TEST DRIVE
CONTINEN M EE TS JA PA N ES E
PRACTICALIT Y The inclusion of European driveline manufacturer ZF’s up-to-the-minute TraXon 16-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) with Intarder has boosted Hino’s stalwart 700 Series variants to a standard not previously seen in Japanese heavy-duty trucks.
W
ith the constant trickle of technology that’s been funneling into new trucks over the past decade, there’s the possibility that some trucks are now actually overtechnologised for certain applications where simple practicality is often
deemed more important than full-blown technical sophistication. Consider the ubiquitous farm truck. With versatility being key, these trucks in particular can be one day carting cattle in a crate and the next day hauling hay on the tray. While not usually clocking anywhere
near the mileage of trucks in other freight tasks, farm trucks are heavily relied upon for various tasks and as such, reliability, durability and simplicity are often the most highly prized attributes. Perhaps this is a significant reason why so many Hino trucks, some literally multiple decades old, are enduring farm-
The latest Hino 700 Series FS 2848 is pitched at ag culture markets. 50
febr u a r y 2020
