutions on the market, LoadMaxx provides an undeniably seamless user experience. While competitors may rely

on additional devices or applications that can potentially distract drivers and complicate operations, LoadMaxx keeps it straightforward. Hop in, turn the key, and the system is ready to roll. No additional gadgets, no cumbersome pairing processes, just pure, e cient performance.

LoadMaxx’s advanced system consists of a smart truck unit that seamlessly collects, processes and transmits weight data to the telematics unit, which in turn relays this vital information to regulators. is streamlined operation supports both air ride and most mechanical suspensions, ensuring accurate readings with dual point calibration, and o ers pin-protected settings for increased security.

But the intelligence of LoadMaxx doesn’t stop at the truck unit. e system includes smart trailer units that independently hold their calibration and gather weight information for each trailer’s axle group. is information

is automatically collated, sorted and sent to the truck’s head unit, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual input.

In contrast, competing OBM systems often necessitate drivers to pair trailers manually – a process prone to inaccuracies and inconsistency. LoadMaxx circumvents these issues with its closed area network, ensuring awless coordination and eliminating the risk of errors.

e LoadMaxx scale is designed for accuracy, compensating for variations in temperature and altitude. It supports multiple languages and can be installed in-dash or in a mounting pod. It also

boasts third-party on-board computer integration and an optional printer for instant weight receipts, features that aren’t always guaranteed with other OBM systems.

LoadMaxx is not merely a scale; it’s a comprehensive OBM solution that elevates the standards of safety, eciency and pro tability in the trucking industry. Its intuitive operation minimises driver distraction, and its precise readings optimise load management, mitigating the risk of overloading and the expensive penalties associated with it.

Moreover, Air-Weigh’s LoadMaxx is the leading OBM solution in Australia,

with Transport Certi cation Australia (TCA) Type B approval, a testament to its unparalleled quality and performance.

In an industry where time is money and accuracy is non-negotiable, Air-Weigh’s LoadMaxx emerges as the uncontested leader. It promises to keep your eet moving efciently, safely and pro tably. With LoadMaxx, weighing isn’t just about getting the job done; it’s about getting the job done right.

First refrigerated electric truck revealed at show

REVORA, an o shoot of Brisbane-based refrigerated truck assembler Eurocold, will showcase its rst refrigerated electric truck at this year’s show.

e start-up will leverage the refrigerated transport industry knowledge of founder and managing director Avraam Solomon, along with the expertise in the low-tozero emissions space brought by general manager Nathan Gore-Brown, who has an extensive automotive background with Aston Martin in the UK, as well as launching Tesla’s initial agship Brisbane outlet.

More recently, he has acted as a senior consultant to government and private sectors on transport decarbonisation with leading advisory agency, MOV3MENT.

Solomon said Revora will draw on Australian technology and ingenuity, with several key components (chassis, fridge, body etc) sourced from “best-of-breed” operators in Australia and internationally.

“Revora is a completely separate and new brand

to Eurocold – aimed at future-proo ng the sustainability of the refrigerated transport industry,” explained Avraam Solomon.

“Revora will be Australia’s rst fully integrated, electric refrigerated truck eet supplier.”

e program, being head-

ed up by Gore-Brown, will assess eet suitabilities to embrace electri cation before assisting customers into the crossover.

e trucks and energy solutions will be all on a longterm lease with Revora.

Revora’s o ering will also include the supply of energy/

charging stations, sta training, and on-call support.

To optimise e ciency once going electric, Revora is devising a technology-led process that will assist eet owners to ensure they are maximising opportunities through telematic data tracking on the vehicles and software to monitor

energy systems.

“Avraam has the vision to provide a sustainable future for the refrigerated transport industry through establishing a line of highly e cient, cutting-edge green transport solutions,” said Gore-Brown.

“Our customer base, partners and alliances are in

third-party logistics, broadline food services, along with the meat, seafood, dairy and produce industries.”

With the majority of refrigerated transport deliveries being ‘last mile’ deliveries and in urban areas, Gore-Brown said electric trucks are perfect for this duty cycle.

“EVs are particularly well suited to urban and stop-start tasks,” he said.

“ is is down to their ability to recapture energy through regenerative braking. Typically, the refrigerated transport industry has a large portion of the eet running last mile delivery and that’s where electric trucks excel.

“In addition to this, as we move towards government-mandated net zero emission targets, electric trucks will provide opportunities for our customers to gain new contracts due to businesses wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Air-Weigh’s LoadMaxx touch screen trailer scale.

Revora believes that electric trucks are perfect for refrigerated transport deliveries.

Air-Weigh’s truck and trailer scale displays.

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Choosing the right tyre for the right application

IF you drive a passenger car or 4WD and you need to get your tyres changed, the tyre retailer will most likely ask you a series of questions around driving conditions and driving style.

When we need new truck tyres, this process rarely happens. But it really needs to!

Tyres are the second most costly item for your truck after fuel.

Get your tyres right and they will last longer and result in less fuel burn, whilst also ensuring a safer ride.

e right questions result in the best outcomes.

What type of roads are you driving on?

Consider the road conditions and environment where the truck will be operating.

For instance, in outback Australia, where the roads can be rough and rugged, it is important to choose tyres that are designed to withstand the harsh conditions. In contrast, in metro driving, where the roads are well-maintained, it is important to choose tyres that

provide good fuel e ciency and handling.

Do you have a specialised truck tyre dealer?

Partnering with a tyre dealer that is great with truck tyres will help to guide you through the best tyres for your driving environment, load and driving behaviours.

ey should be asking you questions before tting your tyres, such as:

• What type of work is the truck doing?

• What are the general conditions of the roads?

• What is the average load?

• Metro or regional?

Not all tyres are equal, so having the right tyre for the right drive position will make a huge impact on your fuel, tyre wear and traction. Let’s take a look at tyre types and di erent drive positions:

Steer Tyres

Steer tyres are typically designed to provide superior grip, stability, and steering response. As such, they are typically made with a shallower tread depth, which provides better handling and manoeu-

vrability. When selecting steer tyres, it is important to consider the load capacity of the truck as well as the road conditions. For instance, in metro driving, where the roads are well-maintained, steer tyres with a lower prole may be suitable. However, in outback Australia, where the roads can be rough and rugged, steer tyres with a deeper tread depth may be required.

Drive Tyres

Drive tyres, on the other hand, are designed to provide better traction and grip on the road, particularly in wet or slippery conditions. Drive tyres typically have a deeper tread depth than steer tyres, which enables them to provide better traction. In addition, drive tyres have larger tread blocks, which enables them to better resist wear and tear.

When selecting drive tyres, it is important to consider the type of cargo that will be transported, as well as the terrain that the truck will be travelling over.

For instance, in line haul

driving, where the terrain is relatively at and smooth, drive tyres with a shallower tread depth may be suitable.

Trailer Tyres

Trailer tyres, as the name suggests, are located on the trailer of the truck and are responsible for supporting the weight of the cargo. ey are designed to provide stability and durability, and typically have a shallower tread depth than drive tyres.

Trailer tyres are also designed to provide better fuel e ciency, as they have lower rolling resistance.

When selecting trailer tyres, it is important to consider the weight and volume of the load and road conditions. In this situation we would recommend:

Steer tyres, drive tyres, and trailer tyres all have their own unique characteristics that make them suitable for a speci c application.

When selecting tyres, it is important to consider the load capacity of the truck, as well as the road conditions and environment where the truck will be operating.

By choosing the right tyre for the right application, truck owners can ensure that their vehicle performs optimally and safely, regardless of the conditions they may encounter.

For more tyre information visit Tyres4U.com.au

When considering trailer tyres, it’s important to consider the weight and volume of the load.

Drives are designed for better traction and grip on the road.

Steers are typically made with a shallow tread depth for better handling and manoeuvrability.

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The NAPA Auto Parts di erence

NAPA Auto Parts has established itself as a leading provider of heavy-duty products and services in Australia.

With a vast range of products and an extensive network of branches, NAPA Auto Parts has become a go-to destination for truck eets looking for reliable solutions to keep their vehicles on the road.

From our wide range of heavy-duty parts and accessories – that include OE replacement alternators and starter motors, auto electrical accessories, air conditioning, lubrication, service parts and braking – to smarter technologies and e ciencies, we’re keeping you ahead of the curve.

Our branches are located along the National Land Transport Network. We are working with you to have the parts where you need them, when you need them.

Backed by the world’s largest supplier of automotive aftermarket parts, NAPA Auto

Parts combines over 95 years of product knowledge with distribution excellence.

By leveraging our national scale and international partnerships, we provide cost and operational e ciencies at a local level to ensure the parts you need arrive on time as quickly and e ciently as possible.

Safety rst

Our commitment to operating a safer business is deeply rooted into our company values, with initiatives driven from all areas of NAPA Auto Parts.

We take safety to new levels, ensuring continuous improvement and the safest possible environment for anyone interacting with a NAPA Auto Parts team member, product or initiative.

Quality assurance

NAPA Auto Parts takes quality seriously, in products, know how, processes and suppliers. To ensure consistent quality

from every aspect of the business, NAPA Auto Parts maintains an ISO 9001 accreditation which extends to our OE manufacturers, while leading brands and partners are encouraged to maintain the same certi cation.

We understand that quality products mean less down time and NAPA Auto Parts are committed to suppling genuine value and quality.

Scale and capability

Leverage Australia’s most comprehensive network of automotive parts specialists with an unrivalled depth of knowledge and proven capability in responding to complex industry requirements. We can solve problems, provide technical expertise and provide valuable market insights to your business.

More than just parts

NAPA Auto Parts aims to contribute to improved safety, in-

WE’RE WITH YOU FOR THE LONG HAUL.

creased productivity and profit growth.

We provide you with a professional advantage, presenting more opportunities for your business to save time and money through smarter business activities. Yes, we sell parts, but we also have the application and technical knowledge to ensure you get the right one for your vehicle, no matter its size. Importantly, we excel in implementing new e ciencies into your organisation through:

• Vendor rationalisation programs

• Range consolidation activities

• OE alternative supply chain options

• Inventory and vendor rationalisation and standardisation

recommendations

• Strategic sourcing programs

• Fleet pro ling and packaging

• Automation

• Vending solutions

• Freight aggregation

Electronic integration

At NAPA Auto Parts we understand how precious your time is. Our unique e-commerce software, NAPA PROLink, is a comprehensive, industry-leading online catalogue and e-commerce platform that allows your teams to consistently and accurately identify and order the right parts for your eets and vehicles.

Designed to integrate into your existing ERP/OCI systems to allow for 24/7 automat-

ed ordering, NAPA PROlink provides simplicity in multiple points in your organisation. Features include a Google-type parts identi cation, plus live visibility of stock and price at your nearest NAPA Auto Parts, technical support and a simple, responsive, easy to navigate platform. We leverage our expertise, range and capability to keep your workshop moving. To us, our business is more than just parts. Our business is to make yours more e cient.

NAPA Auto Parts combines over 95 years of knowledge and distribution excellence.

NAPA Auto Parts has become a go-to destination for truck eets.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Great Whites bites o brand new range

GREAT Whites LED driving lights have been trusted by truck drivers, eet managers and 4x4 enthusiasts for years, knowing their quality and performance will light the road ahead no matter the conditions.

When it comes to driving at night, having a reliable set of lights can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and successful journey. is is especially true for truck drivers who

often face long stretches of dark roads and unpredictable weather conditions. While there are many brands of driving lights on the market, Great Whites LED stands out as one of the best options for truck drivers.

Great Whites LED driving lights are incredibly powerful. With advanced LED technology, they produce an intense beam that can reach far ahead, illuminating the road and any

potential hazards. is is particularly important for truck drivers who may be carrying heavy loads or driving on unfamiliar roads. e high-quality beam produced by Great Whites LED lights ensures drivers can see obstacles in their path and react quickly to avoid them.

In addition to their power, Great Whites LED driving lights are also extremely durable. Made from high-quality materials and designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and rough terrain, they are built to last. With Great Whites LED lights, drivers can be con dent they will continue to work reliably no matter what challenges are faced on the road.

Another advantage of Great Whites LED driving lights is their versatility. ey come in a range of sizes and styles, making it easy for truck drivers to nd the perfect t for their vehicle. Whether you need a small set of lights for occasional use or a larger set for frequent long-haul

trips, Great Whites LED has you covered. Great Whites LED driving lights are backed by excellent customer service and support. e company is committed to providing the highest level of service to its customers, including fast and reliable shipping, easy returns, and a helpful and knowledge able customer service team. is ensures that truck drivers can get the support they need when they need it, making their experience with Great Whites LED a positive one. is year, the Great Whites range is evolving, with the improved 7” LED Headlight (GWF1005) and 7” High Beam Headlight (GWF1010) now available. ese are just two of four new lights that will be launching this year to attack the night.

With a more intense light source, the 7” Headlights will deliver greater performance with long lasting LEDs. As

with the previous Great Whites headlights, they are certi ed as ADR compliant for RHD vehicles, making them the safe and legal choice when upgrading the lighting on your vehicle.

e 7” LED Headlight (GWF1005) incorporates both park and indicator lights and include class 1 amber strobe lights that can be synchronised across both headlights. is innovative advancement allows for greater visibility and ensures you are safe on the road without the need for installing extra warning lights on your truck.

Featuring LED park lights,

the 7” High Beam Headlight (GWF1010) is the perfect replacement for factory sealed beams or 7” halogen lights. Both headlights feature a new design with improved UV stabilisation, an IP69K rating, a sturdy aluminium housing and are backed by a ve-year warranty, a testament to the con dence Great Whites have in their products.

e Great Whites team will be at the Brisbane Truck Show for you to explore this exciting new product range and learn more from the experts.

Alternatively, if you can’t make it to the show, Great Whites are available for purchase through NAPA Auto Parts, visit napaparts.com.au to nd your closest branch team.

STAND: PLAZA 314

Web: napaparts.com.au

/locations

These lights feature improved UV stabilisation, an IP69K rating and a sturdy aluminium housing.

The Great Whites range has

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

2023’s top tech trends: The ultimate secret in savings

AS we step into Q2 of 2023, let’s take a moment to applaud the scores of non-techie tradies and eet owners who have led the charge in adopting 2023’s innovative tech trends to streamline their operations, boost safety, and increase pro tability. e leaps and bounds made in AI- powered solutions, telematics and smart cameras have made asset and eet management, and driver safety easy to navigate, enabling even the small-scale operators to bene t from these cutting-edge technologies.

e great news, this tech is not reserved for big businesses and enterprises - it’s there for the taking by anyone with the courage to embrace the power of technology. With the right partner, tech adoption is easy, WHG your partner in technology, with you every step of the way, is here to help.

Arti cial intelligence (AI) and road safety

It’s not driverless trucks or the android pilots that will set the world ablaze with innovation. It’s something far more intriguing and attainable – the power of AI safety and e ciency in everyday transportation is here.

As one of the leading causes of deaths in Australia, road safety is a critical issue. In recent years, distracted driving has become a major concern for eet managers, who must ensure the safety of their drivers and the public. Fortunately, AI in telematics is making significant strides in improving road safety by addressing the issues of fatigue, distracted driving and predicting road incidents. In addition to distracted driving detection, technology in WHG’s Fleet-

CAM o ers a range of other features that contribute to overall road safety. ese include live video streaming, driver behavior monitoring, and GPS tracking. By providing real-time visibility of their eet, eet managers can ensure that their drivers are following safe driving practices, such as obeying speed limits, using seatbelts, and avoiding harsh braking, plus being able to back your driver in the case of a road incident. AI has the power to also enhance utilistion, boost productivity and cultivate better on-road behavior.

Trailer tracking and non-powered assets

e challenge of managing trailer and non-powered assets can be costly and time consum- ing. Users of new innovations in solar powered tracking have reported improved utilisation, reducing idle time, increased productivity, enhanced asset security plus streamlining o ce operations, resulting in sig-

ni cant cost savings in eet management.

WHG’s Cat-M1 solar Tracking units provide real time information, are small, lightweight and can last up to 4 months between charges with a device life of around ve years.

Mobile app simpli es chains of responsibility

Innovations in mobile app software have delivered the power of end-to-end control right in the palm of your hand. Fleet managers are shaving hours o tedious manual processes, streamlining maintenance schedules and avoiding costly breakdowns with WHG’s Asset Manager app, a digital-twin (your personal techy assistant) in your pocket. Popular features include pre-start checklists, asset documentation and GPS integration. With alerting for equipment, licenses, registra- tion and more, compliance is a breeze.

User-friendly technology

is transforming our world. By embracing the latest tech trends, we can signi cantly enhance road safety, increase- productivity, and reduce costs, all at the same time. With the power of AI in telematics, we can tackle crucial issues such as distracted driving, fatigue, and predicting road incidents.

e adoption of solar-powered tracking units can optimize the utilisation of trailer and non-powered assets while simplifying o ce operations, resulting in substantial cost savings. And let us not forget the innovations in mobile app software that give eet managers end-toend control right in the palm of their hands, streamlining the chain of responsibility like never before.

Are you ready to seize the moment and harness the power of technology to revolutionise your operations? Together, we can make the roads safer and more ecient for everyone.

As your trusted partner

in technology, WHG stands ready to guide and support you every step of the wayDylan Hartley, Director of Operations at WHG. WHG is a trusted Australian solu-

tions provider with over 35 years of industry experience.

Contact WHG today, visit whg-telematics.com or call 1800 474 387.

The WHG asset manager app streamlines operations on the go.

leet AM A ideo Telematics boosts productivity, efficiency and safety.

W Telematics o ers intelligent trailer tracking and asset monitoring.

Introducing Illumiload: Lighting for the long haul

ILLUMILOAD is an Australian manufacturer of rechargeable magnetic marker lights for the heavy haulage industry.

Illumiload’s rechargeable technology assists logistics, freight and haulage organisations to reduce costs, increase profitability, and meet their safety and sustainability re-

quirements and targets.

Its range of rechargeable magnetic marker lights include red rear marker lights, amber front marker lights, and red/ amber side marker lights.

The company was founded by Carsten Smits, who holds more than 20 years of combined experience in the light-

ing and transportation industries.

“I had colleagues come to me and share the challenges they were having with marker lights using disposable batteries. I thought that there had to be a better way. Illumiload’s rechargeable magnetic marker lights are better for business and the environment,” he said.

For heavy haulage operators, regulatory compliance and cost optimisation are two constant challenges.

Illumiload’s rechargeable magnetic marker lights offer heavy haulage operators the opportunity to adhere to safety regulations and standards while also reducing costs.

Our rechargeable lights eliminate the need to purchase and replace disposable batteries, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, our lights help to ensure that operators are meeting their safety and legal requirements as set out in federal and state regulations, gazettes and permits.

But just how much money can Illumiload’s rechargeable magnetic marker lights really save you?

Your one-stop shop for truck gearboxes and di s

NO matter what brand of truck you’re driving, or the size, when it comes to gearboxes and diffs, Brisbane Diff & Gearbox at Acacia Ridge is your one-stop shop.

Established in 1982 and now run by a second-generation team, Brisbane Diff and Gearbox is highly experienced in the industry with over 100 years combined experience.

The Bellrick Street workshop offers the full suite of services with fully qualified trades-

men who know the ins and outs of the trade.

They specialise in – but are not limited to – RoadRanger, Rockwell, Eaton, Spicer, ZF, Meritor and both Japanese and European vehicles.

The team also offers a full range of remanufactured transmissions and diffs, with all jobs backed by a 12-month warranty program.

Brisbane Diff & Gearbox specialises in everything relating to truck gearboxes and diffs:

• Diff repairs, rebuilds and lapping

• Manual transmission repairs and rebuilds

• Automated manual transmission repairs and rebuilds

• Exchange diffs and gearboxes.

Some of the services offered include:

• Driveline repairs

• Clutch repairs

• Wheel bearings and brakes

• Parts and install

• Transfer cases

“We offer to you a full truck

Our analysis shows that rechargeable magnetic marker lights are a much more cost effective investment than disposable batteries in the long term –with the potential to save heavy haulage operators thousands.

Another big advantage of rechargeable marker lights is their ability to increase your fleet’s productivity. With disposable batteries, downtime is inevitable when batteries die and need to be replaced. This can result in delays and reduced efficiency. However, with rechargeable magnetic marker lights, you can easily recharge the batteries. This means you can spend less time worrying about your equipment and more time focusing on your business.

Introducing llumiload’s latest innovation

The 20 Port USB Magnetic Marker Light Charging Station uses two 10 port USB charging hubs and is specifically designed for Illumiload’s rechargeable LED magnetic marker lights. The station connects to an Anderson socket. Also included is a short Ander-

son cable and an Anderson to Merit/Cigarette plug adaptor.

This set includes one 20

Port USB Magnetic Marker Light Charging Station, 12 amber/red side marker lights, two amber front marker lights, and two red rear marker lights.

Truck show special

To celebrate the Brisbane Truck Show, Illumiload is offering Big Rigs readers free delivery and a *$100 discount on our rechargeable 20 port USB Mark-

er Light Charging Station until the end of June. Simply enter the code BIG RIGS at checkout and we will handle the rest!

If you’d like to learn more about how Illumiload can help you to streamline your fleet’s safety system we invite you to visit illumiload.com.au or call our customer care team on 03 9103 1340.

*Offer is available until June 30, 2023 and is limited to a one time purchase. Discount is not available with other offers.

workshop facility, exchange or repairs on diffs and gearboxes for all model trucks, clutch replacements and tail shaft repairs,” said Brisbane Diff & Gearbox.

“All work is completed by trade qualified technicians with mandatory inspections done throughout the repair process, to ensure our high standard is maintained.” For more information, phone 07 33444000, or visit brisbanediff.com.au.

llumiload’s latest innovation is the 20 Port USB Magnetic Marker Light Charging Station.

Illumiload founder Carsten Smits saw a gap in the market for rechargeable magnetic marker lights.

All work is completed by trade uali ed technicians with mandatory inspections done throughout the repair process.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Apprentices put to ultimate test in 2023 challenge

THE always-popular 2023 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge has an exciting new format aimed at positioning it as the peak national apprentice competition.

Being held at the South Bank Piazza, Brisbane Truck Show visitors can watch some of Australia’s best apprentices battle it out for the 2023 HVIA National Apprentice Challenge title. For the rst time, the

The

Apprentice Challenge is invite-only, with six participating teams drawn from the best and brightest at key technical colleges throughout the country.

Invited participants enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show for the full four days.

In a further boost to its prominence, the Challenge is being held over the rst two days, when crowds are biggest, with heats staged on ursday and Friday and, for the rst time, the nal taking place on Friday afternoon at South Bank Piazza.

And in 2023 their skills will be tested on three Western Star trucks courtesy of new sponsor Penske Australia. And not just any trucks – they are the allnew 48X from Western Star’s new X-Series.

e winning team will be the rst to successfully identify and repair all the faults, or the team that recti es the most

faults within the allowed timeframe.

Participants will compete in six heats held over a little more than an hour, where three teams will work against the clock to correct pre-programmed faults on their respective vehicles.

For visitors to the show the competition is a dynamic

spectacle, with commentary explaining the apprentices’ moves and strategy, as their approach to addressing the challenge unfolds. ings can get tense as the teams battle against the clock.

Over an action-packed 90 minutes commencing 12:30pm on Friday, the nal will be held between the rst, second and third-placed teams.

e winner will receive a commemorative trophy, a tools package from sponsor Wurth, and an invitation to attend a Supercars event from sponsor NTI.

e 2023 National Apprentice Challenge is being co-ordinated by former HVIA director Chris Musch, who knows rsthand how far an apprentice’s career can go.

“I started in this great industry as an apprentice when I was 15, just like our nominees,” he said.

“It has given me opportunities to work in many di erent sectors of the industry, both here in Australia and overseas, from the shop oor and into di erent levels of management.”

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief executive Todd

Hacking says the support for the 2023 National Apprentice Challenge is testimony to the emerging talent coming into the heavy vehicle industry.

“ e response has again been exceptional, with participants including second-, thirdand fourth-year apprentices, Australia-wide,” Hacking said.

“ ese young people are at the beginning of a journey that will open doors to hugely rewarding career paths with Australian and international companies involved in the manufacture, distribution and support of trucks, trailers and their components,” he added, noting HVIA will host almost 2000 students from 50 schools for a full-day show experience.

It’s a unique opportunity to promote careers in the industry to the next generation of kids –and that’s what attracted Penske Australia’s support.

“One of the biggest challenges the whole industry is faced with is attraction of talent, whether that’s drivers, whether that’s operators, whether that’s painters, boilermakers or in this case, technicians,” said Craig Lee, Penske’s general manager of on highway product.

“One of the real bene ts we

see of supporting the Apprentice Challenge with supplying our new Western Star trucks is to give an opportunity to the up-and-coming technicians of the industry to show their worth in front of almost 2000 other school kids and in front of potential future employees and go head to head in a battle to see who can x the faults we program into these trucks.

“What we love about it is that it is a great way to showcase our trucks, but more importantly it’s a great opportunity for these up-and-coming experts to showcase their skills.”

The winning team will be the rst to successfully identify and repair all the faults, or the team that recti es the most faults in the allowed timeframe.

or visitors to the show the competition is a dynamic spectacle, with commentary explaining the apprentices moves and strategy.

Penske

s raig ee says the Apprentice hallenge is a wonderful

to showcase the industry s up and coming

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Saving you a lot of time and money

NEWLY launched Truck Tyres Australia is an online portal for all things tyres, wheels and associated accessories. We also stock and sell tting machines and balancers so we are a complete one-stop shop.

Chris Nichols has taken the reins as new national manager,

bringing over 20 years of experience in the truck tyre industry into the role.

Designed as a user-friendly platform, the website features a simple two-click system for all

your tyre needs, or alternatively please give us a call for any advice or product enquiries.

Truck Tyres Australia is a stockist of all major tyre brands for trucks, ranging from light

truck to heavy-duty agricultural and earth moving tyres.

Brands include Au styre, Dunlop, Sem perit, Goodyear, Han kook, Michelin, Sailun, Westlake and Yokohama to name a few. e company also stocks aftermarket wheels from the likes of Alcoa, Super chrome, Supalite and Ogreens.

“We have access to all of the major brands, competitive pricing and years of product and application knowledge. We are committed to making shopping for tyres simple and easy as we understand the transport and trucking industry can be quite demanding on our time and budgets,” said Nichols.

some of the biggest eet companies to smaller owner drivers.

Truck Tyres Australia stocks various brands.

“We are continually testing and monitoring the performance of all tyres we sell, so whether you’re travelling across the country or working locally, we will have the tyre that suits you best.”

also available,

“Our knowledgeable sta can help with all your needs. Whether it be small or large tyres, we can source it all. If you’re unsure on what application or pattern would suit your needs, we can discuss requirements directly as we deal with

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their own containers at discount prices. In a container we can mix up sizes and patterns to cover your whole eet’s needs. We are excited to be launching a website that will be simple and easy to navigate and o er fantastic backup support with experienced sta who have been in the industry a long time. We can also ship Australia-wide at competitive rates if needed. Online truck tyre and wheel specialists 1300 882 882 trucktyresaustralia.com.au WHEEL BALANCER SUPER CHROME WHEELS SUPER SPECIAL

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It’s an online portal for all things tyres, wheels and associated accessories. Truck tyre changers are

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2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

The view from the sky

you time to contemplate life and your place in it; now Ben does just that – but from a bird’s eye view. His aerial shots are simply breathtaking and they’ve become a hot-ticket item. As you’d expect, driving across the Nullarbor o ers some great subject matter for his drone work.

“ is drone, it was just a game changer,” he said. “I still had my bad days, but the distraction this drone’s got and from the beauty that it captures how can you not be positive.

“When I’m seeing it on the screen, it’s just beautiful and it’s changed my way of thinking.”

BEN Stamatovich, better known as e Drone Way is the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show Ambassador.

He makes his living driving the Nullarbor and has long been in love with the Bunda Cli s along the Great Australian Bight. Driving his weekly

5400km two-up run from Adelaide to Perth and back again, together with wife Jacinta Brennan, 49 – and of course, his drone – Stamatovich captures some of the most breathtaking views from above.

Stamatovich’s foray into trucking started when he

got a job as a forklift driver at the age of 25. “ at’s when I started to get my shit together – and I worked my way up. I’ve been driving trucks for about 15 years and in road trains for the past 10. Jacinta actually got her MC licence before me and started doing the run to Perth. I jumped on board and then we began doing it

together.”

Stamatovich’s has already earned himself an amazing following, not just here in Australia, but right around the world.

Hopefully, you’ve discovered him on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. If you haven’t – now is your chance to join well over 100,000 others who have fallen for

his stunning work. His background story is equally compelling. Is it a redemption story? Maybe. It’s a story with some very dark moments, sadness, love and plenty of self-deprecating humour, all capped o with loads of inspiring resilience.

Stamatovich says the open road certainly gives

At the end of it all, we nd ourselves with this wonderful Australian who is doing everything he can to not only make good, but to pay it forward.

e Brisbane Truck Show will host a gallery of Stamatovich’s work in the new Merchandise Alley. He will have a wide range of his most popular prints on display and for sale plus calendars and other collectibles.

Truckie Ben Stamatovich has gained a strong following since launching his aerial photography business The Drone Way.

The unda li s on the reat Australian ight make for some great shots.

Here’s the next level of performance and e ciency

DISTRIBUTED by Penske Australia, Detroit is an industry-leading original equipment manufacturer of state-of-the-art engines and transmissions speci cally designed for optimised performance and e ciency inside Freightliner and Western Star trucks. e Detroit product portfolio has expanded to include advanced safety systems and telematics, delivering a total trucking solution.

Building upon the legendary Detroit heavy-duty engine legacy, the DD13, DD13 Gen 5, and DD16 engines take efciency and performance to the next level.

Powering the Freightliner Cascadia 116, the DD13 o ers exible options for horsepower and torque in a package that provides great fuel economy. Delivering 450-505hp and 1650-1,850 lb-ft of torque, the 13L engine features a three-stage integrated Jacobs engine brake, a proprietary asymmetric turbocharger for outstanding performance and reliability, and is GHG17 compliant.

Found under the hood of the Western Star 47X and 48X, the DD13 Gen 5 offers the latest diesel engine

technology for even greater performance and reliability.

Delivering 450-525hp and 1550-1850 lb-ft of torque, the 13L engine features a new swirl piston design for better combustion, new tur-

bocharger for responsive performance, improved thermal management for fewer regens, extended DPF service intervals, further fuel e ciency improvements, and is GHG21 compliant.

e biggest, most powerful truck engine ever built by Detroit, the DD16 powers the Freightliner Cascadia 126, Western Star 48X, and Western Star 49X. With up to 2050 lb-ft and 600hp, the DD16 tackles the most challenging jobs with outstanding power, reliability and fuel economy.

e 16L DD16 features turbo compounding to recover heat from the exhaust, transforming lost potential into bonus power and a wide, at torque curve that pulls strongly all the way down below 1000 rpm.

Complimenting Detroit’s

portfolio of highly e cient, reliable, and powerful engines is the Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission (AMT). Subjected to over 35 million miles of testing, the DT12 AMT is globally proven in a range of challenging applications.

Available in DT12-OV and DT12-OVX variants, the 12-speed transmission boasts rock-free and oroad functions in addition to the on-highway focussed economy and performance modes. It also includes a power launch feature and has side and rear power take-o (PTO) capabilities.

“ e DT12 transmissions make the driver’s life easy without any compromise on performance or reliability,” said Bob Gowans, Detroit

business manager at Penske Australia.

“And our heavy-duty engine family continues to get better and better. Customers agree – last year, the one millionth DD-series engine was built in the Detroit plant.

“Both the DD13 and DD13 Gen 5 are designed to deliver exceptional fuel economy and a weight advantage of almost 200kg over the previous generation DD15 while o ering the sort of power and torque normally only seen in the 15-litre engine class.

“ e DD16 in the X-Series features a completely revised after-treatment system while retaining the turbo-compounding technology that has proven extremely reliable in local Australian conditions over the last decade.

“Meeting the latest GHG21 fuel economy standards, the DD13 Gen 5 and DD16 are among the cleanest in the world, conforming to the US EPA-10 emissions standard, as well as being

Krueger celebrates 45 years of manufacturing

AT this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, Krueger Transport Equipment will be celebrating and showcasing 45 years of manufacturing our quality Krueger products. is is in addition to celebrating the 25 year anniversary of Krueger’s own RFS Suspension.

Pioneered by John Krueger, the development of Krueger products is forever ongoing as we look at ways to make the product better for drivers, eet owners and operators in line with the standards of the industry and the conditions of the Australian environment.

Krueger has always been known for its world class engineering and construction –and that’s not just in the overall construction of our trailers, but the genuine Krueger products adorning our trailers, and adopted by others over the last 45 years.

No product is more celebrated than our RFS Suspension that is speci cally designed for Australian conditions. Its robust construction and ease of use and servicing is why many owner-operators and major eet services choose Krueger. At this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, our unique stand will give visitors a chance to see the Krueger RFS Suspension, as you usually wouldn’t see it, and get a chance to get up close and personal with the product.

In addition we have a very exciting visual site, where all of Krueger will be on display so you can learn more about how Krueger works across its many sub-brands such as Krueger National Serving, National Spare Parts and ATR (Advantage Truck Rentals).

We look forward to having many visitors through the stand over these four days, and for

those who can’t make it to the show, please visit us at Krueger. com.au or on our socials on Instagram and Facebook for updates throughout the event.

ready for the upcoming Australian ADR-80/04 regulation.

“In addition to enjoying the Detroit displays on the Freightliner and Western Star stands, show attendees will also be able to visit the ‘Detroit Plaza’ upstairs on the terrace where they can grab a bite to eat, pick up some Detroit goodies, and enjoy the display!”

is year’s Brisbane Truck Show will showcase the following Detroit products: Freightliner Stand (#44):

• Detroit DD13 engine

• Detroit DD16 engine

Western Star Trucks Stand (#54):

• Detroit DD16 engine

• Detroit DT12 AMT Detroit Plaza:

• DD13 Gen 5 engine

Show visitors will have the chance to get up and close and personal to the Krueger RFS Suspension.

The DD13 powers the Freightliner Cascadia 116, while the DD13 Gen 5 powers the Western Star 47X and 48X.

The Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission (AMT).

The development of Krueger products is forever ongoing.

NO PRODUCT IS MORE CELEBRATED THAN OUR RFS SUSPENSION THAT IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS.”

The DD16 is the biggest and most powerful truck engine ever built by Detroit.

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY

no compromise

Detroit’s DD16 delivers all the power you need.

With up to 600 horsepower and 2,050 lb-ft of torque, the big bore workhorse provides efficient and dependable power and performance without compromise. Detroit’s advanced technology also means GHG17 requirements are met through innovative fuel efficiency resulting in lower emissions.

This power, performance and efficiency prowess is backed by our industry-leading warranty and extended coverage packages that ensures the highest level of support for our customers.

Combined with superior fuel economy and the absence of a midlife change out, the DD16 delivers an enviably low total cost of ownership and maximum uptime.

This is all backed by our well-established and extensive national service and support network which, together with our highly skilled factory-trained technicians, means you can count on getting the right advice when you need it.

With Detroit, there’s no compromise.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Reducing rollovers with innovative

tomers to have the system installed on their new trucks predelivery.

“We are the only air bag suspension system running that does not su er from wandering and steering issues. is is evident in our promotional video on YouTube youtube.com/ watch?v=0RTiB8tSMxs.”

Unlike competitor air suspensions, the HaireBag suspension is a dynamically load sharing, quick response air system, it allows the air bags to respond to changing terrain near instantaneously. It allows the wheels to follow the contours of the ground beneath. Wheels on the ground ensure stability of the unit is maintained, on and o highway. Because of the neutrally positioned height control it does not pump and dump air from the air bags, the pressure re-

mains constant at all times in all bags, reducing the tendency to roll.

“We believe we are the only suspension manufacturer to have ever had to actually a ect a burst air bag in eld testing. is was done with Roaduser International by way of a tap that exhausted all the air from one air bag, there were no adverse e ects felt. Due to the quick response air system the driver was able to maintain full control of the vehicle without deviation. e truck did not lean or lurch.”

Due to its proven success in improving safety, the HaireBag suspension system has been running across the transport industry around Australia for clients in: liquid, food, forestry, grain, gas, road train, heavy haulage, mining, livestock and passenger buses.

THE Haire Truck & Bus Repairs Pty Ltd has developed and implemented a dynamically load sharing air suspension: the HaireBag system.

e Haire Truck and Bus Repairs has become known for its rst class repairs and maintenance services, along with its award winning HaireBag suspension – a unique patented upgrade that can be tted to any OEM truck or trailer air bag suspension.

e HaireBag air bag suspension system is one of the best anti-rollover technologies currently available in the Australian market. rough vigorous testing and widespread installation of the system, the HaireBag system has proven to be a game changer for vehicle safety. It o ers signi cant suspension bene ts including better

stability, improved braking, better steering, enhanced traction, single height control, superior o road handling, focus on driver comfort, greater fuel economy, reduced down time, better tracking, and signi cantly reduced tail sway and cut in.

e Haire Truck and Bus Repairs team is presenting its HaireBag suspension technology to National Transport Insurance (NTI) for the Spilt Milk Initiative, as a cost e ective, proven performer in reducing truck rollovers.

e Haire Truck and Bus Repairs managing director William (Bill) Haire has developed one of the most innovative air suspension systems that Australia has seen, from concept, testing through to manufacturing.

“Our product is ready with undeniable bene ts for all

stakeholders operating in the road freight industry. We believe that Trucks tted with the Haire suspension system would signi cantly decrease truck rollovers, a primary objective of the Split Milk Program,” he said.

“We have extensive reports and extensive test results that can all be made available. ese extensive reports cover a variety of relevant issues and engineering based testing including on road‐stability, cornering, cabin vibration, centre of gravity and dynamic load sharing.

“Our suspension system is fully certi ed as road friendly and has been thoroughly tested by Road User International. Generally the market for our suspension system is in retro tting, with a big push from cus-

Bill Haire’s HaireBag Suspension was designed here in Australia for Australian conditions.

aire ag suspension tted to a Kenworth.

Starting conversations about road safety

ON February 15, 2012, my beautiful daughter Sarah Frazer was killed by a distracted driver on the Hume Freeway, 8 kilometres south of Mittagong, NSW.

On that day, our family experienced the terrible trauma of losing a loved one in what was a completely preventable road crash… we live with that trauma to this day.

Just two days later, our family would come together in our profound grief. My eldest son Ben said that we had to do something in Sarah’s name… And he immediately comes up with a name in her honour…. Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH). (Our little organisation is also colloquially referred to as Sarah Group which is the name of our website).

e other thing Ben said is that we’ve got to ensure people “Drive So Others Survive!”… and this is now the foundational theme of our work.

e following week we would bury our daughter and because Sarah’s favourite colour was yellow, I tied a yellow ribbon to our car aerial … but then an amazing thing happened… our community of the Blue Mountains started doing the same as an act of solidarity with us… and as the solidarity spread across the nation, Sarah’s yellow ribbon became Australia’s road safety symbol.

Because we were out there in the public space, people who had been a ected by

road trauma would contact us. ey had a symbol now but unbelievably, there was not even a day devoted to focus on road safety during the year. We knew we had to create something so that those a ected could tell their stories. We decided to create an event and we called it Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Week and it started on Mother’s Day 2012 to remember all those mums in NSW who had lost a loved one in a road crash. e week became an unexpected success as people from all over the state became involved.

As we had received astonishing support for this road safety event, we decided to hold another ‘Week’ in May the following year. To our great surprise, in April 2013, Queensland Motorways (now Transurban) o ered to light the Gateway Bridges across the Brisbane River to support our Week, and as our event moved out of NSW, it became National Road Safety Week!

Now in its 10th year, we are extremely proud of how National Road Safety Week has grown and from May 14-21 this year, hundreds of buildings, bridges and icons around the country will be lit in yellow across our nation. Additionally, thousands of yellow ribbons and stickers will be displayed on the rear of police and emergency vehicles, corporate and government eets, heavy vehicles, buses, cars, motorcycles and kids bikes etc etc. is week-long event has also spread across the Tasman and New Zealand now holds a yellow ribbon road safety week and it coincides with ours.

So, while National Road Safety Week may have been created by us, it has now become a very wide collaboration between SARAH, corpo-

rations, governments and their agencies, non-pro t organisations, and stakeholders within the heavy vehicle and logistics industry.

With regard to our heavy vehicles, there are few things that make me prouder than seeing a B-double ying a yellow ribbon or displaying one on the trailers because that vehicle and its driver have committed to ensure everyone gets home safe!

ey are proudly showing the community that they are committed to actively protecting all road users, including other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Truckies tell us that National Road Safety Week is extremely important to them because it is not just focussed on those on the road ahead but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about their safety while also promoting safe driving practices.

Telling the community about the unique challenges truckies face on Australian roads is de nitely worth doing and you can use National Road Safety Week to start these conversations.

Seldom do people realise that by their very nature, heavy vehicles are more dicult to manoeuvre, have cab sight issues and of course, require longer stopping distances. Promoting safe driving around heavy vehicles is also a conversation that needs to go hand in hand with talking about how we need to actively protect others.

So, let’s use the week to help foster a culture of road safety within and outside the industry and in doing so, let’s also explain to the driving public how and why they need to actively look after truckies.

And the best way to start these conversations is to pub-

licly y your yellow ribbon or display your yellow ribbon sticker on your trucks and trailers.

By doing this, you are not only showing that you and your team are good corporate citizens, but by this simple action, you are showing ev-

eryone that you are out there looking after all those on the road ahead.

You are showing that you and your crew are actually road safety champions!

• For ribbons and re ective stickers, visit roadsafetyweek.com.au/supporters.

Australia’s specialist transport & logistics insurer.

Iconic structures around Australia will light up with yellow ribbons again this year.

Fleets such as Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage have been quick to show their support.

We know what it takes to keep Australia moving.

WELCOME MESSAGE

PETER FRAZER OAM

President, Safer Australian Roads and Highways

We know what it takes to keep Australia moving.

‘Don’t Truck It Up’: NHVR

THE National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has launched the second phase of its ‘Don’t #uck With A Truck’ road safety campaign – with ‘Don’t Truck It Up’ targeted at learner and P-plate drivers.

e campaign features social media personality Luisa Dal Din, demonstrating a range of safety scenarios including turning, stopping and overtaking a truck.

NHVR spokesperson Michelle Tayler said the com-

bination of humour and shock-factor in the campaign is designed to grab the attention of young drivers, to help push the message of road safety and awareness around heavy vehicles.

“ ere are so many distractions in a young person’s life, whether it be things like mobile phones or gaming, so we wanted to use these objects to show how quickly things can change when you make a wrong decision around a truck,” she said.

“We know heavy vehicle safety may not be a big topic amongst young people, but our goal is to join the conversation and help teach inexperienced drivers how to safely share the road with a truck.”

Last year, Australia recorded 196 fatalities involving heavy vehicles. According to NTI’s NTARC 2022 Report, typically around 70 per cent of incidents involving both heavy and light vehicles are the fault of the light vehicle.

According to a 2021 report by VicRoads, for young drivers, the risk of a road fatality when transitioning from L-plates to P-plates increases by 12 times.

‘Don’t Truck It Up’ includes 90”, 15” and 6” spots appearing online on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, to help get the message out to young people. It will also be supported on billboards and radio.

For more information, visit dontmuckwithatruck.com.au.

Centurion truckies deliver roving road safety messages

WA Road Safety Minister

Paul Papalia has unveiled a eet of new roving road safety billboards in the form of 30 Centurion trucks touring the state’s regional and remote roads.

e sides and backs of the trucks will display the Road Safety Commission’s latest campaigns, ‘Don’t drift o ’ and ‘No one plans a crash’, to deliver important road safety messages where they are needed most – our regional roads.

Every year approximately two thirds of the state’s road fatalities occur in regional areas and 2022 was no di erent, with 64 per cent of people who died on Western Australian roads, being killed in the regions.

Single vehicles crashing into an object, often a tree, were the most common type of crash, accounting for 48 per cent of fatalities. While there are many factors that can cause a vehicle to leave the road, fatigue can and does play a role.

e trucks will be highly visible to regional drivers as they transport groceries and other essentials from Perth to the north of the state.

“ ese trucks will serve as a mobile road safety reminder for drivers while they are behind the wheel,” said Papalia.

“Road safety is everyone’s business, and this is a great example of how the private sector and government can work together to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

Recognising the need for road safety warnings for those travelling long distances for the eclipse, particularly those not familiar with WA roads, the Road Safety Commission recently launched its ‘Welcome to Country Roads’ campaign. e campaign is a collaborative e ort with Aboriginal Elders which celebrates the connection First Nations people have to their Country and provides drivers with tips for a safe journey through it.

A series of videos show what can happen when drivers don’t share the road safely with trucks.

WA Road Safety Minister Paul Papalia, left, unveiled the eet of new roving road safety billboards alongside chair of the Road Safety Council Katie Hodson-Thomas, middle, and Centurion CEO Justin Cardaci.

Promoting safer distances

e Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) has established the QTA Safety Trailer Partnership Program which is a collaboration between organisations who proactively promote road safety messaging.

Launched in 2021, the QTA have formed partnerships with Transurban and the Motor Insurance Commission (MAIC) as part of the QTA Safety Trailer Program. Supported by member eets, the trailers sets currently on the road feature lively imagery that promote blind spot awareness and safe following distances between vehicles on the road. e shared commitment to safety

and agreed investment in truck safety education is an important part of educating all motorists on our roads and a step in the right direction to improve road safety outcomes.

QTA chief executive o cer Gary Mahon said, “It is of paramount importance that the workplace of a truck driver is as safe as possible. eir workplace is on our roads, and we want all motorists to be aware of how to interact with heavy vehicles that are delivering into our communities.”

Australia is fortunate to have several of the large truck manufacturers who understand the operating environment of

our roads and continue to design innovative safety features to increase blind spot visibility. However, the stark reality is many motorists remain unaware of truck blind spots or the length of stopping distances they require.

Transurban were rst to come on board with the sponsorship of a Followmont Transport B-double trailer set to raise awareness about truck blind spots. Road safety is a shared responsibility and with increased numbers of private vehicles returning to the roads alongside heavy freight transport, Transurban urge everyone to think about how to share the

road safely, get to know truck blind spots and start a conversation about truck safety with colleagues, family and friends.

rough close analysis of in-vehicle data and roadway technologies, Transurban know that professional truck drivers regularly encounter other road users conducting quick lane changes or lingering in their blind spots without knowing the danger they are placing themselves and the truck driver in.

e MAIC sponsored trailer set is featured on a Lindsay Australia B-double with their striking ‘1 barramundi, 2 bar-

ramundi, 3 barramundi’ imagery which supports MAIC’s safety messaging campaign to increase public awareness of the dangers of tailgating. Encouraging all motorists to be more conscious of safe following distances, the imagery presents an easy way to do this is by counting out ‘1 barramundi, 2 barramundi, 3 barramundi’ which equates to about 3 seconds.

MAIC report that within the Queensland CTP scheme, approximately 50 per cent of all new claims for people injured as a result of road trauma are due to rear-end crashes. Many of these crashes are largely pre-

ventable if motorists leave a safe following distance to the vehicle in front. is campaign has a couple of unique aspects in that the trailer will be viewed ‘in the moment’ by motorists across Queensland and will prompt them to assess their following distance. is Road Safety Week, we encourage truck drivers to o er opportunities to the general public to climb into a truck cabin to increase their sense of awareness of truck blind spots and understand the importance of respecting the space heavy vehicles need around them to safely operate on our roads.

Transurban sponsored trailer with Ruth Moody (Transurban), Gary Mahon (QTA CEO) and Mark Tobin (Followmont Transport).

The MAIC sponsored safety trailer featuring lively barramundi imagery.

Road safety improving, but old challenges still remain

THE three leading causes of crashes involving heavy vehicle are fatigue, inappropriate speed and driver error, according to data from ‘large loss’ events (where damages come to more than $50,000) held by Australia’s leading transport and logistics insurer, NTI.

In this article, Adam Gibson, NTI’s transport research manager, and Julie Russell, director of Russell Transport, discuss the data and give an operator’s view on safety and culture.

Fatigue: still the number-one danger

ere’s no hiding the fact that fatigue remains the number-one cause of large loss incidents in Australia. e good news is that it’s trending downwards, from nearly onethird (27 per cent) of large losses in 2008 to less than one in ten (8 per cent) in 2022.

“Transport is one of the most dangerous industries in Australia,” said Adam Gibson, “and fatigue remains one of the leading causes of incidents.”

Russell and Gibson agree that fatigue reforms have helped and that constant communication is critical to driving the message home.

“It’s really important to have laws and processes in place,” said Russell, “but without awareness, you can’t drive change.

“So, for us, the laws created awareness and opened the

door to conversations along our supply chains. We could talk to our clients about delivery times.”

Gibson agreed, mentioning a transport operator that told its service station clients it wouldn’t deliver fuel from 10 pm till 4 am. “All but two of the sites said, ‘No worries’.”

“And that strategy reduced their risk exposure,” Russell

added. Helping drivers better prepare for work and using fatigue monitoring technology can make a big di erence – once drivers have seen the evidence. at evidence might include telematics data or video footage of a drowsy driver.

e key, she said, is “raising the awareness and the conscious level of thought”

for drivers and operators alike “because the responsibility isn’t just on the driver. It is also, I think, on us as a business.”

Inappropriate speed: it’s not about the speed limit

Most drivers don’t break the speed limit – ‘inappropriate speed’ crashes usually occur well below the limit, on

curves or where road conditions have changed.

Crucially, the rate of inappropriate speed crashes is coming down. But they’re a concern because “it’s the same crash happening over and over again,” Gibson said, “and that makes it easier for us as an industry to address.

“Eighty per cent of these crashes are in the 35 to 80 kilometres per hour zone.

ey’re single-vehicle rollovers. Imagine an o -ramp from a freeway, a long, sweeping 180-degree bend. And halfway or maybe two-thirds around the bend is a B-double lying on its side.”

In most cases, the trucks involved were doing 35 or 40 in an 80km/h zone.

“It’s not about breaking the speed limit. It’s that the vehicle’s speed was too high for the combination of road geometry, the load and the vehicle’s dynamics,” said Gibson.

Russell noted there are other contributors: “I see a lot of other elements involved. When the shape of the road changes, through roadworks … the speed you’ve been doing every day no longer applies.”

e key, she said, is “consultation with your road managers and how they’re managing their roads, even to your private road managers.

“ e only way to know a vehicle’s limit is to go over it and then back it o slightly. But that’s not practical, so we rely on familiarity with rigs,

IT’S NOT ABOUT BREAKING THE SPEED LIMIT. IT’S THAT THE VEHICLE’S SPEED WAS TOO HIGH FOR THE COMBINATION OF ROAD GEOMETRY, THE LOAD AND THE VEHICLE’S DYNAMICS.”

ADAM GIBSON

roads, and loads.”

“ e opportunity is around technology,” Gibson said, “to look at what the data is telling us.”

Our eets are having patterns of near misses, “and we’re not listening.” e data is in our stability, braking and other systems. Tracking good drivers can be especially useful, according to Gibson:

“It’s powerful because, for the rst time, we can say ‘no, you’re pushing the boundaries. Drive more like Steve. Steve drives really well.’ at’s the opportunity I see.”

Driver error: eliminate risks, not operators

Driver error is a controversial topic, and Gibson noted that exploring these crashes isn’t about laying blame, especially as “our data suggest we have one of the best road transport industries in the world.

“It’s full of exceptional, skilled people who are passionate about doing their job well.”

We know what it takes to keep Australia moving.

Fatigue remains the number-one cause of large loss incidents in Australia.

Eighty per cent of these crashes are in the 35 to 80 kilometres per hour zone.

‘Driver error’ crashes are those where the last event or action that led to a crash was something the driver did or didn’t do, such as running into a stationary object, as opposed to those caused by factors outside the driver’s control, such as being hit by an out-of-control car.

Distraction is a big category here due to mobile phones, cabin design and other factors in the driving environment.

But simple, non-technological solutions can be highly e ective, according to Gibson: “It’s about saying, ‘you’re coming back into mobile coverage for the rst time in an hour and a half. We’ll schedule you a 15-minute break at this risk area. It’s 10

more minutes down the road. Pull up, have a walk around, check your messages.’ at way, the pressure is removed.”

If there is an incident, then good drivers will want to learn. at’s where communication, company culture and driver attitudes come into play.

“Some drivers will beat themselves up more than anything we could say to them because they pride themselves on their work,” Russell said. “It’s more dicult when a driver is resistant to hearing feedback.”

Final thoughts

Asked how a business can learn more about addressing safety in their operations,

Gibson suggested getting involved in your state transport association.

“ ey’re a forum for best-practice … you can collaborate and nd people who already have solutions you can emulate.

“ e second thing is to visit NTI’s online Better Business Hub. ere are a lot of great resources, and if you’re looking for something and don’t nd it there, there’s a form where you can ask us the question.”

Russell agreed that transport associations are great but emphasised communication:

“We’re an authentic industry. We’re made up of people who really are the salt of the earth, so communicate

with them at the same level. If your toolboxes are at 5 am when the drivers are starting, make sure you’re there and walking in their shoes.

“You have to be genuine. Don’t put a message out if you don’t believe it.”

It’s what we do.

Adam Gibson, NTI’s transport research manager.

Julie Russell, director of Russell Transport.

‘Inappropriate speed’ crashes usually occur well below the limit, on curves or where road conditions have changed.

Fennell Forestry’s new approach to driver training

A SHORTAGE of skilled labour and a desire to improve safety has pushed South Australian company Fennell Forestry to nd a ‘better’ way to recruit, train and retain truck drivers, focusing on competency rather than tenure.

Many may be unaware of Australia’s ‘Green Triangle’, the spectacular forestry region that spans the borders of South Australia and Victoria.

Encompassing the area surrounding ‘heartbeat’ rural towns such as Mount Gambier and Portland, its extensive softwood and hardwood forests cover an area of more than six million hectares and is home to almost 20 per cent of Australia’s forestry plantations.

Wendy Fennell sits at the pointy end of the ‘Triangle’.

e second-generation forester started with her family’s business 30 years ago and has steadily worked through the ranks to now lead Fennell Forestry.

Softly spoken, she prefers hard work and e ciency to self-congratulation, loves her trucks, and is passionate about her industry and safety.

Wendy’s push for greater professionalism and safety outcomes has been a key factor in transforming this humble family-owned business into an innovative industry leader and signi cant regional employer.

e Mount Gambier-based business is a major plantation harvesting and haulage operation, making it an important generator of jobs in this part of the world.

However, a lack of skilled drivers, combined with Covid-19 ravaging driver availability, pushed Wendy to pursue an idea she’d be working on for nearly seven years, a competency-based multi-combination (MC) licensing program.

An Australian- rst initiative, the South Australian Government-backed program is designed to allow drivers with no prior experience the ability to get their MC licence quicker by training under the guidance of experienced mentor drivers in an authentic operational environment.

Training is conducted on the job, in the cab of Kenworth B-doubles while delivering logs from the forest to mills across the ‘Green Triangle’.

e program gets competent drivers on the road sooner, thanks to the waiving of the legislated 12 months a Heavy Combination (HC)

licence holder must wait before attempting to upgrade to an MC licence.

Importantly, drivers must still be assessed by a SA Government licensing o cer before a licence can be issued, as per normal process.

“I put this (MC licence program) forward around six-seven years ago now, to say why don’t we competency-base train people straight to B-double accreditation,” Wendy recalled.

“It’s crucial that because of the limited resource of skilled labour, that we remove barriers to entry. And one of the barriers to entry is the licensing process, that’s where you need to hold a semi licence for 12 months

before you can progress into a B-double or multi-combination licence.

“So, I put it back up to the South Australian Government about two years ago, and they were prepared to come on board.”

Fennell’s case was no doubt helped by its impeccable safety record. In its 30 years of business the company’s trucks have travelled 30 million kilometres without a single accident.

Wendy says the big selling point of the program is it is competency-based, “so this is all about getting better quality drivers in the seat sooner”.

“While the driver is learning in this pilot program situation they’re doing o -road

driving, they’re doing night and day driving, they’re (learning) load restraint –they’re doing all of the tasks that make up what a professional driver needs to be skilled in, then they’re sitting their licence,” she explained.

Wendy adds her one-ofa-kind training program has also delivered huge bene ts to her experienced mentor drivers.

“ e other bene t of the program is our mentoring drivers. So, we use the experienced drivers in my eet to help train these trainees up.

“We believe this gives them another level of career satisfaction, in the fact that they’re able to pass on their knowledge and skill to the

next generation.

“ ey know the drivers coming down the road at them are skilled professional operators as well,” she said.

As of late last year, Fennell Forestry has seen eight drivers go through the program – including Mount Gambier local Joel Flier.

A HC licence holder before joining Fennell Forestry, he has worked around machinery all his life.

Like many other aspiring drivers that Wendy had met over the years, Joel believed a multi-combination driving career was out of reach due to the limited HC work opportunities available.

Deciding to try his hand with Fennell Forestry’s program, he was soon behind the wheel of one of its trusty Kenworths, learning the ropes for a total of 120 hours with an experienced driver beside him.

“I’ve had eight drivers through the program in 12 months. e candidates that have come on board are all people who have wanted to be in the industry but have not been able to have a pathway,” Wendy said.

“ is is an experience that can’t be replicated in a training organisation, and that’s why I believe it wins out.

“We’re getting better drivers on the road sooner, by providing competency-based training and assessment across all elements of multi combination driving, helping SA lead the way to a new frontier in national driver training.”

While South Australia is the only state or territory to approve such a scheme, Wendy believes other jurisdictions should adopt similar competency-based driver licensing programs to tackle industry-wide labour shortages.

“We need to be progressive with our licensing,” she said. “You know, multi-combination trucks are a big part of our industry and by removing the barriers to licensing and training we can access a better quality of driver.

“ ere is a lot of review going on (around the country) but people just don’t seem to be able to get their head around how it works,” she added. “Perhaps it’s because a lot of people don’t have the patience or time to invest, and the process has been costly, but the alternative for us wasn’t an option.”

As well as lauding the support of the SA Government, she also calls out the assistance the company receives from NTI.

“Since NTI has come on board, I really consider them as an important relationship within our business. Mainly because of the initiatives and the resource support that they have available, as a specialist insurer.

“Because they’re such a big organisation, I’ve really found that they’re more than just an insurance company,” she said.

NTI is Australia’s leading specialist insurer for trucks big and small; mobile plant and equipment, marine cargo and parcels. Visit nti.com.au for more.

Wendy Fennell’s push for greater professionalism and safety outcomes has been a key factor in transforming this humble family-owned business into an innovative industry leader.

In its 30 years of business the company’s trucks have travelled 30 million kilometres without a single accident.

We know what it takes to keep Australia moving.

Study aims to help truckies ght fatigue

MELBOURNE-based company Opposite, a group of consultants that take applied psychological ndings to help workplaces improve, says it’s taking a fresh approach to mitigating the long-running issue of driver fatigue.

By asking what can be done to reduce fatigue and maximise alertness, Opposite’s Wide Awake project – funded by the NHVR’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative – aims to discover a “new and di erent way” of addressing workplace factors and systems that impact driver fatigue, with a focus on increasing alertness, not just managing fatigue.

Just what the end result will look like remains to be seen, said project manager Ashleigh Fleming.

Opposite is still in the ‘developing solutions’ phase of the project which includes ride-alongs with truckies from Altona-based project partner SCT Logistics, which runs both road and rail, to gather a rst-hand insight into the factors that impact emotional and mental fatigue.

“ at often gets overlooked,” said Fleming. “Previous research in this space has been around job demands, for example workplace complexity, lengthy wait times, the use of too many systems and administration, role ambiguity, uncertainty.

“ e sort of things that can cause stress and frustration in the job and reduce truck driver engagement can actually take a toll on drivers, we suspect.”

To help gather that information, Wide Awake also has developed an online survey for truckies at bennybutton. typeform.com/to/GtiaeTIH, which takes just 5-15 minutes

to complete.

All participants also go into the draw to win one of ve Fitbit watches (valued at $150), the same wearable tech used by the SCT drivers helping with the study.

All survey data will be de-identi ed and anonymous, said Fleming, who stressed that truckie engagement is critical to the success of the project. e watches are also being distributed within SCT Logistics for analysis on the impact of workplace factors.

Fleming said Wide Awake aims to take a “systemic approach” to fatigue, not just looking at the physical aspects, or how to prevent it when it gets to the “ nal stages”, but actually looking at how you address it earlier on.

“And actually support the opposite of fatigue, which is wakefulness, so actually being awake and maintaining that level of wakefulness and engagement in work and kind

of ipping it on its head, if you like.

“ at’s kind of our approach, look at things from a di erent perspective and bring some innovation and di erent thinking to it.”

Wide Awake plans to have some tangible solutions in place – an industry toolkit is one option being considered – within the next couple of months, before delivering those

to industry in July and August.

e nal evaluation phase of the project is scheduled for September and October.

“We’re looking at developing potentially a kind of engagement roadmap or framework, if you like, that can help support industry with implementation, because that’s critical to getting anywhere, getting any solution or getting anything

implemented,” said Fleming.

“It may be that there is a simpli cation solution that comes from this, which is around making drivers’ lives a bit easier.

“For example, we do a bit of work around process improvement. So, where there’s lengthy processes that are taking their toll, how can we make those simpler and easier for all parties involved?”

The anonymous online survey takes around 15 minutes to complete.

Drivers at project partner SCT Logistics have played an essential role in the consultation phase.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

EV training for truck mechanics at TAFE Qld

Heavy auto-electrician Simon Burnby was sent from New Zealand to Brisbane by his employer Transport Repairs Limited as their rst worker to upskill in the essential new skills, and he says the business is looking to send more following his experience.

“I thought the course was very bene cial, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was very e ciently run and the teachers were very knowledgeable,” Burnby said.

Transport Repairs Limited is among the many businesses looking to set themselves up for the rise of HEV/ BEV usage in the heavy transport sector, and Burnby said TAFE Queensland’s training was a rst step towards this end goal.

“Historically in the business we have done very little of this work, but we are looking to get the workshops set up to carry out the required work on these vehicles and that is why I was sent to Brisbane to get trained in these skills and hopefully we will send more people now to upskill as well,” explained Burnby.

“I would recommend this course de nitely, the teachers were experts, the course was very e cient and well-run and I gained a lot of new skills to take back to the workshop,” he said. For more information about trade training, visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 today to make great happen.

TAFE Queensland o ers training for mechanics that keep Queensland’s transport industries moving and is in constant contact with relevant industry stakeholders to ensure the training on o er suits the current and future needs of the industry.

is training includes everything from pre-apprenticeship Certi cate II courses right through to post-trade specialist training and can be found all over the state of Queensland, with TAFE Queensland having 60 campuses from Cairns to Coolangatta and out to Mt Isa.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a hot topic around the world right now and there are signi cant changes forecast for the transport industry both locally and internationally, with global manufacturers announcing their plans to deliver EV eets across the world.

TAFE Queensland has

responded by introducing a range of EV training courses for both current and completed apprentices, including the Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set (AURSS00064).

is course is for quali ed mechanics in Queensland who have completed their apprenticeship and is available to eligible participants at zero cost under the Queensland and Federal Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE funding initiative.

e rst cohort in this course has already completed the training and consisted of mechanics from both the light and heavy automotive industries.

Workers travelled from all over Queensland to undertake the crucial training and were very impressed.

One participant, Ali Abbas, said he chose to take on the training to future-proof his business, “ ese vehicles are becoming more and

more common so I wanted to upskill so I could condently work on these vehicles and advertise that I’m doing so in order to boost my business.”

Abbas added that while the o cial certi cation was important, most importantly the TAFE Queensland teachers ensured that through their training every student graduated highly capable and profoundly con dent in their newfound skills.

“Being certi ed is a good thing, but to really feel condent and comfortable that I am actually able to do this work and advertise it to my clients is even better,” Abbas said.

Another course on o er at TAFE Queensland for mechanics to upskill in new technologies is the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Skill Set (SSAUR0005), which has drawn students from across Australia and New Zealand.

The rst class of students to graduate TA ueensland s ee ree TA course pose with one of their teachers.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Ready for a rocking role

Australian Truck Radio will broadcast live from the Brisbane Truck Show 2023

“WE listen to you, because you listen to us”.

at simple motto is the beat that drives the decision making at Australian Truck Radio, a new digital radio station designed speci cally with Australia’s truckies in mind.

is month, Australian Truck Radio will be on tour, setting up shop on the mezzanine level in Merchandise Al-

ley at the Brisbane Truck Show 2023.

e station’s founder and music director Simon Smith says the Australian Truck Radio stand will be the place to be for great music, interviews, merchandise giveaways, and competitions, including a daily prize draw supported by telematics experts – WHG Technologies.

He says the whole team is looking forward to the opportunity of meeting show goers in person and being part of the biggest event on the trucking calendar this year.

Every day the word is spreading about Australian Truck Radio and the bene ts of its digital app that enables truckies to simply lock on to the music that they love and

giveaways too.

WE LISTEN TO YOU, BECAUSE YOU LISTEN TO US”. THAT SIMPLE MOTTO IS THE BEAT THAT DRIVES THE DECISION MAKING AT AUSTRALIAN TRUCK RADIO, A NEW DIGITAL RADIO STATION DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH AUSTRALIA’S TRUCKIES IN MIND.

have it follow them as the drive through country towns and across state borders, without having to reach for the tuning dial.

Scheduling with his audience in mind, Smith says the station’s playlist is wide, eclectic and constantly evolving to meet the requests of its audience and limit repetition as much as possible.

He says with drivers locked on for hours on end as they traversed the long highways of Australia the station aims to become part of the journey –another voice around a virtual camp re where truckies across the land share the same experience at the same time.

Smith says the Australian Truck Radio Studio Hotline (0401 912 255) has been a popular addition this year with more and more truckies texting in to share their anniversaries, news, shout outs, birthdays and song requests.

e Australian Truck Radio app, in both android and Apple format, is available to download at www.australiantruckradio.com.au and the station is also on Facebook.

With just days to go until this year’s Brisbane Truck

Show, Smith is encouraging listeners to save up their song requests and drop by to hear them played live on air.

“Be sure to drop by anytime to grab some Australian Truck Radio merchandise and meet the team behind Australia’s 24/7 national radio station for truckies,” he says.

“I look forward to seeing you there. If you haven’t already, make sure you download our free app to listen live, all day, every day, across Australia.”

Silverback Armour creates a buzz in the Australian trucking industry for its exhaust parts and components

SILVERBACK Armour is quickly becoming the go-to choice for Australian truckies looking for reliable and a ordable truck exhaust parts and components.

About a decade ago, CSC Group Australia searched the world for a solution to the growing demand for chrome exhaust components that not only o ered the range and the quality but could withstand the new high temperatures that the Euro emission standards imposed on new trucks.

It’s in the heart of America they found the solution… and Silverback Armour was born.

e Silverback range now includes stainless steel components in addition to chrome exhausts, guaranteed to be bold in their appearance and appeal, tough in their ability to endure the harshest conditions such as high temperatures, and rare in the unique character it offers every truck.

Ready for a complete truck transformation? Look no further than the top choice of every truck owner when it comes to boosting vehicle performance. Add

serious power and style with con dence. Explore our Top Silverback chrome range below:

• Traditional Exhaust Setup – Reduced (Aussie Cut, West Coast Cut, Bull Horn Curve, Mitre Cut and Straight Cut)

• Monster Exhaust Setup

– Non-Reduced (Aussie Cut, West Coast Cut, Bull Horn Curve, Mitre Cut

and Straight Cut)

• Air Intake

• Chrome Guards

We’re elevating greatness to your rig’s appearance and adding protection at the same time. Silverback stainless range o ers perfect mirror nish, sleek body coverage, and distinctive styles as their main features. Take a look at our stainless components that are avail-

able on demand.

• Single and Quarter Fender (A.K.A deFender)

• Steer Flare

• Bug De ector

• Brackets and Mounts e Silverback Armour family believes that trucking involves more than just driving trucks; it is seen as a form of art. Our products are designed to turn heads and impress as you cruise

down the highway. By using a Silverback Armour product, your vehicle can boast a unique and eye-catching appearance.

It is with great pride that we announce the signi cant increase in the number of Silverback Armour dealerships across Australia in recent years. While previously limited to only a few dealerships in NSW, the brand

has now expanded its reach nationwide. is is just the beginning of the Silverback journey, so come and be part of the beast hype and join us on this ride.

For technical speci cations of our truck gear, please visit our website at silverbackarmour.com.au or contact our Silverback product specialists at 1300 885 089.

Station founder and musical director Simon Smith.

Silverback Armour not only boosts your rig’s appearance, but adds protection at the same time.

This Peterbilt looks the goods with Silverback Armour.

Get along to the station’s stand on the mezzanine level for great music and tons of giveaways.

from May 18 to 21 with plenty of music, interviews and

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Increasing load safety and stability

THERE is an ongoing need in the heavy transport industry to continually improve on safety and longevity of equipment. For this reason, Andromeda Industries are addressing such concerns in the way of their new products.

Introducing the new Heavy Load Safety Mat range by Andromeda Industries.

Andromeda Industries is

an independently owned Australian business located in the township of Moonbi, NSW (22km north of Tamworth), with many di erent facets to the business including the reusable rubber division, engineering division, and the steel cable and sling division.

Andromeda Industries are proud that they can cover a wide range of customer’s de-

mands with their new and innovative Heavy Load Safety Mats: load binding rubber and heavy-duty ground cover matting for driving heavy machinery over.

e Andromeda Industries

Heavy Load Safety Mat is designed and produced from upcycled/recycled underground mine conveyor belting that will improve safety and creates a high coe cient of friction for steel on steel making these mats a must for use to increase the safety and stability of your load, whilst giving protection to your truck deck or tray from the steel grouser plate bars. Heavy Load Safety Mats are commonly used for the transportation of excavators, dozers, cranes, rollers, etc. or OSOM loads.

We slice the heavy duty 14mm thick belt into either 600mm or 700mm widths and cut the length at 2300mm, allowing for easy storage across your deck or tray, ensuring minimal space is taken up, or

we can customise the length to suit your needs.

en we machine punch integrated handles at each end; providing a safe and easy way to handle and manoeuvre the mats.

e type of belt used in the production of the Heavy Load Safety Mat is re retardant and resistant to fuel and oil spills which will provide a non-hazardous, durable long lasting Heavy Load Safety Mat.

Heavy Load Safety Mats have many alternate uses, such as being used as ground cover mats over bitumen, concrete, grass, asphalt etc. for protection from the steel grouser plate bars whilst being driven over or when loading/unloading onto these surfaces.

Other Andromeda Industries rubber products supplied for the transport and heavy machinery industries to go with our Heavy Load Safety

Mats include split belt rubber for trailer and dolly mud aps and mudguards, splash guards for livestock trailers, anti-slip ooring rubber for livestock trailers, load binding rubber, anti-slip traction mats, and holeybelt ute mats.

For any further information or to see our complete range of products, please visit andromedaindustries.com.au or call one of our friendly sta on 02 6760 3773.

A Heavy Load Safety Mat in use.

Marclyn Transport loading an excavator onto the Heavy Load Safety Mat.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Two special o ers from Natrad HDS

NATRAD HDS is providing two very good reasons to upgrade your cooling system to an ADFUSE radiator core.

O er #1

Customers who purchase an Adrad ADFUSE radiator from Natrad HDS from May 18 to June 30, 2023 will receive a Bonus $100 Gift Card. at’s a nice reward for upgrading to a stronger radiator with exceptional durability that helps to maximise its service life.

e ADFUSE construction process uses sophisticated robotic welding technology to individually fuse each tube to the header, producing a much stronger bond than traditional solder. Some radiator cores contain over 500 tubes with every tube welded at both ends. is means a single ADFUSE core can contain over 1000 individual welds. ADFUSE cores are available to suit all types of trucks. ey come in 5/8”

and Ultra-T con gurations, providing maximum strength and durability in applications where high temperatures, stress and vibration occur.

Ultra-T is a heavy-duty radiator design featuring close tube-row-pitch for a higher concentration of tubes. A greater number of tubes in the radiator core promotes greater cooling ability in applications that involve space restrictions. Paired with the durability

of ADFUSE, the combination delivers unbeatable performance, durability and strength where demanding cooling is needed. is is the ideal long-lasting, high-performance radiator for hard working engines in on-highway applications. ousands of trucks across Australia have bene tted from upgrading to an ADFUSE radiator.

O er #2

Natrad HDS are also running a special Kenworth O er during the promotion. Drop o your old radiator which will be stripped down to have the tanks cleaned and repainted. A brand new Adrad ADFUSE KEN880MAF core will be tted along with new gaskets and all new fasteners. e completed unit will be pressure tested and painted – ready to install for just $5999. And

yes, you do get a $100 gift card as well!

e special price Natrad HDS Kenworth O er is only available for radiator reconditioning jobs using the Adrad KEN880-MAF core. is radiator core will suit Kenworth models including T408, T409, T900, T408SAR, T409SAR and T610SAR.

Buy now – Pay later

If this sounds like a really sweet deal but you’re a bit low on cash right now –don’t despair. Payment plans are available using ZipPay so you can buy now and pay later. Ask for details at your local Natrad HDS.

STAND: PLAZA 360

Ph: 1800 HDS RAD (1800 437 723) Web: natradhds.com.au

Used equipment continuing to meet customer demand

WE don’t see any reprieve, speci cally for ‘in-demand’ equipment, where there is any possible option of domestic supply.

Used equipment will often continue to be the only option to meet the demand, and we expect to see the ow-on e ects continue to impact on the supply chain.

Traditional buyers of work-ready used equipment will continue to buy and, in most cases, pay a high price for used equipment that is usually in need of some form of repairs or components, before it is work-ready.

Despite these challenges, Grays.com remains optimistic about the industry’s outlook.

e company has continued to invest in its technology and operations to provide the best possible experience for its users. Grays.com is committed to supporting the transport industry and helping businesses succeed in the current economic climate.

“We are thrilled to see such strong sales in the transport industry on our platform,” said Terry Rowland, national head of industrial at Grays.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to create a platform that meets the needs of our buyers

and sellers, and we are proud to see that our e orts are paying o . We are con dent that the transport industry will continue to thrive, and we look forward to supporting its growth.”

e company’s success

in the transport industry is part of a larger trend of businesses moving online to take advantage of the convenience and e ciency of e-commerce. As more buyers and sellers turn to online platforms like Grays.com,

the transport industry will continue to evolve and adapt to meet their needs.

For more information about Grays.com and its services, visit grays.com.

Grays.com is a leading online auction platform,

connecting buyers and sellers across a range of industries. With a user-friendly platform and competitive pricing, Grays.com has become the go-to destination for businesses looking to buy and sell goods online.

During the promotion, each ADFUSE welded core purchase will qualify for a Bonus $100 Gift Card.

Transport’s Kenworth prime movers.

Reconditioned by Natrad HDS, this Kenworth Radiator has been tted with a new Adrad A S core for improved strength and durability.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

A tough and ready new identity

YOU’D be hard pressed to nd a workshop, factory, farm or mine site in Australia that hasn’t been cleaned by a SPITWATER pressure cleaner over the last 40 years.

e rare Australian manufacturing success story has celebrated its 40th year but isn’t spending too much time re ecting on the past.

A series of innovations and new products coupled with a new visual identity and marketing campaign is keeping

the ruggedly reliable SPITWATER, and the teams that live and breathe the brand, fully focused.

SPITWATER distributors in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney and dealers Australia-wide are proudly promoting a new look logo, colour scheme and brand promise on their buildings, vehicles and, indeed, the SPITWATER pressure cleaners themselves.

“It’s been some decades

since we’ve updated the brand. We are doing it now because we want to create a new and exciting future for the next generation,” said Prue Martinotti, general manager of the Spitwater Australia factory in Albury, NSW.

e new branding is being launched with marketing campaigns celebrating the ‘Same rugged reliability’, with a brand new look and just how ‘Tough + Ready’ a SPITWATER is to do the dirty work.

SPITWATER is an enduring manufacturing success story in Australia, where most competitor products are produced o shore and made with global markets in mind.

SPITWATER’s Austra-

lian-ness is central to its values. Being an owner of a SPITWATER is being a customer for life. Innovation suggestions are taken from customers, ensuring that the company builds resolutely to get the job done for the Australian industry.

e factory that has been producing SPITWATER high pressure cleaners since the 1980s is undergoing a rebrand too, with new signage already in place in Albury.

e factory brand and name going forward will be OTTICO Equipment, a blend of the founders’ family name ‘Martinotti’ and the word ‘company’, representing the innovative culture originally created by the Martinotti’s

and continually shaped by the collaborators and contributors that have made SPITWATER what it is today.

OTTICO Equipment supplies major multinationals and has successful export partnerships with well-known brands worldwide. It is a signi cant employer for the district on the border of NSW and Victoria, with some team members dating back to its inception.

e entrepreneurial spirit that started it all has made an indelible mark on Australian manufacturing. is is a deep passion and purpose that persists through the next generation who are at the helm today.

Of pride is the number of small Australian family busi-

nesses built on the back of a SPITWATER. Seeing the likes of roof cleaners and rural contractors start successful family enterprises using something originally created in Albury is particularly rewarding for everyone involved.

Even with the brand changes and innovations, the core of SPITWATER remains unchanged. Same owners and the same teams, producing the same ruggedly reliable, quality, Australian manufactured products and solutions.

STAND: MEZZANINE 208

Ph: 1800 172 005 Web: spitwater.com.au

Joyall Tyres and PROMATA TPMS: A perfect match

and will celebrate nine years of successful partnership with the Belgium-based, leading global steel cord supplier, Bekaert, in 2023. Furthermore, Joyall Tyres are designed wider and deeper than most competitors, together with Joyall’s reinforced bead and tough-built sidewall, which could signi cantly improve tyres’ safety and performance.

Joyall Premium Regional Steer Tyre A503

Joyall 295/80R22.5 A503 premium steer tyres, plus a cutting-edge Promata Mata T2-2 TPMS system.

Please visit joyalltyre.com. au/contact.html and leave your contact details for free delivery within the Brisbane metropolitan area (we will calculate freight surcharge for delivery to areas outside Brisbane metropolitan upon your request).

technology and expert team, we are con dent that Joyall Tyres and Promata Automotive can provide valuable insights and solutions for safer driving. Join us at the Brisbane Truck Show and take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn more about TPMS and how it can bene t you. We look forward to seeing you there!

ARE you still prioritising the cost of tyres over their quality and performance? While opting for the cheapest “black and round” tyres may save you money upfront, the long-term costs associated with their poor performance and durability can end up being much higher than investing in premium tyres. Additionally, their lower quality can lead to higher fuel consumption, further adding to expenses. And let’s not forget the extra costs associated with tyre disposal fees and your truck’s increased downtime loss.

Since its introduction to the Australian market in early 2018, Joyall Tyres has rapidly emerged as a reputable commercial tyre brand, o ering superior quality truck tyres that are tailored to the unique demands of Australian roads at competitive prices.

Over the past ve years, Joyall Tyres has extensively tested and re ned its products for linehaul, urban, regional and mining applications in Australia. e result is a comprehensive product line that o ers exceptional quality and performance, comparable to many established brands in the market.

At Joyall Tyres, we are committed to providing our customers with reliable, durable, and high-performance tyres that o er excellent value

for money. Our tyres are engineered to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions, ensuring maximum safety and performance on the road.

Promata MATA T2-2

truck tyre pressure and temperature monitor with sensors

Road safety is always Joyall’s rst priority. With that in mind, the company has introduced Mata T2-2 external truck TPMS sensors to Joyall customers. e TPMS truck sensors make easy work of tyre in ation pressure checks and internal temperature checking – both of which not only help save fuel and keep tyre costs down but, more importantly, save lives.

Joyall Tyres only uses the best possible raw materials

Investing in premium quality tyres not only guarantees a longer lifespan, but also saves money in the long run, and contributes positively to the environment by reducing land ll wastage and lowering carbon emissions. Moreover, the added bene t of better quality tyres is increased safety on the roads.

Making a conscious decision to choose Joyall’s premium quality tyres means taking a step towards positive change for yourself and the planet. With their advanced technology and superior quality, Joyall tyres are a reliable and sustainable choice. Choose Joyall tyres for a safer, cost-e ective and eco-friendly driving experience.

Joyall Tyres Australia is dedicated to promoting safer driving by utilising TPMS technology. As part of our commitment, we are excited to announce that we will be running an exclusive exhibition special at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

For only A$999+GST, you can upgrade your driving experience with two brand new

Our aim is to educate and inform attendees about the importance of TPMS and how it can enhance their driving experience. With our advanced

STAND: PLAZA 375

Ph: 02 9929 9048 Web: promata.com.au

Joyall’s Premium Regional Steer Tyre A503.

The Promata MATA T2-2 truck tyre pressure and temperature monitor with sensors.

The factory has been producing SPITWATER high pressure cleaners since the 1980s.

Being an owner of a SPITWATER is being a customer for life. This tanker gets the ve star treatment

Telematics solutions for transport and logistics

As transport and logistics companies face an increasingly competitive landscape, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game by adopting innovative technologies and strategies. is is where Netstar Australia comes in, providing a suite of telematics solutions that go beyond just GPS truck tracking.

At the Brisbane Truck Show, we will be showcasing our comprehensive range of telematics solutions, including GPS tracking, compliance and electronic work diary solutions, trailer tracking, and dashcam solutions.

ese o erings are designed to protect your people and assets and help you drive value across your business.

Real-time tracking is an essential feature for transport and logistics companies, allowing you to monitor your eet’s location and progress. Driver safety is also a top priority, and our solutions pro-

vide visibility into driver behaviour and performance. By monitoring driver behaviour, you can identify risky driving

habits and provide coaching and training to improve safety on the road and assist in compliance to your chain of responsibility and NHVR inspections. Our electronic work diary solutions also help you comply with fatigue regulations and avoid costly nes, as it automates the record-keeping process and eliminates the need for manual logs.

Trailer tracking is another important feature, allowing you to monitor the location and status of your trailers.

is information is crucial in ensuring that your cargo is secure and arrives at its destination on time. Additionally, our dashcam solutions provide video footage of accidents and incidents, helping you to determine liability and protect your drivers and assets.

Netstar Australia understands that customer support and technical assistance

are critical for ensuring the smooth operation of your telematics systems. at’s why we have a dedicated Australian-based customer support team that provides reliable, e cient and expert assistance whenever you need it.

In addition to our customer support team, we also have a team of professional installers located across Australia. ese skilled technicians have the expertise to install and set up your GPS tracking systems quickly and e ciently.

At Netstar Australia, we believe that training is key.

at’s why we o er comprehensive training support to ensure that you and your team can use our systems effectively. Whether you need online training or on-site assistance, we’re here to help you get the most out of your GPS tracking systems.

Working with Netstar

Australia, you can access a comprehensive range of telematics solutions that will drive e ciency, reduce costs, meet compliance and ultimately allow you to provide a better service to your end clients.

Visit us at Stand 262 and our team will be available to discuss your business needs and demonstrate how our solutions can help you improve your business e ciency. Don’t forget to ask us about our exclusive show deal of three months free software access for new customers who sign up to a 36-month contract. is o er is only available at the Brisbane Truck Show, so be sure to visit Stand 262 to take advantage of this limited-time o er.

STAND: PLAZA 262

Ph: 1300 728 882 Web: netstaraustralia.

We give peace of mind to vehicle and eet owners, their employees and families through the safety and security features of our products.

Expert legal support from trucking industry insiders

HIGHWAY Advocates, a law rm operating throughout Australia, deals predominantly in heavy vehicle-related legislation.

e rm is headed by Robert Bell, who leads a team of lawyers that work tirelessly to represent and defend truck drivers and operators throughout the country.

Highway Advocates’ point of di erence is that it challenges the oppressive law enforcement system that truck drivers and operators face daily.

Additionally, Highway Advocates challenges the accepted norms that prevail today and frequently contest aws in the prosecuting authorities’ attitudes and presentments in court.

Highway Advocates also understands the HVNL and related legislation often better than the oppressors,

which is an advantage for their clients.

e rm’s mantra, “Legal Support from Industry Insiders”, is not an empty slogan.

With Bell, an industry veteran, Highway Advocates not only have rsthand experience and a true understanding of the transport industry, but his solicitors also possess the legal knowledge and experience to advocate to obtain the best possible outcomes for their clients.

Highway Advocates really cares because Bell was there. As an ex-truck driver, Bell has experienced rst-hand the oppressive prosecutorial attitudes the industry faces.

Truck drivers face the risk of nes, losing their licenses, and even sometimes jail time for simply doing their jobs.

Highway Advocates’ goal is to keep truck drivers on the road where they belong

by ghting their cases in court or otherwise.

Highway Advocates has achieved signi cant success in representing their clients, as shown by their recent results board, which includes cases where charges were withdrawn and dismissed or resulted in non-conviction orders, nes, or no points.

Don’t just take its word for it, have a look at some of the results below;

• A Victorian matter involving 14 HVNL charges with a maximum penalty exceeding $111,000. e outcome was a non-conviction order with a $500 donation to the Court fund.

• NSW Matter with 13 charges mixed NHVL and Road Rules with a total maximum penalty exceeding $90,000 and six points. All matters were withdrawn and dismissed.

• NSW Matter involving

10 HVNL charges with a total maximum penalty exceeding $120,000 and 16 demerit points. enal outcome was one conviction, a $1000 ne, and four demerit points.

• NSW Matter Critical Breach with a maximum penalty of $17,740 and 4 demerit points. e nal outcome was no ne, no points and no conviction.

• NSW Matter involving 11 HVNL charges with

a total maximum ne of $130,060 and 23 demerit points. e nal outcome on appeal was no ne, no convictions and no demerit points.

• Victorian matter with 5 HVNL charges with a total maximum penalty of $59,100. e nal outcome was a non-conviction order to pay $500 to the Court Fund.

Highway Advocates is a

law rm in Australia to the heavy vehicle industry.

“We deal only in heavy vehicle transport legislation and make it our business to know it inside and out,” said Highway Advocates.

“Robert and his team of experienced lawyers are the links between your world and the law world.

“Highway Advocates, keeping you on the road where you belong.”

f truckies nd themselves in hot water after pulling into sites like this one at oulburn, Robert ell at ighway Advocates inset is one of the rst people they should call.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

ABS Trailquip celebrates milestone with new range

THIS year marks a milestone for ABS Trailquip, as it enters its 20th year of business in the transport industry and 10th year of manufacturing converter dollies for the Australian market.

To celebrate this milestone, ABS Trailquip is proud to introduce its new line of low loader dollies and rows of eight widening dollies.

All ABS Trailquip dollies have the option of colour customisation, axle and tyre size, and air or mechanical spring suspension from their extensive product range, as well as plastic or rubber belt guards to suit the customer’s individual requirements.

ABS Trailquip also o ers dollies that meet customer’s Performance Based Standards (PBS) requirements. is includes options of Haldex EBS braking systems, speci c PBS compliant tyres, road friendly certi ed suspension, and custom-made pull lengths.

In addition, all ABS Trailquip dollies include a three-year structural warranty. ABS Trailquip was

founded as an air brake equipment supplier and has progressively expanded its product range to now o er customers with end-to-end trailer running gear and as a one-stop shop for trailer builders.

e expansion into dollies was to complement the extensive range of equipment o ered, and has enabled ABS Trailquip to o er the market a high-quality Australian-made product at an extremely competitive price.

All of ABS Trailquip’s products are backed by excellent in-house technical support, along with trouble

Good old fashioned service

LIKE the photo! We do, and not just because it’s a Mack, we like it because it’s “old school” and credit to young Jake who rebuilt it. Jake is a young bloke with an old head on his shoulders.

We also see ourselves as old school too and we still believe the transport industry and the people in it are amongst the most honest, hardworking, durable, determined and e cient professionals in the country.

shooting services. e ABS Trailquip team includes four highly skilled mechanical engineers who carry out their innovative design work on trailer running gear and who can also facilitate ADR design and certi cation activities.

ABS Trailquip will be exhibiting its extensive dolly and equipment range at the Brisbane Truck Show. Visit the team at the stand to learn more.

STAND: FOYER 28

Ph: 07 3274 6046

Web: abstrailquip.com

Good times or bad, the transport industry always turns up and gets the job done. We at TBI Insurance will always remember how you were all treated throughout the Covid asco, yet you kept turning up everyday to get the job done.

Much like yourselves, we made the decision to keep turning up to work all throughout Covid. We needed to be there for you whilst you were being there for everyone else.

When it comes to transport insurance, we are old school and believe in old school values.

If old fashioned, old school service is something you have noticed has gone missing with your insurance broker, give us a call.

We can’t promise we will always be cheaper than every other broker, but we do promise that we will be right there with you when you need us, we will not be sitting on a beach with a laptop pretending to be “working from home” like so many of these modern day

o ce warriors these days. Just like you, TBI Insurance will always be on the job and in your corner and will always turn up to get the job done.

For more information, please call 02 6925 8788 or email us at tbi@tbiinsurance. com.au.

The manufacturer has been producing converter dollies for the Australian market for the past 10 years.

This old Mack was rebuilt by a young man named Jake.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

It’s the lightest heavyduty vehicle transmission

EATON Vehicle Group has served the Australian truck and automotive industry for over 60 years and continues to provide innovative products, services and value deliverable solutions. Eaton Vehicle Group’s key products include manual and automated transmissions, clutches, hybrid systems, super chargers, engine valves, locking and limited-slip di erentials, and power management controls and protection for electric vehicles.

e Eaton Vehicle Group team in Australia are the most accessible, experienced and expert drivetrain representatives. e team provides a comprehensive aftermarket service which includes local remanufacturing of heavy-duty transmissions, supply of genuine parts, and is structured to deliver exceptional customer support by o ering in-depth technical training, engineering, parts interpretation and customer service.

Eaton will be using the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show to showcase their latest suite of vehicle solutions and latest technology releases.

e 2023 show will be the rst chance for the wider industry and Australian public to view the new 18 speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), the Endurant XD Pro.

e new AMT was recently released by the Eaton-Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies joint venture.

Speci cally designed and engineered for higher GCM applications, the new Endurant XD Pro is the lowest weight transmission Eaton has released for heavy duty commercial vehicles. e Endurant XD Pro also uses a new “extreme-duty clutch”, a single plate self-adjusting clutch with organic facing material allowing for improved launch control, and this clutch will also be on display for keen eyes to inspect.

Accompanying the new 18 speed AMT will be the Endurant HD 12 speed AMT, and a MD 4-speed automated gearbox speci cally designed for electric vehicle applications. Eaton have long been renowned for developing robust transmissions tailored to meet Australia’s unique operating environments, and in o ering a preview of future technology now available, Eaton is demonstrating the full spectrum of solutions available for changing demands of the future.

With a growing trend for alternate fuels and powertrains, Eaton will also have a diverse display of vehicle solutions, including a range of products from Eaton’s eMobility for vehicle power management and control. Eaton’s eMobility range of power management and protection products will include a range

protection technology.

Eaton’s extensive portfolio of vehicle solutions are designed to help keep you mov

mind on the road.

For more information and to see these products, they will be on display at the Eaton Vehicle Group stand in the main

Eaton’s range will be on display at the Brisbane Truck Show.

TRUCK SHOW

Providing multiple bene ts to tipper operators

THE issue of bulk material clinging to the inside of a tipper, slowing down the unloading process, is something common to many operators carting bulk products like fertiliser, manure, stock feed, grains and sands.

In many cases the only way to get material moving is by ‘shunting’ the vehicle or manually digging out compact product at the end of a shift – both risky and time consuming.

Flow-Easy vibrators are designed to speed up the unloading of bulk products, providing an e cient, safe and controlled load discharge. e vibration loosens compacted material, e ectively eliminating residual build up – a costly and common issue.

e vibrators provide numerous productivity and safety gains that improve driver and truck safety, lower fuel and maintenance costs and reduce wear and tear on truck and trailer.

One of the biggest safety is-

sues for tipper operators relates to the risk of truck rollover; materials adhering to the tipper tray increase this risk. Fitting a Flow-Easy vibrator minimises this tipping risk and typically, a lower elevation can be achieved to dispense the load.

As well as being a simple, cost-e ective alternative to body liners, a vibrator signicantly reduces the risk of cross contamination, particularly where grains and fertiliser are being transported. Over time body liners expand and overlap creating pockets where fugitive material can become entrapped, increasing the potential for material contamination.

Flow-Easy vibrators are distributed by Melbourne based Enmin, an Australian market leader in the areas of materials handling systems and vibratory equipment.

e vibrators were previously marketed under the Enmin brand but have recently been re-branded Flow-Easy.

“Our Industrial vibrator sales have risen signi cantly over the last few years becoming a key product in the Enmin range. Giving the vibrators their own individual brand name made sense from both a commercial and customer perspective,” said Enmin general manager, Anthony Gallaher.

“ e name Flow-Easy clearly and immediately communicates what the product does – loosening compacted bulk material and speeding up the unloading process,” Gallaher added.

“In conjunction with the new brand name we are embarking on an extensive communications campaign to increase awareness of the many bene ts a vibrator provides to operators of tippers and dump trucks.”

e range includes 12- and 24-volt electric vibrators along with hydraulic and pneumatically powered options. Some transport applications require

vibration to be applied for an extended amount of time, a scenario where the design characteristics of the hydraulic and pneumatic models come into their own. If required, they can be run continuously, rather than the more generally utilised intermittent operation of the electric models.

“ e truck vibrators are easy to install and only require minimal modi cation to the trailer body, making them a simple, low-cost addition that provides a number of bene ts. As companies update their truck and trailer eet the vibrators can be removed easily and quickly from existing trailers and installed on the new units,” said Gallaher.

“Quite simply if you’re involved in transporting bulk materials a Flow-Easy vibrator will ensure you spend less time unloading, more time making money whilst minimising WHS risks.”

In addition to the truck

vibrators, Enmin also has an extensive range of industrial vibrators to suit any industry that handles bulk material. e range is speci cally designed to

suit Australia’s environment and covers a multitude of industries such as agriculture, mining, quarrying, recycling, ports and terminals.

A Flow-Easy vibrator speeds up the unloading of bulk materials, providing an efficient, safe and controlled load discharge.

A Flow-Easy vibrator speeds up the unloading of bulk materials, providing an efficient, safe and controlled load discharge. Less time unloading, more time making money.

BOOST PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVE OPERATOR SAFETY, REDUCE RISK

ROLLOVER.

Engineered for excellence

LEADING braking and friction material specialist, Bendix, will display a broad range of its commercial vehicle product range at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show.

Marketed under the ProTrans banner, the range includes disc brake pads, brake shoe kits and the special heavy-duty Pro-

Trans HD disc brake pads, designed for extreme applications.

ProTrans – engineered excellence

Range-wide advantages of Pro-

Trans include improved surface technology, high temperature resistance and reduced wear rates which all contribute to

reliable and high-performance braking as well as reduced running costs. A further bene t of the range is reduced brake noise, while mechanics and workshops will also appreciate the easy installation aspects of the product.

At the heart of the range is Bendix’s adoption of high-quality friction materials which are

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DISC BRAKE PADS

essential to meet the braking requirements of modern commercial vehicles – the pads provide a strong, predictable friction level regardless of the temperature, speed or axle load. ere’s also titanium bedding-in technology to ensure a positive pedal feel right from new.

Bendix understands the enormous forces that come into play when heavy vehicles brake under load, and have developed products that have been extensively tested in Australia’s most di cult operating environments and climatic conditions to meet these requirements.

e range also meets ECE Regulation 90 (ECE-R90). is measure speci es the design, construction, performance requirements and test protocols for strict European regulations. is includes testing for braking capabilities, speed sensitivity, cold performance and other parameters.

Ultimate 4WD range

Recognising that many customers who operate heavy commercial vehicles also have light commercials and four-wheel-drives on eet, Bendix will exhibit a

large range of equipment to suit these vehicles at BTS.

e Ultimate 4WD range includes Brake Upgrade Kits, Big Brake Upgrade Kits and Brake Drum Upgrade Kits. Additionally, Bendix o er a Brake Booster Upgrade as well as high performance 4WD Brake Pads and Disc Brake Rotors that can be purchased as standalone items, outside of the kit.

All products within the Ultimate 4WD range have been developed and engineered in Australia to meet demanding

local conditions and are ideal for hard-working four-wheel drives. e range provides much improved braking performance, particularly for vehicles carrying the extra weight of accessories, tool boxes, work equipment and trailers, which can place huge added strain on standard OEM braking packages.

To combat the extreme pressures that heavy duty vehicles such as Cement Agitators, Garbage Compactors or City Route buses are exposed to, Bendix has created Bendix Protrans™HD.

Protrans™HD has a heavy-duty formulation designed to cope with high temperatures found in constant braking and full GVM loading which requires a higher performance brake pad.

MATERIAL

Protrans™HDSuper Heavy Duty – Severe duty applications, Refuse Compactors, Concrete Agitators, Route bus applications. Frequent braking environments, heavy traffic, steep gradients. Long wear life at high brake temperature. Strong resistance to fade at very high temperatures.

MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS WORKING TEMPERATURE

endix s ltimate W ig rake pgrade Kit includes all the components needed to signi cantly improve braking performance.

The Protrans range has been specially designed to meet the needs of hard-working commercial vehicles.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Keeping truckies connected

FOR over 60 years, GME has been an industry leader in the RF communication technology space and is the only Australian manufacturer of UHF CB Radios and Emergency Beacon products.

Located in Sydney’s western suburbs, GME employs over 230 sta and operates from a purpose-built headquarters that houses the company’s research and development, engineering, quality assurance, manufacturing, warehousing, sales and marketing, nance and technical service functions.

GME remains a family-owned private company and is proudly 100 per cent Australian. At GME we pride ourselves on engineering and manufacturing high quality, market-leading products to suit the speci c requirements of our customers.

At our stand at the Brisbane Truck Show, we will be showcasing our range of UHF CB Radios (both handheld and xed mount), including the industry leading XRS Connect range. e XRS Connect range is an Australian made radio platform designed to be smart, adaptable and rugged.

ese radios feature a professional grade speaker microphone complete with a powerful 2-watt speaker, customisable buttons and a high contrast OLED screen guaranteeing a crystal clear, anti-glare display. Enabled by Bluetooth wireless technology, XRS Connect is the clear market leader of connected UHF CB radios, with a number of unique features.

e XRS Connect range are the rst ever UHF CB radios with app control, introducing new features such as creating and sharing scan lists, and instant access to the entire Australian and New Zealand commercial analogue frequency database. As with many other smart devices, XRS Connect products are software upgradable via the app, keeping your radio up to date with the latest features and technology.

On display will be the XRS330C, XRS-370C and the new XRS-390C which is the rst UHF CB radio to feature a built-in GPS receiver, o ering true location awareness without relying on a smartphone to provide GPS location data. is capability is particularly useful in commercial applica-

tions where location tracking of users is required for workplace safety.

Also on the stand will be the MT610G Personal Locator Beacon. is Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is our most compact and lightweight design ever, complementing our market leading range of Emergency Beacon products.

e MT610G PLB o ers an impressive seven-year battery life and a six-year warranty. Featuring a ‘Non-Hazmat’ battery pack for ease of trans-

WHEREVER LIFE TAKES YOU,

port, the MT610G ensures you remain safe and connected, wherever life takes you. e MT610G has been designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, to provide the outback trucker with a GPS PLB solution that is compact, easy to use and a ordable.

Featuring an integrated 72 channel GPS receiver, zero warm up time, high intensity LEDs, IP68 Ingress Protection and an inherently buoyant design, the compact size of the MT610G has not compromised

GPS PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON MT610G

The MT610G is a super-compact, lightweight PLB, o ering an impressive 7-year battery life and a 6-year warranty.

Featuring an integrated 72 channel GPS receiver, high-intensity LEDs, IP68 Ingress Protection, and an inherently buoyant design, the MT610G is designed to meet and exceed the latest international standards, ensuring enhanced peace of mind for the outback trucker.

the safety features included.

With only a small percentage of Australia’s land mass being covered by mobile phone reception it leaves truck drivers with limited ways to contact others in the case of an emergency, especially if they lose power to their cab. With the MT610G being designed to meet and exceed the latest international standards, and Cospas-Sarsat Class 2 certi ed, it ensures enhanced peace of mind for those truckers who travel in remote areas.

For those who can’t make it

For those unable to come and see us at the Brisbane Truck Show, check out our range online at gme.net.au or reach out to our friendly team for assistance.

If you’re looking to purchase, nd your local GME dealer at gme.net.au/ nd-a-dealer.

STAND: PLAZA 264

Ph: 02 8867 6000 Web: gme.net.au

Introducing the Australian Made 406MHz GPS Personal Locator Beacon from GME, the MT610G.

The MT610G Personal Locator Beacon is GME’s most compact and lightweight design ever. GME is the only Australian manufacturer of UHF CB Radios and Emergency Beacon products.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

All roads lead to JOST

BFP Engineering’s decision to manufacture its bitumen spray tanks with JOST’s Rockinger couplings, tow eyes and double row ball races tted has proven to be a worthy decision in the long run.

Based in Narangba, Queensland, BFP Engineering has been operating for over 25 years as an OEM vehicle manufacturer, with its experience in the bitumen industry surpassing well over 40 years.

BFP Engineering began manufacturing anything to do with bitumen cartage or bitumen spraying in 1994, and it still carries out these operations today. e only di erence is major advancements in technology have aligned reputable companies like JOST to the nal product.

“We’ve been using JOST equipment since 2015,” said BFP engineering general manager, Peter Smith. “We supply and t JOST’s Rockinger tow couplings to the back of all of our bitumen spray vehicles. Also, our dog trailers have got the JOST ball race turntables and bolt-on tow eyes tted to them.”

Smith says the reliability of

JOST’s equipment was a major factor contributing to his original dealings and product availability has certainly played in favour too.

“ ey’re easier for servicing and they’re easier to get parts for as well,” he says. “If it does need repair or anything, they’re easier to service and the parts are usually pretty easy to get through JOST. eir components are of very high quality and they come with excellent backup too. If we do have a problem, we can talk to the people that

make them and they will do something about it.”

By adapting to changes and techniques in the bitumen industry over the years, BFP Engineering has stayed at the top of its game. is was seen most recently with pelletised rubber in the form of old car tyres being approved for use in asphalt mix.

“We’re seeing a lot more wear and tear on equipment because of the additives they’re putting in the bitumen,” said Smith. “With the weight of

rubber compared to bitumen, it does tend to settle in tanks, especially on long haul operations. So, we have had to slightly change the way we are doing things. And we’re still going through changes now, but there needs to be a lot more research and development done on it. We’ve made some changes, but how e ective they are will be seen in the next couple of years.”

BFP is also heavily involved with new developments in the Dangerous Goods (DG) in-

dustry. By constantly reviewing DG and Australian Design Rules (ADR) regulations, it has kept its vehicles up to date with evolving standards.

JOST has also played a major part in BFP’s latest innovations, by supplying a reliable product with bene ts for everyone involved in the transaction of a bitumen sprayer.

Smith added, “It’s just a good product, it is reasonably priced, and their technical backup is unmatched. e people we deal with are there

for us, and if I get a question from one of our customers it’s dealt with straight away. ere’s instant response on any problems – not that we’ve had any.

“ ey also look after us for pricing because we’re an OEM manufacturer, and we pass that on to our customers.”

Because of JOST’s great aftersales service, Smith says BFP’s customers are delighted to have JOST products tted to their combinations.

“ e customers are very happy with them,” he said. “We’ve had several people that have wanted to use di erent types of towing equipment in di erent sizes, and JOST have always helped us out with suggestions and they steer us in the right path. So, they’re pretty good with our queries as well.

“At the end of the day, JOST is excellent with their product knowledge, and we can rely on them for any new or di erent types of equipment.”

BFP Engineering began manufacturing anything to do with bitumen cartage or bitumen spraying in 1994.

BFP Engineering manufactures its bitumen spray tanks with JOST’s Rockinger couplings, tow eyes and double row ball races.

TRUCK SHOW

Having a clean rig is about more than looks

FLEET managers and heavy vehicle operators know the importance of keeping their truck clean – and the nancial cost and inconvenience associated with having to do so, if they don’t have the necessary equipment available onsite. A clean rig isn’t just about looking great.

Having a truck that is free from dirt and grime is an important part of ongoing maintenance that ensures your vehicle is running safely and, importantly, adheres to tra c authority regulations and bio security requirements.

Since 1968, Good Sight have been Australia’s leading suppliers of vehicle wash equipment. ey are now the sole Australian distributors of Istobal’s range of truck and bus wash equipment to ensure your eet is clean from top to bottom, inside and out.

For smaller eet operators,

For larger eets, with higher volumes, Istobal’s range features fully automated rollovers and touchless machines.

To complement these are low and high pressure under-chassis and wheel wash systems. ere are even solutions for interior washing of refrigerated trailers and shipping containers.

e latest in-water recycling technology ensures operating costs are kept to a minimum and your environmental impact reduced.

With Good Sight and Istobal as part of your team, no matter the shape and size of your eet, all your heavy vehicle wash requirements are covered.

Istobal’s heavy vehicle wash equipment is suitable for a comprehensive range of Australian industries including freight and logistics, livestock and rural transport, tankers, and waste

contractors who must adhere to EPA and Local Government regulations, assisting them to improve and reduce the costs associated with their heavy vehicle cleaning obligations.

Interestingly, Good Sight has noticed an in ux of private operators opening up specialised, stand-alone truck wash facilities near large logistic and warehouse distribution centres around the country. is is an exciting development for the industry.

Interested in adding heavy vehicle wash equipment to

how the addition of new equipment (or the upgrade of old equipment) can improve your bottom line. ey even have 100 per cent nancing options available.

Best of all, Good Sight has an Australia-wide support network of quali ed service technicians backed by a full inventory of spare parts. ey o er exible and economical maintenance options, providing their customers with peace of mind that their equipment runs eciently at all times.

For more information, please

Good Sight is the sole Australian distributor of Istobal’s range of truck and bus wash equipment.

Good Sight has supplied vehicle wash equipment since 1968.

If it rolls, let’s talk about it

GOODYEAR is one of the world’s largest tyre companies and manufactures its products in more than 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Goodyear’s three Innovation Centres – in Akron, Ohio; Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg; and Pulandian, China – create leading technologies, products and services that anticipate the mobility and sustainability needs of consumers and eets.

Goodyear has been operating in Australia since 1915 when it formed a distribution company, based in Sydney. It quickly expanded as it established a Melbourne o ce, and soon after had distribution arrangements in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and New Zealand.

Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres Australia (GDT) has grown into one of Australia’s leading tyre marketers, wholesalers and retailers.

Recently, GDT has rolled out its newest o ering, Goodyear Fleet, to help eets of trucks, buses, waste vehicles and their drivers keep rolling. Goodyear Fleet as a commercial tyre and service partner

of operations managing eets delivers trusted products, reliable services and tech-driven tyre management tools nation-wide.

Goodyear constantly researches new technologies, identi es opportunities for further collaboration and utilises its team’s passion to not only demonstrate its capabilities to produce sustainable-material tyres but to also showcase Goodyear’s innovation and commitment to building a better future.

e Goodyear stand at the Brisbane Truck Show features the company’s Better Future vision, focusing on high-priority sustainability pillars, such as advanced mobility, sustainable sourcing, responsible operations, and inspiring culture.

Goodyear is committed to advanced energy e ciency, tyre longevity, comfort, convenience, and digital-based solutions. Visitors can learn more about Goodyear’s tech-driven tools, such as Drive-Over Reader, Tyre Pressure Management System and Tyre Optix, along with a range of commercial tyres on

display. By 2030, Goodyear’s goal is to introduce the rst 100 per cent sustainable-material and maintenance-free tyre. For the rst time in Australia, Goodyear will display at the Brisbane Truck Show its most recent commercial demonstration tyre that was

produced from 63 per cent sustainable material.

Goodyear continuously works to reduce its operational impact and build a better future for society and our company. Visitors who are interested in taking up a role at a company that actively promotes the protection of indi-

viduals’ social and economic wellbeing can learn more about how they can apply for open positions at Goodyear.

Industry representatives and other visitors have the opportunity to meet Goodyear and Goodyear Fleet’s Operational Excellence team, representing multiple busi-

ness functions, such as sales, operations and engineering. If it rolls, let’s talk about it!

STAND: FOYER 67

Ph: 13 18 98

Web: goodyear eet. com.au

y 030, oodyear s goal is to introduce the rst 00 per cent sustainable material and maintenance free tyre.

Hydreco Hydraulics unveils exciting new

HYDRECO Hydraulics Pty Ltd (née Powauto, established in 1959) – a specialist in the design and production of motion solutions for the transport industry – will be presenting its new products at the Brisbane Truck show.

Long renowned for its heavy vehicle power take o s, Hydreco is set to build on this reputation by releasing the most comprehensive range of PTOs for the new Eaton Endurant XD transmission, set to be used in the Kenworth T410, T610 and K220 trucks. Initially there will be two different bottom mount PTOs and three options for the rear of countershaft opening, with more variants in development. ese PTOs will be available as a factory t from Kenworth.

Hydreco is supported by a nationwide network of longterm distributors. Malcolm Nixon of Nixons Engineering said, “Nixons Engineering at Wagga have been selling

Powauto products since the 1970s and nd their PTO, pump, valve and cabin switch range to be the best in the Australian market for the heavy-duty truck industry.”

A totally revamped light truck product range highlights Hydreco’s renewed focus on this important market segment. e new vacuum shift PTOs, that were released in January, was a re-imagining of what a Hydreco light truck PTO should be. e new Tank and Valve assembly (TKV) sets the benchmark for exibility and user friendliness with its engineered polymer construction, multi positional hose connections and mounting con gurations. While the renewed underbody range of hoists are the only nickel-plated hoists in the Australian market. ese products present the freshest innovative ideas on the market from the one supplier.

Hydreco, already a supplier of quality telescopic hoists,

looked for ways to improve the performance of the whole tipping system. e company examined the existing hose burst valves available and looked at all the issues (including ow restrictions) and requirements; and is now introducing its new VA40 hose burst valve which has several unique design elements that o er increased safety, better performance and improved environmental

impact. So, when combined with either of their S64 or S65 hoists and a VA105 or VA210 tipping valve, the entire system can be made to perform better with more options and exibility.

An entirely new line of products for Hydreco will also be released: 20L and 40L oil coolers. ese units are built to be used on Keith Walking Floor, live bottom and water

cart applications. ese units have a small footprint that allows up to 200kg weight saving over conventional bulk oil tank systems, while enabling consistent unloading times due to better oil temperature control. e use of much smaller quantities of oil has the benet of cost and environmental bene ts such as possible spills from hose bursts, component failures, etc.

For further information on these products or Hydreco’s other truck and trailer products, please drop by at the Brisbane Truck Show, visit ther website or contact the sales team on 1300 HYDRECO.

STAND: FOYER 165

Ph: 300 3 3

Web: hydreco.com

The ive ottom application bene ts from the new 0 oil cooler tank.

The new Tank and alve assembly TK has all the features you could want.

Secure a connected future with smart solutions

IT’S easy to get stuck on the here and now, hustle and bustle of your business: How will you meet your deliveries on time when you’re shortsta ed? Will that truck be xed this week? Is there any wild weather predicted?

While you answer these kinds of questions to keep the wheels of your business turning, a resilient and successful business relies on you asking long-term questions as well. How can I improve driver safety? How can you better track compliance? How can you maximise your sta ’s time? How can I keep my drivers happy?

e answer to many of these kinds of questions can be answered by Teletrac Navman at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show. Our trusted AI-powered solutions can deliver you actionable insights, helping to move your business con dently into the future.

Look

to the future: protect your drivers Drivers are the backbone of any transport operation, so improving safety is the rst thing to consider when you’re looking to future-proof your business. Teletrac Navman’s Smart Dashcam combines AI-smarts with telematics data and advanced onboard sensors to monitor and report on the environment inside and around your vehicles. It simultaneously reduces immediate risk and improves long-term safety outcomes.

Risky driving behaviours such as harsh braking and cornering, speeding, following distance, and distracted driving are caught early before becoming habits by instantly providing audible warnings to drivers. is gives them the chance to correct their driving immediately to improve safety without the need for outside intervention.

e solution comes equipped with built-in scorecard and coaching features, with all events displayed on a visual dashboard, giving drivers clear insight into their safety and performance and feedback to improve their onroad habits. e analytics can

be used to invest in personalised, individual training. Simplify compliance with intelligent tech Ensuring compliance is essential to maintain worker safety and avoid regulatory issues while improving pro-

THE CONNECTED TRUCK

ductivity and promoting business longevity. Yet, it can be very complicated for businesses to always stay on top of compliance when workers and assets are out on the road every day. Telematics and intelligent solutions can solve this problem by digitising and automating processes and providing visibility – making everyone’s lives easier.

For example, Teletrac Navman’s TCA-approved Smart On-Board Mass (Smart OBM) and Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA) provide road managers with the knowledge that you and other operators are doing the right thing by monitoring location and mass in real time.

e data also allows operators to run trucks at Higher Mass Limits (HML) and access an extended road network, allowing for larger vehicle combinations, im-

proving productivity, and creating safer and more ecient road networks for all.

Get connected with our industry experts By leveraging intelligent telematics, you can connect your eet and streamline processes across your entire operation – meaning nothing is overlooked and everything works together for a seamless, future-proofed business. If you’re ready to secure your business’ connected future with telematics, you’ll have the full support of Teletrac Navman’s team of specialists, helping you take the next steps with con dence. Meet some of our industry experts at the Brisbane Truck Show.

STAND: FOYER 104

Ph: 1300 111 477 Web:

Teletrac Navman’s AI-powered solutions can deliver actionable insights, helping to move your business con dently into the future.

Hauling corrosive liquids

THINGS like fertiliser, acids or saltwater can be tricky to handle. e tank has to be made from the right material. Most operators seem to prefer stainless steel or polyethylene. Australia’s leading supplier of pumps for tanker applications, Australian Pump Industries, o ers a full range of pumps for di cult applications.

“We learnt about corrosive liquids through working with seawater,” said Aussie Pumps chief engineer, John Hales.

Even whey at dairies requires tankers and pumps built to handle that liquid.

Wynyard Transport in Tasmania uses big Aussie 4” 316 stainless steel self priming transfer pumps to handle whey. ey found these big 4” pumps ideal.

Like all pumps in the range, these self prime, so you don’t have to prime the suction line. ey even lift liquids through a vertical lift of over 6 metres!

“ ose big 4” pumps in 316 stainless steel are cast, not pressed. ey’re built like tanks and even the Australian Army has standardised on them. We supply both 3” and 4” self priming stainless tanker pumps to the troops,” said Hales.

Diesel fuel... Get smart

Along with a range of Atex rated explosion proof cast iron diesel fuel transfer pumps, Aussie offers a range of standard commercial self priming pumps with Viton seals compatible with diesel fuel. Aussie Smart Pumps are available in 2” and 3” con gurations. Farmers discovered them 20 years ago and every year, Aussie builds thousands with Honda petrol or Yanmar diesel engines for pumping liquid fertiliser. ey’re made from 30 per cent glass lled polyester and will handle ows up to 1000 li-

tres per minute with maximum heads up to 37 metres.

ese pumps come from a pump genius. Al Marlow was an American who started building pumps out of polyester and polypropylene back when oil fuel was cheap and it made sense to build a pump strong enough, e cient enough and low cost to sell to the multitudes. Marlow never lived to see the days when oil would be the price it is today.

e material spec means they can pump almost anything. When it comes to elastomers, they’re o ered with a

range of Buna (for diesel fuel or seawater); EPDM (for agricultural fertiliser transfer); or Viton, which is becoming the most popular, even though it’s the most expensive in the range. Viton seals handle a range of agricultural chemicals, acids, diesel fuel, seawater, oils and even reused waste oil and fuel.

What about AdBlue?

Aussie now builds these pumps with bodies made from polypropylene, not polyester. Polypropylene is more expensive than polyester but perfect for AdBlue

applications. ose pumps will handle big volumes of AdBlue.

ey can be operated through a stainless steel gate valve, giving operators the ability to meter the ow to suit the requirement.

Stainless steel: Going exotic

“ e latest pump range is 316 stainless steel 1½” – 2” pump.

e 1½” is the inside thread of the suction and discharge ports, the 2” is the outside thread. It’s called intelligent design,” said Hales. ese stainless steel pumps have been passed in

the USA by the NSF and can be supplied with impellers and volutes of polypropylene or for extreme applications in Ryton.

Why hydraulics is the go

“When you’re talking about mobile applications, we know that an engine drive pump is going to have its issues. Beautiful products like Yanmars and Honda single cylinder engines do a mighty job. e problem is they also cop a lot of dust and are often neglected. Operators tell us they’re meticulous about checking the prime mover’s engine for oil, service, etc, but when it comes to the pump on the back or sometimes under the chassis, they get treated with less care,” said Hales.

In hydraulics, it’s a completely dust free drive circuit with unlimited power, as it comes from the truck engine.

Aussie claims to be number one in tanker pumps in Australia. ey know operators using pumps from third world countries are asking for trouble. For a comprehensive pump guide and chemical compatibility chart, contact Aussie Pumps or a local dealer. Visit aussiepumps.com. au for info.

Even the Australian Army uses 3” and 4” Aussie self-priming hydraulic pumps.

This stainless tanker is equipped with two Aussie 3” Smart Pumps with Yanmar diesel drive. Hydraulic versions are also available.

40 years of minimising downtime for operators

HEAVY-DUTY vehicles play

a critical role in the Australian economy, transporting goods across the vast and diverse landscape of the country. From mining to agriculture and construction, heavy-duty vehicles are essential to keep businesses running smoothly. However, downtime due to vehicle breakdowns can be costly to operators, resulting in delays, lost productivity, and lost revenue.

One company that has been instrumental in minimising downtime for heavy-duty vehicle operators in Australia is Injectronics. e company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, specialises in repairing and remanufacturing electronic components for heavy-duty vehicles, as well as assisting in troubleshooting and diagnosis.

One of the common heavy duty products Injectronics has seen often is the MAN 2003 truck Electronic Control Module.

e EDC7C32 engine management system is often paired with MAN diesel engines manufactured from the mid 2000s and were used in a variety of applications such

as street-sweepers, excavators, heavy trucks, buses and even boats.

Where the engines di er in size, capacity and application, the EDC unit remains relative-

ly similar, meaning faults that a ect the humble street-sweeper can also occur in the mighty trucks and buses using the same system.

Some examples of common

faults as seen by Injectronics are listed below:

• Turbo actuator control fault

• Injector mis res/no injection at all

• Cutting out when hot

• No communication with scan tool

• Corrosion in connector plug/harness

• Ingress of engine oil through the harness/connector

Replacement of these units can cost thousands of dollars and may still require programming and linking to your security system. Injectronics can e ectively test, repair or even transfer the software coding to another unit should it be required, saving you time and money.

Injectronics has recently expanded its operations in Melbourne, doubling the original size, highlighting the demand for its services in the industry. Additionally, the company has also opened branches in Sydney, Perth and Auckland, mak-

ing its services more accessible to heavy-duty vehicle operators across the region.

e company’s success can be attributed to its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. ey o er expedited repairs of electronic parts for the heavy duty industry, with a focus on minimising downtime for their clients. eir team of experienced technicians uses state-of-the-art equipment and technology as well as a dedicated service line to ensure that repairs are done promptly and accurately, ultimately, saving owners money due to lost time on the road.

e expansion of Injectronics is a testament to the critical role they play in keeping heavy-duty vehicles running and minimising downtime. eir services have helped countless operators in the industry to save time, money and resources by providing e cient and reliable repairs of electronic components.

Heavy-duty vehicles and trucks play a crucial role in the Australian economy. They are responsible for transporting goods and commodities across vast distances, connecting different regions, and facilitating trade. HD vehicles are used in a variety of industries, including agriculture, mining, construction, and logistics. Without HD vehicles, it would be difficult to sustain many of these industries and the wider economy.

The Cummins International CELECT Plus engine is a popular choice for HD trucks in Australia due to its high performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency. The engine’s electronic control module (ECM) is a critical component that controls various aspects of the engine’s operation, including fuel injection, timing, and emissions. When an ECM fails, it can cause a range of issues, such as reduced power, poor fuel economy, or even engine stalling.

Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent ECM faults and ensure that the engine operates at peak performance. However if an error occurs, it is important to get the unit repaired as quickly as possible. That’s where Injectronics can help. Injectronics has a dedicated repair line for all HD units. Getting them repaired and back into the vehicle quicker, saving you down time.

CATERPILLAR 3126 7.2L ECM

ECMSCAN01REP

ECM4M42TREP ECM4HK1REP

Part Number ECMCID2REP

Injectronics specialises in repairing and remanufacturing electronic components for heavy-duty vehicles, as well as assisting in troubleshooting and diagnosis.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Showcasing pioneering road safety solutions

AT the Brisbane Truck Show, Knorr-Bremse will showcase pioneering road safety solutions for the commercial vehicle industry. Here’s what’s on show.

e-Mobility

Electric mobility will fundamentally change the architecture of commercial vehicles, as well as the system requirements it must ful l. e-Mobility products that are easy to integrate and ready for series production, such as the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, ecompressors, and the SYNACT family of modular disc brakes can be viewed at the Knorr-Bremse Stand.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and highly automated driving (HAD)

Knorr-Bremse’s driver assistance systems reliably alert commercial vehicle drivers

to potential risks in good time. ese products are currently available as part of the Bendix Fusion Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS).

Knorr-Bremse will have an interactive display to demonstrate the bene ts, features and future of FUSION technology.

Trailer technology

iTEBS X trailer EBS

Among this year’s show highlights are the iTEBS X trailer EBS, which combines ECU, sensor technology and pneumatic control elements in a single compact assembly.

Top quality and reliability are the hallmarks of this latest generation of trailer EBS.

Award winning OBM (on board mass) system

iMass on display

Recipient of both AFIAA Application of Technology Award and HVIA Product In-

novation Award; the KnorrBremse iMass system provides industry leading accuracy of the combination mass data in real time and is capable of communicating mass data to an In Vehicle ‘telematics’ Unit (IVU), all integrated with the TEBS G2.2 electronic braking module.

e iMass System is TCA (Transport Certi cation Australia) Category B Smart OBM Approved.

Sustainability

Sustainability and EcoDesign is at the forefront of every new technology developed by Knorr-Bremse.

Knorr-Bremse has aligned its latest new product developments with sustainable goals. New product development requirements relate to the selection of materials, weight reduction, energy efciency and higher levels of recyclability.

Service and back-up

Keep it running – that is our mission!

We want every vehicle to get back on the road again as quickly as possible. To ful ll our mission, we have an extensive TruckServices service network across Australia and New Zealand. All backed by Knorr-Bremse technical support and genuine replacement parts.

Come and learn more at the Knorr-Bremse stand.

Plenty to see

We invite visitors to come and see our audio-visual dis-

plays with interactive touch screen and professional animation.

Our new product range is showcased virtually and available at your ngertips to explore in your own time. Come and meet KnorrBremse at the Brisbane Truck Show.

Knorr-Bremse’s TruckServices network aims to get every vehicle back on the road as uickly as possible.

Knorr-Bremse will showcase pioneering road safety solutions.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

LELOX – It’s about more than just mudguards

WHEN you think LELOX, what comes to mind?

Is it the bright and shiny stainless steel mudguards, or the exceptional strength, look and reliability of the mudguard mounting accessories?

LELOX is an Australian manufacturer that produces all mudguards in-house. ey are based in the Hawkesbury region of Sydney. ey also boast an impressive foundry and CNC cutting machines.

A key to LELOX’s ongoing success is the ability to innovate, adapt and develop. A conscious e ort is placed on all facets of the company to be proactive and speak up with new ideas and processes. is conscious e ort has led to new products, new sales techniques, new programmes, new machinery and new operating e ciencies.

e newest product developed by LELOX is the Quick Release Mud ap Clamp. It is designed to release the mud-

ap from the tipper or mudguard when enough tension is applied. It prevents damage occurring to mud aps, mudguards and chassis accessories by allowing the mud ap to fall away, saving operators time

and money. All while still being bright and shiny to seamlessly compliment your truck. If you want the tough look that the Quick Release Clamp o ers but don’t need the functionality, the Mud ap Cover-

strip can be purchased. Check the product out at lelox.com.

e mindset of never resting on their achievements has pushed LELOX into new markets.

LELOX’s main division is

truck accessories, however they have also diversi ed to include gaskets and seals, gardening, cutting and sourcing divisions and subsidiaries.

eir gaskets and seals division supplies products to mining, industrial, construction and transport industries.

ey custom make specialty gaskets that are t for purpose.

e biggest being over two metres in diameter for some truly monstrous piping and ducting.

e gardening division sells hand garden tools through Garden Tools Australia. e tools are made in the same foundry, from the same molten aluminium that creates truck products. is process means LELOX can market their garden tools as “indestructible”. Check them out at gardentoolsaustralia.com.au.

e cutting division cuts all kinds of materials with a CNC waterjet cutting machine from engineered hardened steel,

HDPE to rubber of all specications and thicknesses. ey also have a subsidiary company that aids other Australian businesses in sourcing quality materials worldwide. So what’s next for LELOX?

LELOX will be adding to their truck accessories product line in 2023. e next release will be a polish speci cally designed for detailing stainless steel.

LELOX has also spent a considerable amount of time in research and development to perfect their manufacturing processes, allowing for more e ciency and quality.

But for now, LELOX strives to keep producing durable, reliable and shiny products. at’s how they make good trucks look great.

QUICK RELEASE MUDFLAP CLAMP TIPPER MODEL

LELOX has a new TIPPER model of the quick release mudflap clamp! Gain access to tyres easily Install and remove mudflaps in just a few minutes

Mudflaps remain stable and secure under normal operation

Mudflaps will release when sufficient tension is applied

No moving parts to be seized up by mud and debris

Prevents damage to mudflaps

Check out the video!

making good trucks look great.

A key to LELOX’s ongoing success is the ability to innovate, adapt and develop.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Experience smart power and fewer disruptions

REDARC is excited to be exhibiting at the Brisbane Truck Show and bringing our award-winning RedVision system to the trucking industry.

With over 40 years’ experience working with OEMs and clients across the heavy vehicle industry, REDARC are the leaders in product innovation. Based in South Australia, REDARC designs and manufactures electronics for those who operate in the most demanding environments, including battery chargers, voltage converters, roll over sensors, battery isolation and the award-winning total vehicle management, RedVision.

RedVision combines smart battery management and centralised accessory control in one powerful package. Keeping your drivers powered for longer, the RedVision system o ers complete control of all powered appliances in the truck, eliminating at start

batteries and reducing downtime.

With a user-friendly interface designed around convenience, RedVision can be easily con gured to control and monitor 12V devices so it’s easier than ever for drivers to keep track of everything their system is doing, no matter where they are around the truck. Featuring a cab-mounted RedVision Display, get live monitoring of the auxiliary battery system including state of charge and power draw, so your driver can stay on top of their power needs while enroute. is centralised cabin accessory control helps drivers rest and prepare for the next day, while the RedVision phone app promotes the safe operation of external accessories such as lights and hydraulic tippers.

With the ability to add a range of sensors, use RedVision to check the outside temperatures, and make sure there

is plenty of charge in the batteries, all before they get out of bed. en, as the day winds down, drivers can switch on the outdoor lighting and appliances such as the TV, air con and microwave from the palm of their hand using the RedVision smartphone app.

With a range of inputs available, RedVision also features three digital inputs that allows drivers to con gure their system to switch output loads on and o automatically when triggered, saving precious battery power. ese inputs can be programmed to be triggered by the vehicle’s ignition, light or reverse signals. Additionally, the system can be programmed to turn all loads o except a fridge when the vehicle ignition is on to avoid drivers leaving rest stops with additional loads or lights left on.

Often utilised as a safety feature, RedVision can be integrated with sensors and cab lighting to ensure the ve-

hicle is adequately protected against potential intruders and vandals. RedVision can also be wired to have digital inputs trigger with the truck lights to turn on additional rear facing lighting, allowing for enhanced visibility when reversing or loading.

RedVision has been designed to work seamlessly with REDARC’s full suite of o -grid charging and power products. With exible hardware options, REDARC’s distribution box can be tucked into any available space in the truck setup.

Find REDARC at site 369 on the plaza level to experience an unprecedented level of automation, information and control at your ngertips with REDARC’s interactive RedVision display. Take control and monitor your very own system and nd out about all the latest innovations in trucking power distribution and monitoring. REDARC’s general

manager of global OEM sales, Sascha Heib, will be on standby, ready to discuss all your trucking power needs.

Made in Australia, RedVision is backed by REDARC’s hassle-free warranty and inhouse customer and technical support, ready to take your call on 1300 REDARC (1300 733 272). To nd out more

REDVISION VEHICLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Upgrade your

accessory

with

system combines smart battery management and centralised accessory control in one powerful package. Eliminate flat start batteries and reduce downtime. Centralised cabin accessory control helps drivers rest and prepare for the next day, while the RedVision phone app promotes the safe operation of external accessories such as lights and hydraulic tippers. Backed by REDARC’s hassle-free warranty and industry leading support, take control of your truck’s power with RedVision by REDARC.

about

how RedVision can be integrated into your eet, visit redarc. com.au/redvision-trucks.

RedVision by REDARC. The award-winning

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Drake Collectibles rolls out new model trucks at show

Collectibles’ stand will also feature recent model releases. Despite the ripple e ects of Covid-19 putting model production 11 months behind schedule, Hay says Drake Collectibles still managed to unveil eight new Kenworth K200s, nine new C509s and one stunning Kenworth T900 Legend in 2022.

Possibly the standout release of 2022, he adds, was the Mactrans Heavy Haulage ‘Stop DV’ Kenworth K200, a stunning truck carrying a powerful message relating to domestic violence against women.

very popular with the collector’s market throughout the world and the good news is, there are more to come in the future,” Hay said.

He also noted the replica model trucks and trailers are a great alternative for the thousands of Brisbane Truck Show attendees who admire the vehicles on display.

“Australians love their trucks. ey love their Kenworths, they love their Macks. So, they see all these trucks, they see all these trailers, and while they can’t take the real one home, they can take something in miniature home.

niently located on the Mezzanine Level right above the main entrance at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Also on display will be Mack Trucks’ popular range of shirts and jackets, caps and hats, bags, stubby coolers, key chains and more; NXT Jour-

ney’s ever-expanding array of Australian-made truckie bags; and even an exclusive new range of souvenir Brisbane Truck Show paraphernalia. Complementing the new zone will be merchandise displays at key exhibitors’ stands, including the always popular PACCAR stand.

RENOWNED die-cast truck and trailer model maker Drake Collectibles is set to take the wraps o as many as three new model releases at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show.

Anchoring a dedicated new Merchandise Zone at the event, the popular exhibit will also feature some “spe-

cial guest appearances”, teases Bruce Hay, who has managed the highly successful division of e Drake Group since it was founded in 2010 in response to customer frustrations about the lack of proper die-cast models of Australian trucks and trailers.

In addition to the new model releases, the Drake

Another popular release in recent years was the 1988 Bicentennial Mack Super-Liner, which in 2021 was awarded the prestigious ‘Model of the Year’ by Cranes Etc, which boasts a following of over 220,000 collectors throughout the world via its website and social media pages.

“All the new releases were

“ e collectability of them is very high; it’s sort of contagious. ey start with one, they end up with two, and before you know it, they’ve got a cabinet, maybe two cabinets or three cabinets. It’s phenomenal,” Hay added.

e Drake Collectibles’ stand will be located in the Merchandise Zone, conve-

The 1988 Bicentennial Mack Super-Liner was a popular release.

Graeme Dawson from Dawson’s Haulage with the Drake ollectibles replicas of his eet.

Nifty all-in-one platform

SAFVER has an interesting history rooted in the IT and education industries, where founder Sourabh Vachher focused on building solutions to help industries with IT and business related problems. However, during the Covid pandemic, the founders saw a gap in the transportation industry and recognised the lack of skilled and professional drivers.

ey decided to pivot the company’s focus and create SAFVER, a platform that provides a range of services to the transportation industry. e goal was to make it an attractive industry for new entrants while providing solutions for existing businesses. SAFVER’s services are designed to make it easy for businesses to comply with regulations while allowing them to focus on their core business and growth. SAFVER provides professional driver services, helping businesses nd quali ed drivers without any stress. SAFVER also provides training and resources to small businesses and owner drivers who may not have the tools or resources to train their drivers and keep them up to date with compliance requirements.

SAFVER’s aim is to become Australia’s most trusted pro le with all necessary veri cations. SAFVER provides an all-in-one platform and day-to-day tools to drivers to make them more professional and e cient. SAFVER also o ers resources such as training and inductions, policies, and toolbox talks to small industries.

In addition to their current services, SAFVER is also planning to start workshops for people who want to join the industry as owner drivers. ey will also be hosting workshops on COR, load restraint, and other awareness to reduce road risks and accidents. SAFVER aims to provide tailor-made solutions to meet speci c requirements of each customer.

Our system is designed to be adaptable and customisable, so it can integrate seamlessly with your existing systems and workows. We believe that it’s important for companies to have exibility when it comes to implementing new technology and compliance measures, which is why we work closely with customers to ensure our solutions meet their unique needs.

With SAFVER, you can be

con dent that you’re getting a system that’s designed to work for you, not the other way around.

SAFVER o ers a comprehensive set of features that help businesses manage their driver and eet operations, maintain compliance, and ensure health and safety.

Let’s take a closer look at the di erent features and di erentiators o ered by SAFVER:

Driver management

SAFVER’s driver management module provides businesses with an easy-to-use platform to manage their drivers.

Some of the key features include driver pro le management, license and medical expiry alerts, work scheduling, tra c history and police and visa veri cation checks, location tracking, and training and induction.

SAFVER’s di erentiators include driver veri cation, driver pro le download, automatic BFM/AFM certi cate generation, and driver timesheet and paylog management.

Fleet management

With SAFVER’s eet management module, businesses can

easily add and manage their vehicles. Key features include vehicle maintenance, pre-start checklists, fault reporting, fuel tracking, toll tracking, inspection scheduling, and forms.

SAFVER’s di erentiators include the ability to add vehicles using API, assign vehicles with logs, and track fuel usage by the self, driver, and owner-driver. 3.

Subcontractor management is feature enables users to manage subcontractors easily. It includes owner driver pro les, owner driver vehicle information, owner driver insurances, fault and vehicle maintenance reporting, digital toolbox, training and induction, and noti cations and alerts.

SAFVER provides additional di erentiators such as owner driver pro le download, owner driver vehicle veri cation, owner driver pro le veri cation, paylog, training and induction, and policies.

ese features help users to verify and manage their subcontractors more e ectively.

Health and safety management

Users can manage their health and safety requirements with features like training and induction, toolbox talk, hazard form, incident and near miss forms, and easy doc. SAFVER provides also provides training and induction for one-time users, an open platform for hazard and the actions, risk register, risk assessment, and incident investigation. ese features help users to ensure a safe working environment and prevent potential accidents.

Compliance management

Manage compliance requirements with daily forms such as pre-start, driver tness, load sheet, time sheet, non-conformance report, training and induction reporting, toolbox reporting, incident reporting, hazard reporting, easy doc, and inspection reports. It also provides an audit dashboard, fatigue management system, mass management system, and maintenance management system.

Job posting and job search

Post job openings and track applications. SAFVER provides

SA R o ers a comprehensive set of features that help businesses manage their driver and eet operations, maintain compliance, and ensure health and safety.

a convenient platform for job seekers and employers to connect. Employers can easily post job openings and receive applications from interested candidates.

Driver search

A powerful tool for employers to nd the right drivers quickly and easily while also giving drivers the opportunity to make their availability known to potential employers.

Hassle-free windscreen replacement on the go

THE Fixer Windscreens is a company that provides truck windscreen replacement services that are aimed at reducing the inconvenience and the potential dangers that are associated with a broken or damaged windscreen.

While there are various service providers out there in the auto glass industry, e Fixer Windscreens has made a name for itself by focusing on quality and reliability.

e company provides a mobile service, making it easy for truck drivers to have their windscreen replaced on the go with minimal disruption to their schedules. is convenience factor makes e Fixer Windscreens stand out among its competitors.

eir team of trained experts operate with absolute precision, aiming to o er hassle-free services to their customers.

In addition to this added convenience, e Fixer Wind-

screens places a strong emphasis on safety.

A damaged windscreen not only a ects visibility while out on the road, it also compromises the structural integrity of the vehicle.

e company ensures that glass replacements are done with approved products and methods that are in line with safety regulations.

Some may argue that e Fixer Windscreens’ services are costly compared to other service providers. However, the bene ts of working with the company far outweigh the cost.

eir quality workmanship provides customers with peace of mind, knowing that they have received a safe and highly reliable service.

Furthermore, e Fixer Windscreens o er warranties on their services, which serves as an extra guarantee that the company takes its services very seriously.

In conclusion, e Fixer

Windscreens stands out in the truck windscreen replacement service industry.

eir emphasis on safety, quality and convenience puts the company ahead of their competitors.

e trucking industry should consider e Fixer Windscreens as a reliable partner for their windscreen replacement needs. It is an excellent choice for those seeking safe, dependable, and hassle-free services.

For more information, visit the xer.net.au, or call 1300 663 199 (Brisbane) or 07 3202 2669 (Ipswich).

We will get you moving with a prompt and reliable service you can depend upon TH

A DAMAGED WINDSCREEN NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE VISIBILITY BUT ALSO COMPROMISES THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.”

The friendly team at The Fixer Windscreens.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Here’s how you can score a trip to Bali with Tranzmile

AT the Brisbane Truck Show, Tranzmile will have a huge 100 square metre shop set-up to showcase a fantastic range of specials, new products and show giveaways.

Visitors can win a trip to Bali with the exciting workshop t-out promotion Tranzmile is running. In conjunction with Alemlube and SP Tools, over the course of the Brisbane Truck Show, Tranzmile will be giving a free $2000 trip to Bali for everyone who spends over $20,000 on tting out a workshop or a breakdown truck/van.

“ is is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to get an awesome free trip thanks to our partners Alemlube and SP Tools. ese fantastic brands are the best quality workshop equipment and tools in the game, so we are proud to partner with them and excited to be o ering this opportunity to our clients,” said managing director of

Tranzmile, Cameron Black.

At this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, Tranzmile will also be featuring new Ultima lights from Narva, battery starters from Projecta, the new Red products from Meritor, the XTRAK range from Uniden, new lter kits from RYCO and much, much more.

Tranzmile is building a mini-shop at the show to enable visitors to explore the hun-

dreds of specials they will have on display.

A feature of this year’s stand is the SPIN TO WIN campaign. A huge chocolate wheel is front and centre at the Tranzmile stand for customers to spin and to have the opportunity to win a huge range of prizes from a host of big name brands.

Every visitor will have the opportunity to enter at

the stand and to go into the draw for the fabulous SPIN TO WIN promotion. Every two hours, Tranzmile will be drawing a new winner, with that winner having the exciting opportunity to spin the chocolate wheel to win from a huge range of prizes.

Prizes include Fleetguard Eskys, Weber BBQs, Narva light bars, Alemlube grease

OVER THE COURSE OF THE BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW, TRANZMILE WILL BE GIVING A FREE $2000 TRIP TO BALI FOR EVERYONE WHO SPENDS OVER $20,000 ON FITTING OUT A WORKSHOP OR A REA DOWN TRUC AN

guns, UHFs and so much more.

Everyone who spends over $500 at the stand over the course of the show will also have the chance to SPIN TO WIN, so we are expecting much excitement and lots of happy people.

To visit the stand, head to the concourse or for details on Tranzmile, visit the website.

Tranzmile is the number one independent, family owned truck and trailer parts supplier in Australia with branches in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Burnett and Townsville.

STAND: FOYER 18

Ph:

The Black Truck Sales workshop in Toowoomba. Head to the Tranzmile stand for your chance to win from a range of exciting prizes.

Heavy haul oat applications

LOADMASS now o ers an app-based scale solution for hydraulic suspensions for heavy haul oats. e system uses Loadman hydraulic transducers connected to a Dual Can Coder with a bluetooth connection to an Android tablet or smartphone with a Loadman app downloaded.

e app will display the axle group weight, calibration and zeroing the scale system is all completed using the app.

Traditionally oat suspensions are tted with analogue gauges requiring the driver to convert a pressure reading to a weight. With the Loadman app the weight is displayed in kilograms.

Loadmass can also supply prime mover and dolly integrates scale systems from the Loadman range. Rigid truck applications

With the chain of responsibility law for mass com-

pliance the requirement for scale systems to suit rigid truck applications has increased considerably.

Loadmass is now supplying systems to government departments, local councils, eet operators and owner operators.

Loadmass has systems to measure steer and drive axle group weights for both spring and air suspensions on rigid trucks.

e sensor technology for spring suspension used by Loadmass is built in house starting with the LMA530 De ection Transducer for steer axles in 2007.

e LMA530 measures the de ection in the steer axle as the load increases.

e unique design clamps o the axle and enables preload adjustments on the load cell. Over 1500 LMA530 De ection Transducer kits have been sold since the introduction.

In 2019 Loadmass start-

ed building the LMA2020 Rotary sensor for spring suspensions with the release of a second version the LMA3030 a more compact design in 2020.

ese sensors are used to measure spring travel to provide a weight reading. Suitable for both steer and drive axles.

TCA applications

Having participated in the TCA Approved applications beginning with Interim OBM in Queensland and IAP in NSW Loadmass is now a Smart OBM Supplier for the recent requirements for TMA in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland.

e Loadman product is basically the same since the rst approved application installation.

Loadmass, trading as Loadman Australia, was the rst supplier to obtain TCA Category A On-Board Mass Type Approval back in Au-

gust 2018 with Category B Approval in January 2021.

e TCA Approved system is based on the Loadman LM300 Can Coder range, e ECU is the LM300 meter and the MSUs are e C317 Can Coder which are available in single, dual, triple, and quad sensor versions.

e company is providing TMA systems to eets in the eastern states.

e Loadman LM300 was designed for multi-combination applications and can scale up to 7 axle groups plus the steer.

e LM300 Can Coder System provides a solution for truck and dog installa-

tions with an actual measured weight for steer axles using an LMA530 de ection transducer.

Ph:

The Loadman LM300 was designed for multi-combination applications and can scale up to seven axle groups, plus the steer.

oadmass o ers an app based scale solution for hydraulic suspensions for heavy haul oats.

The MA530 measures de ection in the steer axle.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Not just a numbers game

THERE’S no doubt that trucks have come a long way over the past 30 years. But from the rst Kenworths to enter the Toll eet in 1992 – eight K100Es purchased to tow the company’s very rst B-double combinations –through to the latest delivery of 10 new K200s delivered at the end of the March, one thing has been a constant.

Both businesses share a common desire to improve productivity and quality, and they continue to work hand in hand to do just that.

“ e things we really need are reliability, back up support and back up service,” said Chris Carbone, Toll Group president– Resources and Industrials. “Anyone can sell you something, but it’s about that post delivery support that we rely on from our suppliers and manufacturers, which minimises downtime for us.”

Toll runs a national eet of over 2000 trucks. In the Resources and Industrials eet, there are around 820 prime movers – with 450 of those manufactured by PACCAR Australia, under its Kenworth and DAF brands.

As national eet sales manager at PACCAR Austra-

lia, Stephen May, explained, “Toll has played a key role in our process for continual improvement. It’s a joint pursuit of greater safety, productivity and driver comfort.”

In fact, Toll was a driving force behind the evolution of the K200, rst released to market in 2010.

Back in 2008, while the K104B or K108 was still the right truck for the job, with an ageing driver population, Toll suggested that improvements to driver comfort, cabin entry, etc, were needed.

PACCAR took this on board and sought feedback from other customers too –but it was ultimately Toll that drove these changes.

And with that, the K200 was born. Toll’s rst K200 prototype, delivered in 2010 was also the company’s 1000th Kenworth. With two drivers on that rig, it clocked up 400,000 kilometres within a year. “ is provided us with invaluable feedback for further re nement,” added May.

Today however you’ll nd that original Toll K200 taking pride of place at the National Road Transport Museum in Alice Springs. It sits alongside one of Toll’s early K100E

prime movers.

Since then, Toll has purchased 350 K200 prime movers. e last 10 rolled o the production line in January, before being ready to go to work on March 31.

Powered by the Cummins Integrated Power 550hp X15 engine – which has been developed in partnership with Eaton – the new K200s are being used in B-double ap-

plications to cart fuel and gas across the east coast.

“ e way we see it internally is that the K200 is the right truck for the application,” said Carbone.

“We’ve been a good buyer of the PACCAR product and have a long history with them. We work together well and it’s a very strong partnership, where we can share a lot of things with each other. I provide feedback to PACCAR and they take it on board. We’re obviously the ones out there running the equipment so we can provide insights around what issues can occur. Together with PACCAR, we’ve worked through and resolved those issues, and that makes the relationship even stronger.”

As May added, “It’s quite honest sometimes. But the relationship we’ve built with Toll isn’t just about the number of trucks they’ve purchased, it’s about that openness and honesty.

“Toll has a direct link to Kenworth’s engineers – that’s a jewel in our crown, the ability to constantly connect the people designing the product with the operators, face to

face. “ at’s how we support each other. A lot of that feedback is taken on board. We’ve listened to Toll; and many of their ideas have become standard in our trucks, as our product has evolved,” May continued.

And this relationship extends through to PACCAR’s dealers too. “What I like is the ability to not only work with the engineers directly but as was the case with this recent delivery, there’s strong relationships at the dealerships level too,” Carbone said.

“Our dealers can come out and talk to us and we work through issues together. Once we nut out the problem, we have involvement from the factory and the dealership so when we put the truck on the road, it’s put straight into service.”

At Toll, there can be $100,000 added onto the truck post-production, so that’s where the dealer is heavily involved.

As with all of the new trucks coming into the Toll eet, the new K200s have been specced up with all of the latest safety features.

THE THINGS WE REALLY NEED ARE RELIABILITY, BACK UP SUPPORT AND BACK UP SERVICE. ANYONE CAN SELL YOU SOMETHING, BUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT THAT POST DELI ER SU ORT CHRIS CARBONE

As May attests, “I’ve been here a long time and seen a lot of truck specs come through and Toll is always ahead of the game in terms of safety. Toll is always the rst one to take up any new safety upgrades or they’ve driven them in the rst place,” he said.

More recently, Toll provided feedback very early in the development of the K220, which is set to go into production in June 2023.

“We’re now starting to look at the K220,” said Carbone, adding that the latest iteration in the Kenworth cabover stable was likely to begin entering the Toll eet from next year.

Including the latest 10 K200s, Toll has purchased 350 K200 prime movers since 2010.

The rst K 00 ever built left , pictured with a K 00 , which was one of the rst Kenworths ever purchased by Toll. The pair are on display at the ational Road Transport Museum in Alice Springs.

All new transmission oil lters for e-axles

MANN-FILTER is o ering the new W 7071 oil lter in original equipment quality for electric commercial vehicles in the independent automotive aftermarket.

Contrary to some opinions, the majority of electric vehicles have a transmission that is housed in what is known as the e-axle. is e-axle is a compact solution for the electric drive of battery electric vehicles and applications in hybrid vehicles. Electric motor, power electronics and transmission are combined into one compact unit, which directly drives the vehicle axle.

To meet new electromobility requirements when it comes to oil ltration, the worldwide ltration expert MANN+HUMMEL developed new transmission oil lters to provide awless cooling and lubrication of the e-axle. For commercial vehicles in the independent aftermarket, one of these transmission oil lters is available as MANN-FILTER W 7071 for Mercedes-Benz eActros 300 and eActros 400.

Lubrication and cooling with one oil

As all of the transmission components are integrated in the e-axle, one oil circuit in total is su cient for both cooling and lubrication. Yet this is an advantage with a catch: Since the oil comes into contact with mechanical and electronic components, metal particles and chippings from the transmission can end up in the power electronics and the e-motor, causing them damage. erefore, the e-axle

only functions if these particles are removed from the system e ciently, quickly, and permanently. As with many conventional transmissions, the focus is on particle separation: A lter is required for this.

e MANN-FILTER transmission oil lter W 7071 is tted with the new MULTIGRADE O-eM 50 ltration medium, which is specially tailored to the oil requirements for lubricating and cooling e-axles.

Speci cally, the fully synthetic ltration medium works as follows: Pressure losses are reduced by approximately 50 per cent and are therefore signi cantly lower compared to conventional transmission oil lters made of cellulose media. Another positive e ect is signi cantly reduced di erential pressures cause the bypass valve to open for shorter times and less frequently. is allows more ltered, clean uid to reach the

areas requiring lubrication, ensuring a longer service life of the transmission. Low di erential pressure also means lower energy requirements for the entire system and has a bene cial effect on the driving range of electric vehicles.

e fully synthetic ltration medium is also characterised by a signi cantly higher chemical resistance to becoming brittle during the period of use, which is why the lter is suitable for

very long service intervals according to the vehicle manufacturer’s speci cations. In addition, the W 7071 has a high degree of separation: 99.5 per cent with a particle size of 50 µm. For comparison: A human hair has a diameter of 50-100 µm.

Original equipment supplier for e-axle lters MANN+HUMMEL already has the transmission oil lter in

series production for the e-axle of a commercial vehicle manufacturer. Since May 2022, the new lter will also be available in the independent aftermarket, expanding the comprehensive range of MANN-FILTER products.

STAND: MEZZANINE 195

Ph: 02 9621 4700 Web: mann-hummel.com

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

An unmatched quality

ESTABLISHED in 2010 in Brendale, just north of Brisbane, Cablecraft Australia is the Australian and New Zealand distributor of Cablecraft Engineered Motion Controls USA, which has a history that dates back to 1950.

Since then, Cablecraft has continued to develop the broadest and most sophisticated line of push-pull cables and associated equipment to meet the requirements of industrial control speci cations.

According to managing director, Rob Gallagher, Cablecraft is dedicated to providing a range of products unmatched in quality and customer service.

For applications where ultra-smooth, e cient, precision operation is the main requirement, the patented low friction push-pull control cable is the ideal solution. is

unique product has introduced a new dimension to remote control operation, combining a Te on-coated sliding innermember and a continuous nylon-lined stranded metal conduit.

e low friction control performs e ciently in a wide range of temperature extremes, making it perfect for conditions Australian operators are faced with.

Many cable control applications demand smooth operation and high load-carrying capability, but do not have high e ciency or severe environmental requirements. For such applications, the Cablecraft UTILITY and Bristow control cables are most suitable.

Cablecraft also manufactures a Manual Transmission Shift (MTS) system to replace the cumbersome and mainte-

nance prone rod linkage commonly used in cab over and rear engine buses.

As the need has increased, vehicles have become more rened to include the complexities of oating cabs, curb noise restrictions and specialty vehicles of all types.

Cablecraft manufactures a Clutch Booster to decrease pedal e ort. We supply on an OEM level and to the end user.

Clutch Booster systems reduce manual loads on lever pedals, increase machine life and dependability, reduce operator fatigue, reduce maintenance requirements, and can be used with Cablecraft Cables.

Cablecraft also manufactures a range of control head and pull-only mechanical cables.

SRE Australia

Under the brand SRE Australia, Cablecraft manufactures a range of spherical rod end and ball joints; available in imperial and metric options, in both male and female con gurations. ey are also available in various material types: aluminium, carbon steel, chrome moly, and stainless steel.

Mobile Control Systems (MCS)

Mobile Control Systems manufactures a range of programmable electronic throttle controls for industrial diesel and CNG engines, electric motors, and hybrid drive systems.

Approved by most of the popular industrial engine manufacturers, thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, MCS has rapidly become a preferred supplier to many construction, mining, handling, and agricultural equipment manufacturers as well as bus, coach and military vehicle manufacturers.

e new generation of MCS CAN position sensors have also been developed to ISO 26262, for all automotive electronics and the electrical (E/E) safety-related system FuSa.

e proposed MCS Angular is an ASIL C Safety Element out of Context (SEooC). Such throttle control units can be used in a wide range of on and o highway applications to handle electronic complexity, save cost and increase safety.

MCS is a global leader in innovative throttle control units to service a diverse range of motion control applications and markets, inc. heavy-duty trucks.

Mirror king re ects on over three decades of success

H&M Ferman is an Australian company servicing the motor industry. It’s the only manufacturer of truck and

bus mirrors in Australia and has dominated the Australian truck and bus rear view mirrors original equipment

manufacturer market for more than 35 years.

It designs, produces and distributes both locally and

overseas, with its main OEM customers including Isuzu, Iveco, Hino, UD trucks, Daimler Chrysler, bus and coach body manufacturers, and federal and state transit authorities.

Hasmotek designs and o ers full customisation of internal and external LED lights for trucks and buses as well as the design and manufacture of rechargeable

robust work and inspection lights.

Our passenger car division has been supplying VW, Audi, BMW and Mercedes as well as OEM quality aftermarket parts since 1975 and it carries a full range for both air and water cooled models.

Hasmotek can custom design LED lights as per customer’s requests.

H&M Ferman reached

another important milestone in 2022. We designed, manufactured and supplied OE full mirrors/arms kits to a leading truck brand in Australia – Daimler-Fuso. Both the Fighter and Shogun models are now equipped with made in Australia rear view mirror kits. For more information, please call 02 9533 2722 or visit hasmot.com.

The MTS (Manual Transmission Shift system).

The

Enjoy the comforts of home while out on the road

WEBASTO is a trusted name in the diesel heating and cooling industry. With over 85 years of experience providing sophisticated diesel solutions from Germany, Webasto has a reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable products.

One of Webasto’s top products is its Diesel Air Heating range. is range is an extremely e cient way to heat your vehicle’s cabin using the existing fuel on-board from diesel vehicles and it can even be tted to non-diesel vehicles with an external diesel fuel tank.

e stepless power modulation ensures a constant cabin temperature while providing the best combustion and the lowest possible fuel consumption. With a range of options, including rotary or programmable digital controllers and single or twin outlet kits, these diesel air heaters are easy to install and compact, making them a versatile choice for any type of vehicle.

Webasto also o ers a range of Isotherm compressor fridges designed speci cally for the truck market. e Drawer 30 is a compact 30-litre fridge available in two nishes: silver or black. e silver version boasts a door made from AISI

304 stainless steel and is supported by stainless steel rails, while the black version has a steel door and rails. For those looking for a more compact option, the Drawer 16 is an ultra-compact 16-litre fridge that can be con gured as ei-

ther a fridge or freezer. Both Drawer fridges feature a bright, easy-to-use three-digit digital display, allowing you to select your desired temperature. e SECOP BD Micro Compressor ensures maximum e ciency, reliability and minimal installation space. e compressor itself is mounted on an ‘L’ bracket on the back of the fridge, and it can be mounted to the right, left or top, or even remotely.

Investing in a Webasto diesel air heater or isotherm compressor fridge means investing in a reliable and e cient product. With a reputation for quality

and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Webasto is the perfect choice for anyone looking for top-of-the-line comfort

solutions for their truck cabin. For more details, please visit webasto.com or call Webasto on 02 8536 4800.

The 16 litre Fridge Freezer Drawer.

The Drawer 16 is an ultra-compact 16-litre fridge that can be con gured as either a fridge or free er.

One of Webasto’s top selling products is its Diesel Air eating range.

THIS RANGE IS AN EXTREMELY EFFICIENT WAY TO HEAT YOUR VEHICLE’S CABIN USING THE EXISTING UEL ON- OARD ROM DIESEL EHICLES

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Last minute show hotel options

IT’S not too late to grab a great deal on a hotel bed near the show venue, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Below are just a few BTS-friendly options for every budget. For more information and to book your slot, visit https://ozaccom. eventsair.com/hvia-truckshow-2023/accommodation/ Site/Register.

Emporium Hotel, South Bank

Emporium Hotel features 143 luxuriously appointed suites with all the comforts you could ask for, from rooms for two up to the 786-square-metre ‘Parklands Suite’ accommodating as many as eight people. Exquisitely nished with handcrafted touches, each suite boasts the latest inroom automation and entertainment technology. e hotel also incorporates a rooftop pool, sauna and steam rooms, gym with breathtaking views over Mount Coottha, and a selection of bars and restaurants, including the Terrace rooftop bar.

Mantra, South Bank

Whether you’re in Brisbane for business, arts or enter-

tainment, the Mantra South Bank is at the heart of it all.

e Mantra o ers a variety of hotel rooms, studios, and self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments. e best part? e heated lap pool, fully equipped gym, and epic South Bank restaurants at its doorstep.

Ivy and Eve Apartments, South Brisbane

e ultimate South Brisbane accommodation, Ivy and Eve Apartments o er two towers of modern and spacious self-contained apartments. Its resort-style atmosphere and outstanding facilities include a recreational deck overlooking the CBD, pool, heated spa, BBQ facilities and games room. e self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartments o er wide balconies, fully equipped kitchens and laundries, contemporary quality décor, open plan living areas and complementary wi- .

Adina Apartment Hotel, CBD

Housed in a beautiful heritage-listed building on George Street, this hotel features contemporary studios and apartments ranging from

one-bedroom studios up to three-bedroom penthouses with three bathrooms, two fully-equipped kitchens, two separate lounge/dining areas, washing machine and dryer. A mere 15-minute walk to South Bank, the serviced apartment complex also includes a gym, pool, and beautiful restaurant and bar in the ground oor lobby space.

Oaks Brisbane Casino Tower Suites, CBD Situated opposite Treasury Casino, the Oaks o ers spacious one- and two-bedroom serviced apartments with city or river views, inclusive wiand TV streaming capabilities – plus a three-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms, full kitchen and spacious living area capable of accommodating up to six. A short walk

across the river to the BCEC, the Oaks also features a heated lap pool and spa, gym and sundeck.

Oaks Brisbane

Margaret Suites, CBD

Mix the best of both worlds at Oaks Brisbane Margaret Suites, combining a city centre hotspot adjacent to the Botanical Gardens.

With an outdoor pool and fully equipped gym, the one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments include private balconies, separate bedroom and living areas, kitchenettes, laundry facilities, inclusive wi- and TVs with streaming capabilities. A luxury two-storey penthouse o ers the pinnacle of facilities, services and uninterrupted views, including four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and

fully equipped kitchen.

Pullman and Mercure, CBD

Boasting a convenient CBD location, moments from Central Station and walking distance from South Bank, the Pullman comprises a mix of rooms with one king or two queen beds (with or without private balconies), and oneand two-bedroom suites with separate dining and lounge areas, plus complementary wi- and co ee machine.

e hotel o ers three distinctive dining choices – inroom, a ne dining restaurant and rooftop bar, as well as gym and heated pool.

Sitting alongside the Pullman is the Mercure, which o ers guest rooms out tted with one queen or two double beds, TV and work desk,

some boasting views of the cityscape or the inner-courtyard.

Voco Brisbane City Centre, CBD

Conveniently located at North Quay on the banks of the river, Voco’s position delivers premium yet unstu y accommodation.

Just a hop, skip and a jump across the river to the BCEC, its 194 rooms – from standard and premium rooms to suites with separate bedroom and living areas – feature cushy bedding, vibrant art, smart in-room technology and bathroom amenities.

Voco also features a rooftop pool area, tness room equipped with the latest machines, and lobby café/dining space serving up craft brews, local wines and cocktails.

Emporium Hotel features 143 luxuriously appointed suites.

Mantra has it all; a heated lap pool, fully equipped gym, and epic South Bank restaurants at its doorstep.

A mere 15-minute walk to South Bank, the Adina serviced apartments are a great choice for showgoers.

The Voco is just a hop, skip and a jump across the river to the BCEC.

The vy and ve o ers two towers of modern and spacious self contained apartments.

Hydrosteer has your steering needs covered

HYDROSTEER Pty Ltd was established in June 1981 and has become a vital link between Australia’s heavy vehicle manufacturing and maintenance industries. By establishing itself as the leader in heavy vehicle steering technology in Australia and New Zealand, Hydrosteer is now the focal point for heavy vehicle steering.

Hydrosteer carries Australia’s largest range of heavy vehicle power steering products. e range covers new and re-manufactured and exchange R.H. Sheppard, TRW, Bosch and ZF Aftermarket, JKC, Aisin Seiki, Koyo steering gears, steering pumps, IMMI (VIP) steering wheels, steering slip shafts, R.H Sheppard mitre boxes, Hydrosteer’s Australian made mitre boxes and draglink assemblies that are made to OEM stringent quality speci cations.

Hydrosteer o ers a quick

turnaround service focused on minimising downtime for customers, leveraging our four factory owned locations and our Brisbane warehouse, along with our range of dealers across the region.

Our custom manufacturing service based in Bayswater, Victoria, o ers one-o and low volume production capability, to sample or speci cation at short notice.

Diagnosis of steering problems

Some of the hardest steering problems to diagnose are steering concerns on the highway. e truck may be wandering, darting or the steering is unpredictable. ese problems will place a lot of strain on the driver in addition to being a road safety issue.

Hydrosteer has specialised in heavy vehicle steering systems since 1981 and has developed diagnostic techniques to identify and solve all man-

Driving Ideas to the Road

24V Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering Pump

The Electro Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPS) is designed for bus and truck applications either using conventional powertrain or with modern electric/hybrid technology. The product allows easy and flexible integration into existing 24V vehicle architectures, is designed to provide demand-based steering support and covers a wide range of additional benefits.

ner of steering issues.

OEM

Hydrosteer works closely with Australian truck manufacturers during the design phase of vehicles.

Hydrosteer is respected for its technical ability and is often engaged to help solve steering issues. We have for many years been a supplier of quality product to Australian truck manufacturers.

Engineering

Hydrosteer’s product development team can design complete steering systems, vehicle upgrades to dual control or twin steer and general steering system enhancements.

Service

We have established four Hydrosteer owned service departments – three on the east coast of Australia and one on the west coast in Perth. In other key regions of Australia

and New Zealand we have appointed service agents who have all undergone service training and use Hydrosteer designed test equipment. is ensures that the same technical standards are available across Australia and New Zealand.

Commitment to quality

At Hydrosteer we have a commitment to produce the best engineered product available.

Our ISO certi ed product development and manufacturing processes ensure that all our customers bene t from this commitment.

Our focus on technical leadership, availability of a wide range of parts and engineering product enhancements has led Hydrosteer to become leaders in development, manufacturing, servicing, diagnosis and supply of heavy vehicle power steering systems.

Competitive Advantages:

• Fuel / CO2 savings

• High packaging flexibility

• Vehicle speed adjusted steering feeling

• Simplification of ICE gear set with less vibrations and ICE friction loss reduction at cranking

• Ready for pure electric driving-capable hybrids and EVs

• Lower oil temperature due to reduction of flow losses

• Functional safety rating: QM

Features / Specifications:

• Hydraulic performance: up to 3.2 kW

• Voltage level: 24V

• Current consumption: up to 125 A (cont.), up to 250 A (peak)

• Vehicle communication: via CAN Bus

• Dimensions: 250x190x232mm

• Weight: approx. 15.5kg

• Cooling: oil cooled / air-cooled

• Ambient temperature: 40°C...90°C

• Protection: IPX6K/IPX9K

• EMC: UN ECE-R10.05

Hydrosteer operates from four factory owned locations and a Brisbane warehouse.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Innovation on show at South Bank Truck Festival

AN extension of the Brisbane Truck Show, the popular South Bank Truck Festival will again light up Little Stanley Street with some of the industry’s best innovations on show.

From the latest EV trucks to specialised transporters and revolutionary high-productivity trailers, the South Bank Truck Festival is the biggest one yet.

e impressive display will be complemented by the free Rock on Riverside family concerts on the Friday and Saturday nights, the build of a full-scale Mack Anthem from LEGO, and South Bank’s array of dining options.

Here are some of the highlights.

Healthy Heads Road Show Truck

Healthy Heads in Trucks & Sheds’ Road Show truck will be on display. Provided by foundation partner Paccar, the DAF LF Road Show truck travels around the country promoting the prevention and understanding of mental health issues in the road transport and logistics sector.

e truck’s onboard facilities include a boardroom and consulting space which is

available during the week to o er free medical checks as well as sharing information about how to support your own well-being and create workplaces that are psychologically safe.

“Having our Road Show industry activation vehicle on site is such a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work we do to support transport, warehousing, and logistics workers across Australia,” said Healthy Heads CEO Naomi Frauenfelder.

“Healthy Heads understands how critical connecting with others is to our ongoing mental health and wellbeing. e Brisbane Truck Show is a great opportunity for those from across the industry to come together, share a friendly chat and refuel our wellbeing.”

Heart of Australia’s HEART 4 Truck

What looks like your regular Kenworth K200 towing a trailer, HEART 4 is much more.

It’s one of ve specialist medical trucks from Heart of Australia that travels across Queensland delivering specialist healthcare to rural communities.

e brainchild of cardiologist Dr Rolf Gomes, Heart

of Australia and its team will have HEART 4 – the program’s specialist mobile cardiac clinic – open and operating during the South Bank

Truck Festival.

“ e trucking industry has always been a strong supporter of Heart of Australia’s mission to deliver specialist medical care to rural and regional communities,” Heart of Australia said.

“PACCAR Australia was one of the rst partners to come on board and has been with us every kilometre of the way, donating two Kenworth K200 prime movers for HEART 1 and HEART 2 and then more recently providing 2 DAF prime movers to be the driving engines for our fourth and fth Heart Trucks.

“We needed to deliver excellent specialists to the bush, but we also needed to transport the state-of-the-art medical equipment that the specialists needed to diagnose and treat patients. We wanted them to have their entire toolbox, not a mini or travel version, and we needed all that equipment to be protected and well-calibrated as they travelled through regional Queensland.

“We wanted patients to be treated in a modern, state-ofthe-art medical clinic, despite being thousands of kilometres away from the city, the only vehicle that was going to be able to deliver on these demanding requirements was a custom-designed, oversized truck.”

Founder Dr Rolf Gomes says the trucking industry has always been a strong sup-

porter of Heart of Australia’s mission

“ e commitment that the trucking industry has shown for reducing health inequity for people living in the Australian bush continues to impress and inspire us to continue to do the work we do,” he said.

“It’s been clear since the very beginning that the trucking industry is with us on this journey to deliver specialist medical services to the bush.

NTI Black Betty Ford Jailbar

National Transport Insurance has a knack for nding old bangers and doing them up to their former glory.

At the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show, NTI found an owner for its previously restored 1946 Ford Jailbar and then again with an electric blue Jailbar at the 2021 Truck Show. is time, NTI will have the matte black 1946 Ford Jailbar known as ‘Black Betty’ on display.

e Ford Jailbar pick-up is an iconic old truck from years gone past.

Previous NTI Jailbar projects have raised over half a million dollars in proceeds for MND research.

O-Phee Double Stack Super B-double

One of the key requirements to be a part of the Little Stanley display is to showcase innovation. Innovation doesn’t

FROM THE LATEST EV TRUCKS TO SPECIALISED TRANSPORTERS AND REVOLUTIONARY HIGH- RODUCTI IT TRAILERS, THE SOUTH BANK TRUCK FESTIVAL IS THE BIGGEST ONE YET.

get much more impressive than a 32-metre rst of itskind trailer.

e O’Phee ‘London’ double stack container Super B-double SKEL trailer combination will be on display.

Built in Brisbane at the Drake/O’Phee manufacturing facility for transport company Qube, the massive double stack combination will open a new door for productivity when it runs around the Port of Brisbane shifting shipping containers.

“ is combination stacks up as a great innovation. You are seeing creative thinking at its best. It’s doubly good,” said Drake Group owner John Drake.

“Double-stacked containers, with a fully Australian-compliant load restraint system, that’s a rst.

“Safe, e cient, saves time and energy, that really is leading the way. is is Australian manufacturing delivering on innovation while improving sustainability.”

There is plenty for the whole family to enjoy on Little Stanley Street.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Electric Avenue Lights Up

e Little Stanley Street display will be buzzing with electric truck developments.

Aussie truck manufacturer SEA Electric will be one of them, showcasing its homegrown EV truck capabilities with its impressive SEA 300 rigid truck.

Developed and assembled from their Dandenong factory, the SEA line-up of trucks is one of Australia’s biggest drivers of electric-powered trucks.

Sitting alongside it will be the Fuso eCanter, the rst production full OEM electric truck available in Australia.

Designed for inner-city and urban environments, this ultra-quiet truck produces no local emissions and is adaptable to any type of operation and charging facility, equipped with both normal (AC) and quick (DC) charging ports.

A full battery can be

achieved in less than 90 minutes using quick charge technology.

e eCanter boasts class-leading active safety features, including advanced emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning system, ESP as well as dual airbags.

Classic conventionals on show

On the more conventional front, Western Star will showcase the 48X tipper, part of the new X-Series range of trucks which also include the 47X and 49X.

It was a long time coming for the manufacturer, and the rollout of the new generation of Western Star trucks will continue come Truck Show week.

Meanwhile, the Freightliner Cascadia will also be on display. e Cascadia is one of the safest, most fuel-e cient and technologically advanced trucks on the market. e Cascadia is the best-selling truck in the USA.

Also on display will be the 2023 UD Quon CG 30 360 8×4, a cutting-edge long wheelbase truck designed for increased productivity and safety.

Skilled engineers from Australia and Japan crafted this truck, making it perfect for businesses aiming to upgrade their eet.

e Quon boasts a lightweight chassis and long wheelbase design capable of handling up to 16 pallets and larger payloads. It also o ers class-leading fuel economy and alternative fuel options, like HVO.

e truck includes advanced safety features such as Tra c Eye Brake System, Tra c Eye Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, and UD Stability Control, ensuring both driver and cargo are protected.

Volvo gives Stanley Street a ‘Buzz’

Volvo will showcase ‘Buzz’, an FL Electric 42 R E 16 model which was released in 2021.

‘Buzz’ was designed with sustainability at its core. is zero-emissions vehicle aimed to improve driver comfort through reduced noise and vibrations, ultimately helping retain drivers.

Some key features of ‘Buzz’ include the Volvo Active Safety Platform, which incorporates adaptive cruise control, advanced emergency brakes, lane departure warning, and ABS/EBS stability control.

e truck is equipped with a single motor and a two-speed transmission, delivering 130kW (174hp) of continuous power. With its four-battery con guration, ‘Buzz’ o ers up to 300km of range and supports AC 22kW and DC 150kW charging capabilities.

NTI will have a wickedly painted matte black 1946 Ford Jailbar known as ‘Black Betty’ on display on Little Stanley Street.

ne of ve medical trucks that travel across ueensland delivering specialist healthcare to rural communities.

Phee Trailers returns in 0 3 to display the ondon double stack container Super double SK trailer combination.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Built and tested for Australian conditions

AUSSIE CTI Systems was established to service ever-growing transport eets in Australia.

Central Tyre In ation (CTI) systems were rst developed in the early 1940s by the US Army for tyre management on their amphibious landing craft so that during beach landings they were able reduce coral damage to tyres and get 2½ times the traction through the sand. is was a very successful operation.

Aussie CTI designed, built and tested our components to suit Australia’s tough, demanding conditions, giving transport operators a simple, safe and reliable means of controlling tyre

pressure from the cabin.

Headed up by Andrew Stuart and David, this team o ers more than ve decades in CTI design, development and manufacture. ey know the job and what works best for your operation. CTI is no longer a new toy for logging, it is a crucial option o ering many bene ts.

Our controller manages tyre pressure live and alerts the driver of any problems or pressure drops, keeping tyres at set pressure automatically and also giving the driver the ability to air up or down on the move to suit the changing road conditions

or load weights.

Our rotators are double bearing with long life seals mounted on a sturdy stainless steel bracket which is strong and practical.

e Pressure Distribution Safety Valve (PDSV) protects the system in the case of a drop pipe or if the tyre is damaged.

We use Australian made nylon tubing drop pipes which are tough, durable and easy to replace if necessary.

Correct tyre pressure management improves ride comfort, increases tyre life and fuel economy, improving pro tability and ensuring the best up-

time for your truck. Take a few moments to look at the savings and advantages for your job:

Log haulage: Traction is improved 2½ times. Tyre life is often doubled. Reduction in punctures. Blowouts are a thing of the past. Up to 60 per cent less road damage. Road trains: Tanami, Tropicana, Gibb River roads, along with others that are a challenge. Large corrugations, gravel roads, gibber rock require reduced tyre pressures on the drive tyres to 60 PSI or less and steer tyres 70 PSI. Trailers and dollies 45 PSI loaded travelling at reduced speed. When unloaded, drive tyres at 30 PSI, steer tyres at 50 PSI and trailers and dollies at 30 PSI.

Tippers: Running 90 PSI on the drive tyres, loaded on bitumen, 60 PSI on gravel and 30 PSI empty. Tippers have six tonne or less on the drive tyres unloaded allowing them to return to the quarry at 30 PSI giving greater driver comfort and safer braking. Many tippers tow large pigs or B-doubles back to the quarry – 30 PSI al-

Oering the right tools for the job

AUSTRALIAN owned and operated, Trucktools has been in business for the last 23 years and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Trucktools is a national Capricorn preferred supplier

to all Capricorn Commercial/ Fleet workshop members, right across Australia.

Currently the Trucktools warehouse is being expanded due to the continuous growth of the product range, which

is required for the heavy vehicle industry. Our business is based around supplying the tools needed for heavy diesel mechanics that work on trucks, semi trailers and agricultural equipment.

Trucktools is located 1km o the Princes Freeway, in the eastern suburbs – in one of the largest growing commercial areas in Victoria, making logistics convenient for same day dispatch out of our warehouse.

Our quality of product and service is second to none. Trucktools have made it convenient for customers to order online at trucktools.com.au or

alternatively, customers can call us and order over the phone during business hours (Monday to Friday) on 1800 000 561.

lows best traction and reduces the likelihood of jack kni ng.

Electrical service industry: EWP and pole trucks. Two big bene ts for this industry are maximum traction which reduces bogging and a huge reduction in whole of body vibration, o ering lifelong health bene ts.

Bee keepers: Main benets o ered are traction which reduces the chance of being bogged when servicing hives and the reduction in vibration which reduces stress and death

for bees when transported. You can never over emphasise the health bene ts for the driver with up to 60 per cent less body vibration transmitted, which reduces body and mind fatigue and organ damage.

Call to discuss the huge bene ts available to your operation and how best to utilise them.

Trucktools supplies heavy diesel mechanics with all the tools they need. The product range is continuously growing. An axleshaft puller.

Large corrugations require reduced tyre pressures on the drive.

Correct tyre pressure management improves ride comfort, increases tyre life and fuel economy.

Aussie CTI systems result in up to 0 per cent less body vibration transmitted to the driver.

BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Heritage haulers return to Rocklea Showgrounds

show partner NTI, a 1948 Chevrolet Loadmaster, a 1954 International AR110, a 1962 Mack H673 ST, a 1970 International Loadstar, a 1971 Mercedes Benz 1418 LS, a 1972 AEC Marshal, a 1973 Kenworth W924, a 1975 Bedford KMR/XT5, a 1975 International D1310, a 1978 International 3070B, and a 1986 Kenworth W925 SAR.

“It was certainly a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for our club to be an exhibitor at the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show. The amount of interest from other exhibitors and the public in the heritage truck display was wonderful to see and gave another dimension to the show,” said HTAA’s Michelle Wilkie.

“Being a first-time exhibitor, the process was daunting at first but all went smoothly, from bump in to bump out and everything in between.”

steady growth in the number of trucks on show at its events as well as HTAA membership.

“These historic trucks are a piece of our history and if not restored, we will lose those pieces of history,” she said.

“There is a passion to keep the past alive for the men and women who started the transport industry, along with those wonderful hard-working old trucks that worked on not-so-good roads. Many travelled extraordinary distances on highways throughout Australia.

“Some of these vehicles have been lovingly restored to their original glory and create a spectacular display. There is a pride and passion by all members in their vehicles.”

HTAA was founded in 2002 when an ad was placed in The Courier Mail seeking interested parties to attend an inaugural meeting where the idea was floated to form a new club to promote the preservation of heritage trucks and associated memorabilia.

The club kicked off with 13 foundation members and membership now sits at an impressive 498 financial members.

COOL classic trucks will again be a feature of the Brisbane Truck Show, this year on display at Rocklea Showgrounds, just 15 minutes’ drive from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

The return to Rocklea follows the difficult decision by

the Heritage Truck Association Australia (HTTA) committee to cancel its annual show in 2021 for the second year running due to Covid restrictions.

But ultimately that call had a silver lining with a “once-in-a-lifetime” offer to display a number of its mem-

bers’ vehicles in a prominent location on the ground floor of the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show.

In what turned out to be among the most popular exhibitions at the event, members displayed 12 classics: a 1946 Ford Jailbar ‘Roxanne’ painstakingly restored by

Wilkie said the association is hoping to once again see the showground at capacity, filled with all different makes and models of trucks, tractors, cars, utes and machines. Gates will open from 8am on May 20-21.

She said the exceptional response to the exhibition reflects an increase in interest in historic trucks in recent years, a trend also mirrored by

Held on the third weekend in May every year at Rocklea Showgrounds, the annual event has experienced strong growth in the volume of exhibitors showcasing their trucks, tractors, machinery and stationary engines.

At the last show in 2019, more than 200 trucks were on display and the showground was at full capacity, Wilkie said.

“On average we would see approximately 1500 attendees through the gates each day,” she added.

With a motto ‘Keeping Old Wheels Turning’, the

The first HTAA show was held on July 26, 2003 at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, before moving to Beenleigh Showgrounds in 2006, and on to Rocklea Showgrounds in 2013. Last year’s rescheduled 2022 show was held on October 15-16 at Beaudesert Showgrounds.

The HTAA also stages club runs every month plus members attend other clubs’ events, including the Yesteryear Truck & Machinery Club at Wauchope, the Kingaroy & District Vintage Machinery Club, and Toowoomba & District Old Machinery Society.

Most recently, a large group of club members attended the Allora Heritage weekend to display their vehicles and enjoyed the company of many like-minded enthusiasts!

Heavy equipment show bonus in store for truck fans

WITH a new venue, new name and myriad new features, the 2023 Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show is shaping up as the biggest and best in the earthmoving and civil construction machinery event’s history.

The big yellow earthmoving and civil construction machines will return to the former long-time home of the Brisbane Truck Show in 2023 at the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Previously the Civil Construction Field Days, the new and improved show will be presented by Civil Contractors Federation Queensland (CCF QLD) at the Royal International Convention Centre and Showgrounds from May 18-21, showcasing the latest innovations for the civil construction and infrastructure sector thanks to naming sponsor Pickles Industrial.

Its new “forever home” sees the big yellow machines return to the Brisbane Showgrounds, where from 1983 to 2009 they were a key part of the Queensland Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show. The event was renamed the Brisbane Truck Show when it shifted to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in 2011.

CCF QLD chief executive Damian Long says the new venue delivers a platform for a bigger and better show in 2023 and beyond.

Presented alongside the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show, the event is expected to attract more than 6000 attendees and in excess of 80 exhibitors over the four-day showcase.

The 2021 show – which ran over three days at Hamilton Northshore – featured around 60 of the industry’s most wellknown companies and drew some 3500 attendees. This was significantly up on the first Civil Construction Field Days created by CCF QLD in 2019, a two-day event which was hosted at the Pickles Industrial site at Archerfield with approximately 40 exhibitors and 900 attendees.

Following the success of its official partnership with Brisbane Truck Show, including reciprocal ticketing and free shuttle buses, Long says he anticipates significant growth in the show again in 2023.

“There are great synergies between the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show and the Brisbane Truck Show, so we are thrilled to partner with them again for 2023 to provide

Australians with access to both heavy equipment, trucks and everything in between by just purchasing one ticket,” he said.

Positioned on the doorstep of the show’s official hotel, the 4.5-star Rydges Fortitude Valley, the new site is also conve-

niently placed in the lively and stunning heritage of the worldclass Royal International Convention Centre and the Brisbane Showgrounds Precinct, with access to The Tivoli music venue and the city’s newest and most exciting restaurant and

bar precinct, King Street, and on the fringes of Fortitude Valley, Brisbane’s entertainment quarter.

As well as free shuttle buses operating between the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show and Brisbane Truck

Show every 30 minutes, the new venue offers plentiful parking on-site. It’s also less than a 10-minute walk from Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley train stations and close to numerous other public transport options.

The 2023 event is expected to attract more than 6000 attendees and in excess of 80 exhibitors.

Two of the star attractions in 2021, a 1978 International 3070B (left) and 1973 Kenworth W924 (right).

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Bag a winner with NXT Journey’s great range

Show in Louisville, Kentucky, and in November at the Women in Trucking Conference, in Dallas, Texas. In 2024, they also plan on exhibiting at IAA Transportation in Hanover, as they expand into the European market.

“It is important for us to be continually pushing ourselves forward. We could easily stay here in Australia, but getting out of our comfort zone helps us not only get in front of more customers, more importantly, it focuses us on getting better. Designing better bags. Being more e cient. Fine tuning our customer service,” Sutherland explained.

a few years now, just not quite getting it to a point where we were happy with the design. Our range of bags have developed a strong reputation for quality, so we are not about to rush a bag to market that is not ready,” Sutherland said.

“ e Brisbane Truck Show provides a perfect opportunity to get feedback on new bags before we go into production.”

Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall will be at the NXT Journey booth throughout the four days of the show. Stop by and say hello, get your photo taken and have a yarn with ‘the bear’.

make this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, you can nd all the details of NXT Journey’s products at their website nxtjourney.com.au. You can also visit their shop at 80 Parker Street, Cootamundra, NSW.

NXT Journey will make its way to the Sunshine State to exhibit at the Brisbane Truck Show for the fourth time. Making its debut in 2017, the show has become an unmissable event for the small

Australian company.

At Booth M14, NXT Journey will have stock of their popular Truckie Bag, DayTripper and Toiletry Bags. If you would like bags for your team, call past and

they will have a special o er available for the show. ey can do a digital concept of how your logo will look on the bags and can even add your team member names to personalise the bags that little bit more.

Managing director, Simon Sutherland, thinks back to NXT Journey’s rst show. “Travelling nearly 1300 kilometres to exhibit at a truck show was a massive gamble at the time. We were an upand-coming business, and like any young business, every bit of expenditure had to be scrutinised. We still need to do this, but there is not as much pressure as there was six years ago,” he said.

NXT Journey has come a long way since the launch of its rst work bag in 2015.

e company now travels to the USA twice per year to exhibit at truck shows. In March they exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking

NXT Journey continues to widen its range of work and travel bags with the unveiling of a new backpack design at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. “We have been working on a backpack for

NXT Journey is excited to be a part of the ClubBTS 2023 at this year’s show.

ey have 100 Toiletry Bags that will be available for the ClubBTS members to collect from their booth. For those that cannot

One thing that Sutherland is looking for this year is business partners that are interested in distributing and reselling the NXT Journey bags. “We constantly have people contacting us wanting to know where they can nd the bags in store around Australia. ere is a perfect opportunity for an established business to partner with us to make the bags more accessible,” he said.

This is NXT Journey’s fourth time exhibiting at the Brisbane Truck Show.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Maintenance friendly axles and suspensions

TRU-SHU has been developing a long service interval, maintenance friendly axle and suspension for heavy duty trailers. e Tru-Shu axle was developed after comparing common trailer axles with American drive axles.

e failure rate and service interval was much higher across all brands of trailer axle than that of the American drive. From this observation Tru-Shu has designed trailer axles made with the best parts of American drive technology and a few new ideas to reduce failure, increase service life and streamline maintenance. Our premium axles will be on display at the Brisbane Truck Show. We will be showing our 22.5 and 19.5 axles. Both axles have American drive bearings and a 10-stud wheel pattern. Competitor’s 19.5 axles have smaller bearings that are prone to failure and 8-stud patterns that over-

load the studs if they are not under correct tension resulting in damage and loss of wheels. Our hub has larger bearings than the competition and 10 studs, rather than 8, giving greater wheel nut tension tolerance with a locating ring the whole way around the hub for maximum wheel location and operation tolerance. Running Tru-Shu in combination with American trucks will simplify parts inventory as our axle runs the same bearings, seals, slack adjusters and s-cam hardware. All Tru-Shu axles have American drive bearings as they were found to be more reliable than conventional trailer bearings, have a long service interval and are easily available. All our axles are recommended to be oil lubricated for long bearing life and have an oil ll plug in the hub. Oil lled hubs are susceptible to oil leaks, to prevent this our axle has been

designed with two oil seals per wheel end. To monitor the oil level of the hub , there is a well-protected sight glass recessed into the hubcap for visual inspection of the oil level. e wheel end is held on with our own 30mm wide nut that is locked to the axle with two grub screws that remove any play between the nut and axle. is new type of locking nut utilises more thread than other axle nut systems and will prevent wear of the axle and potential loss of wheel ends. All Tru-Shu axles have our patented brake shoes with alignment tag for maximum life and braking performance. For heavy duty operations, Tru-Shu brakes can be run with two return springs to remove vibrations from the wheel end.

All Tru-Shu brake components can be tted without removal of the hub. Fitting of the shoes can be done with a simple loop of wire or cable through a hole drilled in the shoe and lining to tension the brake return spring while tting the retaining bolt. e s-cam tube is double bushed and sealed at each end. e S-cam is bolted in place with caps over a rubber bush, this means the S-cam can be tted without a welder. All Tru-Shu brakes have a

guide tag that runs down the face of the s-cam to prevent the shoes from operating out of alignment, giving long service life and optimal braking performance.

Tru-Shu suspension boasts

two sets of side-by-side parabolic springs per axle, providing increased stability. All springs and saddles are u-bolted to the axle and require no welding or fabrication to t or replace. Tru-Shu suspension incorporates two large-footprint airbags to reduce bag pressure and give a soft ride Air bags mount directly over the springs and do not sit on a plate overhanging one side of the spring. Unlike other suspension on the market, the bolt-on shock absorber brackets are easy to change if damaged or worn. e Tru-Shu axle suits all types of transport operations and will hold particular appeal to those who operate in demanding conditions. Our products have been aimed at stock, refrigerated and low loader operators

Tru-Shu will give long service intervals with large bearings and brakes that are running in line, stability with four springs and bushes spread out across the axle, and a smooth ride with large airbags operating with low pressure. When the time comes to maintain a Tru-Shu axle the hard work has been done for you with maintenance considered in the design. Every brake component can be replaced without removal of the hub, and no special tools or equipment are required to change the spring bushes.

Tru-Shu axles feature protected sight glass and a built-in Tru-Shu tag.

The locking axle nut.

Side-by-side springs and the bolt-on S-cam tube.

Helping truck drivers save on their running costs

YOUR largest costs are fuel and tyres? ink on this. A 22.5-inch wheel rotates approximately 30,000 times per hour at 90 to 100km/h. Regardless of speed, a balanced truck or bus will gain up to 50 per cent extra tyre life. ousands of Australian and New Zealand drivers use Atlas Balance Rings to add life to tyres, suspension, steering, braking and driveline components.

Centrifugal force is created by a rotating wheel. When out of balance, the liquid metal, which is free moving but fully contained within the ring, moves to exactly o set light and heavy spots; eliminating vibration and creating equilibrium within the rotating mass.

At the Kangan Institute, Melbourne, Institute manager Andrew Robson carried out before and after testing of Atlas Balance Rings from 10km to 100km/h. Results showed shaking and rattling, measured in millivolts (mV) were more than double without Atlas Balance Rings. At 100km/h, the results are dramatic. With Balance Rings tted, the oscilloscope is picking up 50 millivolts; without, the imbalance is over twice as much, at 114mV (millivolts) imbalance.

Trucking eets SRV Road

Freight Services and AJM Transport show huge gains in savings with balanced wheels. SRV has over 80 rigs. ey’ve tted Atlas Balance Rings to 66 trucks on the steers and are working through the drives. Matt, SRV workshop manager, said, “We used to get around 120,000km on the steers and now – over 220,000km! We could easily get near 250,000km, but we have a great deal with tyre supply and don’t need to run the tyres all the way out.”

Dennis from AJM added, “With Atlas Balance Rings, the

steers on our K200s get over 200,000km and the drives are over the 400,000km mark.”

AJM has tted out over 30 rigs on the steers and drives, with more Volvo and Kenworth rigs on the way soon.

Queensland driver Darren Powell explained, “I’m more comfortable with my Atlas Balance Rings – they’ve taken the shake and vibration out of the whole truck, making it a nicer truck to drive, I just love it; she sits straight on the road. I’ve been asked about Atlas plenty of times. Simon’s the man, never have a drama, I’m more than impressed.”

With a New Zealand distributor in Auckland, drivers who typically navigate steep mountainous roads are tting out their rigs too. “ e truck now handles like it’s on rails, tyres are wearing evenly now, it doesn’t wander on the road, no leaning in the corners; makes it a dream to drive, can’t recommend the Atlas Balance Rings enough,” said Taylor, Freightliner Argosy operator at ACE Heavy Haulage, NZ.

Atlas Balance Rings founder Simon McQuillan says the key is balancing your vehicle as you drive. “A low investment, balance rings usually pay for themselves within one set of tyres. Reduced tyre cupping means tyres run cooler, less driveline wear, and up to 7 per cent reduction in fuel; increased driver comfort and less fatigue. Every model is catered for, and installation is quick and easy, with a 365-day moneyback guarantee and 5-year product warranty. See you at the Brissie Truck Show Folks!” ! https://atlasbalance.com.au/ or call Simon 13002ATLAS

Chat with Simon McQuillan from Atlas Balance Rings at the Brisbane Truck Show, Ground Floor Stand 16 (with Findlay World).

SR Road reight Services has tted Atlas alance Rings to trucks so far, on the steers, and is working through the drives.

Atlas alance Rings founder Simon Mc uillan.

Training the industry one NanoNet at a time

around various ltration and conditioning topics without having to head into the classroom – the perfect tool for trainees looking to become experts in ltration.

Interested? Jump online and head to Fleetguard.com and check out their Fleetschool training program. ere are plenty of ways to upskill and learn without impacting your busy day-to-day operations.

TO create a better, more efcient industry, Fleetguard provides an online training course to help boost the knowledge and understanding of ltration, a crucial el-

ement of the trucking business.

eir training will help you and your sta become experts on ltration’s importance to your eet and how

getting the right media within your lters can help you, your clients and your customers. After all, with the right knowledge and information, you could protect your en-

gines and systems whenever you ll the tank, change your lubricants or turn on the engine. at might sound alarmist, but it’s true, which is why Fleetguard is so keen on

delivering industry training.

Fleetschool online learning programs deliver self-paced online learning programs that you can jump into at your convenience. Get your head

Cummins lifts the lid on its new big bore engine

CUMMINS will unveil its most advanced ever big bore diesel truck engine at the Brisbane Truck Show.

e entirely new 15-litre platform, known as the X15D, will deliver the highest-ever outputs for a Cummins truck engine while setting new standards for fuel e ciency at ultra-low emissions levels.

“With the all-new X-series platform, Cummins is taking the internal combustion engine to a next generation level, capable of meeting future ultra-low emission standards with a low-to-zero carbon fuel capability,” said Mike Fowler, director of on-highway busi-

ness for Cummins Asia Paci c. ere is no set date for release of the X15D in Australia and New Zealand. An extensive eld test program which

started in Australia in 2021 will determine when this will occur.

“ e X15D will only be released when we are complete-

ly satis ed with its reliability and durability in meeting the harsh demands of the Australian B-double duty cycle,” said Fowler.

A key feature of the X15D is its dry weight reduction of 225kg compared with the current X15. A sculpted iron block and composite oil pan are among the weight-saving features that result in the X15D having the highest power-toweight density in the industry.

“ e unique power cylinder design enables much higher peak cylinder pressures – 20 per cent higher than the current engine – and that enhances power density and overall

e ciency,” Fowler added.

Featuring the latest evolution of Cummins’ XPI (Extreme Pressure Injection) fuel system, the X15D will be offered with ratings up to 660 horsepower backed up by massive peak torque of 2360 lb ft. e highest rating eclipses the current X15 peaks of 615 horsepower/2050 lb ft and will enhance Cummins’ engine down-speeding strategy for improved fuel economy.

“ is strategy is about reducing cruise rpm for fuel economy gains while at the same time providing the grunt to meet both driver and trip time expectations,” said Fowl-

er, noting that peak torque extends over a wide band, from 1500 rpm all the way back to 1000 rpm.

He notes eld trials of the X15D rated at 660 horsepower in Australia have shown fuel economy improvements up to eight per cent. By the end of 2023, more than 10 trucks will be involved in the eld trial and the aim is to accumulate more than ve million test kilometres.

The extensive leetguard product line up.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Restored 1954 beauty to be ra ed for MND research

AN impeccably restored 1954 Chevrolet pickup truck is the latest vehicle to be ra ed to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.

First spotted on a farm in the US and brought to Australia, the truck – named Daphne –is the sixth to be ra ed for the MND and Me Foundation, by Australia’s largest transport and logistics specialist insurer, NTI. rough this annual ra e competition, NTI has raised over $1.5 million over the last ve years for MND research.

CEO Tony Clark said was excited to announce the next vehicle up for grabs. “Daphne is a ‘hot lava orange’ pickup truck, built with a 1954 Chevrolet Cab Over Engine body on a 1969 Chevrolet C-20 Pickup chassis. While the truck might be mid-century, she’s got modern features, including a 460hp LT1 Chevrolet Performance engine,” Clark said.

“Daphne was found on a farm in the USA and purchased

by a young Australian working there. Its original owner was supportive of the re-sell once she’d heard about how it would be restored and ra ed for the MND cause.

“Our commitment to raising funds for MND research comes after NTI’s former CEO Wayne Patterson lost his battle with the disease in 2018. We established the o cial NTI MND Research Grant to help fund research into treatment and to ultimately nd a cure.”

NTI’s 2023 truck restoration has been made possible by generous donations, and general manager marketing for GM Aust and NZ Chris Payne said they were excited to be teaming up with NTI and Matt Stone Racing on a vehicle for a fantastic cause.

“For many years Chevrolet Performance LS crate engines have been the logical choice for builders of special project vehicles like this one. is project truck is a terri c example of

how the latest generation LT engines can now be used to provide big horsepower and incredible reliability, and really make it a special prize to help bring attention to MND research,” he said.

Matt Stone of Matt Stone Racing added that it was an added bonus that such a fun project was for a good cause.

“Our biggest contributing factor has been the time and the e ort that’s gone into getting the work done and getting the truck built, juggling that with our busy racing schedule,” he said.

“It’s a great project to be involved in, with a lot of work in a short amount of time, but thankfully we come from a motorsport background so that’s something we’re used to. Partnering with the NTI crew who are very passionate about both the cause and the project meant that it was something exciting to be involved in.”

e truck will be displayed

at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show (May 18-21) and Cooly Rocks On Festival at the Gold Coast (June 7-11), with the ra e being drawn at the NTI Supercars Round in Townsville in July. Tickets and terms and conditions can be found at ra etix.com.au/?ref=5ctuk&sref=6fum22dr.

It’s been built with a 1954 Chevrolet Cab Over Engine body on a 1969 Chevrolet C-20 Pickup chassis.

The 1954 Chevrolet, named Daphne, has been beautifully restored.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Valvoline proves show is more than just trucks

IF you haven’t already marked e Brisbane Truck Show on your calendar, then you’re already a step behind. It’s always the year’s best showcase of the latest innovation in big rig technology.

But importantly, hardware is not the only industry innovation on display.

None of the prime movers go anywhere without the right oils.

A regular exhibitor, Valvoline is also gearing up to showcase its cutting-edge lubricants designed speci cally for the transport industry. Whether you’re running American, European or Japanese OEM trucks, Valvoline has the product and experience to meet your needs.

Josh Shepherd, senior product manager at Valvoline, explained, “Valvoline has been producing high quality oils and lubes since 1866. Our rst ever oil was for the transport industry – it was for one

WHICH OIL IS TRUSTED BY TRANSPORT PROS?

YOU KNOW

the

of the rst steam engine trains.

“It’s why we’re still very proud to commit to events like the Brisbane Truck Show. is year we’re showcasing our full range of full synthetic diesel engine oils. We’re bringing the ProFleet range, and mineral diesel engine oils like All Fleet Plus E900 15W-40.

ey’re all designed to provide superior performance, extended engine life, enhanced fuel e ciency, and reduced down-

time,” Shepherd continued. A visit to the Valvoline booth will mean you can chat to industry experts. You’ll nd the national transport business manager, OEM manager and the commercial and industrial manager for Queensland.

It’s a unique opportunity to ask any question you have about protecting your existing equipment or what will work in your next truck purchase. Plus, just by coming to say ‘Hello’ at stand 292, you and a friend could win a VIP race experience and exclusive merchandise valued at more than $2000. Details are available at the booth.

A visit to the Brisbane Truck Show won’t be complete without dropping into Valvoline’s stand.

STAND: PLAZA 292

Ph: 02 8603 2300

Web: valvolineglobal.com

Valvoline’s lubricants and industry expertise are trusted by transport operators across the country. Whether you’re operating American, European, or Japanese trucks, Valvoline is trusted to provide superior performance, extended engine life and reduce maintenance downtime.

Valvoline will showcase its cutting-edge lubricants designed speci cally for

transport industry.

Prime movers don t go anywhere without the right oils.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Delivering on ‘last mile’ dispatch and scheduling

counting software such as MYOB, Xero and QuickBooks along with telematics providers such as Linxio, Web eet and EROAD. Being able to integrate with existing business critical systems is vital for most vWork customers and something its API makes really easy.

Right goods, to the right place, at the right time – every time

GOING the ‘extra mile’ has never been more important for retaining customers – particularly if what you deliver is perishable, time-bound or needs to meet critical compliance criteria. It has put the spotlight on the importance of ‘lastmile’ cartage; that crucial last leg delivery from your door to

your customers. It is when delivering on-time, every time, is absolutely critical – and that is what vWork enables you to do.

vWork’s proven dispatch and scheduling software delivers an exceptional experience for your customers. It o ers a single, centralised tool for scheduling, route optimisation

and proof of delivery. It is also designed to be exible, with templates that are con gured to work the way you do and an enviable line-up of business tools vWork natively integrates with. is includes popular ac-

vWork serves a range of customers but its sweet spot is those with high-value, mission critical deliveries. is can range between perishable food deliveries for a supermarket, through to construction materials that have to be delivered to a speci c GPS coordinate on the site, at a certain time.

It has developed a comprehensive range of features dedicated to making the dispatcher’s life easy, driver compliance very simple and the customer’s experience exceptional. is includes the ability

for driver, dispatcher and customer to engage in three-way communication, so everyone is in the loop across any changes and can respond in real time.

According to Scott McLeod, managing director of long-time vWork customer, McLeod Cranes, keeping customers and eld workers informed at every stage of a job is a breeze. “ e automation of alerts, texts and emails means that our dispatchers can almost set and forget routine jobs and focus on managing exceptions. Our customers love this approach.”

See how vWork can deliver positive change

Real-time invoicing has been another recent innovation. Not only do you get the ability to prove job completion in the app, vWork now automatically generates an accurate invoice for your customer – in real time. This is a game

changer for those running larger eets with multiple daily deliveries. But that is just a small sample of what vWork can deliver as a last-mile, point-topoint cartage solution. e Brisbane Truck Show is the perfect place to nd out more about what they do – rst hand. vWork is on stand 265 with a full-team of enthusiasts to share their extensive knowledge and insights on last-mile cartage: Paul Blackwell, Dean Oswald and Kelvin Raju. For those who can’t make the show please check vWork out at vworkapp.com. Scheduling a Discovery Call is recommended as the best way to uncover exactly how vWork can change your world for the better – one delivery at a time – on time – every time.

STAND: PLAZA 265

Ph: 02 7286 1866

Web: vworkapp.com

only do you get the ability to prove job completion in the app, vWork now automatically generates an accurate invoice for your customer – in real time.

2023 BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

Driving safer in the dark

AUSTRALIAN automotive-lighting manufacturer Lightforce has launched its new range of Viper Light Bars.

e Viper range is o ered in a variety of con gurations to meet all automotive needs, from weekend adventure and hunting through to commercial long-haul road transport.

It’s claimed to o er unrivalled capability, sleek design, easier installation, improved features and a performance improvement of 25 per cent compared to previous models – all with 25 per cent less weight and a recommended retail price (RRP) up to 40 per cent lower than the previous generation.

Lightforce has been at the forefront of automotive and hunting lighting for more than 35 years and exports its products to more than 50 countries internationally.

e introduction of the Viper range follows several years of state-of-the-art research and development by Lightforce’s experienced in-house engineers and designers, who were tasked with producing a range of LED light bars as formidable as its namesake.

Lightforce product manager Haydn Ryan said the design of the Viper range was a real head-turner.

“ e new design has that ‘factory’ look we feel that our customers are asking for,” said Ryan. “ e entire range is slimmer, lighter and beautifully designed, elegant yet rugged and incredibly capable at the same time. We have worked with our partners from overseas to ensure a premium product.”

e Viper range not only looks good due to a screwless, modern front-bezel design but is claimed to deliver best-inclass performance thanks to an average increase in light output of 25 per cent.

At the bottom end of the range, the modest 6-inch Single Row Viper Light Bar produces a thoroughly impressive beam length of up to 256m at one lux and it only gets better with other light-bar con gurations in the range, which include both single-row and dual-row con gurations claimed to o er industry leading visibility.

e 20-inch Single Row Viper Light Bar, expected to

be popular with weekend adventurers, o ers a beam length of 562m at one lux, 160m more than its predecessor.

At the heavy-duty end of the range, the 50-inch Dual Row Viper Light Bar’s capability stretches just beyond a kilometre at 1065m. e range also includes a 6-inch and 10-inch single-row amber light bar designed for dusty conditions or camping environments. e amber colour reduces the amount of bugs and insects when outdoors compared to a white LED.

Ryan said improved safety was another key goal during the development of the Viper range. “Each light bar projects a reduced 5500k colour temperature, which is associated with better all-round visibility and reduced driver fatigue. e reduced colour temperature also means there is less glare and re ection against road signs and in foggy and dewy driving conditions, which can make boosted illumination unpleasant in some circumstances. e Viper range is a real pleasure to use,” he explained.

Rugged usability has also

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been enhanced through a marine-grade powdercoat nish courtesy of the industry-leading AkzoNobel application, which is tested to Australian standard AS1580 and therefore UV resistant and impervious to salt spray. e poly-

carbonate lens is also claimed to make Viper light bars less prone to scratching and damage than other light bars.

Lightforce said it focused extensively on installation factors when developing the new bars. Each Viper light bar

comes with its own free ‘smart harness’, which comprises a unique bridge recti er.

“ is is a unique feature that allows our Viper range to be tted more easily to even the most recently introduced vehicle models,” said Ryan. “ e harness also has an eight-pin switch connector, making it super easy to plug and play into a range of vehicle-speci c Lightforce switches for that very popular factory look, which is what we have achieved in the entirety of the range’s design.”

e Viper range includes 304-grade stainless-steel side brackets – an improvement on the mild-steel units used by some light bars. All Viper light bars feature Osram Oslon LEDs and are waterproof to one metre, having been tted with a genuine Gore breather. Radio interference is also signi cantly reduced, which is ideal for AM or UHF radio users.

e Viper Light Bar range is available now. For more information, contact Lightforce on 1800 030 308, visit sales@ lightforce.com or head to au.lightforce.com.

The VIPER Light Bars are designed with innovation in mind, featuring a unique screwless bezel design that allows for seamless integration into the factory look you desire. They are also up to 25% slimmer and 25% lighter than our previous Lightforce Light Bars.

Crafted with rugged and impact-resistant materials, including a hard-coated polycarbonate lens, our VIPER Light Bars are IP rated to provide complete ingress protection, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance. With more light output than ever before, upgrade your vehicle with VIPER Light Bars and experience the di erence.

Improved safety has been a key driver in the development of the Viper range.

The road to recovery for Rocklea transport operator

WHEN oods swept through parts of Queensland last year, this family-owned transport business lost much of its eet – but with new trucks now rolling in and a bigger purpose-built facility in the pipeline, things are looking bright for Rogers Transport.

“We had about 3.5 metres of water through the truck depot, and we lost 26 trucks in total, about half of those were rigids and the other half were prime movers. It’s taken us a while to get back on our feet,” said Rogers Transport’s Rocklea based general manager of operations Brad Rogers, who is the second generation of Rogers to take up a key role within the family run business.

Founded by Gary and Val Rogers over 30 years ago, the successful freight and transport business moves hardware and paint supplies.

Under normal circumstances, the business o ers a range of freight and logistics services including container movement, warehousing, local distribution and interstate freight transport.

Brad grew up under the tutelage of his hard-working parents and is familiar with trucking and what it takes to keep the eet on the road.

“We’ve been purchasing trucks from Brisbane Isuzu for decades. ey helped us recently after the oods. We lost probably 15 rigid trucks, so Brisbane Isuzu moved quickly to assist us, and we’ve recently taken delivery of six F Series Isuzu trucks, and we’ve got another six on order,” said Brad.

“ e wait times for trucks is ordinarily 12 to 18 months but Brisbane Isuzu were able to secure some within about four months. It’s a huge help and it’s turning things around

for our customers too.”

e business currently runs a large eet of trucks, including eight Isuzu FV Series 6x2 models.

ere are four Isuzu FVL

240-300 Freightpacks and four Isuzu FVM 230-300 Freightpacks on the road around the clock.

Rogers Transport has now introduced a ‘one driver one truck’ policy which means each driver is solely responsible for their own truck.

And Brad says that’s working well so far, with reduced mechanical and maintenance issues and next to no problems when it comes to upkeep,

cleanliness and presentation.

“Rogers Transport drivers love their Isuzu trucks. ey’re comfortable, they’re straight forward to use, they’re easy to work with, there’s plenty of parts available for them, and the reliability’s great,” Brad said.

“We’ve got a couple with over a million kilometres still running with original engines. Isuzu engines have excellent performance and longevity.

“ e trucks with a million kilometres are the rst ones we bought over 15 years ago and they are in fantastic working condition. We’re big on our preventative maintenance and

servicing, to look after all our trucks, no matter their age.

“All our servicing is done in-house by the team here and we use genuine parts from Brisbane Isuzu. Parts are always readily available and if there’s a delay it’s because the parts are on a truck up from Sydney or Melbourne and we’ll have them within a day or two.”

Rogers Transport has also opted for automatic transmissions in the new trucks too.

“It was a change at rst, but the guys are loving them. ey’re loving the new AV unit and the creature comforts that Isuzu o ers,” said Brad.

“Swapping to the Allison Automatic was due to availability initially, but the feedback from the guys has been great. ey love them, so we’ve continued to spec the new trucks with automatics.

“It’s simpler to have an auto when driving through tra c these days, the roads in Brisbane are only getting busier and busier.

“ ese trucks service anywhere from Tweed Heads to Noosa and up to Toowoomba. While this part of the eet is mainly local, the guys do get out on a longer run, on occasion.”

After a di cult time in re-

cent months, Rogers Transport is well placed for the future. It will soon be moving into a huge, purpose-built facility in the Port of Brisbane, which consolidates their three locations into one depot with plenty of storage and room for expansion.

“We’ve just signed a lease on a new facility out at the Port, so we’re going to amalgamate all our three sites. It’s an exciting time for us, with 55,000 square metres of yard,” said Brad.

“ ere will be roughly 18,000 square metres of storage and a huge container storage area.”

Brad grew up under the tutelage of his hard-working parents and is familiar with trucking and what it takes to keep the eet on the road.

Rogers Transport has now introduced a ‘one driver one truck’ policy which means each driver is solely responsible for their own truck.

There are four Isuzu FVL 240-300 Freightpacks and four Isuzu M 30 300 reightpacks on the road around the clock.

Seven quick facts to know about equipment nance

AFTER 30 years of nancing equipment, we thought we’d share a few facts to assist business owners in getting the best outcomes on equipment purchases and nance in 2023.

1. Spreading equipment debt over a number of nanciers instead of your bank can pay big dividends

Often your bank will have a mortgage over your business, known as General Security Agreement (GSA). ey will likely consider exposure they have on equipment nance when assessing whether they will provide extra working capital as you grow. Often banks refuse to provide increased home loans or additional overdraft limits, due to the level of exposure you have on equipment nance.

If you want to change banks, the departing bank will typically want to see you pay out all equipment loans prior to releasing securities required by the incoming bank. ese payouts incur a penalty on early discharge.

You would not have to do this if your equipmentnance was with another provider. Spreading debt=

• More competitive rates and terms for you.

• You’re building a broad base of supporting lenders to provide additional nance.

• A quicker and more cost-e ective way of growing your eet of machines.

2. Used equipment is as easy to nance as new equipment

Quality used equipment (purchased at auction or via a dealer) is a viable alternative to new, especially in this current environment where supply of new equipment has signi cant delay in delivery.

3. Private sales of used equipment can easily be nanced

Competitive equipmentnance is easily available where the used equipment is being purchased from a Private Vendor.

Private sales require extra steps such as inspection of goods and ownerships checks. Using a skilled broker means they will complete these steps for you.

4. It pays to shop around Interest rates on equipment

nance are open to competition between banks and nance companies; and can vary by as much as 2 per cent. It pays to shop around or use a nance broker who will save you time and will do it for you.

A 2 per cent interest rate saving on a $300,000 loan, over ve years, will save you $330 a month ($20k over the entire term).

5. Finance under $1 million can be completed without nancials Most nance under $1 million can be arranged without the need to provide nancials and without increases in interest-rates. is is known

6. You can take advantage of a 100 per cent tax write o on new or used equipment is is a once in a generation opportunity for companies to expand. e government Instant Asset Write-o incentives will be ending June 30, 2023.

7. You have the ability to claim a 100 per cent tax write o on your existing eet Any company using the Simpli ed Tax System for Depreciation and with a turnover less than $10 million has an ability to claim a full 100 per cent tax write o on their existing eet. e loss created can be carried back to prior years (up to 2019) to obtain a tax refund on any tax paid during that term. If you still have tax losses after that, you can carry those forward to o set future years trading pro ts. Chat to your broker or accountant to learn how your business can best take advantage of the Instant Asset Write-o incentives.

nterest rates on e uipment nance can vary by as much as per cent, so it pays to shop around.

Like a dating app for trucks

We also have many other new and exciting features we are building in the background which we will launch in the coming months.

e Australian haulage industry has rapidly embraced new technologies to improve its operational e ciency and competitiveness. With advancements in digital technology, automation and data analytics, the industry is transforming to meet the increasing demands of customers for faster, safer and more cost-e ective freight delivery.

optimise their logistical procedures by accessing a wide selection of carriers, comparing prices and controlling their shipments from a single platform. Time is saved, and the hassle of keeping track of various pages and shipments is lessened, thanks to Loadlink.

THE Australian haulage industry is vital to the country’s economy, providing essential transport services for businesses across various industries. e industry has undergone a signi cant transformation, adopting new technologies and innovations to improve e ciency and cost-e ectiveness. One such innovation is haulage marketplaces, which have gained popularity in recent years due to their many bene ts for businesses.

Loadlink is an Australian haulage marketplace that connects shippers and

carriers online, allowing them to exchange goods and services e ciently and transparently. Loadlink was created because we wanted to make nding freight and listing loads easier and more streamlined than ever before.

Technology adoption has the potential to transform the industry by improving operational e ciency and reducing costs. One such feature introduced by Loadlink is Loadlink’s load matching algorithm that can connect shippers and carriers automatically online.

Another exciting feature is the carrier pro le page, where carriers can create an online pro le showcasing their transport business.

ey can also store truck types and con gurations for easy load matching and future repeat business.

Loadlink is not just a load listing platform to help you nd freight, it is an integrated system that allows operators to also list their truck, then Loadlink’s clever system automatically matches the truck with the listed freight. It’s just like a dating app for trucks!

By using Loadlink, businesses can gain a range of bene ts, including:

• Loadlink can help businesses save money by enabling them to compare prices and choose the most cost-e ective carrier for their shipments. e marketplace can also help businesses nd carriers with spare capacity willing to o er discounts to ll their trucks.

• Enable carriers to maximise their return by lling empty space on their truck or by obtaining backload freight to get them to their next major pick-up point.

• We can help businesses

• Loadlink enables businesses to access a wider content of carriers, including local carriers, regional carriers and national carriers. is can help businesses nd carriers best suited to their needs and o er the most cost-e ective and efcient services.

• Using Loadlink can give businesses greater logistics operations exibility. ey can choose from various carriers, manage their shipments in real-time and adjust their logistics strategies. Loadlink was created by Australian transport operators, for the Australian transport industry, pooling over 50 years of transport and logistics experience into one simple online platform. Since our launch in January this year we have already accumulated over 250 registered users, with new businesses joining the Loadlink family every day.

The online load board to browse for listings.

The Loadlink home page.

Event dates for your diary

MAY

Brisbane Truck Show

May 18-21

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre brisbanetruckshow.com.au

e Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and South Bank Parklands will be wall to wall with the latest and best trucks, trailers, technology, components and equipment.

Heritage Truck Association

Annual Show

May 20-21

Rocklea Showgrounds, QLD heritagetruckassociation. com.au

A weekend of fun and activities at the Rocklea Showgrounds, located at the corner of Marshall Road and Goburra Street. Open 8am to 5pm Saturday, May 20 and 8am to 3pm Sunday, May 21. A huge array of vintage and heritage trucks, vintage cars, vintage tractors and more. Food and refreshment vans. Entry is $5 for adults and children under 14 are free.

JUNE

Putty Road Truck Drivers Memorial Service

June 3

Milbrodale, NSW

facebook.com

/groups/300521246718

Held at Garry Miller Memorial Park,Putty Rd, Milbrodale. Service starts at 1pm. Local school providing refreshments from 11am. Afterwards, ticketed reunion dinner at 6pm, Charbonnier Hotel, Singleton at $60 per head. For dinner tickets and accommodation phone Marie Warby on 0414 631 206 or 02 4578 5492. For memorial enquiries phone Paul Crollick on 0427 472 250 or

Shane Kent on 0419 287 159 or see theFacebook page.

Alexandra Truck, Ute & Rod Show

June 11 Alexandra, Victoria alexandratruckshow.com.au

Celebrating the 26th year of the Alexandra Truck, Ute & Rod Show on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June 2023. Sunday Show ‘n Shine on Alexandra’s main street, includes live music, Victorian woodchop tournament, exhibitions and trade displays, kids’ amusements and Truck Show Day rafe draw. Be early on Saturday for the local markets, convoy and truck driver’s memorial service at 2pm and sponsors’ dinner at 6pm.

JULY

Wauchope Yesteryear Truck & Machinery Show

July 8-9

Wauchope Showground, NSW facebook.com/ groups/1671228919932231

Featuring historic and late model working trucks, vintage cars andtractors, machinery, motorcycles and stationary engines. Plus market stalls, swap meet and family entertainment. Free entry for exhibitors. $10 weekend camping. Saturday night fully catered meal and unreserved auction with proceeds to charity.

AUGUST

Casino Truck Show

August 5 Casino, NSW casinotruckshow.com.au

Show sponsored by North Coast Petroleum. e Highway Lights Parade will roll through

Johnston and Centre Streets from 10am on Saturday. Truck registrations ($30 each) from 6am at the Casino Industrial Area on the town’s east side. Includes live music, amusements and markets. Over $12,000 in cash and prizes. Presentation at 2pm. Plus plenty of blinged up trucks from all across Australia will be parked in the CBD. Bobtail and rigid trucks only.

SEPTEMBER

NatRoad Conference 2023

September 27-29

Gold Coast, Queensland natroad.com.au

After a di cult two years for road freight operators, NatRoad is pleased to invite members to the NatRoad National Conference 2023, to be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Benowna on Queensland’s Gold Coast from September 27 to 29. Includes the ‘NatRoad Parliament’ and the NatRoad Awards presented at the Gala Dinner.

Lights On e Hill Memorial Convoy

September 30 - October 1 Gatton, Queensland lightsonthehill.com.au

e 2023 Lights on the Hill Memorial Convoy is planned to be held on September 30 en route to Gatton Showgrounds with the Memorial service to be held on October 1 at the Lake Apex Memorial wall. Live music at the showgrounds includes e Wolfe Brothers, Josh Setter eld, Hayley Jensen, Will Day, Kerry Kennedy & Double Barrel and more.

NOVEMBER

Brisbane Convoy for Kids

November 4

Brisbane, Queensland brisbaneconvoyforkids. com.au

Following a successful 2022 event, planning is underway to make the 2023 Brisbane Convoy for Kids even bigger and better. Along with the main convoy, there will be a truck show, family fun and entertainment, and an evening reworks display.

Illawarra Convoy

November 19 Illawarra, NSW illawarraconvoy.com.au

Touted as the largest truck and motorbike convoy in the Southern Hemisphere, the Illawarra Convoy raises funds for individuals and families a ected by potentially life threatening medical conditions, together with charities that work with these people, and local hospitals.

Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show

November 25-26

Castlemaine, Vic castlemainetruckshow.com

After a hugely successful

2022 event, the Castlemaine Rotary Truck Show is going to be back for two days in November. Like the previous iteration, this year’s event is also expected to see an estimated 300 trucks and 3000 people on the ground over the weekend. ere will be heaps of food including a special truckie breakfast event on Sunday.

Have you got an event you’d like included in the next Save the Date? Email all the details to editor@bigrigs.com.au

Check out some of the trucks of days gone by at the Heritage Truck Association Annual Show.

Plenty of blinged up trucks will line the CBD at Casino for its popular truck show.

The Brisbane Convoy for Kids will include a main convoy as well as a truck show. Photos:

Truckin’ In The Tropics

Experienced truckie a big assetQuick stop and back on the road

WITH many years of experience behind him as a tter and maintenance supervisor truckie Dennis Pedersen is an asset for north

Queensland company Rojo Civil.

I saw the 63-year-old Pedersen on the job at the Christmas Creek rest area

Above and beyond

FOR 12 years Tarrant Foster drove a light rig for Coles delivering groceries around Townsville.

For the past nine months, the 42-year-old Foster has been employed by Nortrans carrying lique ed gas.

Big Rigs saw Foster beside his parked Hino HR near a suburban shopping centre in Gulliver.

“I had a carbon dioxide tank on the back and carry liquid nitrogen and argon gas to pubs, restaurants, theatres, Macas, KFC and Hungry Jacks outlets, amongst other places,” he said.

Foster said his deliveries were mainly around Townsville .

beside the Bruce Highway near Bluewater on March 30.

He was driving a Kenworth K104 and had hauled an excavator which was being used in the construction of a new toilet block.

“I have been a truckie for three years and was a maintenance supervisor for iess for many years and also had been a tter,” he said.

Rojo Civil is based at Townsville and is owned by his son in law Jarred Roggero.

Friendly Pedersen rates the road between Charters Towers and Torrens Creek on the western Flinders Highway as amongst the worst to travel on.

ly coy about the exact location he did o er this.

“I go to North Queensland areas such as Charters Towers, Ravenswood, Pentland, Clermont, Forsyth and Georgetown,” he said.

“Sometimes I do get down to Bowen which is 200km south,” he said.

I asked what were the main reasons why Foster enjoyed the work.

“Nortans is a good company to work for and also all the friendly people I meet on my deliveries. I go above and beyond to help them,” he said.

Outside work, Foster enjoys operating model planes and also playing computer games.

Nortans has its headquarters in the Bohle industrial suburb and has been operated for 65 years by the Battle family.

It is a heavy freight carrying specialist and a community minded company supporting

“

ere are lots of narrow bridges,” he said.

Pedersen barracks for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL and is delighted they are going well this season.

Outside work, Pedersen enjoys spending time with his two Grandsons and also using his trusty metal detector to search for gold.

I asked did he have any success and if so where he has found any of the precious commodity.

Although he was natural-

Pedersen doesn’t stop at many roadhouses because much of his travels are between Townsville and Ingham which is a 110km stretch of the Bruce Highway. Truck drivers will be delighted to be able to use the toilet at Christmas Creek rest area once it is completed in the next month.

e next rest area with toilets is at Frances Creek. about 10km south of Ingham.

AN Isuzu driven by Michael

Barsi had pulled up at the Bendemeer Rest Area in NSW. “I had blown a radiator hose and had to stop here to x it,” he told Big Rigs.

With Barsi was his 16-yearold son Dominic.

“I have some gear on the Isuzu to take from Sydney to my property at Glen Innis. I bought the Isuzu 20 years ago second hand,” Barsi said.

He added that he likes stopping at the Murrundi Roadhouse because it has good food.

Barsi rates the worst road overall as the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne.

“I think more rest areas are needed along the Hume but there are plenty along the New England Highway,” he said.

Barsi is of Hungarian descent and his wife of Greek heritage.

Later on I passed the Isuzu on the New England Highway and further along at Armidale saw it pull into the Connetic Roadhouse.

locals.

At every Townsville Convoy for Kids Nortrans has raised a lot of money entering a lot of trucks with support from their many drivers.

with Alf Wilson

Dennis Pedersen and his truck at Christmas Creek rest area where a new toilet is being constructed.

Michael Barsi with his 16-year-old son Dominic.

Nortans truckie Tarrant Foster.

Lack of hygiene facilities for females raise concerns

he had paid within 28 days.

But what he did next in frustration stunned everybody in view.

He pulled out his cigarette lighter and set re to the ticket.

Hygiene facilities lacking

DURING the past 12 months 10 female drivers have complained to me about a lack of facilities generally for them.

ey claim that hygiene facilities for them an many roadhouses and rest areas are often non-existent.

When you consider that stats reveal that females make up just 1.66 per cent of total drivers in the country, some would understand that operators of roadhouses would be reluctant to spend lots of money on di erent showers, etc.

But then again, most have toilets for males and females except those, which have aptly named unisex facilities.

I was very interested to read an ABC news report about a lack of bathroom cleanliness on Western Australia rural roads.

In that article some truckies say they would prefer to go “dirty” than use roadside bathroom facilities.

ey reckon that it has become a health issue. e

females I spoke to are mainly from Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Floodproo ng the Bruce

Over the years lots of truckies have called for governments to upgrade the Bruce Highway, parts of which ood after any decent heavy rain, as we have seen in recent years.

To be fair, some sections have been upgraded as funds become available in the annual budgets.

Spooky rest area

Some of my truckie mates reckon that the Glen Rest Area beside the New England Highway in Queensland can be a spooky place to stop at. e facilities there are ne with a shaded area and gener-

ally clean toilets.

A couple of the drivers told me it can be an eerie place to have a rest at especially if you are the only one there.

On the ip side they say that it can be full at times with grey nomads overstaying.

I stopped there recently and my wife couldn’t get out of there quick enough, also suggesting she felt spooked.

Wide loads galore

e Peak Downs Highway in Queensland which runs between Mackay on the coast and Clermont is a route used by many trucks including those with wide loads.

e 266km route can be extremely dangerous to negotiate and is used by manyheavy vehicles servicing numerous mining towns in the region.

e narrow two-lane highway is often congested with oversize loads such asmining haul-trucks, dozers and excavators, tyres and buckets) and road trains.

One of my good contacts, who I will refer to as ‘Fabulous Phil’, sent me some pictures of wide loads along the highway.

In the past, Phil has provided this column with pics from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

Burning frustration

A vehicle parked in a loading and drop o area outside a near city block which houses businesses.

Lots of cars park there and whilst it technically breaches Council parking bylaws few of the drivers get breached.

However, just after 5pm in early April Spy was sitting at an eatery across the street and saw this driver discover a ne ticket on his windscreen.

In anger, he yelled out a bevy of expletives over the ticket which Spy understands would have cost him $120 if

When it was destroyed, he tossed what was left into a nearby bin. is fellow can expect a summons within a few months to appear in court when the authorities track him down through his registration number.

It will cost him considerably more if ned by a magistrate and there will be added court costs.

Dangerous act

Two truckies who had stopped at opposite sides of boom gates at a level crossing as a train was coming couldn’t believe their eyes over the actions of a daredevil youth.

is youngster was riding a small motorised kart and crossed the railway line in between the boom gates.

A few seconds later the train which was pulling many carriages passed.

It would have killed him if he had been a fraction earlier.

“ is fellow is a temporary Australian if he continues with

this reckless behaviour,” one truckie said when they met soon after for lunch.

ey hope that the level crossing had CTV footages so that the culprit can be identied and nes by police.

It may just save his life.

The sting

After returning home after a long trip a Victorian truckie went to his letterbox to check his mail much to his chagrin. e poor lad opened the letter box and was attacked by aggressive wasps which had built a nest inside it. He was stung several times on the hands and they soon ended up swollen and he did have severe pain.

Having heard that people had died from wasp stings in extreme circumstances he masked his wife to drive him to the nearby medical centre. However, she suggested that he swallow a couple of travel-sick tablets, which were in the home medicine chest. ey worked and in a short time the pain was gone and the swelling went down. As Spy is not a doctor, I wouldn’t advise the same course of action if anybody did have the misfortune to be stung.

Continued on page 136

SPY ON THE ROAD WITH ALF WILSON

A female-only toilet at a NSW rest area.

Wide loads travel along the Peak Downs Highway.

The spooky Glen Rest Area beside the New England Highway in Queensland. Photos: Alf Wilson

Truckie comes o second best after goanna scu e

From page 134

Aggressive goanna

I had to feel sorry for an old truckie who I saw walking into a local hospital where I was doing a job recently. is veteran driver told me he had been unloading furniture from a light rig at Idalia in Townsville when he was bitten on the foot by an aggressive goanna which appeared suddenly from the nearby bush.

“It bit me on the small toe on my right foot and I later had to have it amputated,” he said.

He sensed that I was a bit apprehensive after hearing that and removed his shoe to show me that in fact that particular toe was missing and you could see it had been surgically removed.

Now this lad does possess a wonderful sense of humour, and he would need to have one with the driver friends he told of his unfortunate brush with the goanna.

“ ey ask me did I call a TOW truck after I was bitten by the goanna,” he said.

Bridgewater bridge

Veteran Tasmanian truckie Selwyn Sin eld told Spy that the new Bridgewater Bridge in southern Tasmania will have four lanes and will negate the current bottleneck which occurs on days when it has to be raised.

e new bridge will be the largest transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history. It will strengthen Tasmania’s National Highway, connect local communities and x the missing link between the Brooker Highway and Midland Highway.

It is expected to be open to tra c by the end of 2024, with the project to be completed in 2025.

Sin eld is a history bu when it comes to the road transport industry and said current causeway for the bridge was commenced in 1829 by 200 convicts.

“ e rst bridge at this point was opened in 1849 being a sliding bridge which would slide back to allow boats through, he said.

“ e late 1870s saw a call

for a rail line to be added needing modi cations to the causeway. At this time the sliding bridge was replaced by a swing bridge. July 1886 saw the rst train derailed at this bridge resulting in one injury and two deaths.

Early 1900 saw two swing bridges one for rail one for road tra c. e current lifting bridge was started in 1939. Construction was halted during the World War II period. Road tra c started over it in 1942. e lifting section was completed in 1946 and rail again started over it at that time.

is bridge was designed to last 100 years. Its current design was to enable the movement of the large barges that moved the newsprint paper from Boyer to Pavillion Point near the existing Tasman Bridge in Hobart. From there it was moved by road to the main wharfs in the city area for shipping out of Tasmania. e large paper barges ceased in 1984.

Since then, the bridge was only lifted when a yacht or large vessel needed to

move under the Bridgewater Bridge,” Sin eld said.

Children had a blast Five young truck fans had a ball getting drivers to toot near Olary, on the Barrier Highway in South Australia. e children, four girls and a boy between the ages of four and 11, who are from Devonborough Downs station near Olary had stopped with their family at Olary Hotel, 120km west of Broken Hill, when they decided to step out for some tooting fun.

Janne Anderson, who took the photos of the children, said the Smith family is regular patron at Olary Hotel.

“Emily, Chloe, Lucy, Bella and Jack were having a ball gesturing the passing trucks to toot the horn. At least 50 trucks tooted as they drove past. We just loved watching the kids have a ball,” she said.

“I don’t want to get anybody into trouble but I wanted a big shout out to the truckies who tooted. e kids loved it.”

434.

The Bridgewater Bridge in southern Tasmania will be replaced with a new one.

The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in 0 .

The children had a ball getting trucks to toot along their way near Olary, on the Barrier Highway in South Australia.

Reader Rigs proudly supported by

Share your truck pics to win with Shell Rimula

SHELL Rimula has partnered with Big Rigs in a big way – so there’s even more reasons to send in your best truck shots. Each month, the Big Rigs team will choose a #PicOfTheMonth, with the lucky winner receiving a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card. Keep an eye out for our regular posts on the Big Rigs National Road Transport Newspaper Facebook page, calling

for your best truck photos and add yours in the comments, or email them to editor@bigrigs. com.au.

Don’t forget to include a brief note about the truck and where the photo was taken. We’ll feature some of the best photos in each edition of Big Rigs Newspaper, with one winner announced each month. Keep those amazing truck pics coming!

Dillan Terri Reid pulled up at Yalgoo, WA, after dropping a grader off at Golden Grove, SA.

Michael Roels enjoys another spectacular autumn day in the pines at Orange, NSW.

Congratulations to Milly MC, who has won a $500 Shell Coles Express Gift Card for this great shot of Ozzy from National Heavy Haulage at the Olive Downs Mine in Queensland.

Nick Hanson shared this great shot from ‘Team Dee + Nick’, who drive for SEQ Transport out of risbane.

GEARBOX & DIFFS

When the going gets tough, truckies keep everyone going

Jarrad Symes snapped this ripper, while hauling another load of ammonium nitrate bags bound for Port Hedland.

With these autumn colours, Aaron Fuller couldn’t resist a picture while stopped for a break at Bathurst.

Claire shared this shot her brother Ian snapped of a Rooney’s Freightliner at Panmure, Victoria.

Another ripper shot from Truckspotting Ararat, this time of Anthony from ODLS carrying a train to Seaford, SA.

ACROSS

1 If youare a collectorofClarice Cliff whatdoyou collect?

(7)

Across

4 WhatLatin American danceisperformed byseveral peopleinsinglefile?(5)

1 Who conquered Britain in 55BC (6)

7 Whatare lengthwisethreads on a loom? (4)

DOWN

1 Whichchess piecesaremostnumerous?(5)

2 Whatbrightyellow powderis usedfor flavouring in Asian cookery?(7)

Down

3 InearlyEngland,what was a smalllandholderbetween gentry and labourers? (6)

7 What is a concluding part added to a literary work (8)

8 Whatisthe capital ofLiberia? (8)

10 In 1982 who madethe firsttelevised147 break in snooker? (5,5)

8 What are royal domains (6)

12 Whichinventor (Thomas ____)tookout more than a thousandpatents inhis lifetime?(6)

9 Name the break, as between acts of a play in a theatre (8)

13 Whatisthelastwordof“RuleBritannia”?(6)

15 TheMisfits in1961 was the last film starring Marilyn Monroeand which otheractor? (5,5)

10 Which gland lies in the human thorax (6)

11 What is a pattern, used as a guide (8)

18 Native toCentral and South America, a tamandua is whattypeofanimal? (8)

19 What cloth isspreadover a coffin? (4)

14 What is a tactical unit of an air force (8)

20 Whatisaninformal wordfor“avery long time”?(5)

18 Name a prominent seaport of South Africa (6)

21 What diseaseisalso knownaslockjaw? (7)

19 What do we call an unmarried man (8)

21 Which type of street is wide, and lined with trees (6)

22 Name a genealogical register of horses (8)

23 In films, what do they call persons hired to play in mob scenes (6)

QUICK CROSSWORD

4 Whatbranch ofmedicine isconcerned with diseasesand abnormalitiesofthe heart?(10)

1 Name those who are in charge of museums, art galleries, etc (8)

2 Who was given the head of John the Baptist (6)

5 A starthat suddenly brightens thengraduallyfades is called what? (4)

3 What is an electrical non-conductor called (8)

6 Which film,1984’s BestPicture Oscar winner, was filmed inPrague? (7)

4 Name an Australian term for an elevator (4)

5 What is a reddish brown horse (6)

9 Where wasLouisArmstrong born? (3,7)

6 Name an emirate in south-western Asia (6)

11 Whichwomanwasmarried on 29April1945, and died the followingday?(3,5)

12 Who was a popular comic magician (8)

12 Whatisthe widening channel of a river wheresaltwater mixes with freshwater?(7)

13 Name another term for preachers of the gospel (8)

14 Inheraldry what isthecolour silver?(6)

15 Which imperial liquid measures are approximately 1.137 litres (6)

16 Millionsofrecords fromwhichUS immigration entry islandareaccessible onthe internet? (5)

16 What are plant lice (6)

17 WhichEnglish college wasfoundedby HenryVI in 1440? (4)

17 Name the archaic term for silver (6)

20 Which machine is used for weaving yarn (4)

DOUBLECROSS

Findafinishedcrosswordbydeletingoneof thetwolettersineachdividedsquare.

Solvetheanagrams.Eachsolutionisaone-word anagramofthelettersbesideit,andthefivesolutions aresequential.Forexample,ifthefive-lettersolution startswithJ,thesix-lettersolutionstartswithK,andso on.

Insertthemissinglettersto maketenwords—fivereading acrossthegridandfivereading down.

Note: morethanonesolution maybepossible

SOLUTION amiramritaariaarumatriaatriumattarauraauriccaratcart cramcurtmarcmariamartraitaratarimutarmactarttiara tracttraittramtraumaTRAUMATICtrim

DAF Technician of the Year

FROM a shortlist of ve DAF technicians from across Australia, Greg Pearce of Brown & Hurley Kenworth DAF Co s Harbour has been named PACCAR Australia’s 2023 DAF Technician of the Year.

Brad May, chief engineer PACCAR Australia, and Steven Tomaro, aftersales manager PACCAR Australia, presented the award to Pearce, congratulating him on his win and performance on the day.

e search for the 2023 DAF Technician of the Year began in October 2022. All service technicians at DAF Dealerships Australia-wide were invited to participate in the competition, which aimed to recognise and reward the best of the best.

e event consisted of ve practical assessments measuring

ALL SERVICE TECHNICIANS AT DAF DEALERSHIPS AUSTRALIA-WIDE WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION, WHICH AIMED TO RECOGNISE AND REWARD THE BEST OF THE BEST.”

technical skills, product knowledge, engine expertise and professionalism.

Following Pearce closely was Paul McKenna of Kenworth DAF Melbourne in second place and Brody Vitler of CJD Kenworth DAF Albany in third place.

Aiden DeGroot of CJD Kenworth DAF Perth came in fourth, followed by Jack Rutherford from CJD Kenworth DAF Darwin in fth place.

e nals were held over a full day on Friday March 24, 2023 at Kenworth DAF Melbourne.

e nalists received over $30,000 worth of prizes, including a voucher for a selection of tools vital to the job.

Just like last year, there was an additional incentive once again, with the rst placed Technician of the Year to join Team 18 as a Garage Crew member at this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000. Additionally, second and third place-getters will be treated to a weekend Garage Crew experience with Team 18 at an upcoming Supercars event.

New managing director to head up PACCAR Australia

PACCAR Australia has announced the appointment of Damian Smethurst as managing director. He o cially took charge from Monday May 8, 2023.

Smethurst has been with PACCAR Australia for 25 years and has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility including director of operations, chief engineer, and most recently general manager PACCAR Parts Australia, where he led the parts organisa-

The Opportunity

tion to consecutive years of record levels of customer support and parts availability.

Along with engineering and manufacturing Australian made Kenworth trucks, PACCAR Australia also imports and assembles the leading European DAF brand, as well as supporting the largest network of aftermarket parts and service, nance, and leasing solutions.

Smethurst succeeds outgoing managing director Andrew

Hadjikakou, who leaves to begin the next phase of his life outside of PACCAR and the road transport industry.

Smethurst acknowledged the great work and vision of his predecessor, “Andrew has worked tirelessly throughout his eight years leading PACCAR Australia. He has championed many critical initiatives including our recent $50 million factory expansion and leaves the business in excellent shape,” he said.

“I am honoured to have been entrusted with leading this amazing business. My focus is rmly on the people – our sta , our dealers and suppliers – who make this organisation what it is, and on our customers, who are the reason for our existence. I am excited about supporting and empowering our teams, to foster a culture of operational excellence and innovation, and strengthening our relationships with customers across Australia and New Zealand.”

Fulton Hogan Transport currently have a vacancy for a tanker owner driver to join our transport team based out of McGraths Hill in NSW. Reporting to the NSW Transport Manager your primary duty will be the transportation of bitumen products to our plants and customers.

You will be Responsible for

• Adhering to all Safety procedures to operate the Tanker

• Ability to work effectively to deadlines

• Accurate completion of all trip paperwork

• Work in accordance with all Fatigue laws

• Ability to work as part of a small team

• Delivering hot bitumen to required sites and ensuring all safety regulations are adhered to during transportation

Fulton Hogan Philosophy

What we need from you?

•Dangerous Goods License

•MC Driver License

• Experience in Asphalt industry an advantage

•Willingness to travel and work away when required

•White Prime Mover

•(Late Model) capable of towing a Single tri-axle trailer or B-Double

We Offer

• Continuous work

•Fulton Hogan Transport will provide training and all specialised PPE

• Remuneration is paid twice monthly

•If you are willing to work the opportunity is there to develop a very profitable and sustainable business for yourself.

•Fixed term cartage contract

We build and maintain critical infrastructure that connects and enhances communities across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Everything from roads and bridges, to airports and utilities. We’re committed to ensuring the Good Work we do will make a positive difference to the quality of life for our people, our customers and the communities we all call home. Our continued success relies on generating new and diverse ideas, which is why our ‘Good Work’ culture encourages ownership and empowerment, while never forgetting the importance of balancing life’s priorities.

Sound like you?

If this sounds like you and you would like to help build on our Good Work culture, then we would like to hear from you.

In the First instance please contact Phillip Martin, NSW Transport Manger

E: Phillip.Martin@fultonhogan.com.auM: 0418 451 735

Damian Smethurst takes the reins as managing director of PACCAR Australia.

Aftersales manager at PACCAR Australia, Steven Tomaro; the 2023 DAF Technician of the Year Greg Pearce; and chief engineer PACCAR Australia, Brad May.

Driver program expands to the Kimberley and Pilbara

FOLLOWING previous success, the WA Government will be expanding its Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations training program to the Kimberley and Pilbara in a bid to get more local people into the driver’s seat.

e $3.5 million expansion of the program was funded as part of the 2023-24 state budget.

Developed in collaboration with industry to address the truck driver shortage, the Australian- rst program provides theoretical and practical hands-on truck driver training to train job-ready workers for the transport industry.

e additional investment in the program will support North Regional TAFE to deliver the training to around 350 participants in the Pilbara and Kimberley over a four-year period, providing employment opportunities for local people, including Aboriginal people, living in these regions.

It’s also set to support the economy, including government civil construction projects, by providing a trained, local heavy vehicle workforce, and address the need for heavy

vehicle driver training in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

As Western Roads Federation CEO Cam Dumesny explained, “In WA especially, the labour shortage is extreme. When you’re running at a 3 per cent unemployment rate, we’re all competing for a very small pool of available people.

e mining industry is about 38,000 people short, so we’re all trying to ght for a small pool of people.

“ ere is a transport company over here who will be 300 plus short of drivers within the next three months. e

mining activity here is still extremely strong and growing – and we’re short in every section, even the removalist companies are trying to get o siders.”

Transport Minister Rita Sa oti added that the program’s expansions will provide a much-needed boost to the transport industry in the Kimberley and Pilbara.

“With 350 participants expected through the course over the next four years, the McGowan Government is helping to create a pipeline of skilled workers for this es-

sential industry well into the future.”

Run in the metropolitan area from April 2021, and expanded to the south-west and mid-west over the past two years, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations program trains new workers and upskills existing workers to combat skills.

Since February 2023, of the 552 participants enrolled at a TAFE college to undertake the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations program, 282 had achieved either a Heavy Rigid, Heavy Combination or

Multi Combination licence.

Around 30 per cent of participants in the course have been women, compared to the overall female representation among truck drivers in Western Australia being less than four per cent.

“We need to nd ways of reaching people who aren’t already in our industry and need to look for people who wouldn’t traditionally be looking at transport as a career. We’re also reaching out to migrants and refugees, early release prisoners and defence veterans,” added Dumesny.

“In the Kimberley in particular, because they’ve had massive ooding with ood damage at Fitzroy Crossing, a lot of communities up there need to continue to be supported by transport. Involving locals in the transport industry is a good way to start.

“By doing training in regional areas and tying it in with civil construction companies, we can put people in jobs where they can help build their own communities.”

For more information on the initiative, please visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready.

Easter Group Pty Ltd Easter Group Pty Ltd

73 Formation St, Wacol

Easter Group, located in Wacol, provides time sensitive road transporting solutions to many companies throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. We are a family owned business, operating since 1976. We currently have the following positions available:

OPERATIONS ALLOCATORS

(Brisbane based only)

You will be required to work on a rotating roster including Days-Nights-Weekends

Previous Operations experience preferred.

MC LOCAL, LINEHAUL & 2-UP DRIVERS WANTED (Brisbane,

Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Based)

Come and work for us as we are committed to:

• Training and further education

• Your safety

• Maintaining an impressive Fleet

On offer arepermanent full time and roster positions including paid leave entitlements and public holidays. Drivers will need to be available to be scheduled for work falling across the 7 days of the week.

The successful Applicant will:

• Hold a current MC licence (minimum two years)

• Have knowledge of the HVNL and Load Restraint

• Be professional

• Be reliable

To apply for the Operations/Driver positions please contact Operations Manager or by emailing your resume to

WORKSHOP MECHANICS & TYRE FITTERS WANTED (Brisbane

based only)

To apply for Mechanic positions please forward your resume to Workshop Manager via email to employment@kseaster.com.au

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, left, and Training Minister Simone McGurk. Photos: Facebook

A further $3.5 million will support 350 people to get into the heavy vehicle workforce in the Pilbara and Kimberley over the next four years.