Trailer Builder

Bulk waste handling equipment that is ‘Made for Australia’.

Out with the old, in with the new

INNOVATIVE, FORWARD-THINKING DESIGN EPITOMISES THE LATEST WASTE SPEC OPTIONS FROM BMI TRAILERS.

UK-based trailer builder, bmi trailers, has launched its latest range of bulk waste handling equipment to the Australian market. These trailers are ‘Made for Australia’ and are specifically optimised for Australian waste applications. The company’s core business is the waste and recycling market and it provides high quality moving floor trailers that are designed and manufactured in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. “Through a wide range of multi-disciplinary skills, clever design, engineering acumen and offering a tailored design and build, bmi trailers help companies to develop their capability while keeping them at the forefront of technical and industrial innovation,” says bmi trailers Managing Director, Brendan McIlvanna. His business is all about service – over the past 21 years it has delivered a wide range of projects to a diverse portfolio of clients and waste environmental projects from large government bodies to waste disposal companies across the UK as well as Australia, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Africa and Poland. The key to bmi’s success, according to Brendan, is delivering first-class products such as the bmi ejector trailer which ticks the boxes for safety, efficiency and reliability. “Almost 20 years of innovation and design change is what is behind the flagship, benchmarked bmi steel ejector trailer,” Brendan says. “Setting the standard for durability, longevity, tare weight, serviceability and support, not to mention residual value.” The bmi ejector trailer is available in a range of specifications with capacities between 70 and 97 cubic metres. The trailers are fabricated from top grade high tensile steel and is also designed with strength and payload in mind. The trailer has a lower centre of gravity for improved safety as well as a wide track chassis and axles for stability. These trailers are also fitted with Electronic Braking Systems (EBS) with roll stability and fill data-logger features. There is also a substantial top rail to prevent side wall deformation. Hardox 450 grade floor sheets are optional. Also, in-cab control cover systems can be manually operated but there are also remote-control options for ease-of-use. “The bmi ejector trailer is the strongest, most durable moving floor trailer on the market,” Brendan says. “Built with decades of design experience making the bmi Ejector the premier product for waste bulk hauliers.”

Contact

bmi trailers Ph: +4428 87753999 www.bmitrailers.com

Bickleys schmick chick transporter

LIVE CHICKEN HAULER, BICKLEYS, HAS INVESTED IN A PURPOSE-BUILT VAWDREY FLAT-TOP ROAD TRAIN SET WHICH IS PROVIDING A SIGNIFICANT BOOST IN PRODUCTIVITY UNDER PERFORMANCEBASED STANDARDS IN THE FIVE-TO-SIX-DAY PER WEEK OPERATION.

In what amounts to yet another Performance-Based Standards (PBS) success story that’s well outside the burgeoning truck and dog box, Goornong (VIC) based Bickleys Transport recently commissioned a high productivity road train comprising two 45’ Vawdrey semi-trailers linked by a tandem converter dolly to significantly enhance productivity in a role that was previously the exclusive domain of B-doubles. Bickleys is a family-owned operation with a diverse and somewhat vertically integrated line of work, specifically involving the haulage of general haulage, hay and live chickens. The company has a long-standing working arrangement with Lockwood-based Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm, a fellow familyowned enterprise that has been operating for more than 80 years. “We’ve been transporting products for Hazeldene’s for over 30 years,” says Bickleys owner and Managing Director, John Bickley. “About 15 years ago out of the blue they asked me to do a load of live chickens to help them out one night and from that one load we have gradually built up to between 20 and 25 B-double loads per night, depending on demand.” In recent times, like many operators, John

realised the potential benefits of PBS in the quest to increase productivity and set to work, with the help of Vawdrey, finding out what he could do to maximise payload capacity in his live chicken haulage operation. “We initially discovered we could get two 40-foot trailers over the line without a worry, but the increase in payload didn’t justify the expense and all the hoops we had to jump through with PBS,” John says. “So, we decided to push the envelope and see if we could gain approval for two 45 footers.” One of the main challenges with the design was an overall height restriction of 4.1m that goes hand-in-hand with the gross combination mass limit of 79.5 tonnes and overall length limit of 36m, but Bruno was able to meet this requirement using several features including low-profile tyres to achieve the desired low deck height with the trailers. Other key features include a full complement of BPW axles riding on BPW air suspension, including self-steering units on the rearmost position of both tri-axle groups, and a tandem-axle converter dolly linking the two identical trailers. John explains that the whole process took an entire year from inception to having the vehicle operating on the road, but that the massive effort and wait were well worth it. He says the critical aspect was gaining approval from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and various road managers to operate the combination on designated routes in country Victoria at night, enabling it to transport chickens from a number of farms to the Hazeldene’s processing plant at Lockwood. “I’m very, very happy with the outcome – it’s surpassed all my expectations,” John says. “The tracking of the combination is absolutely amazing, virtually the same as a B-double – within 100mm – which means it can easily access all the places where we load without a problem.” In fact, route access-wise John says the main limiting factor compared to a B-double is the considerable payload advantage which necessitated specific route planning to avoid a couple of bridges that were deemed inappropriate for the extra weight. The trailers were custom-built for the cargo with robust steel headwalls and freight locators welded to the floors which, along with straps, prevent the crates from moving under normal circumstances. John has high praise for the design and manufacturing teams at Vawdrey, saying everything worked exactly as planned on the combination’s maiden voyage. “It was pretty satisfying to see it loaded for the first time and everything working as it should,” he says. “I don’t think there are any other road train combinations doing this sort of work at this stage in Victoria and we hope to put another one on the road next year.” With a payload capacity of 50 tonnes, around 25 per cent more than a B-double on Higher Mass Limits, Bickleys’ new chickencarrying road train is a superb example of what can be achieved with co-operation between the NHVR, road managers, an ambitious operator and a switched-on trailer builder such as Vawdrey.

Fast Fact

Bickleys has relied on the far-reaching expertise of trailer builder Vawdrey to supply a road train set of trailers with a 50-tonne payload capacity used to haul live chickens.

Contact

Vawdrey Australia 1-53 Quantum Close Dandenong South VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9797 3700 Web: www.vawdrey.com.au

Delivering a solid customer experience

EAGLE FUELS DEPENDS ON FUNCTIONAL AND RELIABLE RIGID ROAD TANKERS FROM MARSHALL LETHLEAN TO GROW ITS BUSINESS AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

Operating throughout Victoria and South Australia, Eagle Fuels provides fuel and lubricant solutions to a broad customer base across a range of industries that include everything from transport, earthmoving and construction to manufacturing, rail, defence and emergency services. To accommodate such diversity in demand, the company’s vehicle fleet comprises a mix of small rigid tankers as well as larger combinations such as 19-metre B-double tankers. A respectable refuelling and lubricant outfit, Eagle Fuels is committed to delivering quality products and services as efficiently and as safely as possible. To that end, the company’s heavy vehicle operators are experienced in their trade, having obtained Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSIC), membership

with the Australian Institute of Petroleum and licenses and accreditation to manage the transportation of Dangerous Goods (DG). Eagle Fuels’ dedication to performing its duties in a professional and efficient manner has led to significant growth for the firm along with opportunities to welcome new state-of-the-art road tanker innovations to the company’s fleet. Business Development and Operations Manager, John Hevern, says Eagle Fuels invested in new road tanker equipment from Marshall Lethlean to support the company’s core services and to further support the Australian industry with Marshall Lethlean’s local build which covers all Australian capabilities. “These new additions to the fleet will mainly be used for onsite refuelling as well as some bulk delivery work,” he says. “There are two rigid tanker orders in with Marshall Lethlean. The first locally built rigid tank will be paired with the DAF 6x4, which will be the first DAF to go into our fleet, and the second locally built rigid tanker will be paired with a Volvo 6x4.” These rigid tanker builds, according to John, will be similar to a previous order except they are being fitted with a different delivery system. The order with Marshall Lethlean was placed at the beginning of this year and the new vehicles are rolling out now. These tankers have a capacity of 18,000 litres. “They are four-compartment tankers although we will need to down the capacity here and there to comply with legal weight requirements,” John says. The most important features of these tankers, according to John, is their functionality and reliability – plus they have to look good. “The aftersales support is great,” John says, “It is not very often that you do not get a phone call answered which is something that goes a long way.”

Fast Fact

Victorian trailer manufacturer, Marshall Lethlean, strives to provide the best transport solutions with its flexibility, product quality and commitment to delivering a solid customer experience. Marshall Lethlean also provides customers with a unique opportunity by offering customers the choice of a fully Australian built product, partial Australian built product, or a fully imported product fitted with Australian supplied parts. All these options have significant advantages based on the needs of the operator.

Contact

Marshall Lethlean 20 Whitfield Boulevard Cranbourne West VIC 3977 Ph: 03 8788 5400 Web: www.mli.com.au

Looking after its people and customers

Goldstar Transport Managing Director, Sean Carren.

GOLDSTAR TRANSPORT HAS ACQUIRED A NUMBER OF NEW KRUEGER 48’ BUCKLE-LESS LOAD RESTRAINT RATED KURTAINERS. REDUCED DRIVER FATIGUE AND INCREASED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES ARE CITED AS PRIMARY BENEFITS OF THE PRODUCT.

Perth-based Goldstar Transport, in common with many trucking firms, highly values the contributions its drivers make to the operation. The company appreciates that its drivers are linchpins of the operation and that without them, there would be no business. Therefore, the equipment it chooses to buy must not only be of the highest quality, but also possess features that reduce stresses for the drivers and improve turnaround times. A proportion of Goldstar’s work entails deliveries to supermarket distribution centres where the curtain-sided semis are backed into finger docks and side unloaded. With drivers completing up to 12 such unloads per day, it’s not hard to see how automated curtain locking systems such as Krueger’s Buckle-Less can be a huge benefit in terms of productivity gains and reduced driver fatigue. “Krueger’s 48’ Buckle-Less works well for us in the supermarket space and Krueger worked hard to keep the tare weight down, as we are carrying heavy products that put us close to the weight limit,” says Sean Carren, Managing Director of Goldstar Transport. Sean says while the company has been buying Krueger trailers since 2018, they have a long relationship with Krueger’s newly appointed CEO, Kevin Dennis, former MD of MAN and Western Star import for AU & NZ. While business-to-business relationships are important, Sean explains, it is the quality and efficiency of the product that ultimately determines the purchase. After a thorough evaluation process, the Goldstar team determined Krueger’s BuckleLess load restraint rated curtain system was

the one that ideally suited the business. “We evaluated all of the automated curtain trailers on the market and decided that Krueger offered the best solution for us,” Sean says. “With our supermarket delivery work this is a key thing because it makes life easier for the drivers and that’s really what it’s about because the drivers are our most valuable asset.” Sean has high praise for the team at Krueger Transport Equipment – especially WA State Manager, Nigel Withnell – as they made the trailer buying process run smoothly for Goldstar Transport. “The service we received with these latest trailers was fantastic – Krueger had them ready on the exact date they’d initially told me they would be ready – you can’t ask for more than that,” he said – adding that they were more than happy to accommodate Goldstar’s request for stylish and aerodynamic side under-run panels. The panels are designed to lift up for easy access to the spare wheels on the carrier. Other features of the 48’ Buckle-Less trailers include Krueger’s own Road Friendly Suspension (RFS), which has served Australia’s road transport for more than 20 years, and Knorr-Bremse EBS.. Sean says having the correctly specified trailer for this operation is paramount for Goldstar Transport. While the company seeks to buy WA produced trailers where practicable, the local manufacturers don’t have the buckle-less curtainsiders that the eastern states manufacturers produce, he says. “Operating trucks in WA does present a unique set of challenges and while we have a number of good trailer builders over here, none of them build a buckle-less curtainsider,” Sean says. “After evaluating the major contenders in that space, Krueger brought the most to the table for our operation. “Having Nigel on the ground here is another bonus because he understands the WA landscape and prior to Covid-19 we regularly saw Grant here also.” According to Sean, Krueger is a dependable business partner that understands the needs of Goldstar Transport and allows the company to evaluate products before they commit to purchase, thus ensuring the product is fit for purpose. “This is a prerequisite for us – if a manufacturer won’t allow us to do this, we won’t go with them.” Established in 2001 in the Perth suburb of Kewdale, Goldstar Transport has become one of WA’s leading family-owned transport companies. The company has a staff of 175 and serves 180 customers across a broad range of industries including contract distribution, warehousing and logistics, container transport, fast moving consumer goods, steel, mining and liquefied gases. Over the years the company has received a number of accolades including 2020 Woolworths Group Carrier of the year following on from the Woolworths Group Carrier of the Year awarded in 2016. CCA Supplier of the Year in 2011 as well as The CCA account Manager of the year Award in 2011. With a view to continuously innovate in the areas of driver wellbeing, efficiency and productivity, Goldstar Transport will continue to specify equipment like the Krueger 48’ Buckle-Less trailers to keep it at the cutting edge of transportation in the vast state of WA and beyond.

Fast Fact

Capitalising on the driver-fatigue reducing and time saving benefits of Krueger’s 48’ Buckle-Less Kurtainers, Goldstar Transport has invested in several units to assist in its supermarket distribution duties.

Contact

Krueger Transport Equipment 275 Fitzgerald Road, Derrimut VIC 3030 Ph: 03 8331 6100 Web: www.krueger.com.au

Krueger 48’ Buckle-Less Kurtainer hits the road.

Son of a gun

NORTHERN VICTORIAN FAMILY BUSINESS, ELLIOTT’S EXCAVATIONS, HAS TAKEN DELIVERY OF A CUSTOM SPEC’D BULK TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT TIPPER COMBINATION TO BEST SERVE ITS BULK HAULAGE CUSTOMERS. A QUALITY BUILD, BACKED BY A COMPETITIVE SERVICE AND WARRANTY PACKAGE, WILL GO A LONG WAY TO REINFORCE THE TRANSPORT COMPANY’S BOTTOM LINE.

Brendan Elliott, Business Manager of Elliott’s Excavations, has a proud family history in the road transport industry. “My grandfather started in transport in 1948 after he returned from WWII, carting Livestock and fuel,” Brendan says. “In the early 1970s my father started carting gravel and earthmoving around Gunbower, the Northern Victoria Region, and we carried on until present day operating out of the same site.” The business, Brendan says, has grown steadily over the years along with the ups and downs that reflect the local economy. “If dairying is good, business and farmers spend money, and if the government spends on infrastructure, we see increased work opportunities and growth locally,” he says. “However, water in Northern Victoria and southern Riverina – and the lack thereof – due to availability and price, is in some cases holding the community back.” Elliott’s Excavations has supported the civil construction sector in the region for more

Elliott’s Excavations hits the road with quality tippers manufactured by Bulk Transport Equipment.

than 45 years and specialises in earthmoving, bulk stockfeed, transport and materials supply. The company fleet comprises 12 truck combinations with trailers as well as 10 items of earthmoving plant. “We service a broad range of clients, from quarry owners to farmers, local government, landscape suppliers and private customers,” Brendan says. He explains that the business mostly carries bulk quarry, washed stone, sand products, stockfeed, gypsum, lime, manures and landscape. The company’s heavy vehicles travel along both sides of the border (east and west) and into the Riverina, down to metropolitan Melbourne and central Victoria. In the market for new trailing equipment, Brendan says he looked around prior to ordering his latest Bulk Transport Equipment (BTE) combination. “We found that BTE brought a lot more to the table than the standard offerings as per our discussions with the team there,” Brendan says. “We specified this combination with the equipment required to meet our customers’ needs by incorporating a Right Weight onboard mass system, a rear trailer with poly slip flooring as well as an auto greasing system to reduce some of our longer-term costs. We built what we wanted this time, and added some flash to get it to stand out as our mobile business advertising.” In addition to taking delivery of a reliable tipper combination built to stringent specifications, Brendan says the acquisition comes with excellent backup, service and warranty. “BTE stand by their trailer combinations which come with a five-year warranty on the trailer chassis and two years on the bodies. That alone speaks volumes for their confidence in the product they build.” Brendan confirms the increased payload with the new five axles brings long term gains to the business such as fuel cost savings and better availability with new equipment. “With our old equipment, availability and downtime was a large impediment to our bottom line,” Brendan says. “It is very frustrating to have plenty of work in front of you only to be held back with minor breakdowns that could be measured in days of lost work.” Overall, Brendan is satisfied with Great relationships, according to Brendan are key to any successful business. “With solid product backing as well as partnering with companies that are easy to deal with – that you can call anytime to discuss concerns – gives you peace of mind for future dealings.”

Fast Fact

Elliott’s Excavations maintains a solid reputation as a premium supplier of services to local industry throughout central and northern Victoria. The family business engages in earthmoving, bulk haulage, materials supply and more.

Contact

Bulk Transport Equipment 12-16 Fowler Road Dandenong South VIC 3175 Ph: 03 9794 0330 Web: www.bte.net.au

Singing the praises of Swingwing

BUYING HIGH QUALITY NEW EQUIPMENT AND KEEPING IT IN SHIP-SHAPE CONDITION IS THE MODUS OPERANDI OF GARRY MORRIS, OWNER OF HEAVY HAULAGE SPECIALIST COMPANY, MHL. HE RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW DRAKE SWINGWING 4X8 WITH REAR STEER AND RECKONS IT’S THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD.

In any transport business the cost of maintaining and servicing trucks, trailers and related equipment adds up to a significant proportion of overall running costs. Yet operators of Drake Trailers consistently say that the quality of engineering and manufacturing that goes into them makes for a bullet-proof package that lasts for an incredibly long time if maintained and operated correctly. These same qualities also mean Drake products generally hold their value remarkably well, which is a huge advantage if they need to be on-sold. An operator who wholeheartedly subscribes to these theories is Garry Morris, who started Morris Heavy Logistics (MHL) in 2015. Garry is no stranger to Drake Trailers, having purchased several new units over the last six years. His new Swingwing 4x8 is definitely a ‘hamburger with the lot’ and ticks all the boxes for the operation. For a start, it features a remote-control unit that operates multiple trailer functions including starting the powerpack, repositioning the gooseneck, widening and narrowing the deck ‘wings’, adjusting the hydraulic suspension up and down and command steering the eight sets of dual wheels at the rear of the trailer. “The only thing we can’t operate with the remote is the ramps,” Garry says, “although they do have automatic chain tensioners which make light work of undoing the chains and ensure they stay tight during travelling.” As for the steerable rear axle groups, Garry is mightily impressed with the way they reduce tyre wear and enable him to negotiate tight confines common with around town work. “You can steer yourself in and out of really tight places which is a Godsend when working around town,” he says.

“Otherwise, you would be destroying your tyres and damaging road surfaces and driveways. “This new one steers beautifully with a 50-tonne payload,” he says – adding that the remote starting of the powerpack and actuation of the steering means he can steer the trailer into a job site in reverse without having to leave the cab. Importantly, the axles self-steer when travelling in a forward direction and therefore require no hydraulic input from the powerpack. The deck incorporates a plethora of chaindown points with which Garry is more than happy, saying “You can never have too many.” Another feature Garry insists on with every heavy-haulage trailer he buys is bi-fold ramps. “All of my Drake trailers – including the new Swingwing, two 4x4 Deck Wideners and a tri-axle Lowboy (a heavy-duty drop-deck widener) – have bi-folds and I wouldn’t buy a trailer without them,” he asserts. “We carry a lot of asphalt pavers, road profilers and other low ground clearance machines which require the longer ramps and low breakover angle so they don’t bottom out when loading or unloading. It’s also better for the track machinery because they don’t have as far to come down when they reach the tipping point.” Garry says his philosophy of buying new top-shelf equipment pays dividends because downtime across the fleet is virtually zero and this is what is demanded by his clients. “We spend very little, if any, time broken down and this is what is expected of us,” he says. “We do around the clock work for several major road building and maintenance contractors who simply can’t afford delays in their equipment turning up on jobsites. “Apart from regular greasing, the trailers get maintained at Easter and Christmas when they’re off the road, and the rest of the year it’s all systems go.” Garry says that unlike prime movers, Drake trailers are an investment because they last so well and hold their value regardless of how old they are. “On paper the initial purchase price looks expensive but it’s really not when you factor in the lifespan potential of these trailers,” Garry says. “If they get to 10 years old and need a refurb – that’s what you do. You can rebuild the running gear, sandblast and repaint them and you virtually have a new trailer again.” Having a good business model, according to Garry, means that investing in good gear like highly specified Drake trailers is a wise choice in the long run. Spending a bit extra on the additional features that makes the lives of him and his drivers easier and improves operational efficiencies is well worth it.

Long bi-fold ramps make loading and unloading low ground clearance track machinery much easier and safer.

A plethora of chain-down points on the decks makes life easier for Garry. “You can never have too many,” he says. Contact

The Drake Group of Companies 19 Formation St Wacol QLD 4076 Ph: 07 3271 5888 Web: www.thedrakegroup.com.au

Fast Fact

A new Drake 4x8 Swingwing with rear steer is the pride of the MHL fleet. Having the rearmost two rows of eight wheels command steerable makes a massive difference in improving manoeuvrability and reducing tyre wear.