Owner Driver 369 October 2023

OCTOBER 2023 #369 $3.00 inc. GST

DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL

OWNERDRIVER.COM.AU

Truck of the Month Surprising Scania ticks all boxes Page 32

Dutch Delight Europe’s largest truck festival Page 56

KENNEL KING

Camping out in Super-Liner’s huge 70-inch sleeper

32

52

56

UNIQUELY

FOR DRIVERS... THERE’S ONLY ONE CHOICE kenworth.com.au

OWD_369_001_COVER_PAID_GB.indd 1

27/9/2023 8:27 am

DAF PURE EXCELLENCE

Versatility that’s good for business

Versatility is what distinguishes the DAF range from other trucks in its class. So you need a tipper built to cope with the toughest conditions? There’s a DAF for that!

Whether your needs are long-distance haulage, city distribution, construction transportation, bulk or tank transport, the versatility of DAF keeps you moving, and that’s good for business.

Discover more, visit DAF.COM.AU/VERSATILITY

SEE DAF VERSATILITY IN ACTION

A PACCAR COMPANY DRIVEN BY QUALITY

OWD 369.indd 2

26/9/2023 8:33 am

CHECK THE CATALOGUE ONLINE

SE P — OCT 2023

PACCARPARTS.COM.AU/CATALOGUE S

P

E

C

I

A

L

TRAILER EDITION Trailer Coupling

$60

MEMBERS

$

1,645

Disc Brake Rotor

NON-MEMBERS

$

1,705

MEMBERS

Improving Performance - Adding Value.

The new generation high-quality Ringfeder trailer couplings are designed for improved operation and reduced maintenance costs, while providing unsurpassed reliability and extended product life.

MEMBERS

Trailer Coupling

SAVE

$75

MEMBERS

1,395

190

$

SAVE

AV007TRP

109

AV007TRP $109 Suits Neway AV006TRP $138 Suits Neway

MEMBERS

AV006TRP

Pivot Bush

TRPDR001 Suits BPW 430mm 10 Stud, 285PCD SEE IN STORE FOR COMPLETE RANGE

Upper Rubber Cushion

R0500B66500 D-Value 285kN 50mm - flange mount 160x100

$

Complete Trailer Axle MEMBERS

1,600

52

.95

FROM

$

81

.20

AV009TRP

AV004TRP

Spring Eye Bush FROM

$

29.20

AV008TRP

AV008TRP $29.20 Suits BPW AV003TRP $31.50 Suits BPW AV022TRP Suits Jost JSK37C/CZ

MEMBERS

AV001TRP $45 Suits York AV020TRP $100 Suits BPW

SAVE

AV003TRP

$100

NON-MEMBERS

$

$

FROM

AV004TRP $129 Suits SAF

1,470

$

165

NON-MEMBERS

Beam End Bush

AV009TRP $81.20 Suits York

NON-MEMBERS

$

$

$25

15990579

$

TRAILER SUSPENSION

MEMBERS

SAVE

1,700

Bush Repair Kit

$

218

I Long stud with manual slack adjuster KF22AG15L1850N30S GP TN 10/285 1850 track 16mm 11.5t

AV021TRP Suits Jost JSK37C/CZ

58 DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE | Visit us paccarparts.com.au

For more details, Freecall* 1800 PPARTS (772 787)

Prices herein are recommended selling prices for both Privileges members and non-members, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices in this publication are provided as a guide. Prices may vary at the dealerships. Freight charges may apply. Core charges are not included in selling price however may be applied by the dealer. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available at the time of sale. Promotion available at participating Dealers from 1 September to 31 October 2023 or while stocks last.

* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst calls from mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate determined by the caller’s mobile service provider. Please check with your mobile service provider for call rates.

Whilst every effort is made to limit the impact of delays, due to current global supply chain challenges, some products may not be available in all retail outlets during the promotional period.

OWD 369.indd 3

26/9/2023 8:32 am

OCTOBER 2023

Contents #369

56 32

“It wasn’t until I got into trucks that I really enjoyed my 32 TICKING ALL BOXES work life.”

20 KING OF THE KENNELS

It’s not available until next year, but there are plenty of people eager to bed down in the sprawling 70-inch sleeper which was showcased on a Super-Liner at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show

8 ACCC PAUSES TRANSURBAN’S MONOPOLY

Commission prevents toll operator from gaining a majority interest in Melbourne’s EastLink toll road

12 GLOBAL TRANSPORT UNION PUSH REFORM

Trade unions across the globe are coming together in an effort to improve conditions for road transport drivers

Owner-driver Tim McCarthy, who followed his grandfather and father into trucking, says his choice of a Scania P320 has proven to be a godsend

52 LIFE IN THE SCANIA LANE

Noel Lane started out with a Ford LTL-9000 in 1989 – Now he’s up to truck number 100

56 FESTIVAL OF BIG FUN

The Truckstar Festival at Assen in The Netherlands is not only the biggest truck event of its kind in Europe, it’s known as the continent’s most “fun festival”

64 4 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_004_Contents_GB.indd 4

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:30 am

BUILDING A LEGACY, A TONNE AT A TIME. MAKE HISTORY WITH MACK

At Mack, we’re proud of our long history of manufacturing trucks in Australia. Since 1963, we’ve been designing and building tough and smart trucks like the Mack Trident, the ultimate in versatility for line-haul and heavy construction assignments. Its axle forward configuration is perfect for tipper and tipper, dog set ups, and its Mack MP8 500hp or 535hp engine delivers up to an impressive 1,920 lb-ft of torque.

On the road, Trident is the ideal combination of power and productivity. It’s capable of hauling up to 131 tonnes, and its intelligent design means it leads the way in fuel efficiency and driver comfort.

Make your own history with Mack, and talk to your dealer today, or visit MackTrucks.com.au/Trucks/Trident/

OWD 369.indd 5

26/9/2023 8:32 am

EDITORIAL Editor Greg Bush E-mail Greg.Bush@primecreative.com.au Journalist Alex Catalano E-mail Alex.Catalano@primecreative.com.au Technical Editor Steve Brooks E-mail sbrooks.trucktalk@gmail.com Contributors Warren Aitken, Robert Bell, Frank Black, Warren Clark, Tiarna Condren, Julie Downey, Rod Hannifey, Michael Kaine, Robbie Tyson, Ken Wilkie Cartoonist John Allison

PRODUCTION Art Director Bea Barthelson Print IVE Print

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Hollie Tinker Ph 0466 466 945 E-mail Hollie.Tinker@primecreative.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS www.ownerdriver.com.au/subscribe Phone +61 (0)3 9690 8766 Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm (EST) Email subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Mail 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands, VIC 3008 Australia

EXECUTIVE GROUP CEO John Murphy COO Christine Clancy Operations Manager Regina Fellner Trader Group Sales Director Brad Buchanan

BEHIND THE WHEEL Greg Bush

Not in the true spirit

W

hen it comes to the Transport Workers Union (TWU), there are members who would spill blood for the cause and non-members who would rather deal with unworkable situations themselves, or not at all.

The union has sometimes drawn ire, particularly from former members who believe that, in their case, the TWU was of little assistance in their battles against unscrupulous employers.

But whether you’re a TWU member or non-member, the majority of the general populace would have had fists raised in victory following Qantas’ recent failed High Court appeal over its decision to illegally sack 1700 baggage handlers and replace them with offshore workers.

Anyone who’s flown on any airline would be aware that there’s no guarantee of either the plane departing on time or whether it will take off at all. The airlines make their own rules and have their own set of standard excuses.

Qantas, however, ran out of options with the High Court decision. Sure, the workers sacking came amid the COVID pandemic, but that move was contradicted with the outsourcing. It has been stated that the Qantas baggage handlers were TWU members, and that Qantas wanted them out to head off industrial action when things returned to normal.

The TWU stated that the sackings were in breach of the Fair Work Act, and that it prohibited actions that interfered

with a worker’s rights. It’s interesting to note that, during COVID, Qantas received $2.7 billion in taxpayer funding from the Morrison Government, including $856 million in JobKeeper allowances to retain employees. It’s an amount that Qantas will not be forced to pay back.

Qantas recently boasted a profit of $2.5 billion.

Then there’s the legal action from the ACCC which claims Qantas sold tickets for flights that had already been cancelled in 2022. That amounts to more than $250 million in what has been labelled “ghost flights” tickets.

To top that off, Qantas is facing a class action from disgruntled customers over flight credits.

Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, who was due to call it quits later this year, fast tracked his exit to early September, replaced by Vanessa Hudson.

The huge amount of his departure bonus has been under attack from all quarters. Whether Joyce will be left slightly out of pocket remains to be seen, but he’s left the airline in one big public relations mess that will take a long time to recover.

Following the High Court decision in favour of the TWU, Qantas had no option but to apologise to the 1700 illegally sacked workers. Too little, too late.

With the TWU’s victory, trucking and logistics companies who are under the belief they can, without good reason, discard their employees, notably the paid-up union members, may need to think again.

Owner Driver is published by Prime Creative Media 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands Melbourne VIC 3008 Telephone: (+61) 03 9690 8766 www.primecreative.com.au ISSN 1321-6279

OwnerDriver magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media. All material in OwnerDriver is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

Opinions expressed in OwnerDriver are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

TOWING AND RECOVERY 24/7 TRUCK

0419693369

BREAKDOWNS

6 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_006_COL_Greg_GB.indd 6

RECOVERY

LOAD SALVAGE

OFF ROAD RECOVERY

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:34 am

IN THIS BUSINESS, YOU NEED THE BEST TO SUCCEED

When your business is under pressure to deliver you need to maintain your engine at its best. New Caltex Delo® is formulated with our innovative ISOSYN™ Advanced Technology to give you excellent durability, reliability, and efficiency.

Talk to your local distributor or find out more about Caltex fuels and lubricants.

Let’s go further™ OWD 369.indd 7

www.caltex.com/au/business-solutions

26/9/2023 8:32 am

The Goods

NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

ACCC halts Transurban’s monopoly Commission prevents toll operator from gaining a majority interest in Melbourne’s EastLink toll road Transurban will not be allowed to operate Melbourne’s EastLink, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) intervention to block the proposed acquisition.

Toll road operator Transurban had been planning to invest a majority interest in Horizon Roads, which currently operates the EastLink toll road.

Horizon Roads is the only other private toll road operator in Australia alongside Transurban, with the latter already operating the CityLink toll road in Melbourne and will also operate the West Gate Tunnel toll road.

The other toll road in Melbourne, set to be the North East Link that will be operational by 2028, is being built and will be operated by the Victorian government.

The ACCC says in its ruling that the proposed acquisition would result in Transurban entrenching its position in Victoria and prevent the entry of a rival operator which could compete closely for future toll road concessions in Victoria.

“Transurban would operate every single private-sector controlled toll road in Australia,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb says.

Melbourne’s Eastlink – out of the clutches of Transurban.

Photo by Greg Bush

“The ACCC received submissions expressing strong concerns from stakeholders. We also received a submission from the Victorian government outlining its concerns.

The ACCC placed some significance on the concerns expressed by the Victorian government.

“We have concluded that if Transurban doesn’t acquire Horizon Roads, it would likely be acquired by a potential long-term rival and could be used as a platform to develop the capabilities needed to compete more strongly for other toll road concessions.”

Cass-Gottlieb says the ACCC therefore found that Transurban acquiring Horizon Roads would likely deter the emergence of a key rival for future toll road concessions.

The ACCC says Transurban’s scale and in-house modelling provide it with a material advantage over rival bidders for toll roads and the proposed acquisition will further

Freeman Freighters in liquidation

8 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_008_News_GB.indd 8

entrench this advantage.

While there is a pool of traffic modelling experts in Australia and globally, Transurban has developed recognised expertise in preparing high quality traffic models in Australia that utilise detailed datasets and can model options more quickly and cost-effectively than its rivals.

The ACCC’s investigation also considered the extent to which the Victorian government has the ability to constrain Transurban and would be able to level the playing field for future sales of toll road concessions in Victoria.

“We acknowledge that the Victorian government can run open tender processes, but where one party has material incumbency advantages compared to other firms who may be considering bidding there is less likely to be effective competition for future sale processes,” Cass-Gottlieb says.

Freeman Freighters, founded in 1988 and based at Glendenning, NSW, has joined the list of road transport companies to close its doors.

At a general meeting on August 14 with company members including key principal Kevin Yau, it was resolved that the Freeman Freighters be wound up and that Jonathon Keenan and Peter Krejci of BRI Ferrier in Sydney be appointed liquidators.

Yau is also a lawyer with legal firm LW Williams and Associates.

The business closure follows an accident three weeks prior on July 20 where Freeman Freighters’ driver Jimmy Mairaro-Pi from Henty was fatally injured in a B-double collision at Tarcutta, NSW. Originally from New Zealand, Mairaro-Pi was aged 61.

Benefits from NSW toll cashback Truckies driving in NSW are set to benefit from a toll relief initiative, set to begin rolling out on January 1 next year.

Heavy vehicles accessing the M5 East through Sydney’s south-west and the M8 tunnels will qualify for the toll rebates.

Drivers can receive the government cashback for up to a third of their trip travelled across the M5 East and M8, with the NSW government committing $54 million to the rebate.

The toll cap aims to deliver relief predominantly to suburbs in Sydney’s west, where most toll roads are located in the Sydney.

NSW roads minister John Graham believes that the initiative will benefit all Sydney drivers.

“More motorists are going to access the $60 toll cap scheme than originally anticipated and I am very pleased to say more than 700,000 motorway users are now going to benefit,” Graham says.

“Motorists, particularly in western Sydney where access to public transport alternatives have been more limited than in other parts of the city, have been crying out for relief from the ever-rising burden of tolls on the family budget.

“We know people are doing it tough.”

The 2023-24 NSW budget has allocated $561 million over two years to the toll cap, with non-heavy vehicle motorists able to claim up to $60 a week back on tolls.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:37 am

Is your load safely secured?

The load on a heavy vehicle must: be secured so it is unlikely to fall or be dislodged be restrained using an appropriate restraint method be secured or restrained in a way that meets the loading performance standards listed in Schedule 7 of the Heavy Vehicle (Mass, Dimension and Loading) National Regulation not be placed in a way that makes the vehicle unstable or unsafe.

For more information and to access loading guides and tips visit nhvr.gov.au/loading

OWD 369.indd 9

26/9/2023 8:32 am

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

NRL legend joins road safety campaign The NHVR’s ‘We All Need Space’ campaign is being backed by a number of prominent Australians, including a former Brisbane Broncos champion The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and rugby league legend Sam Thaiday are coming together to spread an important message – ‘We All Need Space’.

The NHVR has launched the campaign to encourage road safety for drivers around heavy or oversized vehicles no matter where you’re driving or what conditions you’re under.

The campaign has drawn the voices of comedian Jimmy Rees, Australian country music artist James Blundell and now Brisbane Broncos champion Thaiday to speak out on the issue.

“So many of us get behind the wheel of a car every day; to get to work, do school drop offs and for me, back in the day, head to training,” Thaiday says.

“But unfortunately, we often forget to stop and think more deeply about our behaviour behind the wheel.

“In rugby league, especially as a second rower, I always aimed to give my opponents as little space as possible and break down their defence.

Above: Former rugby league international player Sam Thaiday. Photo: YouTube

“While the opposition may not need space on the field, trucks sure do on our roads!”

The NHVR is supporting safety campaigns such as this one and Rural Road Safety Month to try and educate road users about how to best approach driving around heavy vehicles.

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says that the regulator is fully committed

to the cause.

“As the heavy vehicle safety regulator, we work very closely with all truck operators and drivers to ensure their safety right across the heavy vehicle supply chain,” Petroccitto says.

“The launch of our We All Need Space campaign is now about bringing all road users in on the conversation around what they can do to stay safe

when out and about on Australian roads.

“Since it began in June, our We All Need Space campaign has already reached over four million people online, bolstered through our partnerships with influential talent across Australia.

“Now, having someone like Sam, who has transitioned from an NRL fan favourite to a wonderful community ambassador, come onboard to help us spread this important safety message is fantastic.

“With more than one million registered heavy vehicles across the country, it’s essential all road users understand how to drive safely around them.”

The NHVR has put out material across its website and social media channels on how to best share the roads with heavy vehicles, and how to overtake trucks safely.

Among the NHVR’s suggestions are maintaining a safe following distance, not lingering by the truck and not cutting in front of trucks.

AIR BRAKE FITTINGS D.O.T / S.A.E STANDARDS CONFORMANCE

Australia’s BIGGEST range and stockist of Metric / Imperial Push to Connect and Compression Style D.O.T Air Brake Fittings

Huge range available.

Approved to meet: Australian Design Rules ADR-38/05 DOT FMVSS 571.106, SAE J2494/3, SAE J1131 blanking plugs.

Lockable Fitting Cabinet

Brass Fittings

Mobile Fitting Stand

Full range of Brass fittings designed to suit North American and European Truck & Trailer Air Brake systems.

Emergency Break Down & Glove box kits

GP TRUCK PRODUCTS available from Truck & Trailer parts outlets Australia wide.

Compliant Standards: ADR-38/05

10 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_010_News_GB.indd 10

SCAN CODE FIND OUT MORE

UNCOMPROMISING PERFORMANCE

Pho n e +61 3 9580 1811 sales@gptruckproducts.com.au www.gptruckproducts.com.au

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:39 am

PLAN AHEAD WITH CAPPED * PRICE SERVICING THAT’S ANOTHER HINO

When everything goes to plan, you benefit. Delivery schedules are met. Customers are happy. Costs are kept under control.

Hino offers Capped Price Servicing across the entire model range, allowing you to budget ahead and minimise downtime.

All work is carried out by factory-trained technicians using advanced Hino diagnostic equipment, which means you know your truck is always maintained in first-rate running order. Vehicle software updates and a 3 Year Unlimited Kilometre Parts Warranty are all part of the service – choose a Hino Genuine Service today to cap costs and maximise uptime.

*Service offer applies to all Euro 5 models onwards and available only at participating Hino dealerships. Capped service price is a maximum price. Capped service prices are valid for 12 months and are subject to annual review with effect from 1 January in each calendar year. Please refer to website or contact your nearest Hino dealer for full details of the offer and pricing. ^Please refer to the website for full terms and conditions on 3 years unlimited kilometre parts warranty.

HINO39479.25 OWD 369.indd 23 11- Owner Driver #Jun 2023 - CPS 395x280.indd 1

XAVIER_HINO39704

Find out more at hino.com.au

15/5/2023 pm 26/9/2023 12:10 8:33 am

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

TWU’s global push for transport reform Trade unions across the globe are coming together in an effort to improve conditions for road transport drivers through Safe Rates The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is uniting with more than 50 trade unions around the world in a joint effort to push for transport reform.

The union effort is calling for governments across the world to implement Safe Rates systems to ensure that drivers and other transport workers are guaranteed minimum rates.

Safe Rates payment models enforce legal obligations across companies in the road transport supply chain, ensuring contracts are fair for workers.

12 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_012_News_GB.indd 12

The TWU is currently pushing the government to act upon legislation tabled by workplace relations minister Tony Burke to enforce minimum rates.

TWU national secretary Michael

Kaine says the unity of the unions will make their calls for change stronger.

“In Australia and around the world there is an urgent need for transport reform that can make our roads safer, not just for workers but for all road-users,” he says.

“The fight for Safe Rates globally is gaining pace, with over 50 unions joining with one call for systems that can address razor-thin margins, commercial pressure from the top of the supply chain and unfair competition from the gig economy.

“We’re calling not just on the Australian parliament but governments around the world to urgently back enforceable minimum standards that would ease the deadly pressures on drivers and operators.”

The campaign is being supported by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), a global union that represent more than 18 million workers in 154 countries.

It is a record coming together of unions across the world, with the participating unions representing more than a million transport workers.

The aim of the campaign, ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton says, is to get government to adopt Safe Rates systems that have already been employed in South Korea, Brazil and Canada.

“In countries all around the world, the multinationals that depend on road transport workers are cutting corners and driving down wages in the pursuit of ever-higher profits,” Cotton says.

“But these reckless and greedy practices aren’t just making life a

misery for road transport drivers, they are causing carnage and death on our roads.

“The Safe Rates campaign says that enough is enough: We know that when drivers are paid properly and have decent conditions, they are able to work without being forced to risk their own lives and the lives of everyone on the roads.

“Responsible employers know that fair and safe standards in road transport are not only good for workers, they make our whole industry safer and more sustainable.

“We stand ready to work with governments, road transport employers and client companies to define these standards and ensure that they are upheld throughout supply chains and across the road transport industry.”

Some key figures from a 2021 survey of Australian truck drivers have informed the TWU’s campaign, including: • 7 5 per cent of owner-drivers have done a run that made no profit • 4 2 per cent of owner-drivers didn’t raise safety concerns for fear of losing a contract • 5 5 per cent of owner-drivers had delayed maintenance they couldn’t afford • 1 in 4 employee drivers had been pressured to drive past legal hours and skip rest breaks • 1 in 5 employee drivers had been pressured to speed to meet deadlines • 1 in 5 employee drivers had been pressured to falsify logbooks – a means of tracking fatigue that is required by Heavy Vehicle National Law.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:41 am

WESTERN STAR’S 47X.

EXTRAORDINARILY VERSATILE.

With the shortest bumper-to-back-of-cab dimension in the 13L conventional market, it doesn’t get more versatile than the all-new Western Star 47X. Offering tremendous visibility and jam-packed with innovative Detroit Assurance safety features, truck occupants can rest assured that they’re in the safest hands.

Designed from the ground up, the 47X is available with either the automated manual Detroit DT12, manual Eaton Fuller, or fully automatic Allison transmission. With either Detroit’s new 525hp DD13 Gen 5 engine or Cummins 380hp L9 engine under the bonnet, the 47X delivers superior efficiency, power, and reliability.

Working on a job site or hauling on the highway, the 47X punches above its weight.

OWD 369.indd 13

WESTERNSTAR.COM.AU

26/9/2023 8:33 am

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

Feedback sought over Euro 6 axle limits HVIA joins NTC industry working group to discuss future increases in axle mass limits impacted by Euro 6 emissions regulations

Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is seeking feedback from members to inform future axle mass increases to accommodate the introduction of Euro 6 trucks.

The transport industry association’s technical, regulatory, and advocacy staff are active members of the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) industry working group that is currently discussing future changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).

One of these changes seeks to increase the mass limit for heavy vehicle steer and drive axles to offset the recent tare mass increases brought about by more-stringent emissions regulations (Euro 6), and advanced safety systems.

Over the past weeks, HVIA staff has sought and received feedback from specific member organisations that will help to inform these discussions and argue the case for greater axle mass limit increases, but welcome further feedback from others.

In particular, the association is seeking information or data relating to the specific mass increase (in kg) directly attributed to Euro 6 emissions regulation

compliance, and the specific mass increase (in kg) directly attributed to the fitment of advanced safety technologies (e.g. ABS/EBS, ECE cabin strength, AEBS, reversing technology, etc).

In addition, the HVIA is seeking further info relating to the impacts if vehicles are less than 15 tonnes GVM but do not receive any additional axle mass increase to offset safety/emissions technologies.

All ready electric Heavy loads. Zero tailpipe emissions

The Volvo FM, FMX and FH Electric trucks minimize CO2, noise and air pollution and enable high-capacity regional transportation in areas also with strict sound levels and emission regulations. To simplify the transition to electromobility, the trucks are offered together with solutions for charging, route and range planning, energy status and more.

Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress

14 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_014_News_GB.indd 14

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:43 am

U OT EA P M DE OR E) W AN NE SB RI (B

KEEP IT

COOL

KEEP IT FRESH NATION WIDE REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT EXPERTS

Auscool logistics are Australia’s trusted refrigerated transport and storage specialists. We specialise in temperature controlled supply chain from pickup to delivery, and have an impressive fleet that can be utilised to tailor make a bespoke supply chain solution for you.

MELBOURNE

OWD 369.indd 15

BRISBANE

INNISFAIL

SYDNEY

ADELAIDE

PERTH

26/9/2023 8:33 am

needs to be done and don’t need pen pushers making decisions we have no say in and that they know nothing about.

NRFA Julie Downey

GENUINE ENGAGEMENT

Transport reform vital Owner-drivers and small business owners should never go broke because of late paying customers

H

ave you ever carted for late payers? Chasing invoices at 60 or 90 days? What if you could pick up your next load and know you’ll have money in the bank in the next two to four weeks? What about companies that send you a rate SMS each month changing the prices and you are now dropping $15/ tonne? What if the minimum manifest you accept covered your actual costs?

Have you ever unloaded the freight safely and six weeks later your payment is refused because page 17 was unsigned? Undercut on a job you’ve done for years? You know you pay your drivers right. The other mob must be cutting maintenance and sham contracting? E.g. f lat rate via ABNs. The call for transport reform has never been so critical or urgent for all of us.

Transport has been a dog-eat-dog race to the bottom for far too long.

Already, the ‘big end of town’ organisations are painting it as a bad idea. I don’t know many seasonal fruit pickers who are on EBAs so the same job same pay ad misses the mark. Mostly it disappoints me that they really think we are all mugs.

Look, if the only way your business model works is to not pay your bills and to rip people off who are trying to support their families, then you need a better business model.

In the words of National Road Freighters Association (NRFA) past president Gordo McKinlay, “This legislation has the potential to make trucking a viable career again”.

In 2019, Australian truckies, companies and organisations were given a voice. Western Australia Senator Glenn Sterle chaired a Senate Inquiry called ‘Without Trucks Australia Stops: the development of a viable, safe, sustainable and efficient road transport industry’. The inquiry, lasting till 2021, delivered 10 recommendations after meeting with people just like us across Australia.

“Our industry is at a critical point. We need change that bolsters our viability, builds productivity and enhances safety for everyone.” – NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.

CLOSING LOOPHOLES

The Closing Loopholes Bill was tabled in Federal Parliament in early September.

And, of course, here is the obligatory disclaimer that this is not legal advice and not a complete summary.

Of note: Empowering the Fair Work

16 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_016_COL_NRFA_GB.indd 16

Commission (FWC): The Closing Loopholes Bill empowers the FWC to set minimum standards and hear disputes about unfair contract terms for smaller operators who wouldn’t otherwise afford the time or the cost of the current mechanism of lawyering up in the federal court. It’s about industry fairness, plain and simple.

FLEXIBLE MINIMUM STANDARDS

The Commission has discretion in determining what those minimum standards will cover, such as fair payment time, contract terms and fairer cost recovery. But unlike what happened in Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) it’s crucial that these standards don’t hurt the viability or competitiveness of owner-drivers and smaller businesses. With Minimum Standards you’ll be able to compete for work based on your value or set yourself apart with a service or business innovation that’s better than anyone else’s knowing that no one can undercut you below the f loor level of the minimum standard.

“Having Minimum Standards in place ensures an equality of competition and improved outcomes for transport operators and their customers. We don’t want another RSRT – we want something better.” – Peter Anderson, Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO).

REAL INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

A Road Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) will be established within the Fair Work Commission. It’ll consider applications for standards, guided by road transport people – making sure our voices continue to be heard. This is what sets it apart from the RSRT … truckies know what

JULIE DOWNEY is an NRFA board member and has been in the transport industry for 23 years. She has held her MC since 2007 and travelled most of Australia by truck with experience in admin as well as driving. Julie is well known in industry and political circles for her transport and road safety advocacy work.

Before setting minimum standards, the FWC must ensure there’s been genuine engagement with the parties and consider the realities of our industry’s commercial side.

“We’re a government that brings people together, and that’s what we’ve done with these important road transport reforms.” – Minister Tony Burke.

NOTICE OF INTENTION

All parties will get a fair go with a ‘notice of intention’ process, giving them time to mull over draft minimum standards before they become binding.

No surprises and no chasing your tail at short notice.

ADDRESSING SPECIFIC ISSUES

The legislation won’t tread on issues already covered by other laws. It’s about plugging the gaps and making our industry better. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

CONTRACT CHAIN PROVISIONS

“This legislation has the potential to make trucking a viable career again.”

We all know Chain of Responsibility (CoR). As drivers and employers we face substantial investigation post incident.

Where CoR falls short is that it looks at the parties involved in the physical and administrative tasks involved in the movement of that load. And usually after the fact, whether that be a tip off to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) hotline or, God forbid, an actual incident.

Contract Chain Provisions give the FWC and RTAG (Road Transport Advisory Group) the ability to look at the top end. Perhaps the consignor squeezing transport for discounts or untenable contracts signed with no regard for safety or cost recovery. Equally, if someone wants to play pass the parcel with the load then it’s possible that they might have to quote higher, to account for the missing pieces of pie once there is a minimum standard f loor level.

Let’s consider the recent fall of a major company, contracted to major retailers, sending full trailers out the gate, going to the wall when the retailers are posting profits – the contracts were unviable.

Almost every argument in the transport industry boils straight back down to raw cost recovery.

The NRFA, Transport Workers Union (TWU), NatRoad and ARTIO have worked hard together to advocate for all in transport to build a stronger future – a future where truckies can be proud, safe and profitable again.

“This is reform that has been shaped by industry … we call on Federal Parliament to pass this reform without delay.” – Michael Kaine, TWU national secretary.

Never in the history of Australian transport has there been a more united call for reform, from all levels of the industry. You should never go broke doing a good job simply because of a late paying customer or because the “top end of town” wants you to subsidise their profits at the expense of your livelihood.

Reach out to the NRFA for a chat.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 8:57 am

FRE10596_Freightliner THAB Campaign_FP_Owner Driver_280x395mm_FDTD_FA.indd 1 OWD 369.indd 17

18/9/2023 8:33 1:25 am pm 26/9/2023

TWU Michael Kaine

A day to remember Despite the Coalition’s efforts, we are on the cusp of a safer, fairer and more sustainable industry

I

t’s one to remember. It’s the date that, with Transport Workers Union (TWU) members and representatives from across road transport in the gallery of the House of Representatives, we saw legislation tabled that’s been developed by listening to an entire industry. You don’t get many of these days.

As Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke spoke of the issues in our industry, issues that would be addressed by this lifesaving legislation, he was watched by the people who’ve been fighting for fairer, safer transport not just for years but for decades.

He was watched by people who, once at loggerheads over how reform should be achieved, were now sitting side-by-side, each of whom had a hand in presenting a solution that would mean real change.

On the floor of Parliament, after years of being ignored at every turn by the previous government, finally there is legislation that if passed would mean a safer, fairer, more sustainable industry.

Burke’s call to the voices of opposition was simple: if they’re going to argue against this reform, they should defend the fact that gig workers are earning below minimum wage, the exploitative model of the gig economy dragging down the rest of the industry.

They should defend the idea that those who hold the economic power at the top of the supply chain can demand faster and cheaper transport, while drivers and operators are already balancing on a knifeedge or dying on our roads.

Well, we know they can’t defend it.

18 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_018_COL_TWU_GB.indd 18

Minimum standards in transport are necessary in what has become an industry plagued by death and financial volatility, and having those standards is urgent.

ONE STEP CLOSER

The tabling of the legislation, part of the ‘Closing the Loopholes’ bill, means we are one step closer to a safer, fairer, more sustainable industry, and it’s a testament to two things that we are in this position now.

One, that our industry is in a crisis such as it has never seen before, which grows worse with every passing day.

But two, that we have joined together to surmount this crisis instead of bringing each other further down. So though we still have the likes of Aldi and Amazon resisting change—because they’re the ones who profit from the crisis while drivers and operators pay the price—the rest of the industry is united.

Many of those who have fought for the hardest for this reform won’t see the results of it; they’ve left the industry or they’re reaching hard-earned retirement after years or decades pushing for change. But their passion and their belief in this work is important enough that they’ve given it everything, and now they’re fighting for the ones who will come after them.

I had drivers tell me over the week that if their sons or daughters wanted to follow in their footsteps, they’d tell them not to, the way things currently are.

There are too many family members of drivers who are constantly dreading a 4am phone call that something terrible has happened on the road. Too many family

MICHAEL KAINE is the national secretary of the Transport Workers Union of Australia. Contact Michael at: NSW Transport Workers Union, Transport House, 188-390 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. twu@twu.com.au

members who’ve received that call.

But there’s a flip side that with this legislation, road transport can become an industry that people want to be a part of, or that they’d want their loved ones to be a part of.

The journey to this point has not been measured in weeks or months or even years, but decades. We had, briefly, a system that could have made a real difference, but which was flawed. But those years were not for nothing.

The day the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was abolished, the wheels were already in motion to come back better, more united, because the people in this industry are nothing if not resilient, and that’s exactly what has happened.

Senator Glenn Sterle’s Senate Inquiry into Road Transport has been a pivotal part in that. The Inquiry heard from 150 witnesses over two years, all while the Coalition was turning a blind eye to the decimation of the industry.

It has now brought us to the point where we can sit in a room together and explain to Members of Parliament—from right across the political spectrum—why they must vote for this change when the time comes.

Over the course of the week, those politicians heard from a broad delegation: TWU owner-drivers, employee drivers and gig workers, Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) national secretary Peter Anderson, representatives from the National Road Freighters Association (NRFA) Glynn Castanelli, Chris Roe and Gordon Mackinlay, Tasmanian Transport Association executive director Michelle Harwood, FBT Transwest managing director Cameron Dunn and ACFS CEO Arthur Tzaneros.

You wouldn’t catch anyone from Amazon joining this group. They were too busy making shocking claims at a Senate Inquiry that their workers had never raised any safety concerns (despite being infamous for having some of the worst working conditions in the world). They’re the exact reason we need this legislation, before the Amazon effect can obliterate the transport industry as we know it.

Of course, the road before us is still long.

Reform would come into effect on 1 July 2024, but with the vote now delayed until early 2024, there is more time for both sides to continue this fight.

That means we will see big business continuing to make its usual claims that reform will be bad for the economy, or even, incredibly, that gig workers earn plenty, actually.

Their arguments don’t stack up and never have, and they will continue to skirt around the edges of the legislation instead of admitting what they’re actually trying to say: that profits should lift at the expense of the people who actually make them the money.

We will have to keep giving this everything we’ve got. It’s up to us all to show Federal Parliament why it’s crucial to vote up this legislation, both for workers and operators now and into the future.

This, though—this is a real moment of celebration, and it’s a moment to remember as we push on with the job.

We are closer than ever. The Coalition has forced a delay on it being passed but if we remain unified we will still see reform come into effect on July 1, 2024. And that’ll really be a day to remember.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:00 am

PERFORMANCE & ECONOMY

DD16 NO COMPROMISE

500-600

HORSEPOWER

@1,800 RPM

1,850-2,050

lb-ft @975RPM

15.6L

INLINE 6 DIESEL ENGINE

&

GHG21

COMPLIANCE

EPA10

EMISSIONS

Extreme duty and heavy hauling for your biggest jobs Detroit’s most powerful truck engine ever, the DD16 boasts 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 emissions requirements are met through innovative fuel efficiency.

This power, performance, and efficiency are backed by the most comprehensive warranty and extended coverage packages, ensuring the highest level of support for our customers.

When you buy a Detroit product, you’re buying billions of miles of engineering excellence. Tried and true, Detroit engines that are built to ride the roughest roads.

With Detroit, there’s no compromise.

detroitaustralia.com.au  detroitanz

OWD 369.indd 19

26/9/2023 8:33 am

roadtrain report

KING OF THE KENNELS

20 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 20

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:05 am

Right now, it’s the only one of its kind in the Mack world and apparently, won’t be widely available on the Australian market until the back half of next year. Even so, those inside the corporate kennel say there are already plenty of people eager to bed down in the sprawling 70-inch sleeper showcased on a Super-Liner at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. Steve Brooks drives into doggy dreamtime in western Queensland

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 21

O

n the face of it, it’s just the story of a SuperLiner with a super-sized sleeper. But there’s more to it. Heaps more, and the simple fact is that the introduction a few years back of Mack Anthem was always destined to be a big thing for the flagship Super-Liner. Even more to the point, Super-Liner needed Anthem, big time, and here’s why.

For starters, Super-Liner is a uniquely Australian product with no US counterpart. In fact, there’s nothing even remotely like it on the other side of the pond and as Mack’s local litter likes to bark loud and proud, Super-Liner is ‘built here, for here’.

Fair enough, but in a world ruled like never before by commercial constraints and corporate rationalisation, the economic justification for expensive local developments in relatively low volume markets such as ours is invariably on shaky ground. When it comes to cabs, for instance, the viability of significantly reshaping Mack’s long-serving, all‑steel shed to make it bigger and better equipped for

OCTOBER 2023 21

27/9/2023 9:05 am

Australia alone would be fanciful at best.

Enter Anthem! Sure, it too is built here on the same Wacol (Qld) production line as Super-Liner and its siblings but have no doubt, it’s a truck which was first and foremost designed in North America, for North America, and specifically the American linehaul market. And that’s exactly the reason why, long before its official US launch in 2018 and subsequent Australian debut in 2021, bulldog boffins within Volvo Group Australia (VGA) were keen as hounds on the hunt to integrate Anthem assets into Super-Liner’s structure. Anthem’s advanced electrical architecture would, for example, provide access to the latest drivetrain developments, effectively allowing Mack to catch up with colleagues and competitors alike.

Likewise, the prospect of offering Super-Liner with a stand-up cab coupled to a range of fully integrated, factory-built sleeper options had Mack insiders almost drooling with anticipation, and perhaps none salivating more than Dean Bestwick, the former head of Mack Trucks Australia, and his successor, Mack vice-president Tom Chapman.

Historically, Mack Australia has been largely free to do its own thing in the development of models for this country’s conditions.

Trucks like Titan, Super-Liner, Trident and Metro-Liner are unique to Australia and thus, blatant proof of the level of local autonomy which endured for many decades. However, as a blunt Bestwick (now in a senior position with Mack in the US) asserted some years back, “The numbers, the economics, just don’t stack up anymore. The world has changed.

“We need more from America and Anthem provides the things we want. Simple as that.”

More precisely, Super-Liner and its siblings were aging fast.

Simple as that.

Anthem opened the door to America like never before, drawing a new line in the sand for Mack both here and in its US homeland. Evolutionary more than revolutionary, yet sporting external styling unlike anything in the world, it was in every way a milestone model marking that point where the status quo was refashioned, reformed and roundly rejuvenated in a bold bid to dramatically broaden Mack’s horizons.

In the US, with Anthem boasting a stand-up cab and fully integrated 70-inch sleeper for the first time, plus a swathe of desperately needed developments including advanced wiring and electronics systems, greater emphasis on driver comfort and convenience, and the standard inclusion of the Bendix Wingman stability control package, Mack was effectively launching itself back into North America’s long distance highway business. Or at least, back into the brawl for a

22 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 22

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:05 am

“Big bunks aren’t new to Mack, but nor are little bunks and in Super-Liner’s case, the choice is wider than ever.” bigger bite of the bone.

Locally though, it surprised nobody that among the long list of Anthem attributes being closely eyeballed for our market was a reconfigured version of an aging cab structure which allowed a tall driver of 1.8 metres and more (six feet-plus) to stand upright from the driver’s seat and access a large, well-equipped sleeper section.

“Anthem will give us a massive boost,” said Dean Bestwick during an impromptu interview in the spacious surrounds of a high-rise Anthem cab and 70-inch sleeper during the 2019 Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky. For Bestwick and his bulldog brethren, the possibilities were palpable and there’s little doubt that even back then, the prospect of adapting Anthem’s stand-up cab and premier sleeper to Super-Liner was square in their sights.

Crucially, it’s worth noting that Dean Bestwick and Tom Chapman weren’t the only Australians closely eyeing Anthem and its biggest bunk. Another visitor to Mid-America in 2019 was VGA senior product manager Scott Simpson who would have a major hand in Anthem’s testing and validation for the Australian market.

Calm and thoughtful, it was nonetheless a candid Simpson who confidently remarked, “There’s a lot to like and from what I’ve seen, there are no glaring issues in durability terms. The gusseting they’ve done to strengthen the cab for the higher roofline seems really strong … we already know this is a durable cab and with Anthem there are a lot of improvements in a lot of areas.

“I’d say they’ve done a really good job with it.” High praise from a man with a natural propensity for cautious commentary.

Yet even back then it was apparent that while the stand-up cab would be appealing to many, the 70-inch sleeper would be simply too long for Anthem’s target markets in Australia, namely heavy rigid, single trailer and B-double duties.

On the other hand, the combination of a high-rise cab and fully integrated mega-bunk would almost certainly add

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 23

a powerful string to Super-Liner’s bow for heavy haulage, roadtrain roles and the like. Indeed, one of the biggest attractions – literally and physically – at the Brisbane Truck Show earlier this year was the first Super-Liner with the standup cab and sprawling 70-inch sleeper.

So, it’ll surprise no one to learn that the offer to take the same outfit on an 1100km round-trip between Mt Isa and Hughenden with an AB-triple in tow didn’t need to be made twice. Besides, after several years since our last stint in a Super‑Liner, there was more to experience than just a night sleeping in a bigger bunk.

Bunks and brawn

Big bunks aren’t new to Mack, but nor are little bunks and in Super-Liner’s case the choice is wider than ever.

For more length-conscious roles like B-doubles, there’s a lowline 28-inch sleeper and since Anthem’s arrival, a 36-inch highrise bunk integrated with the stand-up cab. More traditional are homegrown 58-inch and 64-inch sleepers in mid-rise and hi-rise form built by Joe Bradley Fibreglass in the Brisbane suburb of Strathpine. However, for the past seven years or so, and with an obvious eye on bringing as much business in-house as possible, Mack has also offered a tall 60-inch berth derived from a premium Mack linehaul sleeper from the US. In fact, in 2016 we drove the first Super-Liner fitted with the high-rise 60-inch bunk on its maiden run, overnighting at Charleville during an exercise in western Queensland which even then exposed the need for a taller cab to partner the taller sleeper. As our subsequent report stated, ‘There’s no question that even at first glance, Mack’s new 60-inch sleeper is quick to impress. Sure, you still have the issue of no standing room between the seats but with this bunk it’s only one stooped step from the driver’s pew to a place where even big blokes have the space to stand bolt upright, stretch out, get changed, lay down, hang clothes, get something cool out of the fridge, and generally unwind after hours at the wheel.

Above: Like a mini apartment, space and comfort are supreme in the 70 inch sleeper but it’s largely still in left-hand drive layout.

No doubt, changes will be made before production starts on the Wacol (Qld) production line next year Opposite top: Big Bunk. Indeed!

Opposite bottom: Crowd puller.

Super-Liner and fully integrated 70-inch bunk at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show. We didn’t need to be asked twice if we wanted to take it for an overnight stay in western Queensland

OCTOBER 2023 23

27/9/2023 9:05 am

“It shouldn’t surprise anyone that comfort and space are supreme in Mack’s mobile apartment.”

‘A word of warning though: take care when moving from the bunk to the cab. There’s a huge height difference and in the “wee” hours when Nature’s call interrupts deep sleep, it’s easy to knock the noggin on the rear edge of the cab roof; and knock it hard when you’re blurry-eyed and in a hurry.’

Bearing the bruise, the simple conclusion was, ‘The Mack cab is, in fact, starting to show its age with the complete absence of a stand-up option to complement the several tall sleepers already offered by the brand’.

Now, thanks to Anthem, the introduction of a stand-up cab gratefully makes drowsy head-butts a thing of the past while the addition of a 70-inch bunk undeniably adds a new dimension to Super-Liner status. Meantime, word from within the corporate kennel suggests the bigger sleeper will most likely replace the 60-inch model in due course.

Still, the combination in this exercise remains the only one of its kind in Australia, with the sleeper fully imported from Mack’s US options list. The plan, however, is to assess the cab and sleeper combination in the heavy-duty and often rugged roles where such premium packages are generally sought, make any necessary adjustments for Australian conditions before ultimately assembling the sleeper from scratch at Wacol along with all the finishing touches in trim and fittings.

Obviously enough, it takes a big foundation to mount such a big cab and sleeper combination and the trial truck certainly wasn’t short on the physical stature of a Super-Liner set for

24 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 24

heavy hauls in the backblocks. Built on a 6.1 metre wheelbase and with a gross combination mass rating of 131 tonnes, the truck carried fuel capacity of 2000 litres and 200 litres of AdBlue to keep the big bore MP10 engine barking at peak outputs of 685hp and 2300lb-ft of torque. According to Mack, tare weight with roughly half-full tanks was around 10.4 tonnes.

At this point, it’s worth noting that while the 16 litre engine was fuelled with regular diesel, it can – like most of its latest Volvo and UD kin – also run on hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO), said to have similar attributes to normal diesel but producing lower CO2 emissions. Right now though, HVO use is severely limited by scant availability and high cost, making the alternative fuel’s immediate future more fanciful than fruitful.

Top & above left: With the sleeper mounted on airbags, ride quality for two-up roles is a strong feature. Meantime, an Icepack is part of Mack’s ‘Outback Pack’ Opposite: Another otherwise good driving layout is marred by an awkward control panel for the mDrive transmission and a somewhat bland décor. With its 70 inch fully integrated sleeper, Super-Liner is a top-shelf truck deserving of a top-shelf image Right: Mack’s fully integrated 70-inch sleeper made its first appearance with the new Anthem at the 2019 Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

In our neck of the woods, bulldog boffins were justifiably drooling over Anthem’s assets for Super‑Liner

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:05 am

Back on the hardware, Mack’s decision to delete manual transmissions entirely from its product range is nowadays easy to accept. Since the availability of crawler cogs in the mDrive automated transmission, along with the smoother shifts and ‘Grade Gripper’ hill-hold function provided by more modern electronics, the self-shifter has become even more appealing and accepted across the vast spectrum of transport tasks.

In this case, the Super-Liner ran through the HD 13-speed version of mDrive, with ratios ranging from a 17.54:1 crawler cog to a 0.78:1 overdrive top gear.

It’s no secret, of course, there’s also an XHD 14-speed model using the same 12 ‘on road’ ratios but adding two crawler gears turning at 19.38 and a mountain climbing 32.04:1, as well as ultra-deep reverse ratios down to a snailing 37.49:1.

Predictably perhaps, given the combination’s relatively modest gross weight of around 88 tonnes, the single crawler of the 13-speed HD was more than ample for easy lift-offs on inclines. Moreover, with the MP10’s burly muscle running through a 3.7:1 final drive ratio, the Mack was untroubled holding the 90km/h roadtrain speed limit with the engine burbling calmly around 1200rpm in top gear.

To state the obvious, the 685hp MP10 is a potent performer, ideally programmed with peak power on stream from 1500 to 1900rpm and top torque on tap from 1000 to 1500rpm. Simply stated, the engine is delivering either maximum torque or maximum power all the way from 1000rpm to 1900rpm. A note of caution though: With such strong torque feeding through such a long chassis, it takes a feather foot

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 25

on the throttle to avoid a hint of torque wind-up during lift-off.

Nonetheless, the sharply undulating country between Mt Isa and Cloncurry was little challenge to the Mack even with just a few thousand kilometres under its belt. In fact, the only stretch that might have made the dog pant even a little was the long, hard haul over the Mary Kathleen climb on the run back to Mt Isa where, with manual mode engaged, the steepest pinch near the top prompted a shift down to 6th gear where the engine barked big and bold around 1500rpm. Slick, smooth and strong.

Meantime, it’s probably worth mentioning that after 1100km and with three curtain-sided trailers being pummelled by sweeping side winds for much of the return leg, a fuel figure of 1.32km/litre – or 3.73mpg for us more mature types – didn’t seem too bad at all. Better still, it’ll probably only improve as more mileage gathers.

But it’s also needs to be pointed out that one aspect of Mack’s design remains less than likeable: Compared to the finger-tip shift control wands or levers of every other truck in this class, the mDrive transmission’s press button control panel is awkwardly sited on the top left of the dash fascia.

It’s awkward because when big hills like Mary K make manual mode preferable, the driver has to lean forward and across to make a shift.

Simply, it’s an old, even archaic design. Still, it probably won’t change until an entirely new cab eventually comes into being, probably from Volvo’s US stocks and probably not for a few years

yet. Whatever, it’s another story for another day.

Probably!

Anyway, eastbound past the ’curry and on to Julia Creek, Richmond and Hughenden, the road flattens to a long run through wide open plains but that’s not to suggest it’s a carefree canter through the Queensland countryside. Not at all, and certainly not for the drivers of triples and quads sharing the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Cloncurry with the modern-day exodus of cars, caravans and motorhomes heading to or from the back o’ beyond.

Sure, everyone has a right to the road but when much of the road is a skinny, scarred strip of sunken furrows, scrappy fringes and deceptive drops on either side, with regular signs obliging truck drivers to call their unseen approach on UHF, the burden of responsibility and danger of distraction find rare focus at the helm of an outfit snaking almost half a football field into the backdrop.

Yet despite the occasional demands on mind and machine, it was on the many less likeable stretches of road that one of the true pleasures of driving this Super-Liner was revealed. Steering! To be blunt, Super-Liner simply steers better than before. More direct and firmer, maybe even bordering on ‘too firm’ for some, but with a new steering box ratio and reconfigured rods, it is unquestionably free of the looseness and somewhat ‘washy’ traits which have marred our earlier opinions of Super-Liner steering.

In a nutshell, the driver’s view over a dog’s bum has always been a benefit for lining up the side of

OCTOBER 2023 25

27/9/2023 9:05 am

“Mack’s decision to delete manual transmissions entirely from its product range is nowadays easy to accept.” the road but thankfully, the dog no longer wants to wander near as much.

Bedtime story Above: Flashback to 2016. We took a Super-Liner with Mack’s 60 inch sleeper on its maiden voyage and as good as the bunk was, it highlighted the need for a stand-up cab. In time, the new 70-inch fully integrated sleeper will almost certainly replace the 60 inch shed Below: Out where the big boys work, Super-Liner is entirely at home

26 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_020-26_Mack Super-Liner_GB.indd 26

Dusk was a red rim on the western horizon as Hughenden loomed into view and later, with shower, dinner and idle chatter done, it didn’t take much encouragement to stroll into the sleeper. For starters, the ability to simply stand full length between the seats for anyone up to 1.86 metres tall cannot be overstated. When you’re spending long days and nights away from home, stand-up cabs are quite simply one of the great benefits of the modern age over the cramped boxes some longhaul drivers are still expected to endure.

But of course, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that comfort and space are supreme in Mack’s mobile apartment. The king single

mattress is top quality, there’s a big fridge, a stack of storage space both in the cab and under the bunk, a deep locker for hanging clothes, a handy slide-out tray and as part of Mack’s ‘Outback Pack’ for roadtrain roles, an ‘Icepack’ for keeping in-cab temperature comfortable, day or night.

There was also a microwave and TV but typifying the sleeper’s left-hand drive origin, the tele sat above the fridge behind the driver’s seat. A small detail perhaps, but drivers in our part of the world generally sleep with their head behind the driver’s seat, so the TV should ideally be on the other side where the clothes locker stands. Hopefully, Mack will reverse the layout and basically, adopt the same arrangement as the current 60-inch sleeper which has most things exactly where they should be.

Likewise, some drivers might also find the absence of a large hatch door on the side of the bunk a notable omission. Again, it’s easy to recall a hatch door on the driver’s side of the 60-inch sleeper but it remains to be seen if Mack will add it to the 70-inch model.

Whatever, in a quiet corner of Hughenden, sleep came easy on a superbly comfortable bed. The only disturbance, of course, came in the ‘wee’ hours of the morning but gratefully, this time it didn’t take a thump in the forehead to drift back to dreamtime.

Likewise, there’s little doubt about the ride quality of the airsuspended cab and sleeper for two-up operations. A short stint on the bed when VGA’s Matt Wood drove for a while simply confirmed that snoozin’ and cruisin’ aren’t polar opposites in Mack’s biggest bunkhouse.

Yet for all its undeniable comfort and space, features and appointments, performance and road manners, the interior décor of the Super-Liner cab and its fully integrated mega-bunk borders on bland.

Sure, it’s a personal judgement but compared to one hugely popular brand in particular (no prizes for guessing which one), Mack’s grades of grey in both cab and bunk do little to inspire an image of top-shelf trucking in a flagship model which so obviously and genuinely deserves a more appealing interior finish.

Maybe a woodgrain panel or two. Whatever, as long as it adds a splash of character, class and even colour to sell the message that Mack means business. Big business, literally.

After all, drivers notice such things and make no mistake, Super-liner with a fully integrated 70-inch sleeper is every inch a driver’s truck.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:05 am

Superior construction and performance; now with intelligent control.

Unlock your Ultima light bar’s full potential with a revolutionary new Ultima Connect+ Controller.* Featuring 3 customisable driving modes, boost mode and the ability to connect multiple lights, Connect+ gives you total beam control.

Ultima High Performance Light Bars are the first in Narva’s innovative Ultima Connect+ range.

BRAWN: Ultima Light Bars • Market-leading beam performance • 2 beam pattern options available • Unprecedented 10-year warranty BRAINS: Connect+ Controller • Adjustable brightness • Boost mode – 15% more power for 30 seconds • Single unit to control all Connect+ enabled products *Sold separately

ULTRA-WIDE FLOOD BEAM PATTERN

LONG & WIDE HYBRID BEAM PATTERN

YEAR WARRANTY

CONNECT+

IP68 IP69K

CUSTOM TRIMS

SCAN TO SEE THEM IN ACTION

narva.com.au

OWD 369.indd NRV-UL 27 J005508 FP Ad Owner Driver Oct FINAL_3.indd

2

26/9/2023 8:33 am 20/9/2023 12:11 pm

HIGHWAY ADVOCATES Robert Bell

Fighting for justice Highway Advocates: A journey of dedication to the heavy vehicle industry

A

s the founder and creator of Highway Advocates, I am immensely proud of the remarkable journey that this legal practice has embarked upon since our inception in May 2021. Highway Advocates wasn’t just born out of necessity; it was born out of a deep understanding of the challenges that those in the heavy vehicle industry face daily.

Having been a truck driver myself in the past, I intimately knew the complexities, the regulations, and the risks that come with operating heavy vehicles on our roads. When the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) was introduced in 2014, it was touted as a ‘uniform and simple’ law that would revolutionize the industry. However, it soon became evident that the reality was far from simple. The enforcement of the HVNL was anything but uniform, and different Police Forces and Services applied their own interpretations, leading to a patchwork of legal complexities.

With the creation of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the industry was promised a framework that would promote safety, manage environmental impact, enhance productivity, and encourage safe business practices. These objectives were noble, but the challenges in achieving them were immense.

Highway Advocates was founded on the principles of specialised expertise and unwavering dedication to those who form the backbone of the heavy vehicle industry. Our mission was clear: to stand as advocates for those who keep our roads moving, providing them with the legal representation they deserve.

Since our humble beginnings, we have taken on nearly 1,000 cases, each one presenting its unique set of challenges.

Most of these cases were fought against the odds, as courts traditionally took a hard line on heavy vehicle offences.

Yet, we persevered, leaving no stone unturned to secure favourable outcomes for our clients.

Allow me to share some of our notable achievements: • One memorable case involved a client facing a daunting 28 charges under the HVNL, with potential penalties exceeding $332,000 and a staggering 69 demerit points on conviction.

Our extensive written submissions and tireless representation led to a $2000 fine and conviction on just one charge, with all other 27 charges being

28 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_028_COL_Highway Advocates_GB.indd 28

dismissed subject to a conditional release order • In another instance, three clients faced critical breaches and a redlight camera offence in a Local Court in NSW. Through our meticulous written submissions, all charges were miraculously dismissed upon guilty pleas • Two clients facing multiple critical breaches, substantial breaches, and a false and misleading charge in a Brisbane Court saw a total outcome of just a $ 1,000 fine with no recorded convictions • We also represented a Melbournebased client facing a daunting 21 fatigue-related charges, each carrying a maximum penalty exceeding $180,000. Astonishingly, the outcome was no convictions or penalties, just a $500 donation to the court fund.

ROBERT BELL and his team of legal professionals are Highway Advocates, a focused legal practice dealing with heavy vehicle offences throughout Australia. Robert is an ‘industry insider’ with a wealth of transport sector experience. He is the guiding force behind the successful outcomes that Highway Advocates consistently achieve. Contact Highway Advocates at admin@ highwayadvocates.com. au or 0488 01 01 01. Visit their website at www. highwayadvocates.com.au

UNWAVERING COMMITMENT

Our journey has been nothing short of remarkable, with achievements spanning from critical breach charges to mass breaches and even dangerous driving causing death or serious injury offences. These outcomes stand as a testament to our unwavering commitment to our clients, and each

“All charges were remarkably withdrawn or dismissed.”

success story fuels our determination to keep fighting for justice.

One case that particularly highlights our dedication involved a corporate client in NSW facing potential fines of over $210,000 for a single mass breach. Our representations to the NHVR resulted in two charges being withdrawn, ultimately leading to a maximum fine of $81,900 in court, with an outcome of just $2,000 in fines.

Another case in NSW saw a client confronting multiple fatigue charges and road rule offences with penalties soaring beyond $100,000. Through a notguilty plea and skilful representation to NSW Police, all charges were remarkably withdrawn or dismissed.

Highway Advocates is not just a legal practice; it’s a commitment to justice, a dedication to the heavy vehicle industry, and a promise to our clients. Many of you may have seen our prominent billboards along the East Coast highways boldly proclaiming ‘Lawyers to the Heavy Vehicle Industry’. While our core focus remains on heavy vehicle matters, our growth and the inf lux of experienced legal professionals have allowed us to offer a comprehensive one-stop legal service for all drivers and operators.

We understand the unique challenges that heavy vehicle drivers and operators face, and we’re here to provide support not just in heavy vehicle law but in family law, domestic violence, insurance, and any other legal aspect that may affect you in your role as a heavy vehicle driver or operator. If we can’t directly assist you, we have access to a network of legal professionals who can.

Highway Advocates is more than a legal practice; it’s a promise to keep you on the road and out of legal strife elsewhere. Our industry insider advantage guides our path, and we remain advocates in the truest sense of the word.

In this ever-evolving legal landscape, Highway Advocates stands firm, unwavering in our dedication to championing the rights and interests of those who keep our nation’s goods moving and our roads safe. Together, we continue this remarkable journey, forging ahead as advocates for justice in the world of heavy vehicle law.

Highway Advocates is keeping you on the road and now helping you in more ways than ever before.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:08 am

industry focus

VIVA ENERGY’S SHELL CARD WIN Shell Card rated best in Australia by small business

V

iva Energy’s Shell Card has been rated the best fuel card in the country by small businesses in the annual survey conducted by Canstar Blue.

The winner of the ‘Most Satisfied Customers Award – Small Business Fuel Cards, 2023’ was decided through a survey of more than 450 small business owners and key decision makers, who were questioned about their use of fuel cards in the last 12 months.

Shell Card was found to be the leader in all eight categories, including Overall Satisfaction, Client Service, Petrol Station Facilities, Account Management, Loyalty Program, Fees and

ABOVE: The Shell Card Team with the much sought-after Canstar Blue award

Charges, Petrol Station Availability and Fuel Discounts.

Jevan Bouzo, Viva Energy’s CEO of Convenience and Mobility, said it is pleasing to see the efforts of Viva Energy’s Shell Card team being recognised and appreciated by customers.

“Our team members are constantly striving to provide customers with service that exceeds their expectations,” Mr Bouzo said. “This award shows that their efforts are being recognised.

“It is fantastic that Shell Card is critical for so many small businesses. Continuing to improve the Shell Card offer for Australian businesses is a key focus for us.”

Shell Card has been actively working on improving its offerings and services in the fuel card space over the last 12 months, ensuring we are implementing market-leading changes that directly help our customers.

Shell Card now has a dedicated Australia-

based call centre, providing quality customer support and assistance. It has also introduced the new Shell Card Portal, giving account managers more control over their fuel management. Enhancements to the Shell Card GO app have also been made, giving f leet managers more visibility to monitor and track their f leet’s fuel consumption. Shell Card has made a targeted effort to expand its partner network, ensuring customers have access to plenty of service stations and competitively priced fuel.

The Canstar research showed that the Shell Card outperformed the rest of the market across all variables, particularly on fuel discounts and fees and charges. The research identified that client service and the loyalty program are the strongest drivers of overall customer satisfaction for small business fuel cards.

WHY BECOME A NATROAD MEMBER? We support trucking companies with business advice, great discounts and helps you take the stress out of compliance and workplace decisions.

E ER IV MB US E CL D M RS EX OA FE R OF AT N

“In the last 6 months, I have saved $4,682 on tyres and diesel!”

NatRoad Member, paying $1,111 in annual membership fee.* * Based on 5 truck annual membership fee. Membership fees vary based on truck numbers.

It’s time you too joined NatRoad.

Call today 1800 272 144 or scan this QR-code.

Print_Ads_20230713_Owner_Driver_HALF_260x180mm.indd 1

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_029_Industry Focus_Viva Energy_GB.indd 29

12/9/2023 10:17

OCTOBER 2023 29

27/9/2023 9:10 am

NO SOLUTION

EYES ON THE ROAD Rod Hannifey

The road our workplace It’s at a snail’s pace but is the NSW Government at long last waking to the needs of truck drivers?

W

hat is the difference between whingeing, complaining or just trying to be heard? Now yes, if you say, “You so and so’s won’t listen and fix this XYZ problem”, you are certainly less likely to get them to then listen, aren’t you? Of course, you would have to be a fool to say, “What a good job you have done” when that is certainly not the case.

So when you present the facts, “This is what I have done in trying to get you to listen and this is what happened,” and the problem is either still there or worse, is that not raising an issue to see action and a solution? So going onto Facebook and doing either, without responding to a survey, request for information or even a government inquiry, will rarely if ever see change from simply complaining there.

Government is still people, like you and me. They don’t generally respond well to simple criticism, yet we as an industry have been asking for the

same things for well over 30 years and the concerns are still the same and the solutions, certainly as we see them, have not changed. However, they certainly have not been instituted or done to the necessary level required to solve the problem.

The road toll is still rising, there are more cars, lots more caravans and there are more trucks, simply to carry and deliver all the needs of all the people. We are a service industry to all Australians. Yes, people travel to work to do their part, to do their jobs and they use the roads. Yes, there are others who use the roads in their work but there are few others where the road is their full workplace and their job is to use the road to deliver everything for everyone.

ROD HANNIFEY, a transport safety advocate, has been involved in raising the profile of the industry, conducting highway truck audits, the Blue Reflector Trial for informal parking bays on the Newell, the ‘Truckies on Road Code’, the national 1800 number for road repairs proposal, and the Better Roadside Rest Areas Group. Rod is the current president of the NRFA. Contact Rod on 0428 120 560, e-mail rod.hannifey@bigpond. com or visit www.truckright.com.au

Transport for NSW recently released the Heavy Vehicle Rest Stop Stakeholder Engagement Report which is the result from the request for input into where we needed truck rest areas in NSW which started last year. It is comprehensive, puts in black and white what we need and why (and it even states the road is our workplace, yet we can’t get government to agree and enshrine that as it leaves them open to a bigger problem) but it does not either offer a solution or a path to one. It does say they are looking at ways to procure funding towards fixing it, but not how or even when such things are likely to happen.

Many of you who took part nominated Sydney as in need. There was another survey seeking input and comment (I completed it) specifically following the election promise where truck parking in Sydney was to be funded and improved. Here’s hoping you responded to www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/ western-sydney-heavy-vehicle-rest-area before October 1 and put in your two or 20 cents worth. The survey was simple and took about 10 minutes. Will it alone fix the problem? No! Will it be likely to achieve anything if only 10 drivers complete it? Probably not. But if 1000 drivers took 15 minutes, they could possibly achieve more than I have done in years, because I have been asking for this since before the M7 was built and they tried to take away the dirt shoulder before where you turned off

“We as an industry have been asking for the same things for well over 30 years.” onto the M5. I explained it was the last place to stop and it was then retained, until progress took it away completely.

Until we have a tunnel many years from now, the M4 will sees A-doubles and 19 or 20 metre trucks coming that way, but the Hume, the Pacific and other routes are all doubles or bigger now and that must be taken into account.

Please let me know if you disagree but the one thing the report above did not specifically contain is the need for not just somewhere to stop and sleep but the need for a good sleep opportunity.

We can and do stop in places where we might get good sleep, right beside the Hume for example, so if you are buggered enough you will get some sleep. But simply having a bit of dirt inches off the highway is not good enough if you are not tired but need to stop simply to comply. At those times you might need shade – a toilet and even a shower would be nice – but you need to be in a place that you don’t have another truck pulling up either side of you every 15 minutes dropping maxis and slamming doors. Being woken an hour into your seven hours is not the best way to get good quality sleep, which should set you up to do the next day’s work safely.

However, it is good to see these efforts in asking what we need, and where we need it by.

30 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_030_COL_Rod Hannifey_GB.indd 30

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:12 am

OWD 369.indd 31

26/9/2023 8:33 am

truck of the month

TICKING ALL BOXES

Owner-driver Tim McCarthy followed his grandfather and father into trucking, with a couple of detours along the way.

With a commitment to family and hard work, Tim’s choice of a Scania P320 has proven to be a godsend. Warren Aitken writes

32 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 32

T

im McCarthy’s 2021 Scania P320 may not be the biggest truck out there, but it’s a perfect fit for the young owner-driver – and he sure as hell has managed to manoeuvre it into some pretty interesting locations, as I saw first-hand as he delivered a load of plastic water tanks.

First up, I should focus on the McCarthy family as well as their cool Scania which is the main subject of this article. If you have scoped out the photos already, you will notice the name on the truck is McCarthy Trucking.

Not Tim McCarthy Trucking or even Tim Trucking. It is McCarthy Trucking and that’s because this one-truck operation is a full-on family venture.

Tim may be the man behind the wheel but behind him is his lovely wife Ebony and their daughter Addison.

However, the success of this family operation spreads

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:28 am

beyond the couple’s Bendigo home and all the way through the McCarthy bloodline. Tim has a family tree created entirely out of tyre tread and road maps.

“My grandfather used to run log trucks out of Leonards Hill in Victoria,” says Tim, pointing out the menagerie of makes his granddad went through during his career. From an old Louisville, a Road Boss, a couple of LTLs, a Sterling, and even an old Diamond Reo. “Grandad used to cart logs and a couple of my uncles used to drive for him back in the day,” Tim explains. “My dad (Darren McCarthy) was a lot younger though and went off and did his own thing.” That own thing was about as far from bush bashing and logging as you

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 33

can possibly get.

“Dad started out doing light freight in an old Isuzu,” Tim continues. “He used to run between Bendigo and Ballarat. He had an old Isuzu to start with and then bought a new one which he did up like a show truck.”

Tim was indoctrinated into the transport industry from the day he was old enough to hold a sponge and could barely reach the top of the rims he was cleaning. When you start that young, with a grandfather and father so entrenched in the industry, it is no wonder he found his way to where he is now. It wasn’t exactly a straight route to the P320 he has his name on today.

Tim’s life was obviously very heavily

inf luenced by his grandfather’s past and growing up under his father’s tutelage. Hence, it makes perfect sense that Tim is a qualified butcher, with the beginnings of a plumbing apprenticeship (that’s just a touch of sarcasm there). Of course, it doesn’t make sense.

“Dad told me I would have to get an apprenticeship when I left school,” says Tim, who goes on to explain that he already had a part-time job cleaning at the local butcher so as soon as he was allowed to leave school. He exploited that and turned it into a butcher’s ­apprenticeship.

“It was a job that allowed me to get out of school as soon as I could,” Tim says. He admits though that his heart was never really in it.

OCTOBER 2023 33

27/9/2023 9:28 am

“I used to just sit in class drawing trucks.”

Top: The McCarthy family, proud as punch of their P320 Scania Left: A very young Tim with one of his dad’s original Isuzus Opposite above: Tim learnt his detailing skills at a very young age Opposite below: It takes Tim longer to strap down his load than it does to actually load it.

In the time it took me to get my PPE gear on, the truck went from empty to full

34 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 34

He’d grown up around trucks, so trucks had always been his mainstay. Even the teachers knew that back in his early school years.

“I remember my primary school teacher telling mum and dad not to bother saving for my university, save for my first truck instead,” Tim laughs. “I used to just sit in class drawing trucks.”

However, by the time he finished his apprenticeship, Tim’s dad Darren had sold up his trucks and was taking a bit of a break. Tim himself wasn’t feeling the butcher role, it just wasn’t f loating his boat. So he tried his hand at a plumber apprenticeship. With nothing to clean in the weekends either, Tim took those years of polishing experience and started a bit of a side hustle doing car detailing. A butcher, future plumber, and detailer – that was the summary of Tim in his early 20s. None of those of this really appealed to Tim, unlike the years of working with and helping out his dad, cleaning and servicing truck. That had left its mark on the young fella.

Contentment only came when Tim got his HR licence and finally found himself behind the wheel of a little puddle jumper delivering plaster. “I tried a few different things, but it wasn’t until I got into trucks that I really enjoyed my work life.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:29 am

“I started working for a few companies around Bendigo, delivering plaster,” Tim recalls. “Then I delivered milk for a while.” It is worth taking note that Tim and Ebony started dating around the time Tim was driving his small milk truck.

Name’s sake

Now let’s move back to the stunning Scania.

From delivering plaster, then milk, it didn’t take long for Tim to get himself into a position to put his name on the side of his own truck.

That opportunity arose when he moved from milk to tanks. “I got a job for another company delivering water tanks,” he recalls. “It was a good job but there weren’t really enough hours.

Then I got a shot with another company, doing the same kind of thing and, although it would mean me doing some trips away from home, I thought I would try.”

Tim took to the new job like rainwater takes to the tanks he delivers. His work ethic and ability to get the job done, often in very remote locations, saw new opportunities arise.

Specifically, Tim was given the option to put his own truck on the road. An opportunity he credits to his dad and grandad.

It was these two inf luential figures that

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 35

shaped Tim’s approach to the industry and his attitude to work. “I saw my father retire at a young age; I was also around when my ­g randfather worked until he couldn’t even get out of the truck anymore. I have seen both sides. I look up to my father and what he has achieved and am planning for the same thing.”

The planning he is talking about is his desire to work his butt off, balancing quality family time while keeping his gear in pristine condition as well as ensuring he has a reputation as someone not afraid of a bit of hard work.

All that grounding culminated with the chance to place the McCarthy Trucking name on the side of a truck again. With that decision made, the next obstruction was to choose the perfect vehicle to put that name on.

“I’d driven a few of the company trucks, the Hinos were good but were quite light and struggled when the wind got up. I liked the Mercedes, but they didn’t have a lot of room. So, in the end I looked at either a Volvo or a Scania,” Tim explains. “The standard ­accessories in the Scania beat the Volvo, like the airbag suspension.

“For comfort and for the places we go into – some are really bad – but the Scania suspension can be raised 160mm. That was a big selling point. Also in that size, it’s the only one I know with an inbuilt fridge. Then there’s all the safety features included.”

Those standard safety features Tim refers to include all those annoying beepy things like lane departure warning and advanced emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control and the electronic stabiliser program.

Tim was also impressed by all the storage space in the low version of the P cab. “I had looked at the mid-rise version, but once again because of some of the places we have to get to, that extra height would be a bit of a pain. Plus, the low-rise cab looks better when we have such a low tray on these trucks.”

Power-wise, Tim had looked at the next model up, the 360hp engine, but listened to the guys at Scania who were adamant the 320 would be enough. “They were right,” Tim says. “We don’t have a great weight on and I already have to back off now when it gets windy and that.”

The Scania 9.3 litre engine produces nearly

OCTOBER 2023 35

27/9/2023 9:29 am

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 36

27/9/2023 9:29 am

Proudly brought to you by

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 37

27/9/2023 9:29 am

Top: For a small truck there is an abundance of room inside.

Spending several nights a week sleeping in the truck is far from an inconvenience, even for someone as tall as Tim Above: The factory fitted adjustable Scania airbag system means Tim can raise the front end as well as the back in order to get into some spots without damage. It also means he can drop it down to look extra cool for photos; Tim had the bull bar customised to ensure it wasn’t catching or scrapping on some of the hard-to-get-to locations where he delivers to Bottom: Heath Saunders designed the McCarthy logo to incorporate Tim’s favourite colours as well as fit perfectly with the clean, simple lines of the Scania

1200lb-ft of torque at around 1200rpm. That’s more than enough to get Tim over any mountain range without dropping a gear. Which leads to another new issue for Tim – the auto boxes.

“I’d only ever really driven manuals. I spent some time in one of the company trucks which had an auto. It was so slow and awful. I wasn’t sold on the idea at the start,” Tim confesses. “Now though, after having the Scania, if I was offered the choice of manual or auto, I would take the auto hands down. It’s like driving a car, it really is that good. It also has a creeper gear for reverse.”

Delivery date

With that choice made, the next issue was waiting time.

From start to finish the project took all of nine months.

Scania has produced P-cab variants like Tim’s before, they are designed for use in areas that require a long wheelbase and low-profile tyre setup. However, they are a specific truck and Tim had to wait for one to arrive in the country before he could start getting it built to his specs.

“Because I had been doing the tanks for a while, I knew a few of the little things I wanted to change about mine, little things like the f lag poles. A lot of blokes just have them hanging off the headboard, then they f lap around and rub all the paint off, which I’m a bit particular about,” Tim says.

“There were other things like extra-long toolboxes. I

38 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 38

wanted those in front of the drives. Some trucks have them behind, then they end up hitting the trailer.”

Tim had made note of what would work, what wouldn’t and, most importantly, what would look good. The job then was to work out who could do what he needed. For that he turned to the creative team at Complete Truck Bodies in Dandenong.

“Complete Truck Bodies were fantastic,” Tim says.

“There are a lot of places that do the trays for these kinds of trucks but are very much ‘this is what we build’. But Complete Truck Bodies worked with me to build a one-off kind of thing.

“We got it a bit lower, almost sitting on the chassis rails.

We also added an extra fuel tank and did some changes just for the look as well.” These include the matching toolboxes and the modified bull bar.

Another small touch that needs to be noted is the cool looking quarter guards. While they were Tim’s idea and design, they were also a massive surprise to him. “Mum and dad actually did that for me. I had looked into them when I was speccing up the truck, but really couldn’t afford them,” he admits.

“It is our first truck, me and Ebony had our first baby coming and we’d already committed a lot to this and had to draw the line. Then I found out mum and dad had rung Complete Truck Bodies and said, ‘we’ll pay for those, just do it’. I was really surprised.”

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:29 am

OWD 369.indd 39

26/9/2023 8:33 am

“It wasn’t until I got into trucks that I really enjoyed my work life.”

Coming from someone that can admire the McCarthy Trucking Scania without having to pay for it, I am thankful to Tim’s mum and dad because the guards really set this truck off.

Another name that has to be mentioned is Heath Saunders from Saunders Sign & Graphics from Boort, Victoria, a name that’s no stranger to any truck enthusiast. Saunders’ work is literally plastered over some of the coolest trucks on our roads and he was the first person Tim chased down once he had signed up to his Scania.

“I wanted something nice and subtle, not in your face.

And when you look at Heath’s work it’s as good as what’s going around,” Tim explains of his choice to contact Saunders Sign and Graphics. “Heath designed our logo

using the purple idea. Dad’s old 900 was purple, our favourite colour is purple, so he used that. He then made sure the lines were very understated and followed the body work. It’s top work.”

After a nine month wait, and thousands of kilometres in a company truck, Tim finally got the keys to his first truck. All the comfort, all the coolness, and all the practicality rolled into one.

“The truck is great. I do about 180,000 kilometres a year and go into some pretty tough spots and it’s perfect.

The comfort is second to none; I can do 1000km a day and feel fine.”

He can often spend a few days away at a time and finds the little Scania perfect for sleeping in, while admitting he’s had only limited experience with big trucks and big bunks and doesn’t know much difference.

With the work Tim does, running empty half the time, when it is loaded it’s light but extremely susceptible to the weather. So the truck choice and setup is extremely important and he believes he has built the perfect truck for the role. Compared to some of the lighter Japanese trucks he has driven he finds the Scania holds the road better, plus he isn’t fighting the steering wheel all day, especially when loaded with big tanks.

Another factor is fuel economy, important for a young family and their one-truck operation, so the Scania was hard to beat on fuel consumption. Then there is the comfort, which we have already touched on, although I think Tim sums that up best.

“Let’s be honest, the roads are not getting any better and some of the places we deliver to can be way off the beaten track. The Scania just handles it so well.”

All in all, buying your first truck can often be an overwhelming task, but Tim has done a spot-on job, getting a rig that ticks all the boxes while looking extremely sharp while working. It’s a credit to Tim and the entire McCarthy family.

Top: Tim doesn’t always get such easy loads, but we timed this for the photo shoot Above: It’s the subtle touches from Saunders Sign & Graphics that really stand out on the little Scania Left: The extra-long toolboxes means there is room for all Tim accessories to be tucked away. Take note also of the purple lines and signwriting from Saunders

40 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_032-40_TOTM_McCarthys Scania_GB.indd 40

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:29 am

NATROAD Warren Clark

Part of the plan Why taking a page from Benjamin Franklin’s book is important

A

big part of how member associations and industry bodies work with policy makers occurs well away from plain sight. It’s nothing to do with secrecy and more about the process not being worthy of headlines.

After all, advocating on behalf of members is what associations do, and most owner-drivers have enough on their plates just keeping their business head above water from day to day.

But contributing to policy is important work and I thought I’d spend a little time explaining it.

One of the best examples is a review of the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

The strategy is a high-level plan for managing all the moving parts that allow our industry to successfully deliver on our freight task.

Everybody needs a plan, right?

It was American founding father Benjamin Franklin who said: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.

And who could argue with a man whose c.v. had him listed as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher?

The imperative for a national strategy is that Australia’s total domestic freight task is projected to grow by 26 per cent by 2050.

Road transport will face plenty of challenges to meet demand.

ACTION PLAN

The 2019 Freight and Supply Chain Strategy is a road map (pun intended)

for the States and Territories to follow so that we all (that’s road transport, rail, air cargo and coastal shipping) can do our jobs.

It was the first strategy of its kind and its review is a year ahead of schedule.

It came with a National Action Plan, which outlined the practical things that need to occur. Or if you prefer the bureaucratic version, it’s how the various Australian governments “seek to operationalise the more aspirational goals contained in the Strategy”.

The Action Plan had four big things it needed to do. They were bringing about smarter and targeted infrastructure investment, enabling improved supply chain efficiency, producing better planning, coordination and regulation, and delivering better freight location and performance data.

How well it delivered on each of those, I’ll leave to another day, but I think it’s fair to say that industry consensus would be that, as a nation, we can do a whole lot better.

The complexity of the policy process means that the strategy is dependent on other reforms to achieve its goals, such as reforming the Heavy Vehicle National Law or making improvements to how road funding is allocated.

For example, even allowing for the disruptions of COVID-19 and its f lowon effects, we have an ongoing critical skills shortage that pre-dates the pandemic.

We have countless freight routes where efficiency is constrained by creeping changes of land use, or a

WARREN CLARK is CEO of the National Road Transport Association and Teletrac Navman is a Silver Partner of NatRoad.

failure to preserve corridors.

According to its terms of reference, the review of the Supply Chain Strategy will focus on assessing if it has any gaps and if it remains relevant.

It will see what we’ve learned from recent challenges and set out priorities for the next five years.

And it will look at proposals to establish a small number of “national, data-driven and high impact national key performance indicators”.

That last point is critical with the Heavy Vehicle National Law review proposal to fast track a national freight access map and online access approval system.

There are pressing reasons for making our supply chains stronger.

You only have to look at the soaring increases to the cost of container shipping which rose almost sixfold in 13 months between 2020-21 to know that taking out costs has to be a priority.

We all hope an event like a pandemic or a regional war doesn’t occur in the foreseeable future but these are possibilities that policy-makers need to plan for.

Needless to say, decarbonisation will be a massive challenge.

NatRoad was among many organisations doing some hard thinking before the review closed in late September. But if you’re feeling strongly enough about an issue and want to contribute directly, you can do so here.

NatRoad communications are intended to provide commentary and general information. They should not be relied upon as legal advice. Our advisers are available to clarify any questions you have and provide the right advice for your business and workforce. Contact NatRoad on (02) 6295 3000.

MOORE

Moore

trailer for you

r money! TRAILERS

 07 4693 1088 www.mooretrailers.com.au ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_041_COL_NatRoad_GB.indd 41

OCTOBER 2023 41

27/9/2023 9:40 am

WILKIE’S WATCH Ken Wilkie

Uneducated motorists Ignorant car drivers who insist on jousting with heavy vehicles can expect a negative outcome

A

few weeks ago, I read a report in Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper attributed to Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Transport Association. Gary commented that most small vehicle drivers appeared not competent when dealing with heavy vehicles. I must absolutely agree with Gary’s concerns.

However, I contend that that ignorance of that section of the driving public stems from the failure of this industry itself to address the ignorance. It is so much in today’s heavy vehicle driving job description to accommodate that ignorance.

I accept that the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has spent considerable monies to give some knowledge of the subject. I have in the past been critical of that effort. I considered it to be more in keeping with developing a warm and fuzzy feeling by ATA directorship than providing real knowledge to ‘most’ casual drivers.

One glaring example that this ignorance goes beyond ‘casual’ drivers.

The stickers on the rear of many trailers advising that ‘if you cannot see my mirrors, I cannot see you’ is that example. In its present form it is misleading in the extreme. Had it been designed to read, ‘if you can’t see me in my mirrors’, it might have a better chance of providing good advice.

Of course, one needs to understand the job description to appreciate the significance of the wording. Another

example of bad advice is to slow down.

All driving is speeding, that’s why we have speed limits. If a ‘nervous Nelly’ is driving a vehicle with an inaccurate speed measuring device – and the inaccurate devices never show a speed faster than the actual speed – then the slowdown advice creates more friction in the traffic f low. Friction in the traffic f low creates frustration and initiates tailgating and irrational overtaking manoeuvres.

Road safety management need to recognise that most drivers have adopted the posted limit as a benchmark speed and encouragement should be given to conform to the benchmark speed where possible, not to simply slow down. If one is transporting a D 27 at 120 tonnes and five metres wide, speed must be reduced. But for vehicles that have no such obvious limitations, a benchmark speed would affect a better safety outcome.

KEN WILKIE has been an owner-driver since 1974, after first getting behind the wheel at 11. He’s on his eighth truck, and is a long-time Owner//Driver contributor. He covers Rockhampton to Adelaide and any point in between.

His current ambition is to see the world, and to see more respect for the nation’s truckies. Contact Ken at ken@rwstransport.com.au

SPED UP, FED UP

I’ve recently returned from a contract delivering product to Aurukun

“Friction in the traffic flow creates frustration and initiates tailgating.”

in North Queensland. The lack of responsible driving discipline was demonstrated on several occasions. On a corrugated dusty section of road, I was surprised to have a 4WD over in the table drain on the left. Talk about optimistic! On more than one occasion a slow vehicle with several frustrated drivers behind on reaching an overtaking lane has sped up, denying those following the opportunity to overtake in a safe manner. Frustrating in the extreme.

In the early days of the Road Transport Forum, several posters were developed advising motorists of points to be aware of. My strong view has always been to have comprehensive driver instruction part of the secondary school curriculum. As my departed carpenter friend John often stated, “measure twice and cut once”.

And John was a trained carpenter.

Guess work had no role in his outcomes. Unfortunately, driving is an activity that provides no opportunity to measure twice. Mistakes can be disastrous and often are.

My good friend Mark pilots multicombination rigs for one of Australia’s most responsible f leets. Certainly, they are instantly recognised anywhere on the eastern side of the continent. Today he related to me two of his concerns. Recently travelling south down the Newell, he was subjected to a roadside compliance check at Moree. A new book and what that involves plus all lights and tyres on the pocket road train were inspected. A little later a Taskforce officer did the same thing.

Lo and behold, again at Forbes. Mark is the epitome of good manners and politely told the Forbes blokes that it had all been done. His book had the red ink as proof. “Has to be done”, they said. What are we trying to prove here?

His second concern related to the actions of four truck drivers he had interaction with on the return leg.

One passed on a blind corner after announcing over the UHF that he was in a B-double and coming around. A second that was sharing the rest area rudely cut him off while Mark was starting out after a rest break. When challenged, the offending new age driver advised that they would not have been able get around Mark once on the road.

The other two incidents were in similar vein. Maybe Gary should extend his concern to those new age people who got their road skills driving bicycles.

TOOTS MEMORIAL

It’s great to see a bridge named in Toots Holzheimer’s honour and a wellversed memorial plaque at Archer River. Good to know that at least some communities appreciate the services of a transport operator – special that she was.

Your required reading this month: One False Move – The Bravest of the Brave: The Australian Mine Defusers in World War II by Robert Macklin. The subtitle sums up the sheer guts of the Australians mentioned, although other nationalities were involved as well.

42 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_042_COL_Ken Wilkie_GB.indd 42

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:42 am

ESTABLISHED 57 YEARS ESTABLISHED 57 YEARS

Unit 1/71 Axis Place, Larapinta, Unit 1/71 Axis4110, Place, Larapinta, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Brisbane, 4110, Australia Ph:QLD, (07) 3276 9300 (07) 32769301 9300 Fax:Ph: (07) 3276 Fax: (07) 3276 9301 Email: mattc@gibbsparts.com Email: sales@ggd.net.au davids@gibbsparts.com davids@ggd.net.au Web: www.gibbsparts.com Web: www.gibbsparts.com

ZF ASTRONIC ZF Clutch Actuators For DAF, Iveco And Man Trucks. S37. TA950479.

POA

ZF DAF, IVECO & MAN Modulator ZF Astronic For DAF, Iveco & Man. S38. TA952388.

POA

ZF DAF, IVECO & MAN ZF Ecolite powerpacks. S40. TA952390.

POA

MERCEDES-BENZ G85-G280 Reconditioned Mercedes-Benz Transmissions.

Most Makes and Models G100, G131, GO210, G240,G280, G330available. S3. TA431566.

POA

MERCEDES EPS Gear cylinder. S39. TA952389.

POA

VOLVO/MACK I-SHIFT/M-DRIVE AT2512C, AT2612D & ATO3112D. S44. TA952399.

POA

SCANIA TRANSMISSIONS All makes and models available. S11. TA431615.

POA

ZF ASTRONIC For DAF, Iveco & Man S43. TA952397.

POA

ZF TRANSMISSIONS ALL MODELS All makes and models available. S10. TA431606.

POA

Diesel Mechanics Needed - Call us to find out more

FULL WORKSHOP FACILITIES FULL WORKSHOP FACILITIES SPARES, REPAIRS, RECONDITIONED & NEW EXCHANGE UNITS AVAILABLE SPARES, REPAIRS, RECONDITIONED & NEW EXCHANGE UNITS AVAILABLE

AD-587676734.als - Base Edition 54 OWD 369.indd 43

DOW-FP-5013553-C DOW-FP-5013553-C

SPECIALISING AND SPECIALISING IN IN TRANSMISSIONS TRANSMISSIONS AND DIFFERENTIALS DIFFERENTIALS FOR TRUCKS & BUSES

24/6/21 8:30 am 26/9/2023 8:34 am

industry focus

CALTEX IS BACK WITH PREMIUM OFFERING “DIESEL ENGINES WILL BENEFIT FROM CALTEX DELO® WITH ISOSYN® TECHNOLOGY.”

44 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_044_Industry Focus_Chevron_GB.indd 44

T

he Caltex brand you know and love has returned, with the brand committing to supporting the transport industry Australia-wide with high-quality fuels, lubricants and more.

Backed by Chevron, one of the world’s leading energy companies with more than 70 years of history in Australia, Caltex is currently strengthening its distribution network to ensure delivery of products to service the nation.

At the heart of the expansion was Chevron’s acquisition of Puma Energy (Australia) Holdings three years ago, which included a national network of retail locations, with most of these sites to be rebranded with Caltex’s distinctive Star motif by the end of the year.

Beyond a refreshed retail experience, Caltex offers the innovative fuel system-cleaning ingredient Techron®, which is available in every fuel grade, helping remove dirt and prevent deposits from forming on critical engine components.

You can also experience Caltex Diesel with Techron D, a premium performance additive suitable for all diesel-powered engines, with the formulation that helps to clean injectors and protect components from corrosion while reducing the possibility of foaming as you fill up.

On the lubricants side, diesel engines will benefit from Caltex Delo® with ISOSYN® Technology, which helps protect vital diesel

engine parts, provide engine durability, and extend service intervals to help lower operating costs.

Drawing on over 88 years of expertise, ISOSYN® Technology combines premium base oils with high-performance additives to deliver engine component protection, that rivals synthetics.

This high-performance additive formulation helps provide exceptional soot dispersion and prevent deposit build-up, ensuring vehicle performance which can contribute to extended service intervals and minimised downtime.

Delo® products are sold in 155 countries, and importantly, Chevron internally controls the three pieces required to manufacture lubricants, by producing its own base oil, it controls Oronite, one of the world’s biggest additive companies, and also maintains 21 individual blending plants globally, including joint ventures.

To keep businesses running smoothly, the Caltex StarCard is a power-packed fuel management card offering a convenient way to increase fleet management efficiency.

It provides a wide range of adaptable features to manage fleets big and small, control personal expenses, and is perfectly suited to companies engaged in earthmoving, with various vehicle make-ups of trucks, passenger vehicles and plant machinery.

It has two main options, either ‘Open’ or ‘Closed’ loop. Open loop provides the ultimate coverage allowing access to all Caltex and Puma Energy service stations, and being welcome wherever WEX Motorpass cards are accepted, meaning you can use it at over 6,000 service stations and industry partners Australia-wide.

Open Loop StarCards can also be used wherever Cabcharge is accepted and for services at Magic Hand Carwashes.

A closed loop card means businesses can avoid paying transaction fees while enjoying access to the range of Caltex with Techron® fuels. Both options can be set up for specific drivers and vehicles, with PIN protection available too.

Additionally, StarCard provides a range of perks and discounts from leading tyre retailers, vehicle parts and accessory retailers, vehicle servicing providers and accommodation houses.

Caltex is committed to the Australian market and making its products available to customers where and when they need them.

Whether you’re running the family business or the company fleet, Caltex is there to support you with expert advice and fuel equipment solutions, quality bulk fuel supply, premium engine oils and reliable lubricants.

For more information on Caltex products, visit the website at www.caltex.com/au/business-solutions.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:44 am

Your Say

Letters to the Editor need to be typed or clearly handwritten and be no more than 500 words. Letters should include name, title (e.g. owner-driver, manager) and city for publication, unless otherwise requested. Letters may be edited for clarity or space.

Please be concise, so we can offer more people an opportunity to express themselves.

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

Greg.Bush@primecreative.com.au or 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands, VIC 3008

We prefer letters by e-mail, but handwritten letters will be accorded the same opportunity to be published.

Engineering experience

A perusal of the latest news indicates a f leet of autonomous road trains working for Mineral Resources in the West. The blurb suggests these triple roadtrains will transport 330 tonnes/trip. As the unit rolls on 84 tyres, this will suggest each tyre is carrying 3.9 tonnes, not including the weight of the ore carrying bodies. Have I missed something?

When I was a youngster in the Territory our roadtrains were equipped with the Michelin Metallicas and were regularly carrying up to 3 tonnes a tyre. Some of them were retreaded up to 23 times(!). Such was the duty cycle we could only get 18,000 miles from new drive tyres.

Included in the latest mag is a tale of a group refurbishing a written-off Kenworth. A good tale. But the item only showed a few photos of the finished product. Another shiny Kenworth.

How much more informative it would be if there was a few snaps of the mangled unit and the various tasks needed to return it to its formed glory?

I wrote some time ago about the vital importance of Ackerman angles. The letter remains unpublished. Is this sort of analysis

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_045_COL_Your Say_GB.indd 45

not what you are looking for?

Additionally, I had read a piece in another publication, about the first Kenworth Noel Buntine bought. This item featured a four-wheeler bonneted unit and was a complete fairy story. Noel was the archetypal Mack man and could be relied upon to buy the odd 20 new trucks each season. I wrote to your mag about how I was there when this momentous occasion presented itself and would happily describe the event. No response.

Another truck mag, since failed, would feature a page of anecdotes and short yarns from the road. Sometimes service tips. I solved the problem of super singles on the steerers developing f lats. Again no response.

If you could spare the time, let me know what sort of correspondence you would

like, and I will try to oblige. I have about five decades’ experience in road transport engineering and am always happy to share.

Michael Pyper Bunbury, WA

OCTOBER 2023 45

27/9/2023 9:50 am

industry focus Former Australian test cricketer Merv Hughes is impressed with CPAP Direct’s sleep apnea therapy

ON-ROAD DANGERS OF SLEEP APNEA

A range of travel CPAP machines are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of truck owners and drivers

I

n the demanding world of trucking, where long hours and rigorous schedules are the norm, there is one factor that can make all the difference between a successful journey and a potential disaster: a good night’s sleep. However, for truck owners and drivers who find themselves struggling with snoring and fatigue, these symptoms may be indicative of a more serious underlying condition known as sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects a significant number of individuals, with one in four males over 30 experiencing symptoms such as excessive snoring and daytime fatigue. The impact of this condition on both health and relationships can be significant.

This is where CPAP Direct, your trusted partner for sleep apnea treatment, steps in to provide effective solutions and ensure you get the restful sleep you need, even on the road.

Founded by a Queensland family who recognise the need for quality care, CPAP Direct has grown into a company with over 110 dedicated employees and multiple locations nationwide. Their unwavering commitment to patient satisfaction remains at the core of their business.

As truck owners and drivers, you understand

the importance of staying alert and safe on the road. Sleep apnea, a condition characterised by interrupted breathing during sleep, can significantly impact your reaction time, focus and energy levels as well as quality of life. That’s why CPAP Direct is dedicated to providing solutions that can help you regain control and have the best chance at gaining a restful night’s sleep.

Not only does CPAP Direct offer exceptional solutions for sleep apnea at 20-plus locations across Australia, we also pride ourselves on being the trusted name in travel CPAP. One of our key offerings is our range of travel CPAP machines, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of truck owners and drivers. We understand that being on the road shouldn’t compromise your sleep quality or your ability to adhere to your sleep apnea treatment.

Our portable CPAP machines are built with convenience and efficiency in mind, enabling you to maintain your sleep therapy even when you’re

“YOU CAN SLEEP COMFORTABLY AND WAKE UP READY TO TACKLE THE MILES AHEAD.”

46 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_046_Industry Focus_CPAP_GB.indd 46

away from the comfort of your own home. Equipped to run on either 12 or 24 volts, our travel CPAP machines provide the assurance that your sleep apnea treatment remains uninterrupted, no matter where your journey takes you.

Our extensive selection of masks includes options for nose breathers, mouth breathers, bearded faces, and even side sleepers. We ensure that there is a perfect mask for everyone, available in a range of sizes to provide a comfortable and customised fit.

Rest assured, we have you covered with masks that are tailored to the unique demands of life on the road, so you can sleep comfortably and wake up ready to tackle the miles ahead.

Recognising that snoring and fatigue are often tell-tale signs of sleep apnea, CPAP Direct is here to guide you through the entire process of diagnosis and treatment. Our experienced clinicians, equipped with firsthand knowledge of CPAP equipment, are committed to working closely with you to find the perfect mask and optimal device settings that suit your unique needs and preferences.

We place a strong emphasis on personalised attention and support, ensuring that you receive the care necessary to enhance your sleep and overall well-being.

At CPAP Direct, we not only provide cutting-edge sleep apnea treatment, but we also pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service. Our knowledgeable team is dedicated to helping truck owners and drivers like you achieve a better night’s sleep, resulting in improved performance and an enhanced quality of life on the road. We understand that your success and safety are intertwined with your ability to rest well and be at your best.

Don’t allow sleep apnea to compromise your safety, focus, and energy levels. Take back control of your well-being and ensure that every journey begins with a well-rested you. Contact CPAP Direct today for a complimentary consultation and discover the difference our tailored solutions can make in your life.

Want to take our FREE online test to see if you may have sleep apnea? Head on over to cpap.com.au and take the test today. It could save your life!

Remember, your journey matters, and your sleep health is a vital component of your success.

For further info go to the website cpap.com.au, email info@cpap.com.au or phone 1300 133 298.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:52 am

DIABETES AUSTRALIA Robbie Tyson

Stress: diabetes driver Among other factors, stress has been linked to insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance

H

istorically, the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes have been attributed to genetics, ethnicity, sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary choices, and being of a higher weight.

However, strong and emerging research has shed light on another significant factor that plays a role in the development and progression of chronic health conditions, including diabetes: stress.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that stress can inf luence diabetes in multiple ways. Stress triggers the release of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. This response is known as the fight-or-f light reaction, where the body prepares itself for perceived threats.

The surge in blood glucose levels prompts the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy production such as in the muscles.

In individuals living with existing diabetes, this stress-induced rise in blood glucose can pose challenges in managing the condition effectively.

However, chronic or long-term stress can have detrimental effects on a person’s health, including the potential to contribute to the development of diabetes and difficulties preventing complications when living with diabetes.

Stress can not only exacerbate diabetes but can also increase the risk of developing the condition. Research suggests that long-term exposure to stress hormones can impair insulin’s effectiveness, leading to a condition called insulin resistance. Over time this can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, where the body loses its ability to regulate blood glucose effectively.

Stress can also indirectly inf luence diabetes risk through its impact on lifestyle factors. When people experience chronic stress, they are more likely to engage in coping mechanisms such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, overworking, overeating, and physical inactivity which can increase the risk of diabetes, or make diabetes more difficult to manage, leading to a greater risk of diabetes complications.

Furthermore, stress can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insufficient or poor-quality sleep. Sleep deprivation

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_047_COL_Diabetes_GB.indd 47

has been linked to insulin resistance, reduced glucose tolerance, and an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Here are some signs of stress that you can look out for: • Disturbed sleep • Irritability • Anxiety, tension, sadness • Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed • Fatigue • Body aches and pains, including headaches • Finding it hard to concentrate or forgetting things.

The cycle of stress, increased use and reliance on coping mechanisms, disrupted sleep, and impaired glucose regulation creates a fertile ground for the development and progression of diabetes.

Recognising the impact of stress on diabetes risk highlights the importance of stress management support and techniques as part of a comprehensive diabetes prevention and management plan.

REDUCING STRESS

Here are five suggestions for reducing stress and improving social and emotional wellbeing: 1. Regular movement: Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators and stress reducers.

Regular enjoyable movement helps regulate blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity 2. Relaxation techniques: Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness have been shown to reduce stress, promote a sense of calm and improve sleep patterns. A very simple breathing technique that you can do anywhere,

ROBBIE TYSON, Credentialled Diabetes Educator and Accredited Practising Dietitian. For more information on diabetes or to talk to a dietitian, call the Diabetes Australia Helpline on 1300 342 238.

anytime, when you feel your stress levels beginning to rise is the 3 x 3 relaxation technique – Breathe in for 3, Hold for 3 Breathe out for 3, Hold for 3 Repeat for 3 That’s it!

3. Social support: Connecting with friends, family, and support groups can provide valuable safe spaces for sharing and receiving social and emotional support 4. Prioritising self-care: Take time for activities that bring joy and relaxation, spending time in nature including animals, reading, listening and or playing music, and creating (painting, gardening) can help to alleviate and or manage stress and heal 5. Seek professional support: Everyone has a tough time with their mental health at some stage during their life. But if stress becomes overwhelming and starts to impact daily functioning and social and emotional wellbeing, seek help from a mental health professional can provide valuable guidance and support. Your GP can help with a referral to a mental health professional. The most important step you can take is to seek assistance as soon as you feel like you are not coping.

LOOKING FORWARD

While some stress is helpful and an unavoidable part of life, understanding the impact of high and sustained levels of stress on physical health, particularly its role as a driver of diabetes, is crucial. By recognising the relationship between stress, social and emotional wellbeing, and diabetes, you can begin to proactively manage stress levels and adopt management mechanisms that are supportive to your emotional wellbeing.

Incorporating stress reduction techniques into your daily routine, alongside a restorative sleep pattern, helpful social supports, regular movement and nutrient-rich food choices, can significantly contribute to preventing and or managing diabetes and improving overall social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

ONLINE SERVICES AND PHONE LINES

New Access is a free health coaching program for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues. Head to the website ad use the postcode search for a service near you – www. beyondblue.org.au/get-support/ newaccess-mental-health-coaching.

Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources. – www.headtohealth.gov.au.

HealthDirect links you to online therapy (also known as eTherapy) for psychological support, information, online counselling and other help. www.healthdirect.gov.au/etherapy For Beyond Blue, phone 1300 22 4636.

For Lifeline, phone 13 11 14.

OCTOBER 2023 47

27/9/2023 9:53 am

As well as being involved in road transport media for the past 23 years, GREG BUSH has strong links to the music industry. A former Golden Guitar judge for the Country Music Awards of Australia, Greg also had a threeyear stint as an ARIA Awards judge in the late 1990s and wrote for and edited several music magazines.

ROAD SOUNDS Greg Bush

Nothing but the best

Country Corner

A look at this month's quality new album releases

GHOSTS Jeremy Edwards

EVERYTHING IS ALIVE Slowdive

I DON’T WANT YOU ANYMORE Cherry Glazerr

AT THE ROADHOUSE The Paper Kites

Dead Oceans www.slowdiveofficial.com

Secretly Canadian www.cherryglazerr.com

Wonderlick/Sony Music www.thepaperkites.com.au

Enigmatic British band Slowdive, recent visitors to Australia, had a huge hiatus between their third album Pygmalion in 1995 and their self-titled release in 2017. The huge success of that fourth album reignited interest in Slowdive’s music, inspiring the “shoe gaze” quartet to release Everything Is Alive.

It’s dreamscape all round on ‘Alife’ as Rachel Goswell sings “two lives are hard lives with you” in delicate fashion.

The pace increases on ‘Kisses’ as Neil Halstead takes the lead on vocals amid an ambient backing, the minimalist lyric approach continuing on ‘Skin In The Game’. Halstead uses keyboard atmospherics throughout the album, a constant on songs such as ‘Shandy’ where again Goswell’s vocals add the desired ethereal effect. Everything Is Alive is an excellent chilled-out album.

Los Angelesbased rock band Cherry Glazerr is the brainchild of 26-year-old Clementine Creevy, who first attracted attention at age 15. Throughout Cherry Glazerr’s fourth album, I Don’t Want You Anymore, Creevy’s seemingly innocent vocals contrast with her more forthright attitude, as on ‘Ready For You’. She sings of anxiety on ‘Touched You With My Chaos’ up front of plethora of rock guitar chords. As suggested by the title, 'Sugar’ is sweet but with a twist, and Creevy is a victim on ‘Soft Like A Flower’ as she delivers her heaviest guitar backing. ‘Eat You Like A Pill’ is a midpaced rock track, ‘Shattered’ is more ambient despite Creevy’s angst-ridden vocals, and the melodic keyboard work is a standout on ‘Bad Habit’. Then there's the title track, another mix of Creevy’s distinct vocals and heavy rock guitars.

Melbournebased rock band The Paper Kites has achieved much since their debut album States in 2013, especially their top 10 album Twelvefour in 2015.

At The Roadhouse is album number six for Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy and co, continuing on their soft rock trajectory.

The addition of pedal steel player Matt Dixon has added an extra dimension to The Paper Kites’ sound, as heard on the breakup ballad ‘Marietta’. There’s a slow blues feel to ‘Black & Thunder’ as Bentley supplies some nice guitar licks, and guitarist David Powys takes a rare turn at the microphone for the rockin’ ‘June’s Stolen Car’. Band rehearsals at a Yarra Valley farmhouse were the inspiration behind ‘Green Valleys’, a slow, folk-styled song, and there’s west coast country sound on ‘Burn The Night Away’ and again on ‘Midnight Moon’.

LOST AT SEA Chris Shiflett

STONE Baroness

PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT The Screaming Jets

Blue Élan Records www.chrisshiflettmusic.com

Abraxan Hymns yourbaroness.com

Rocket www.screamingjetsofficial.com.au

Punk rock veteran Chris Shiflett, better known as Foo Fighters’ lead guitarist, loves his side projects which have included a long stint with Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Shiflett’s two previous solo albums – West Coast Town and Hard Lessons – ventured into California country territory. He continues in that direction on new album Lost At Sea. Shiflett lets his guitar do the talking on the mid-paced rock track ’Overboard’, and there’s a swampy tone to ‘Dead And Gone’ as he sings of a good friend’s passing minus the melancholy. ‘Damage Control’, a must for radio airplay, is a slower shuffle, and he compares a fiery relationship to arson on ‘Burn The House Down’.

Shiflett echoes the early work of The Eagles on ‘I Don’t Trust My Memories Anymore’ and finishes up with the family feud-themed ‘Parties’, a rapid-fire track about dinner party arguments.

US heavy rock band Baroness has returned with vigour for Stone, its sixth album and first since 2019.

After a brief and misleading quiet intro, Baroness launches into their trademark chunky guitar chords on ‘Last Word’. Even better is ‘Anodyne’ with frontman John Baizley showing why he’s one of the best hard rock vocalists around. Baizley, the band’s only constant member since its formation in 2003, sounds menacing on ‘Beneath The Rose’ as he sings of blood, roses and thorns. ‘Shine’ starts off as a quiet acoustic track before Baroness moves into full force rock, and there’s more menace on ‘Choir’, a fastpaced number with bits of psychedelia throughout. Elsewhere, a subtle bass run precedes the slower ‘Under The Wheel’, a track with apocalyptic overtones.

Stone borders on heavy metal at times, but there’s more to Baroness’ music, as on the thoughtful final track ‘Bloom’.

After close to 35 years in the business, top Oz-rock group The Screaming Jets have unleashed their first album of new material since 2015 with Professional Misconduct, following the covers album Gotha Covered and the 2021 anniversary reissue of All For One. The opening track ‘Nothing To Lose’ confirms that The Screaming Jets are back with all guns blazing. They rock on with ‘No Reason’, a track about a bad breakup. Bassist and songwriter Paul Woseen brought his lyricist qualities to the funky ‘Crash Out Of Time’, however it’s the switch in tempo for ‘Second Chance’, a ballad about lost opportunities, that’s a cut above. ’Lying With Her’ is quieter still, evoking comparisons to Nick Cave. Back to rock, Dave Gleeson shows his disappointment with the music industry on ‘Throwing Shade’ and takes a swipe at keyboard warriors on the heavy ‘Speed Quack’.

48 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_048_COL_Music_GB.indd 48

Independent jeremyedwards.au

Based in the NSW Illawarra district, Jeremy Edwards is a musical troubadour, having worked with various Australian musicians over the years, including 2012 The Voice winner Karise Eden and his own alternate country band Dust Radio plus, more recently, as a member of Jen Mize and The Rough ’n Tumble.

For his fourth solo album Ghosts, Edwards is joined by an impressive line-up of talent including Kevin Bennett, Felicity Urquhart, Josh Cunningham and Shane Nicholson.

Urquhart joins Edwards on vocals for ‘Clear, Like A Bell’, a slow countryfolk song. Nicholson adds vocals to the acoustic guitar-backed title track, and Mize adds harmonies to ‘Maybe It’s People’, inspired by Edwards’ reclusive father. There are many other highlights on Ghosts including the radio-friendly ‘Boy’, and the tragic ‘Gomeroi’, co-written

by Bennett. Brilliantly produced by Josh Schuberth, Ghosts could well be heading to Golden Guitar award territory in January.

STICKS AND STONES Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real 6ACE Records/Thirty Tigers lukasnelson.com

Formed in 2008, Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real (or POTR) spent four years as Neil Young’s backing band from 2015 to 2019, all the while pumping out their own albums concurrently. Sticks And Stones is the band’s eighth release – 12 tracks of Americana, honky tonk and traditional country music. Nelson, with his down-home country vocals, sings of bars, booze and confessions on ’Alcohallelujah’, and drowns his sorrows over lost love on ‘Every Time I Drink’, an upbeat track. US country singer Lainey Wilson sings a duet on the one-night-stand themed ‘More Than Friends’, then Nelson raises the country barometer on the title track and again on the raucous barroom song ‘Icarus’. To mix it up, Nelson goes it alone on acoustic guitar on ‘Lying’, a song of regret over a failed relationship.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:55 am

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

WHAT’SS ON upcoming events WHAT’ TECHNICAL & MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE (TMC) October 16 to 18, 2023. Melbourne, Vic.

Held at the Automotive Centre of Excellence (Kangan Institute), Docklands, Vic. The trucking industry’s premier national gathering of business owners, professionals, mechanics, technicians, apprentices, fleet managers and technical fleet professionals. Presented by the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and sponsored by the Paccar and Dealers Industry Fund. Includes the TMC Expo and Castrol Vecton Awards.

For further info see the ATA’s TMC website page: new.truck.net.au/tmc

MaxiTrans to close Carole Park Trailer maker plans to centralise operations in regional Victoria

Trailer manufacturer MaxiTrans has announced it will be closing its trailer manufacturing facility in Carole Park, Queensland and centralising its trailer business in Ballarat, Victoria.

“Since Australian Trailer Solutions Group (ATSG) purchased the MaxiTrans trailer business in September 2021, our focus has been on setting the business up for long-term sustainability,” MaxiTrans executive chairman Greg L’Estrange says.

“This is to ensure that we can remain a viable Australian business to continue supporting our customers long into the future, as we have done so for over 75 years in the industry.”

ATSG is coming into its third year of ownership of MaxiTrans and the business is preparing for the next phase of its expansion with the company investing significantly to grow and develop the Ballarat manufacturing site.

“This investment is a demonstration of our total commitment to support local manufacturing, which will transform the trailer manufacturing industry in Australia to enable our business to continue delivering a high-quality product that continues to evolve with the changing needs of our industry,” L’Estrange says.

“Our expanding capability will ensure MaxiTrans is well positioned

to help our customers to continue delivering industry excellence.”

MaxiTrans officially opened the Carole Park facility in February 2021, where it primarily produced tipper products under the Lusty EMS, Hamelex White and Azmeb brands.

The business is set to close manufacturing at the site by the end of March 2024, with all existing and future orders for these products to be produced at its Ballarat facility.

As the Carole Park site was establishing itself in the Queensland market, post pandemic pressures, including continual changes in the labour market and growing costs to run the 14,300sqm site, meant that it was no longer viable to hold two large trailer manufacturing sites for the business long term.

“We take this opportunity to thank everyone within the Carole Park manufacturing facility for their total commitment and extensive efforts to try and boost the capability of the site,” L’Estrange says.

“Unfortunately this decision was needed so that our business remains here long into the future.”

Ahead of the announcement, MaxiTrans has been gearing up to support the growth and expansion of its manufacturing capability at the Ballarat site, where it will now produce the full range of Lusty EMS, Hamelex White and Azmeb products alongside Freighter and Maxi-CUBE. Through the site upgrade, Ballarat has the capacity to take on the full production of these brands which will ensure there is no impact to MaxiTrans customers as it transitions between the manufacturing facilities.

TOP: MaxiTrans’ Carole Park facility in Queensland is set to close in March 2024 LEFT: MaxiTrans says it is investing significantly in the Ballarat manufacturing site

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_049_What's On_GB.indd 49

BRISBANE CONVOY FOR KIDS

November 4, 2023. Redcliffe, Qld The Brisbane Convoy for Kids will form a Convoy of Trucks and Transport Support Vehicles, travelling from Paradise Rd, Pallara across the Gateway to the Redcliffe Showgrounds for a Family Fun Day. Includes Trailer of Hope, truck show, bikes and other vehicles, live entertainment from Adam Harvey, auctions, food stalls, free kids rides, evening fireworks.

Truck registrations open at 6am on November 4. Redcliffe Showgrounds gates open at 9am.

Admission $25 adults, concession and kids $15.

For further info see the website at www.brisbaneconvoyforkids.com.au or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/BrisbaneConvoyForKids

MULLUMBIMBY TRUCK SHOW

November 11, 2023. Mullumbimby Showground, NSW Held in conjunction with the annual Mullumbimby Agricultural Show. Truck registrations open from 9am at the Mullumbimby Industrial Estate off Manns Rd. Drivers to register their vehicles before the truck parade through town at 11am, travelling through town to the showgrounds. All the attractions of a country show including sideshow alley, rides, food vans, full bar facilities and live music. Other features include horse and cattle events including trotting.

For further truck show info see the registration form at www.mullumbimbyshow.org. au or phone Mark on 0427 634 903 or email wardysmachinerycentre@gmail.com

EAST GIPPSLAND HERITAGE TRUCK DISPLAY November 18 to 19, 2023. Maffra, Vic.

Held at the Maffra Recreation Grounds on Newry Road, the East Gippsland Heritage Truck Display is open to all trucks of any age reflecting the history of transport in Australia. Plus live music, kids entertainment including jumping castle and model trucks. Catering provided plus American Truck Historical Society club merchandise available. Admission adults $10 per day, $15 two day pass, children under 16 free. Satiurday night dinner. Free camping for exhibitors. All dogs on leash.

For further info phone John Burley on 0413 516 233 or Terry Whelan on 0408 516 144.

DANE BALLINGER MEMORIAL BATHURST TRUCK SHOW November 18, 2023. Bathurst Showground, NSW

Sponsored by Gilbert & Roach, Huntingwood and Vawdrey Trailers. Gates open 9am to 4pm.

Featuring over 200 market stalls, food stalls, live entertainment and kids’ rides. Registration $55 per category. Public entry $5, children under 12 free. Held in conjunction with the annual Bathurst Swap Meet Car & Bike Show.

For registration and further details email info@bathursttruckshow.com.au or phone Debbie on 0407 489 634, Haylie on 0438 316 150 or see the website at www. bathursttruckshow.com.au and/or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/people/ Dane-Ballinger-Memorial-Truck-Show/100078193135379/

I98FM ILLAWARRA CONVOY

November 19, 2023. Appin South 32 Colliery to Shellharbour Airport, NSW The Illawarra community’s 18th annual big convoy. Bikes will leave Illawarra Coal’s Westcliff Colliery on Appin Rd at around 8.15am, followed by family’s buses then lead. Non-lead trucks join at Maddens Plains to Mount Ousley, Warrawong to Shellharbour Airport. Family fun day at Shellharbour airport with live music (COVID restrictions permitting). Fundraising will continue on-line with a silent auction, raffles and merchandise with monies raised to be distributed via the Illawarra Community Foundation to charities and families in need within the Illawarra and South Coast regions.

For further information visit www.illawarraconvoy.com.au or see the convoy’s Facebook site at www.facebook.com/i98fmillawarraconvoy

CASTLEMAINE ROTARY TRUCK SHOW

November 25-26, 2023. Castlemaine, Vic. Sponsored by Jon Kelly from Heavy Haulage Assets (HHA) and Dave Larsen from Larsen’s Trucks Sales. Held at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve. Organised by the Castlemaine Rotary Club.

For further info see the website at https://rotarycastlemaine.org.au/page/truck-show or the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/castlemainetrucks

To have an event listed free, phone 0408 780 302 or e-mail greg.bush@primecreative.com.au OCTOBER 2023 49

27/9/2023 9:58 am

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND

B dynamic Logistics opens mega facility New Brisbane logistics facility to cater for increased online shopping with an eye on the 2023 Olympics B dynamic Logistics has opened a new mega warehouse and logistics facility in Brisbane, continuing the business’ rapid growth across the country. The Hon Milton Dick MP, Federal Member for Oxley, officially opened the premises at a formal ribbon cutting event on August 29.

The 15,052sqm facility is located in the Richlands Industrial Precinct in Inala near key arterial roads to the Brisbane airport as well as the Gold Coast.

“We are delighted to expand our physical footprint into Queensland.

We already have multiple sites in New South Wales and the addition of our mega site in Brisbane enables us to assist more businesses in need of quality, customised logistics solutions,” co-founder and CEO Mal Siriwardhane says.

“Queensland is already experiencing strong growth in response to a growing population and increasing business activity.

Preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympics are already well underway and this is creating significant need for warehousing and logistics operators of our company’s experience, scale and capability.

“The opening of our new mega site will enable us to support Queensland’s economic growth and provide a level of unmatched customisation and customer service.

“ECommerce is also booming in

Queensland. While nationally online purchases fell, Queensland reported growth of 11 percent in 2022. We are investing into Queensland to ensure retailers have the logistics solutions available to ensure online shoppers have a positive experience.”

Milton Dick says the opening of the new mega logistics facility is not just a win for B Dynamic it is also a win for the entire community.

“It means more jobs, more opportunities for local businesses

and a stronger, more resilient local economy.”

The new B dynamic Logistics warehouse and logistics facility will employ up to 100 people and service businesses across building and construction, eCommerce, engineering, retail and other industries.

“We are looking forward to growing our presence in Queensland and building wonderful long term relationships with the business

“Our services are fully customisable and include the visibility of a purpose built best of breed tech solution that can be integrated into virtually any enterprise solution or ecommerce platform.” community,” Siriwardhane continues.

“Our Queensland division is headed up by Paul Briscoe, our general manager for the region.

Under his leadership we have already secured an impressive array of clients for our new facility and are fielding many new enquiries on a daily basis.

“In addition, we have also augmented our Queensland team with the appointment of Alan Asbery to the role of Queensland State Manager. Alan is a highly

Above right: B dynamic Logistics’ co-founder and CEO Mal Siriwardhane Left: The b Dynamic Logistics team at the opening of the new Brisbane facility

50 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_050_News_GB.indd 50

experienced logistics expert with many years of leadership capability in the sector.

“Paul Briscoe, together with our growing team, will drive our brand and services forward across the state.

“Our focus is to assist business, small and large, to manage the warehousing, movement and delivery of items, not what size, to their required destinations in the most affordable and timely manner with transparency, efficiency and ease,” Siriwardhane says.

“Our services are fully customisable and include the visibility of a purpose built best of breed tech solution that can be integrated into virtually any enterprise solution or ecommerce platform. We are also able to assist businesses that require new ecommerce systems capable of rapid scaling. We are third party logistics experts and also ecommerce enablers.”

The B dynamic Group was created in 2005 and currently distributes products for over 100 iconic retail brands.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 9:59 am

YOUR NATIONAL STATION 24/7 Scan and LISTEN NOW

Visit us on www.australiantruckradio.com.au

For advertising opportunities contact melissa.beutel@primecreative.com.au or call +61 422 103 119 OWD 369.indd 51

27/9/2023 7:58 am

owner profile

LIFE IN THE SCANIA LANE Noel Lane started out with a Ford LTL9000 in 1989. Now he’s up to truck number 100, the latest addition a new extended cab R-Series Scania. Tiarna Condren writes

W

hen you first hear a truck roaring up for a run, it’s hard to not get excited. Everyone can remember a time when they held out their arm and did the infamous pull-down move, urging the driver to blast the horn. They tend to not forget these

moments.

For Noel Lane however, there are way too many of those moments to think of.

Calling Noel up, I shouldn’t have been surprised to find out he was answering from a truck. With a hum in the background, he revealed that growing up at his family’s potato farm in Killarney, western Victoria, he was constantly surrounded by trucks.

52 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_052-53_Lane Transport_GB.indd 52

“We were constantly around transport all the time. We were around trucks. They were everywhere,” he says.

When he finally started driving them, it was to cart potatoes from the wider Western District of Victoria as well as loading from the potato growing centre of Hillston in NSW. When reflecting on the time he says, “we definitely learnt about having a pretty good work ethic”.

“We were also milking cows. It was seven days of work every week.”

However tiring, Lane says he always wanted to get into transport.

Founding Lane Transport in 1989, he saw an opportunity to provide exceptional customer service within the interstate freight industry.

Starting with only one truck, Lane’s first fleet addition was a Ford LTL-9000.

A competitor to the GMC General, Kenworth W900, Mack Super-Liner and Peterbilt 359, the vehicle was fitted with a set-forward front axle and a longer hood than previous versions.

Since then, Lane Transport has evolved into a successful business with a continually growing large fleet of late model European and American trucks transporting bulk loads and general freight throughout Australia.

“Over the years I’ve always had Fords, Cascadias and Mercedes. Their trucks are always good and honest,” he says.

“Over the last five to six years I’ve started introducing Scania into the fleet.

“The drivers love to drive them and the maintenance programs are really good.”

Celebrating its 100th fleet addition this month, Lane Transport received one of the first Scania extended cab R-series.

With 35 active vehicles traversing Australia currently, carting packaged general freight mostly in B-double configuration, the new Scania joins the mixed fleet and will run Melbourne-AdelaideMillicent five times per fortnight, clocking up

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:01 am

“I am still happy to jump in and do my share of driving.” around 200,000km annually.

Named after Noel’s grand-daughter Jayla Rose, the truck is powered by a 660hp (492kW) V8 engine and finished in a striking shade of Scania Blue Sapphire metallic and boasts bold V8 decals.

The larger extended cab provides Lane Transport drivers with a more comfortable environment for life on the road due to its high ceiling and extra cab length.

In addition, Noel’s new truck comes standard with side curtain rollover protection airbags for the driver and passenger, a steering wheel airbag, advanced emergency braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control as standard.

“We always wanted the 100th truck to be special and to keep it for a long time. They fiddled around with the gold and did it perfectly,” he says.

After receiving the keys, Noel immediately climbed in behind the wheel and took it up to Brisbane with its first load.

“I am still happy to jump in and do my share of driving, and then you know what your drivers have got to put up with,” he says.

“It’s good for management to see and keep up to date with everything at the sites.”

Opposite top: Noel Lane picks up his new R-Series Scania – the 100th truck in his fleet Opposite below: Noel gets behind the wheel of the 660hp Scania

CHECK OUT

WWW.MOORETRUCKPARTS.COM.AU

BRAND NEW STOCK ADDED!

VOLVO FH VERSION 5

DAF CF EURO 6

MITSUBISHI SHOWGUN

VOLVO FM VERSION 5

THE LARGEST RANGE OF JAPANESE & EUROPEAN

PANELS, LAMPS, MIRRORS & SO MUCH MOORE...

ENQUIRE WITH AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST AFTERMARKET BODY PARTS SUPPLIER TODAY!

Toll Toll Free: Free: 1800 1800 044 044 909 909 || www.mooretruckparts.com.au www.mooretruckparts.com.au || Unit Unit 3/10 3/10 Bluett Bluett Drive, Drive, Smeaton Smeaton Grange Grange NSW NSW 2567 2567 Moore Truck Parts has NO connections, sponsorships or affiliations with Original parts or Truck Manufacturers (OEM) products or companies. We supply an alternative, high-quality aftermarket products which we back with a lifetime replacement warranty guarantee on all new aftermarket products. *T&C’s Apply.

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_052-53_Lane Transport_GB.indd 53

OCTOBER 2023 53

27/9/2023 10:01 am

Get 12 issues of

FOR JUST

$

59

.99!

You’ll receive 12 issues of Owner Driver magazine Weekly e-newsletter FREE delivery to your mailbox

How? Visit www.ownerdriver.com.au/subscribe or call +61 (0)3 9690 8766

Already a subscriber?

Simply call +61 (0)3 9690 8766 to extend your subscription with this offer and save

OWD 369.indd 54

Subscribe today, it’s easy!

26/9/2023 8:34 am

dealership news

RDO JOINS PACCAR DEALER NETWORK Paccar Australia gas announced that RDO Australia Group has successfully completed the acquisition of the Inland Truck Centres business that provides sales and aftersales support to Kenworth and DAF customers in Dubbo, Griffith, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Originally founded by Peter Swane in 1968 as a machinery dealer in the town of Warren, NSW, the company quickly expanded to Dubbo in 1970 offering second hand trucks to customers, as well as farm equipment and rural products.

Peter Swane Machinery was appointed as a Kenworth dealer in 1975 with trucks becoming the core focus of the business.

After working in the business for several years, Cliff Swane (Peter’s son) was promoted to managing director in 1993.

In 2001 the company changed its trading name to Inland Truck Centres to better ref lect the expansion of the business into the NSW Riverina region and the core business focus of truck sales and support. Paccar Australia says it would like to thank Cliff

Swane and his family for their vision, dedication and exemplary support for Kenworth and DAF customers over the past 48 years, a truly significant milestone for any business operating in the transport sector.

Damian Smethurst, managing director of Paccar Australia, praised Cliff and Veramae Swane for their leadership of Inland Truck Centres over the past 30 years.

“Cliff Swane is a legend of the Australian transport industry.

He has dedicated his career to servicing the NSW Riverina region, his community, and our brands. The Paccar Dealer network is stronger because of Cliff’s contribution and dedication.”

Phil Canning, president and CEO of RDO Equipment, says he was excited to welcome Inland Truck Centres to the RDO family.

“RDO recognises Inland Truck Centres as a robust, quality business defined by great people, world class products and visionary leadership, and we look forward to building upon this legacy over time.”

Left to right: RDO Equipment CEO Phil Canning and Inland Truck Centres’ MD Cliff Swane

AWARDED DAIMLER DEALERSHIP CROSSES THE BORDER

PENSKE EXPANDS SEQ NETWORK Penske Australia has announced the expansion of its network in southeast Queensland as of September 1 through the acquisition of Total Fleet Maintenance (TFM) in Yatala.

A family-owned heavy-duty truck and automotive repair and maintenance business established and grown by Steve Edmunds, TFM has serviced the south-east Queensland area for 16 years.

The third Penske Australia retail location in south-east Queensland, the Yatala facility will extend support coverage for Western Star Trucks, MAN Truck & Bus, Dennis Eagle, Detroit and Allison Transmission customers.

“In addition to our Wacol and Lytton facilities in Brisbane, our increasing on-highway customer base in south-east Queensland gave us an opportunity to expand our service network through TFM, which has a fantastic reputation in the area and brings skill and expertise to our network,” says John Delany, general manager – eastern The TFM branch at Yatala in south-east Queensland

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_055_Dealership News_GB.indd 55

operations, Penske Australia.

“We’re now able to cover the two largest regions in Queensland being Brisbane, including the port, and the Gold Coast.”

With a 2,000 square metre workshop across the 6,678 square metres, the Yatala facility includes 21 workshop bays, brake and suspension testing capability, an authorised heavy-vehicle inspection station, and air conditioning re-gas services. Penske says it will also introduce retail parts sales at this location.

“As the 20-strong TFM workforce transitions into a Penske Australia location, led by branch manager Carl Landridge and assisted by Mark Parcell and Damon Hogg, the team will continue to provide the same service excellence that existing customers have come to expect,” John Delany says.

“Over the coming months, the TFM branch will be upgraded and rebranded to Penske Australia Yatala.”

Tristar Truck and Bus, an award-winning Daimler Truck dealership, will open Daimler Trucks Shepparton and Daimler Trucks Canberra later this year, selling Mercedes-Benz trucks, Freightliner and Fuso trucks and buses.

The family-owned organisation, headed up by David Warren, currently operates Daimler Trucks Albury and Daimler Trucks Wagga Wagga, delivering outstanding customer service.

Daimler Trucks Albury’s commitment to its customers was recognised earlier this year when Warren was presented with the 2022 Daimler Truck Dealer of the Year award.

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, says he is excited that Tristar Truck and Bus will soon cover two additional regions.

“Our Albury and Wagga Wagga customers give us so much

Above: Tristar Truck and Bus dealer principal David Warren

positive feedback about how David and his team go out of their way to keep them moving,” Whitehead says.

“We are delighted that David and his team will be able to bring this kind of customer support to our Daimler Truck customers in these critical areas of Shepparton and the ACT.” Warren says the team at Tristar Truck and Bus is looking forward to opening the two new locations.

“We are really excited about serving Daimler Truck customers of the greater Shepparton region and the Australian Capital Territory,” he says.

“They are both really important freight regions and we are determined to introduce the excellent customer service that we strive to deliver every day at our Albury and Wagga Wagga locations.”

OCTOBER 2023 55

27/9/2023 10:04 am

truck events

The Truckstar Festival is not only the biggest truck event of its kind in Europe, it’s known as the continent’s most “fun festival”.

Warren Aitken travelled to the TT circuit at Assen in The Netherlands to take part in the celebration of light, sound and mind-blowing trucks

I

Opposite middle, L to R: This year’s Top Truck of the Netherlands went to Arno Visch in the Vish BV R650 Scania; Nick Wright from England was over with not just a stunning Scania 660, but a stunning remote control Scania 660 as well Opposite bottom, left to right: The top three in the bobtail section lined up on the front straight – but the important part is behind them where thousands fill the stands for prizegiving on the Sunday; I did say they take it to the next level over in Europe – they even pimp out the toolboxes on their trailers (imagine trying to do this with a toolbox full of chains and dogs)

56 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 56

n order to do this story justice, I went searching for the most appropriate descriptive words I could find.

Remarkable, astounding, incredible, awesome, mindblowing, impressive, fantastic, tremendous, pre-eminent and unsurpassed. All these words are emotive and powerful in their own right. All of them can conjure a sense of amazement and wonder. However, individually none of them hold the gravitas required to get my point across.

This was my first journey into Europe and subsequently my first journey to the Truckstar Festival. The entire experience requires words that summarise how unbelievably cool the trip was, how monstrously mind-blowing the festival was, and how fantastically friendly the truck fans were. Hence, I used my thesaurus to find the most accurate descriptive words I could.

With so much to say, it’s hard to know where to begin. I can honestly say this was one of the best shows – sorry … festivals – I have ever been to. Sure it was a long trek to get there. All up I think I had about 21 hours up in the air. If you are at the fancy end of the plane it may be no issue, but for guys my size, down in cattle class, 21 hours is a pretty hefty effort. Even with that and knowing I would have the same on the way home, it was worth it.

The Truckstar Festival was like nothing I have ever experienced. Whether you are a fan of the Euro gear or not, these guys take customising and cleaning to a whole new level. And do you remember the old adage, ‘It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality’? Well, the Truckstar Festival blows that out of the water

because it’s packed with quality and quantity. I mean it’s seriously packed with quantity.

Let’s start there. There were 2300 trucks at the Truckstar Festival. For the record that’s actually the cut-off as well. It’s not like they ran out of trucks to put in. The 2300 trucks is the maximum number they can fit in the grounds. That equates to 1500 around the track, a couple of hundred in the competition area, and several hundred more in the oldies section, the American section, the heavy haulage section, the tow truck section and a couple of other sections I didn’t even get a chance to see.

Expanding event

The show began back in 1980, the same year that Dutch publishers Sanoma Media printed their first issue of Truckstar magazine. With the success of the publication, they decided to run a little truck show to help promote the new mag.

That first show was held at an exhibition hall and featured less than 100 trucks. By year two however, there was huge interest in Truckstar magazine and subsequently the Truckstar Festival, meaning the exhibition hall would not be near big enough. Instead, the show was moved to the famous F1 track in Zandvoort. This was the real beginning of the juggernaut that has become the Truckstar Festival.

By 1992 even the Zandvoort F1 track was being stretched to its limits and the show moved to its current home, the world-famous

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:09 am

FESTIVAL OF BIG FUN

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 57

OCTOBER 2023 57

27/9/2023 10:09 am

58 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 58

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:09 am

Assen TT circuit. The 4.5km track at Assen has played host to such famous names as Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. It was even the location of Jack Miller’s first MotoGP win. Lunatics on two wheels aside, for the last 30 years the TT circuit gets shut down for a week, the track gets coated in sand and the world-class facility hosts the biggest truck festival in Europe, attracting over 50,000 people through the gates to eat, drink, party and drink.

Along with a plethora of pimped-out trucks, there are concerts, activities, light shows and bucketloads of booze on hand. It is a truck event like you have never experienced.

Before we start talking about the race trucks and the car football, let’s just explain the truck show side of the festival. The competitive aspect takes place in the main area of the TT circuit.

There are two separate competitions going on over the festival.

Firstly, there are trucks from all around Europe that have applied to compete in categories like Best Paint, Best Interior and other categories. Those show trucks apply to enter the competition months in advance, submitting photos and information to Truckstar magazine. The Truckstar team then whittles the numbers down to the amount they can squeeze in.

The second competition is open solely to Dutch trucks and has the top 24 battling it out for the title of the ‘Most Beautiful Truck of the Netherlands’. Battling it out is probably the wrong turn of phrase, but ‘buffing it out’ or ‘cleaning it out’ just didn’t have the same ring to it.

Getting your truck into the Netherlands Top Truck Competition is done a little differently to what we see over here. The finalists

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 59

“The 2300 trucks is the maximum number they can fit in the grounds.”

for this competition are selected by readers of Truckstar magazine. At the start of each year, Truckstar releases a special edition where Dutch drivers and owners can submit a photo of their truck, along with all the relevant information. The trucks are catalogued in one of eight categories. Geconditioneerd Vervoer, Huif/gesloten veroer, Open Voertuigen, Zeecontainertransport, Losgestort Vervoer, Bulk and tanktransport, Speciale voertuigen and Losse trekkers. For those who don’t speak Dutch it’s basically fridge vans, tautliners/pan, flat tops, containers, bulk, tankers, heavy haulage and prime movers. It’s just more fun to say in Dutch.

All the submitted photos are printed in a special issue, with each issue having an assigned code. This means whoever buys the magazine then votes on the trucks they like. A couple of months out from the show the votes are tallied up and the top three in each category are notified and invited to display at Top, left to right: It might be a new generation Scania but the truckies in Assen love getting the V8s smokin’ and they pay good money so they can do it. For regulations, most have these on a switch system so they can share the joy just at shows; MAN is another big player over in Europe and had their own show truck out for display; The weather turned it on and the crowds flocked to the 2023 festival Middle, left to right: This beautifully restored 450 Scania is very much a transformer truck. With the curtains pulled it looks like a beautifully restored replica tautliner, but pull the curtains back and you will see there is state of the art motor home inside; The Scania display had several stunning customer trucks on display and free stroopwafels; The line-up for the first heats of the annual Decibel Contest; The number of women in trucking is taking off Europe, as you can see in this photo Bottom, left to right: While my notebook with names seems to have gotten lost in the post on the way back from The Netherlands, I still have the photos, including this lovely couple that handed me my first beer as I ventured into the ‘Classic’ section of the Festival. Check out their beautifully restored 141 Scania; Artwork galore in Assen with some amazing skill on display

OCTOBER 2023 59

27/9/2023 10:10 am

“All the trucks are working trucks, obviously on much better roads than ours.”

60 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 60

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:10 am

the festival. There they are judged and on Sunday the pecking order is announced – first, second and third. The eight category winners are then lined up and out of those the overall winner gets announced.

All the trucks are working trucks, obviously on much better roads than ours, but working nonetheless. Having a heads-up in advance allows a lot of these guys to spend the weeks before the show detailing their trucks and adding all manner of special touches, right down to customising the trailer’s toolboxes.

Best in Europe

Even with the limited numbers involved in the competition, it Is a mammoth effort for the five judges. That includes reigning down judgment on not just the Netherlands’ top 24 trucks, but also finding time to pick out winners among the best Europe has to offer.

The quality of every single truck in the judging area was second to none. The attention to detail in both the paintwork and the preparation was on a level that tired me out just looking at it.

Sound systems that would rival a small nightclub, paint so glossy the finish would mirror an actual mirror, and light setups that should come with an epilepsy warning and a set of polarising sunglasses. Whether you are a fan of European trucks or not, you couldn’t help but be blown away.

Skipping over just how difficult it must have been for the judges I would love to quickly fill you in on the awards and prize giving. Once again, I have never seen anything like it. The front straight of the Assen TT circuit hosts the prize giving and the front straight stand is absolutely packed. Thousands of people turn up and watch as the top three from each category line up, with the MC waving the winner forward to thunderous applause.

Then the eight category winners are announced and lined up. The

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 61

atmosphere is electric and rivals that of a Hollywood awards gala.

When the winner was announced there was cheering, tears and mass applause. You could not help but be carried away by the wave of enthusiasm. Once again, it was an eye-opening experience. This leads me to a run down on the festival side of things.

At the end of 2022 when I first thought about heading to the Truckstar festival I spoke to the legendary Bruce Hay from Drake Collectibles. Bruce had attended in 2022 and raved about it, telling me in no uncertain terms I would not get to see everything, no hope. Obviously being full of my own machismo I took that as a challenge. Of course I will get around everything, I love walking and it’s just a truck show. Well, I can tip my hat to Bruce, I didn’t make it.

Here’s the thing. The 1500 trucks parked around the truck would keep any truck nut preoccupied for days if not weeks.

The drivers of those trucks aren’t there to win prizes, they are there to kick back and have fun. I was three times over the legal limit before I got 100m down the track. Everybody wants to talk; Top, left to right: The Top 24 lane is where all the finalists from the Top Truck of the Netherlands get parked – it’s a busy place all day and night; Night-time around the track is just as jaw-dropping as the daytime show Middle, left to right: One of the coolest trucks on display was the Zurkirchen ‘Captain Morgan’ Volvo. Seen here with driver Patrick Kammermann standing proudly in front: A very rare scene indeed: Matt West and the stunning International Lonestar tow truck he drives; What else do you do with an old MAN? Turn it into a bar and cart it around to truck shows; Health and safety be damned, this kind of drinking platform was not uncommon at all Bottom, left to right: It’s 11.30pm and the show feels like it’s just getting warmed up; The Purple Rain Scania is well known at European shows, as is its custom pallet jack

OCTOBER 2023 61

27/9/2023 10:10 am

62 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 62

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:10 am

“The alcohol consumption would easily rival the top of the mountain at Bathurst.”

everybody is offering you a drink. There are containers turned into pools, there are old trucks turned into bars, there are fridge trailers turned into giant eskies and coordained off sleeping quarters. On one side of the track there’s a DJ cranking ‘doof doof’ music while drunk truckies ‘dance like no one is watching’. Three trucks down on the other side of the track made for a home-built grandstand facing a massive theatre system that’s broadcasting the F1.

You go a little further around the track and you will find parents sharing drinks while the kids are running around having a giant foam fight. If you escape that intact, by the time you get another few trucks down the track you find yourself having to look up and see a bunch of guys sitting on a couch that their truck crane has lifted some 10 metres in the air, making great use of their super-soakers from the high ground.

Joyous occasion

I was walking for a couple of hours, went through two camera batteries and damn near filled a 64GB card up. While the alcohol consumption would easily rival the top of the mountain at Bathurst, the atmosphere was always light and joyous. I met hundreds of people and understood about 1/100th of what they were saying, but it was unbelievably fun.

Like the show itself, I have barely managed to scratch the

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_056-63_Assen Truckshow_GB.indd 63

surface and all my posturing will pale in comparison to the event itself.

The Truckstar team has been finetuning this event for years and can now just tweak things here and there as they relish the event they have created. It is extremely family-orientated throughout the day with plenty of playgrounds and activities for the kids. At night there are light shows galore, from the show trucks to trackside parties. There is also a fairground with side shows and rides that run until late and Saturday night saw a massive concert with around five bands keeping the crowds entertained and dancing.

If you need a break from the overwhelming awesomeness of the show during the day, there was entertainment galore down the front straight. From the high-speed antics of the racing trucks to lunatics in crappy cars playing car soccer. Best of all was the annual ‘Decibel Competition’. They may still have all the emissions laws that we have to endure as well, but the truckies over there put a lot of effort into making sure their V8s sound as tough as possible. I am still investigating this year’s winner but last year it was a V8 Scania registering 128db. That puts it louder than a jet plane, slightly less than a gunshot and about on par with a jackhammer.

I could go on for days with more info from this incredible show, there is just so much to say. Instead, I will let you go and enjoy the photos. I will however wrap it all up by imploring anyone with a passion for truck shows, with a love of trucks and an appreciation for craftsmanship as well as anyone with a healthy appetite for the unhealthy and desire for the drink, to make the effort to see this festival.

I will definitely be going back, so pack your bags, your walking shoes, and plenty of camera batteries. Truckstar Festival is out of this world.

Top, left to right: Inside the Swiss Volvo of Zurkirchen Transport. Before you ask, yes it does work and there is a bed that drops down from the roof; You have to do a bit of walking but in the back car park you find the heavy haulage section with some pretty solid units; One of the most popular trucks unveiled at the festival was this airbrushed Indiana Jones Scania Middle, left to right: Once again, these are working trucks where all the family gets involved with cleaning up in order to have them shining at their best; There’s even a section for the good old American bonneted trucks, although they do seem out of place in Europe; The amount of ‘dead soldiers’ on the table is fairly self explanatory Bottom, left to right: Mattias Friberg and Moa Sundstrum Larsson with their stunning Scania and then their mini-me, stacked with merchandise; Friday afternoon and the heavy haulage convoy rolled in

OCTOBER 2023 63

27/9/2023 10:11 am

tech briefs

RECORD JAPANESE ORDER FOR NEW ECANTER Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has announced that deliveries of the new eCanter have begun with the sale of around 900 units to Yamato Transport Co. Ltd). It marks the world-first introduction of the new eCanter.

The eCanter was launched by MFTBC in 2017 as Japan’s first mass-produced electric light-duty truck, an emission free vehicle that reduces the burden on the driver with its low noise/vibration driving. Since the launch of the first-generation model in 2017, MFTBC says the eCanter has been highly acclaimed by customers in Japan and overseas.

The motor-driven eCanter emits no emissions when running and has little vibration or noise, making it suitable for delivery in residential areas even early in the morning or late at night.

Yamato introduced 25 units of the first generation eCanter in 2017 and, based on the results of its utilisation in home delivery and other logistics services, Yamato has now decided to introduce around 900 units of the

new eCanter nationwide. This is the largest single order of the eCanter to date.

The Yamato Group says it is introducing the eCanter as part of its efforts to achieve a 48 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, followed by virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The eCanters delivered to Yamato Transport this time are a standard cab, S-battery van vehicle with three compartments for dry, refrigerated, and frozen functions. The narrowest standard cab vehicle newly added to the lineup with the new eCanter model is said to be more manoeuvrable, making it suitable for deliveries around town. In addition, the charging port is mounted at the rear of the vehicle for easy daily charging and loading or unloading of cargo.

With a maximum payload capacity of 2 tonnes, this is the company’s first introduction of a 2-tonne class EV truck.

BENZ TEASES AHEAD OF EACTROS 600 REVEAL

On October 10 in Germany, Mercedes-Benz Trucks will celebrate the world premiere of the battery-electric eActros 600 for long-distance haulage.

The German manufacturer has provided a first taste of the seriesproduction truck with a newly released image. The teaser motif demonstrates that MercedesBenz Trucks is breaking new ground when it comes to design, thus also visually underlining the importance of the electric truck for the comprehensive

64 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_064-66_Tech Briefs_GB.indd 64

transformation towards CO2neutral transportation.

Clear lines and an aerodynamic design characterise the appearance of the eActros 600, which MercedesBenz says is intended to be the right choice for customers in terms of profitability, sustainability and reliability.

The electric truck will have a range of 500 kilometres without intermediate charging. MercedesBenz says the eActros 600 will also enable megawatt charging in the future.

NARVA OFFERS COMPLETE CONTROL The new Ultima Connect+ Controller has arrived, which Narva says offers owners of the recently launched Ultima LED Light Bar range the ability to further maximise the performance of their light bars, by adjusting the beam shape and intensity to suit the environment and driving conditions.

An optional extra across the new Ultima LED Light Bar line-up, the controller offers further lighting adjustment with three preset, customisable driving modes.

For highway driving, the beam can be set for maximum distance with less spread to avoid road sign f lare. On 4WD tracks, distance can be reduced with a focus on maximum spread, while for more open dirt roads, all the light can be set to its maximum output.

Ultima Connect+ Controller

also allows drivers to alter brightness (main and aux controls), provides a boost mode that delivers 15 per cent more power for 30 seconds, and with its LIN Bus technology, acts as a single point of control for all Ultima Connect+ enabled products.

The controller’s generously sized buttons make it easy to use on bumpy tracks, while multiple mounting options and single wire installation provide easy fitment across a wide range of vehicles.

Narva says the Ultima Connect+ Controller is the perfect companion to the Ultima LED Light Bar range, which include 8 and 24-inch models that can be combined to also provide 40 and 48 inch bar configurations. With Ultima, owners can also select from both hybrid and f lood beam light bar options depending on their preference.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:17 am

SCANIA FAST-TRACKS BATTERY PRODUCTION IN SWEDEN September 5 marked what Scania says was a historic moment when it’s new purpose-built battery assembly plant in the Swedish city of Södertälje came on-line.

The factory is taking battery cells produced jointly by Scania and Northvolt in northern Sweden and assembling them into modules and then into battery packs, to be transferred to the assembly line, located within the same production precinct.

“At Scania, we have made it our purpose to drive the shift towards a sustainable transport system.

With the battery assembly plant in operation, we have one of the key enablers in place to accelerate the shift to electrification,” says Christian Levin, president and CEO Scania and Traton Group.

Scania says it is targeting 50 per cent of its vehicle sales to be battery-powered by 2030.

Further ahead, it believes up to 100 per cent of vehicles can run on electricity.

“The shift to electrified solutions is the biggest transformation in the history of transport, and 2023 is the year when it truly takes off,” Levin says.

“The proof points are being launched one by one, and the 1.5 billion SEK (AU$210 million) investment in this new battery assembly plant is one of them,” he says.

In April 2023, Scania and Northvolt unveiled a jointly developed battery cell, specifically designed for heavyduty transport with outstanding performance and a uniquely low carbon footprint.

These cells are produced at the Northvolt ETT gigafactory in northern Sweden and are being assembled into packs at the new 18,000-square-metre plant in Södertälje, enabling the start of serial production of Scania’s premium electric trucks for regional transport.

The installed capacity at the factory allows it to handle one battery cell every second, while a battery pack is produced every four minutes.

The module line is fully automated with 38 robots doing

the work. The pack line is around 50 per cent automated, with 34 robots and employees working together. The assembled packs form battery systems tailored for Scania’s modular vehicle manufacturing.

Scan me

Why waste unnecessary time polishing alloy wheels?

Superchrome wheels wash clean in just 41 seconds. So, you can stop wasting your time on wheel maintenance and get on with your life.

Longer wheel life | No polishing costs | Quality presentation Call Superchrome on 02 9060 1610 or visit us at www.superchrome.com.au

ownerdriver.com.au

OWD_369_064-66_Tech Briefs_GB.indd 65

OCTOBER 2023 65

27/9/2023 10:17 am

tech briefs

VOLVO RAMPS UP ELECTRIC TRUCKS IN BELGIUM Volvo Trucks has commenced serial production of heavy battery electric trucks at the Ghent factory in Belgium. This means that electric Volvo trucks are now built in four factories – three in Europe and one in the US. “I’m thrilled! The Ghent factory is the largest one in our network, so

this is a very important milestone.

Now even more transport companies can go electric with Volvo,” says Roger Alm, president Volvo Trucks.

Three different electric models will be built in Ghent – the Volvo FH, the Volvo FM and the Volvo FMX Electric. These trucks can operate at

a total gross combination weight of 44 tonnes and can be adapted for a wide range of transport needs.

“Our trucks are much loved for their outstanding quality, safety, design, and driver comfort. It makes me very pleased that our customers can get all these benefits and, at the same time, transport goods without emitting any CO2,” Alm says.

The Ghent factory is the largest Volvo Trucks production site with a yearly capacity of around 45,000 trucks. The electric trucks are assembled on the same platform and line as the diesel and gaspowered trucks, in a production set-up that gives the factory a high flexibility when it comes to handling different variants and demands. The battery packs come from the recently opened battery assembly plant in Ghent, located right next to the production line.

Ghent is the fourth Volvo Trucks factory to produce battery electric

trucks. First out was Blainville in France, where Volvo started to build electric trucks for refuse handling and city distribution in 2019. One year later, the site in New River Valley, US, commenced serial production of the VNR Electric, designed for regional transport.

Then, an important milestone was reached last year, when Volvo Trucks put their heaviest range into serial production at the Tuve plant in Sweden, as the first global manufacturer to do so.

So far Volvo Trucks has taken orders, including letters of intent to buy, for around 6,000 electric trucks in 42 countries on six continents.

“Just a few years ago, many thought it was impossible to electrify heavy truck transport.

But we decided early on that electrification is our main path to zero emissions. Now we can offer an industry-leading range of purpose-built electric trucks, in commercial operation all around the world,” Alm continues.

“However, for the big electric shift to happen, governments need to act now and offer incentive programs for those who invest in the new technology, increase capacity in the power grid and also introduce CO2 taxes, to make sustainable transport more competitive.”

Isuzu says its diesel-engine generator sets are ideal as a backup power option and are designed with a compact footprint for easy installation and usage.

They are available in three sizes: a smaller 20kVA unit wellsuited to small businesses and mobile applications such as trade services and 37kVA and 50kVA units for businesses with heavier load requirements such as refrigeration.

Each generator set can be directly connected to the main

power supply, plus has a series of single and three phase power outlets depending on the size of the unit and come protected with a Residual Current Device as standard, ensuring they are ready to work.

Isuzu says all-weather canopies constructed from thick gauge steel with a powder coated finish for heavyduty and long-life operation guarantees performance, regardless of any external environmental conditions.

ISUZU TO COUNTER SUMMER POWER SURGE The need for businesses to consider power resilience strategies such as standby power has been highlighted with the release of an industry report that forecasts supply issues in major populated areas during the upcoming summer months.

The recent report from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has called on urgent investment to ensure reliability of the National Energy Market (NEM) as demand for businesses and households continues to increase.

It is during the powerintensive summer months that the network can be overloaded with demand, with blackouts an increasingly common occurrence in densely populated areas such as greater Melbourne.

Many large-scale businesses and essential services have standby generators in place to maintain power supply, switching over from mains power supply when an outage occurs.

Isuzu Power Solutions (IPS) sales manager, Troy Lawson, says the AEMO report highlights a further need

66 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_064-66_Tech Briefs_GB.indd 66

for power resilience to ensure operations can continue without interruption—particularly for those who may not have a backup power plan such as smaller businesses and trade services.

“In the past, we have found inquiries regarding standby power options such as generator sets spike following storms, f loods, and bushfire season, especially during recovery periods,” Lawson says.

“Unfortunately, the AEMO report predicts that power outages will occur outside of these events during our normal Australian summer weather patterns.

“Inquiries about generator sets to Isuzu dealers have been increasing nation-wide,” he continues.

“Smaller businesses are fully aware that having the power cut, even for a small amount of time, can be costly in loss of stock and productivity.

“With the release of the AEMO report, we anticipate many small businesses will turn that inquiry into a serious purchase consideration.

“Indeed, due to the amount of inquiry already this year, IPS has increased production of generator sets so that we can get them to customers quickly before the summer season arrives.”

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:17 am

www.trucktools.com.au

TRUCK REPAIR TOOLS AND WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT

Australia’s Largest Specialty Tru

Huge Range - Best Prices - Best Service Quality Products Products-To Keep Your Investment On The Road

Austr Products To Keep Yo Ph: 1800 000 561 or 03 970

• TRUCK ENGINE TOOLS • DRIVELINE / TRANSMISSION TOOLS • WORKSHOP • AXLE HUB NUT SOCKETS • HAND TOOLS / TORQUE WRENCHES • a

1800 000 561 - AUSTRALIA WIDE SERVICE Warehouse Pick-up available subject to prior arrangement

• TRUCK ENGINE TOOLS • D • AXLE HUB NUT S

Australia’s Largest Speciality Truck Tool Supplier.

The Right Tool For The Right Job. Products To Keep Your Investment On The Road.

ONLINE CATALOGUE Warehouse location FREIGHT AUSTRALIA WIDE OWD 369.indd 67

a

Australian owned and operated

Ph: 1800

www.trucktools.com.au Phone 03 9703 2000 Freecall 1800 000 561 info@trucktools.com.au

27/9/2023 8:02 am

A NEW ERA IN WRECKING WE RECONDITION CAT AND CUMMINS ENGINES AND ROAD RANGER GEARBOXES PLEASE CALL FOR STOCK AVAILABILITY AND DETAIL. CAT

CUMMINS EATON ROADRANGER GEARBOXES

E: SALES@EMTW.COM.AU P: 03 5480 0888 M: 0467 171 342 3 LAWRY STREET, MOAMA NSW 2731

ROCKWELL & EATON DIFFS

SEE WHAT’S WRECKING!

SUPPLIER OF NEW AFTERMARKET PARTS FOR EUROPEAN TRUCKS VOLVO • MERCEDES • DAF MAN • IVECO • RENAULT SECONDHAND PARTS FOR VOLVO TRUCKS

(03) 9357 7081 E: sales@volwreck.com.au

EXPANSION TANKS

OWD 369.indd 68

W: www.volwreck.com.au

AIR BAGS

4/55 Glenbarry Road, Campbellfield, VIC, 3061, Australia

BRAKE PADS & SHOES

PANELS, LIGHTS & MIRRORS

27/9/2023 8:04 am

ownerdriver

“ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TODAY” 1800 625 746

Email hollie.tinker@primecreative.com.au or call 0466 466 945

OWD-EP-5164923-CS-299

Phone: 03 9761 0595

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

FUEL TANK REPAIRS ~ CUSTOM MADE ~ FUEL, WATER & HYDRAULIC FUEL ~ HYDRAULIC CONVERSIONS HIGHEST QUALITY ALUMINIUM FABRICATION

CANFRED Engineering Pty Ltd - 48 Barry St, Bayswater, Vic

canfred@outlook.com

SCAN THE QR CODE or go to www.facebook.com/ownerdriver

OWD 369.indd 69

OWD-SBC-5031723-TS-347

TANKS FOR TRUCKS

www.canfredengineering.com.au

27/9/2023 8:01 am

transport of the gig style industry from the bottom.

FOR THE OWNER-DRIVER Frank Black

POSITIVE IMPACT

Raise your voices The uneven field of price cutting and unfair labour practices will soon be a thing of the past

S

eptember 4, 2023 is a day I’ll never forget. I joined a delegation of united transport industry representatives to Parliament House and sat in the gallery as transport reform was tabled as part of the Closing the Loopholes Bill.

Our delegation consisted of ownerdrivers, employee drivers, gig workers, employers, associations, and was led by the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Over three days we met with politicians, welcomed the tabling of the Bill and reinforced the need for legislation to be passed.

Each and every person in our delegation had a story of struggle and at times these were just heartbreaking.

We listened to an uncle tell of his gig worker nephew being killed under a truck while working on a bike as a food delivery rider. As a gig worker he had no rights like minimum wage or workers’ compensation, but even worse – the gig company denied he was even working for them at all.

The algorithm tracking him showed

70 OCTOBER 2023

OWD_369_070_COL_Frank Black_GB.indd 70

it was 25 minutes since his last job, and their insurance only covers a worker for 15 minutes outside of a delivery.

We heard of other gig workers averaging $10 an hour, and our trucking sector advising of rates going down while costs are going up with a take-it-or-leave-it mentality from their clients. Even the larger company owners were saying customers are asking for discounts, while they’re trying to manage the cost of living pressures on their business and employees.

No matter where we sit in the transport chain, we are all suffering from the same pressure from the top and a growing entry into traditional

FRANK BLACK has been a long distance ownerdriver for more than 30 years. He is a former long-term owner-driver representative on the ATA Council.

“There will be protections against unfair contracts terms (sham arrangements).”

On a positive note, we were privileged to witness the Bill being tabled in parliament by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon. Tony Burke MP. That Bill contains significant protections for a broad range of industries – and especially for the transport sector.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing the Loopholes Bill) 2023 has the potential to impact positively on all sectors of the industry from the gig worker in the middle of Sydney to the roadtrain operator in outback Australia.

The Bill aims to address existing loopholes and promote fairness, safety, and accountability within the industry and up the supply chain.

The Bill seeks to close legal gaps and ambiguities within the transport industry ensuring that regulations are set and effectively enforced so that all stakeholders are held accountable for the role they play in the supply chain.

One of the most important elements of it, is that an advisory group made up of industry experts such as drivers and our representatives, will feed into the decisions made by the Fair Work Commission when it comes to setting appropriate standards.

The Bill proposes some further key changes such as minimum working conditions for independent contractors who are: a) engaged in the transport industry and, b) ‘employee-like’ (gig workers performing digital platform work). There will be protections against unfair contracts terms (sham arrangements), and new criminal offences for wage theft, just to mention a few. These are major reforms that for once will impact our industry for the betterment of the people working within it.

The closing of loopholes will strengthen safety by closing avenues by which those at the top distance themselves from the pressures they have imposed on those further down the chain that compromise road safety.

The Bill will ensure workers of the industry are able to perform their daily tasks without pressure to cut corners in safety standards to get the job done quicker or cheaper, thereby reducing accidents as well as protecting public welfare.

Loopholes in existing regulations can create an uneven playing field, allowing some companies to gain unfair advantages to the detriment of others.

This Bill seeks to close gaps that allow price cutting, unfair labour practices or any other form of unfair behaviour.

It is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders to work together and recognise the importance of this legislation and support its passage so we can ensure an efficient, sustainable and safe transport industry.

We must stand together and keep raising our voices over the next few months to make sure Federal Parliament passes this important reform.

ownerdriver.com.au

27/9/2023 10:19 am

TRUCKING SUPPLIES TRUCKS FOR WRECKING WAGGA WAGGA 334 Copland St, P.O. Box 2373, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650

Ph: (02) 6925 8888

Web: truckingsupplies.com.au

Fax: (02) 6925 8889

Trucking Supplies Wagga regretfully announces we will be shutting up operations at the end of this year. After 40 years of being one of Australia’s largest and most reliable truck dismantlers, the rising price of stock, staff shortages, and some of our valuable, knowledgeable staff retiring, we have decided to go out on a high. We would like to thank our valuable customers from throughout those years, whom without your support, wouldn’t had made us the company we are today.

Thank you to all our staff past and present, who have also made this journey possible. We wish you all the best for the future.

From a small block to over 5 acres, we have grown in all those years, and can hold our heads high knowing that we helped support this great trucking nation of ours to keep Australia’s transport on the move.

So, in preparation for the closure, Truck Supplies will be having a massive closing down sale of existing stock up until the end of the year.

Our parent company Royan’s continues to operate, and remains Australia and New Zealand’s largest commercial vehicle accident repairer, keeping transport on the move since 1944.

FREIGHTLINER C120 2000, RTLO20918B gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on airliner, aluminium bumperbar, cab parts, Alcoas. Wrecking.

W2556. TA1188113.

POA

MACK TRIDENT 2013, engine, M drive transmission, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on Hendrickson suspension, cab parts, hydraulics, aluminium tipper body. Wrecking. W2547. TA1170122.

POA

WESTERN STAR 4900 1999, prime mover, Cummins Gen 2 engine,RTLO20918B gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on has, aluminium bullbar, cab parts, Alcoa, jost fixed turntable. Wrecking.

W2553. TA1188112.

POA

MACK VISION 2007, CCRS engine parts only, RTLO20918B gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on has suspension, drop on cab/sleeper, drop on bonnet, hydraulics, Alcoas. Wrecking. W2551. TA1176466.

POA

FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY 2013, Detroit DD15 engine, RTLO20918B gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on airliner suspension, aluminum fups bullbar, cab parts. Wrecking. W2540. TA1158892.

POA

MAN TGA26-480 2007, 480HP engine, ZF auto gearbox, airbag suspension, cab parts, bullbar. Wrecking. W2544. TA1170116.

POA

FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY 2010, Detroit 14L EGR engine, RTLO20918AS3 gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on airliner, cab parts, fuel tanks, alcoas.Wrecking. W2527. TA1137354.

POA

KENWORTH T408 2008, Cummins EGR engine, RTLO20918B gearbox, Spicer RT46-170 diffs on airglide 460, cab parts,fuel tanks, alcoas.

Wrecking. W2528. TA1137355.

POA

FREIGHTLINER CORONADO 2013, DD15 engine parts only, RTLO20918B gearbox, Meritor RT46-160 diffs on airliner suspension, drop on cab/sleeper, RTS A/C unit, Alcoas. Wrecking. W2552. TA1176470.

POA

A

Once again, thank you for your patronage throughout the years.

Email: tsenquiries@truckingsupplies.com.au WEBSITE UPDATED DAILY

OWD 369.indd 71

MDL 19571 MVRL 24428

truckingsupplies.com.au

OWD-FP-5011320-B

TRUCK DISMANTLERS

27/9/2023 8:01 am

DON’T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST BUY A HIGH-QUALITY SHED FROM AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST WHOLESALE SHED COMPANY

ABN HOLDERS ONLY ONLY ABN HOLDERS

BUY FROM US NOW & YOU COULD SAVE THOUSANDS

15M x 40M x 5.1M | $72,950 INC GST

ULTIMATE VALUE

ONLY

$30,100 INC GST

LARGE & LONG

CLASSIC SHELTER

ONLY

15M x 18M x 5.1M (50’ x 60’ x 17’) Strong, robust and extendable. Open both ends.

Add an extra bay for $6,800.

HIGH & MIGHTY

ONLY

$42,850

$21,850 INC GST

13M x 13.5M x 5.1M (43’ x 45’ x 17’) Access from both 13M ends makes this shed perfect for drive-thru storage, and it’s easy to extend.

XL MULTI PURPOSE

TOUGH TRIPLE

INC GST

18M x 18M x 7M (60’ x 60’ x 23’) Excellent shed for tall machinery or stacking hay. Open both ends.

27M (90’) long version $61,380.

ONLY

$19,850 INC GST

SAVE TAX

*

INC GST

15M x 36M x 5.1M (50’ x 120’ x 17’) Room to put all the gear in.

Add an extra bay for $6,700.

EASY ACCESS

INC GST

13M x 31.5M x 5.1M (43’ x 105’ x 17’) Open front with two large 9M openings for wide access, plus three more 4.5M openings.

9M x 15M x 4.5M (30’ x 50’ x 15’) Open front shed in large 5M bays for better storage.

Skylights extra.

ENORMOUS ACCESS

ONLY

$51,050

ONLY

$56,490

ONLY

$30,850 INC GST

9M x 24M x 5M (30’ x 80’ x 16’8”) Four large 6M bays to suit all storage needs.

Extend to 13M (43’) wide for an extra $9,070.

5.7M (19’) high version $33,150.

AWESOME VALUE PLUS

$20,000 INSTANT TAX WRITE-OFF ONLY

$87,450 INC GST

TRUCK STOP

100% TAX WRITE-OFF ON HAY & FODDER SHEDS

20M x 40.5M x 5.4M (66’ x 135’ x 17’7”) Outstanding access at both ends. The drive-thru convenience of this shed makes it excellent for large machinery or storage.

ONLY

$39,700

SUPER INDUSTRIAL

ONLY

$96,600 INC GST

18M x 31.5M x 5.6M (60’ x 105’ x 18’5”) Plus a 4.5M (15’) roof extension, large industrial roller doors and a PA door.

Makes an ideal workshop or factory.

ONLY

$36,000 INC GST

COMPACT BUSINESS

ONLY

INC GST

9M x 13.5M x 4.5M (30’ x 45’ x 15’) Heavy duty building with a large industrial roller door and PA door.

Building in Colorbond.

$52,200 INC GST

FARMERS WORKSHOP

ONLY

$72,950 INC GST

TOUGH DOUBLE

15M x 40M x 5.1M (50’ x 131’ x 17’) Organise your storage with five 8M bays, perfect for hay and machinery! Building in Zinc.

9M x 16M x 5M (30’ x 53’ x 16’8”) Easy workspace with plenty of height for a hoist.

Colorbond walls, doors and trim.

$25,790

18M x 27M x 5.1M (60’ x 90’ x 17’) What a great shed! Industrial rated. Ideal packing or machinery shed. Add an extra bay for $7,720.

5.5M (18’) high version $53,700.

ULTIMATE FARM HAY SHED

TRADIES WORKSHED

INC GST

13M x 27M x 5.1M (43’ x 90’ x 17’) Awesome protection with drive-thru convenience.

ONLY

ONLY

$48,450

ONLY

$34,650 INC GST

13M x 18M x 5M (43’ x 60’ x 16’8”) Two large 9M bays. Can be extended at any time.

BIG OPENINGS

INC GST

13M x 22.5M x 5M (43’ x 75’ x 16’8”) The best of both worlds featuring enclosed workshop, large industrial roller door and PA door leading out to four 4.5M open front bays.

ONLY

15M x 27M x 5.1M (50’ x 90’ x 17’) Strong and functional.

Extend to 18M (60’) wide for $10,940.

$52,050 INC GST

MANUFACTURING HIGH GRADE SHEDS IN QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA & TAS

THE NOW BUILDINGS ADVANTAGE 100% Australian steel, 100% Australian made, 100% Australian family owned High tensile bolts & class 4 fasteners, gutters & downpipes included Site specific engineering, heavy duty connection & footing design High grade industrial strength materials and design

CALL ON 08 6629 5339

TREVOR 0431 597 160

WEB: shed.sale/OwnerDriver

JAMES 0413 104 820

JOHN 0437 699 111

Images are from the Now Buildings range, for illustration purposes only. Imperial measurements are approximate. Shed price only. WA, NT & TAS slightly extra. Prices are based on collection, delivery extra. Extras pricing in bold is applicable at the shed purchase stage only. Extensions for existing sheds POA. Now Buildings will not be responsible to honour these prices once the total allocation has been sold. E&OE. Prices are Region A, Terrain cat. 2. Reg B slightly extra. *Now Buildings is not responsible for any changes made to tax legislation after the print deadline. You should consult your own tax advisors before entering any transaction.

OWD 369.indd 72

26/9/2023 8:34 am