Scania Experience Australia #17 January 2017

BUSINESS | VEHICLES | TRENDS

N O 1/2017

WWW.SCANIA.COM.AU

#17

EXPERIENCE UPTIME Scania Driver Competitions run and won

Smart solution

Next Generation Scania revealed

A new 8x4 hook-lift gives Corio Waste Management extra flexibility Stacking the decks

Converts to the cause

JOHN LEEDS MAKES A MOVE TO SCANIA

WINTERFIELD’S SWITCH TO R 730 POWER

More Power Less Fuel.

Greater Range.

THE NEW SCANIA V8 MARINE ENGINE. Famous for our powerful V8-engines, we are now taking one step further away from the competition. Based on a robust design and rated to 1200hp, the new engine promotes greater power with smaller dimensions. The Scania-designed XPI is a state-of-the-art common rail fuel injection system, optimised to make continuous, precise adjustments. Compared to other engine brands in the same power range, the new V8 has the top power-to-weight ratio on the market. It is the most fuel-efficient engine of its kind so not only do you get greater power from the same package, less fuel gives you greater range.

For more information go to www.scania.com.au/engines or email engines@scania.com.au

January 2017

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CONTENTS Scania Experience No.17 6

News Scania's Driver Competitions have been run and won.

10 Next Generation Scania

An early look at the Next Generation Scania, inside and out.

14 Maintenance Make-over

Our new concept in regular maintenance driven by need, not the calendar or kilometres.

16 Turning heads and hearts

Cattle transport guru John Leeds has turned a few heads with his purchase of a new R 730 prime mover.

20 Super-Scania pulls Super-Quads

Our biggest ever Scania built for Australian conditions is a 10X8 operated by Qube in WA.

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22 Floating like a butterfly

Winterfield's Float Hire has switched to Scania's R 730 and can hardly believe the performance bonus.

26 King of the road makers

Blessed are the road makers and their shiny Scanias.

30 HRT's secret third driver

James Courtney and Garth Tander wouldn't be where they are without Darryl Kruzinga and his Scania.

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32 Cover Story: Smart and reliable Corio Waste Management's new G 480 hook lift.

36 Stairway to the Heavens

Mount Gambier introduces a new 8x4 Metz ladder.

40 Logging on

Tabeel Trading has 7 new prime movers to pull wood chip from the forest to the port.

44 Thirlled and chilled

Adelaide Refrigerated plays it cool with a new V8.

48 General access on the double Tasmania's Hingston Livestock pulls the wool with ease.

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40

Editorial

50 Elementary deduction

Scania's hp powers a QLD horse-breeder's wheels.

52 Rigid delivers flexibility

Pacific Petroleum's 8x4 tanker provides plenty of options.

56 Still going strong

30 years behind the same wheel, and Terry's still smiling.

58 Blue is the new green

Green Power Solutions loves Scania's gas generator.

60 Efficiency bonus

Bus Queensland has new alloy bodied buses on the go.

62 Safety Scania for inner-city driving Cyclist-friendly 8x4 tipper devised by Scania GB.

64 Service Directory

Where to find all our service and emergency dealers.

66 The Back Page

Running to time: Scania's truck clock tells the time, 24/7 on your computer.

Scania Experience Scania Experience is a magazine about business, vehicles and trends, for ­transport operators and professionals, and is distributed free to all owners of Scania trucks, buses, coaches, and industrial and marine engines.

Managing Editor Alexander Corne Contributing Photographers Charlie Suriano, Mark Horsburgh, Paul Kane, Mark Bean, Howard Shanks, Stuart Grant Graphic Design and Layout Motorink Pty Ltd Scania Experience is printed by PostScript Printing Publishing Agencies Motorink Pty Ltd (Aust) + Appelberg, Stockholm, Sweden www.appelberg.com Scania Experience is published by Scania Australia 212-216 Northbourne Road, Campbellfield, Victoria 3061

No reproduction in whole or in part of this publication is allowed without the permission of the Managing Editor. The publisher does not accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs submitted to this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Scania Australia. This publication is issued for informational purposes. Any use of the information provided is at the user’s sole risk, and the publisher shall not be liable for direct, incidental, consequential or indirect damages of any kind arising out of the use of the information made available in this publication. Scania Australia thanks the owners and operators of Scania vehicles for their time and assistance in the compilation of material for this edition. www.scania.com.au

www.scania.com.au

“ Scania can now determine with great precision, the correct servicing intervals for each vehcle.”

Roger McCarthy, Managing Director

Knowledge = Power

Across the world there are now well in excess of 211,000 connected Scania vehicles. Several thousand are operating in Australia, using the power of the Scania Communicator to report how they are running and being driven. Data from the Communicator is analysed and operators get weekly and monthly reports on how efficiently their vehicles are being operated.

Scania can now determine with great precision the correct servicing intervals for each individual vehicle, which has led to the development of the Scania flexible Maintenance Programme schedule that may deliver fewer service pit-stops in any given year, or additional service appointments, depending on the operating environment, loading and driving style.

The benefits are that vehicles remain in optimum condition for longer and avoid unplanned breakdowns. This ensures you can meet your customers’ deadlines.

Intelligent maintenance planning is just the tip of the iceberg for Scania. We are investing in the future by developing platooning technology and autonomous vehicle controls, both of which will contribute to reducing future operating costs as well as enhancing levels of road safety and a reduction in vehicle related accidents.

Scania is also developing engines that can run on alternative fuels, or use electric and hybrid powerplants to reduce our customers’ environmental impact.

At the Scania-sponsored Sustainable Transport Forum held in Paris in August, we heard how many municipalities are taking the lead in stimulating the adoption of cleaner energy solutions for road transport, forging ahead of national legislation.

While Australia is not as yet a part of this movement, representatives at the highest levels of state government and statutory bodies recently visited Scania head office in Sweden to find our more about our plans for the future of sustainable road transport, specifically within the autonomous vehicle space.

Back home, our transport industry will continue to require the services of exceptional drivers, which is why we once again held the Australian version of Scania’s global Driver Competitions in Melbourne in October, the results of which you can read inside.

The recruitment of professional Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers continues to play a critical role in the total operating economy of any fleet. Keeping them safe, comfortable and alert is therefore a key priority for operators.

We’re already doing an excellent job with our current range of trucks and in the future our next generation of trucks will raise the bar even higher.

Scania continues to develop its offering to the market across hardware, software, after-sales and services to ensure you, our customers, have the best possible tools at your disposal to turn opportunity into profitable endeavour.

Talk to us about how together we can leverage these Scania cutting-edge technologies for your benefit.

ROGER MCCARTHY MANAGING DIRECTOR N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 5

News

Skills on show at Driver Competitions

Precision driving was a prerequisite for the Scania Driver Competitions. The barrels test, above, and the bus stop pull-in and reversing tests, below, all demanded excellent spatial awareness. Slalom test, and B-double reversing jink, right, also took care and skill. Bus driver group, below, got into the spirit of the occasion.

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cania held its fifth biennial Driver Competition in 2016, with WA driver Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall driving away with the top prize in the truck category.

For bus and coach drivers this was the third running of the Scania event, and Townsville’s Damien Christensen won out.

Extrovert owner-driver of Kendall Trucking & Co and regular guest on the TV show Outback Truckers, Glenn Kendall, was ecstatic about his victory.

“It’s amazing, unbelievable,” he said. “I felt I got one of the first tests wrong, so I had to stop and take stock and then focus on every element of the manoeuvring. I had to give everything 110%.

“The switch to a state-of-the art (cabover) Scania was one of the biggest things to get to grips with during the tests,” the driver of an American bonneted truck said.

Filling second place in trucks for the second event running was Cameron Henry from Bordertown Haulage in Victoria, while one of Glenn’s close friends, Scott Savory from SavTrans, was a second WA top-three finisher.

In the bus event held a day later, Damien 6 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

Christensen, Greyhound Australia’s Driver Supervisor for North Queensland, based in Townsville, finished ahead of Victoria’s Leah Hahn from Mees Bus Lines, and Tim Krekt from Sunstate Charters, also based in Queensland.

However the top three finishers had a 10-day wait to discover the final finishing order, until the Bus Industry Confederation Conference held in Perth.

“I was a little nervous at first, but it was a really good day and I learned a lot. It is a great way to bring recognition to people of the industry,” Damien said at the conclusion of the day’s tests.

The truck finalists were challenged to undertake multiple manoeuvring activities behind the wheel of a Scania G 480 prime mover pulling a Freighter curtainsider, undertake a dog-leg reversing test in a G 480 B-double, and a drive of Melbourne’s trafficinfested roads in a G 480 pulling a Schmitz Cargobull pantech.

Bus and coach drivers were placed in a Scania K 310 UB 4x2 low floor city bus fitted with a Volgren Optimus body for their driving and manoeuvring tests. Interestingly the top 3 finishers are all coach drivers, and Leah used to be a truck driver. www.scania.com.au

Truck driver group, top, ready to face their challenges, which included, above, the garage reverse test, walking truck and trailer along the plank in both directions, and knocking the pipe, which is harder than it seems.

In the classroom, each of the finalists had to answer 30 road rule questions as well as undertake a simulated media interview to gauge their views on the transport industry and how to improve the lot of transport drivers.

“Scania put two sets of talented finalists through a tough series of tests on the road and behind a desk in order to determine who would win the coveted Champion status in their respective disciplines,” said Ron Szulc, Brand & Communication Manager for Scania Australia.

“This unique competition puts the spotlight on safe, skilful and efficient driving, underscoring the high levels of professionalism among today’s drivers.

“Day-to-day, Australia’s truck and bus www.scania.com.au

drivers are largely unappreciated for the hard work they do against tough deadlines and often in uncomfortable conditions,” Ron said.

“By putting these finalists to the test we expose their high levels of ability, but also importantly give them a chance to meet with other like-minded, passionate and committed drivers who can impact the industry with their professionalism, courtesy and leadership.

“As a company, we put a lot of effort into supporting drivers and enhancing their standing within their communities locally and globally via the Scania Driver Competitions.

“We congratulate not only the winners but all the finalists for their efforts today and everyday,” Ron said.

Star quality from Glenn ‘Yogi’ Kendall (truck) and Damien Christensen (bus), both champions in their respective disciplines.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 7

News

Driving sustainability home Scania’s President and CEO Henrik Henriksson and former UN SecGen Kofi Annan at the Sustainable Transport Forum.

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cania hosted a Sustainable Transport Forum in Paris in August, in conjunction with the global launch of the new generation Scania. Keynote speakers at the event included the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

The Forum underlined Scania’s intention to lead the shift towards a sustainable transport system, a prerequisite for fulfilling the objectives

of the Paris agreement and for achieving Sustainable Development.

“When we launched the new generation Scania took the opportunity to gather some of the most influential leaders to strengthen the global commitment to achieving sustainable societies,” said Henrik Henriksson, CEO of Scania.

“We need to bend the curve of global CO2 emissions within 4 years and then steeply reduce emissions to reach a

fossil free world economy until 2050. For me, it’s no longer a question if humanity will move in a sustainable direction, but if we will manage to do it fast enough. The transportation sector plays a vital role in the transformation that has to happen,” said Professor Johan Rockström, Director Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Scania also aims to inspire the rest of the industry by focusing on opportunities arising from partnerships and by addressing the world’s next

paradigm shift – moving from the industrial to the digital age – along with looking at what challenges need to be faced to achieve true sustainability.

“When we look back in some 20 years time, I’m certain we will be able to say that the shift towards sustainable transports started now, and that we were a part of the solution.

I’m proud that Scania, together with our trusted partners, is leading the way towards a more sustainable future,” Henrik Henriksson said.

International Truck of the Year

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Claes Erixon, Head of Research and Development, and Scania’s President and CEO Henrik Henriksson at the Award ceremony in Hanover.

8 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

cania’s next truck generation truck has scooped the International Truck of the Year award for 2017 for the new S-series flagship cab, with the chief judge, Gianenrico Griffini, saying it is a “state-of-the-art offering in the heavy duty segment, capable of satisfying not only today’s but also tomorrow’s transport needs.”

The jury cited driver comfort, safety aspects and its positive impact on haulers’ overall economy, as some of the key factors behind the win.

“The award is the leading recognition in the industry that all our engineers, and in practice the entire Scania organisation, have done an excellent job,” said Henrik Henriksson, Scania’s President and CEO. “The S cab, with its flat floor, offers a truly car-like driving experience,” Gianenrico Griffini said.

The new S cab can be fitted with dual side curtain airbags, making Scania the first truck brand in the world to offer drivers this rollover protection feature.

The new truck programme absorbed more investments in research and development than any other range in Scania’s 125-year history: SEK 20 billion (around AUS $3 billion). www.scania.com.au

Curtains for rollovers

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cania has introduced a unique-to-market side curtain airbag that deploys in the event of a rollover to protect the driver or passenger from serious injury.

There is potential for a significant reduction in deaths from rollover accidents.

“The use of a seat belt is essential to allow the safety systems to do their job and to ensure that the driver is not thrown out of the cab,” says Christofer Karlsson, who is responsible for the development of Scania’s crash safety system.

“Our rollover side curtain airbag – particularly when combined with the steering wheel airbag and our seat belt pretensioners – ensures that the driver and any passengers on board will have a much better chance of surviving a rollover accident in one of the new generation of Scania trucks, with far less severe consequences than would be the case in any other truck.”

Scania has developed both the active and passive safety features in the new truck generation, with a series of measures that protect those travelling in the cab. By offering rollover side curtain airbags, Scania believes there could be a significant reduction in the proportion of drivers who are killed in rollover accidents.

A common reason for trucks rolling over is that the driver is forced to carry out evasive action to avoid an oncoming vehicle or an obstruction, which often leads to a rollover. Advanced systems with sensors determine when and if the rollover side curtain airbags and any other airbags should be deployed; when deployed, the airbags inflate instantaneously.

SCT Logistics adds 14 Scanias to growing fleet

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CT Logistics has selected Scania to supply 14 new prime movers for its Melbourne depot for local PUD operations.

The new fleet is split between 10 x R 560 V8 6x4 prime movers rated for B-double operation, and 4 x G 480 6x4 singles for trailer work. The G 480s have been rated for B-double work to give the operator maximum fleet flexibility. They are equipped with an alloy bumper bar as well as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and ESP, while all the cabs are sleepers just in case they are required for long haul work.

“We will run the trucks across two shifts Monday to Friday from our Altona, Melbourne depot,” says Michael Sommers, National Fleet Manager for SCT Logistics. “We chose Scania after considering a variety of competitor products. The Scania’s comfort, safety features, environmental performance and overall suitability for the role saw it win out. We are also happy to support the local Scania branch which is located just down the road,” he says.

“We were achieving around 1.5 km per litre from our previous trucks, but the new Scanias have been returning 2.0km/l. They are also replacing older Euro 3 and 4 compliant trucks with lower emission Euro 5s. We will have the trucks on a full maintenance operating lease over 7 years. Typically these vehicles will clock up around 50,000 – 80,000 km per year.

“Our core is generally Tautliner work from customer sites to our depots then interstate by rail. We also do refrigerated containers, dry containers and general freight from the rail head, and we have depots in every major capital city as well as in Wodonga, Parkes and from January 2017, Bromelton,” Mr Sommers said.

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cania is continuing to provide its “Good News For Old Friends” Maintenance Programme for trucks 5 years and older. The programme is priced from just $149.95 per month based on a 12-month agreement. This is available to all Scania owners and operators until 31st December 2016.

Scania also offers a reassuring fixed price on many repairs, including all parts and labour. Customers never have to pay a penny more than they are quoted.

The “Good News For Old Friends” offer comprises a minimum of 4 services per year included within the programme and a fleet discount on parts purchased through the workshop or over the counter for the life of the programme.

The service schedule offer is for 20,000 km and 15,000 km intervals, and is applicable to prime mover, single trailer operations, covering up to 100,000 km per year, and local distribution and hook loader/front lift/tipper & dog operations up to 70,000 km per year. Contact your local Scania branch for more details. www.scania.com.au

Good news for old friends N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 9

NEXT GENERATION

Text: Peter Mathsson Photo: Dan Boman and Gustav Lindh

Loaded with news Scania introduces its Next Generation S and R cab family for Europe.

Brimming with new features, the range is stronger, safer and aerodynamically optimised.

A wheel arch trim panel that can be tailored to reduce the gap between the trim panel and the tyre.

THE ­UNMISTAKABLY SCANIA-UNIQUE

cab range has been fundamentally redesigned to meet demanding and varying customer requirements for now and the years ahead. This new generation has been specifically developed for the utmost performance, with a pronounced focus on driver environment, interior space, safety and reliability.

The introduction will ultimately encompass 24 different cab models that will provide opportunities to customise optimal solutions for each and every 24 different customer operation, cab models regardless of whether provide opportunities to customise the focus is on optimal solutions. interior space, fuel

10 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017 3/2016

economy, maximum comfort or load capacity.

The new truck generation is the fruitful result of ten years’ development.

“Designing premium heavy vehicle cabs is highly complex,” says Göran Hammarberg, Head of Cab Development.

“Visibility, comfort, legal requirements, ergonomics, good repairability, low weight and high safety are just a few of the many areas that must be accommodated, regardless of the area of application. We are incredibly pleased with what we have achieved and we are convinced that these trucks will set a new benchmark in the industry.”

The new trucks are expected in Australia within the next 2-3 years.

The electro hydraulicallymanoeuvred steered tag axles (available on 6x2 trucks) provide a number of benefits, such as increasing the steering angle from 14 to 19 degrees. The installation also offers great flexibility and easy rebuild for bodybuilders.

The basic configuration for long-distance vehicles is 30-inch brake chambers for the disc brakes on the front axle. This ensures good braking performance, regardless of whether the driver or the AEB system acts. The actual braking distance is always affected by factors like tyre and road condition, but all else being equal, the new truck has a shorter braking distance.

The standard position of the front axle has been moved 50 mm forwards, which has a positive impact on the degree of dive under heavy braking. The new axle generally also delivers better ground clearance.

www.scania.com.au

NEXT GENERATION User-operated adjustable air deflectors facilitate alignment between the cab and trailer roofs, which reduces aerodynamic drag.

The reworked combustion chamber and new injectors help save fuel. A generally higher working temperature and thermostatic oil cooling contribute to additional savings.

The layshaft brake system is standard in automated gearboxes for Scania Opticruise. Instead of using synchro rings to synchronise the different speeds of the countershaft and main shaft in the gearbox during gearshifts, Scania uses a layshaft brake when upshifting. This shortens the actual gearshift time and maintains the turbo pressure in a better way. It means that the vehicle will upshift with greater power and smoothness than before.

Without sun visors for optimal aerodynamic performance.

LED headlights for greater intensity and precision. The spotlights and fog lights are flush-mounted to minimise air drag. There are spotlight positions above the windscreen and in the grille.

The 3-diode LED fog lights incorporate cornering lights that are activated when turning the steering wheel at low speed.

The shape of the cab and its corners help reduce aerodynamic drag.

The slip-proof entry steps – four up to the S-cab or three to the R-cab – are perfectly designed for comfortable and safe cab entry and exit.

www.scania.com.au

Chassis improvements to reduce drag include more performance steps for bumpers to address varying ground clearance, a new chassis air deflector that shields the undercarriage from airflow and a wheel arch trim panel that can now be tailored to reduce the gap between the trim panel and the tyre.

N oo 3/2016 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 11

NEXT GENERATION

New design and shape of the front and close-up mirrors for a greater field of vision and improved aerodynamics. Electric adjustment is available as an option. The cabs are ready for the installation of cameras as an optional extra or in place of some of the mirrors.

Vastly improved ­visibility thanks to a larger s­ urface area of glass.

The new climate systems ensure the highest comfort for the driver both when driving and resting. The cab range is prepared for the installation of auxiliary cab heaters and can be ordered with a completely integrated system for charge cooling.

The system is integrated with the standard climate system via the standard air vents and controlled via the standard climate panel.

The new design of the A-pillars helps optimise critical side-angle field of vision.

The dashboard has been lowered slightly to enhance forward visibility.

New-model rear view mirrors with a focus on aerodynamics and optimum visibility in the actual mirrors, as well as past them. The mirrors on the R and S cabs have a wide angle function, are electrically adjustable as well as heated, and have effective vibration suppression.

12 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017 3/2016

The infotainment system with its 7-inch touch screen will satisfy both work and off-work needs. It can be controlled via the steering wheel as well as via voice activation. Both the driver’s private and the haulier’s mobile phones can simultaneously connect via Bluetooth.

Even more generous interior space thanks to more efficient packing and 10 cm greater ceiling height in the normal cab height. In the higher ceiling models the difference is 160 mm. The S cab features a completely flat floor and maximum interior space. www.scania.com.au

NEXT GENERATION

Rollover curtain airbags are integrated into the ceiling. Together with seat belt use, this is a crucial safety feature in preventing the driver being trapped beneath the cab if the truck overturns.

Scania is first to introduce rollover curtain airbags.

A completely new interior

Scania has a strong tradition of putting the driver first in its development work.

Naturally, this is reflected in the interior of the new truck generations.

Enhanced safety, visibility and interior space thanks to that the driver’s starting position has been moved 65 mm closer to the windscreen and 20 mm out towards the side.

A swivelling base option in the new passenger seat allows the occupant to sit sideways, recline the seat and extend the legs. Ideal for relaxing in the cab and watching TV.

Driver’s seat adjustment options are now even more generous. The driver’s seat extends further back to accommodate those who are taller, while those who are shorter will also find a comfortable position. All drivers, regardless of height, will find a comfortable driving position.

Extended storage options, with a particular focus on volume and accessibility. A wide range of flexible options for storage boxes, shelves, hooks and nets can be added depending on cab type, choice of bed and other specific needs.

www.scania.com.au

More space behind the seats for ­wider beds. The fixed main bed is now 800 mm, with three mattress options: foam, bonnell and pocket springs to suit all preferences. The extendable bed stretches out to 1,000 mm, making it the widest on the market. The improved upper bed is 600 mm (normal roof) and 700 mm (high roof) with bonnell springs. With a high roof, 800 mm with pocket springs is optional.

“OUR DRIVER FOCUS has manifested itself and been demonstrated in earlier models,” says Mårten Bergström, Senior Industrial Designer with Scania’s Design division. “We were the first in the marketplace with an asymmetrical, driver-oriented dashboard.

We have now taken this a step further by connecting and integrating a ’wing theme’ to the top of the dashboard.

Using the wing theme, Scania’s designers have been able to visually disconnect the driver’s seat from the passenger side while creating a character-filled design element.

The focus on the needs of the driver has been further strengthened through a whole new level of detail and cohesive design.

Anna Börjesson Bodestig, Team Leader for Interior within Scania’s Design division explains: “Thanks to the fact that we were able to work with every detail in the interior, and were therefore able to develop everything at the same time, we have got a new interior that feels unique and extremely exciting. At the same time, we have been able to develop Scania’s key character lines and design elements, taking them a step further forward.

Everything in this interior is new and unique.”

The dashboard is modular, ­making it simple to customise ­according to the customer’s needs, with regard to ­ergonomic design, buttons, controls and storage.

N oo 3/2016 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 13

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: B&J Catalano

WATCH THE FILM ania

Sc “The best way for ility and uptime ab ail av r live de to ” to our customers. ce with Scania Maintenan ined flexible plans expla in 1.31 min. bit.ly/scaniaflex

14 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

www.scania.com.au

Text: Andrew Montgomery Photos: Charlie Suriano, Mark Bean, Scania

AFTERSALES

Maximised uptime – made simple Imagine a service which, based on how you actually use your vehicle, tells you when it’s time to go to the workshop – not too often and only when it’s needed. This service is called Scania Maintenance with flexible plans – a service contract that maximises a vehicle’s uptime.

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ot all trucks are used in the same way, which means that service and maintenance needs are not identical, either. To reflect this, Scania in Australia is now offering a service called Scania Maintenance with flexible plans. The service takes advantage of operational data from the vehicle, which is evaluated and ana­lysed by Scania. And Scania’s service technicians can also remotely download the diagnostic vehicle data before the truck arrives at the workshop, allowing them to further tailor the service and be as prepared as possible to deliver the best possible standard of maintenance. The result is optimised service and maintenance intervals, meaning less time spent in the workshop, with the truck having increased reliability and uptime.

“THIS NEW SERVICE is available for all

trucks from 2009, equipped with XPI or PDE www.scania.com.au

injections technology and fuelled by diesel or biodiesel,” says Claes Åkerlund, Head of Global Service Concepts at Scania.

“Long-haulage trucks each operate in different con­ditions, even if they might appear to be similar vehicles, and this means also that the maintenance need differs among these vehicles.

“By evaluating operational data such as the consumption of fuel, average speed, oil and engine temperatures and mileage, we can establish a maintenance schedule for when a vehicle really needs maintenance, and each maintenance occasion will be unique, based upon the prior operation.”

By taking advantage of a Service Contract including flexible plans, truck operators can maximise productivity. Scania will now support the customer with planning and administration regarding their vehicle’s maintenance plans in a much more proactive way.

Customers will be contacted by Scania when it’s time for a service. If the driver or owner uses Scania’s Service Planning app, the maintenance work can be further tailored once the vehicle arrives at the workshop.

THE NEW FLEXIBLE plan takes into account

maintenance needs not only for the Scania chassis but also for the complete vehicle (including trailers and bodyworks), as well as any regulatory inspections needed and any other requirements put forward by the customer.

These additional parameters are then taken into account when the flexible maintenance plan is optimised, so that the availability or uptime of the vehicle is maximised.

“We’re utilising the fact that a majority of Scania trucks are connected. This gives us the latest data and allows us to tailor our maintenance to precisely what the customer needs,” Åkerlund says.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 15

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Paul Kane

Turning heads and winning hearts When renowned WA cattle transporter John Leeds added a Scania to his American fleet of big trucks, heads turned.

16 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

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OST OF US NEED A COMPELLING reason to

break lifelong traditions.

Leeds Cattle Transport patriarch John Leeds is no different.

So when the Scania R 730 caught his eye, a tradition of owning American trucks came to an end.

Operating in heat and dust, along the ravaged roads and bush tracks of the northern Pilbara region in Western Australia is a test for any truck, and his first R 730, now six months old, has proven its worth.

John and his wife Pam started Leeds Cattle Transport with a single Dodge truck in Carnarvon in 1972 originally carting sheep, but soon turned to cattle, and as the business grew, they moved to Pardoo Station at Port Headland from 1991 to 2005.

In addition to the cattle transport business, based in Bullsbrook on the outskirts

of Perth, there is also a live cattle holding depot and a farm.

It’s a family-owned and run business that includes sons Justin and Matthew, who have grown up around trucks and cattle.

Sixty decks and twelve prime movers make up the Leeds fleet and when not moving cattle between April and December, the downtime is used to carry out maintenance and put their tippers to work in the grain season.

In a departure from his all-American fleet of 11 trucks, John explains the reason behind purchasing his first-ever Scania.

“I bought it because I wanted to see if the 730 horsepower was really there and so far, I am pretty happy with it. We’ve used American trucks for a long time and we know they do put out the horsepower, but I haven’t had a lot of experience with the European trucks.

But there’s no doubt it (the Scania) has 730 horses,” he says. www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

Over the year, each truck averages 200,000 km, operating mainly in the Port Headland, Carnarvon, Meekathara triangle, along with regular trips to Perth.

Road conditions are far from perfect; “Sixty-five percent of the roads we use are bitumen,” says John, “with the rest of it pretty savage dirt; rough, corrugated and not very well maintained. They vary greatly in condition depending on how many trucks have used it before you get there.

“Although we don’t go anywhere near them in the wet season, because you can’t operate then, this year has been quite wet and we’ve had many hold-ups in the early part of the season,” he says.

Perched on 60 wheels and with a gross weight of 130 tonnes, the Scania and its three and a half trailers is longer than an Olympic swimming pool.

Keeping an eye on costs, John has noted Scania’s fuel efficiency and tyre life. www.scania.com.au

“Fuel economy is a big issue for us,” John states. “And we didn’t know whether the fuel economy was gonna be any good until we got out on the road and started hauling our triple trailers. We noticed pretty quickly the fuel economy of the Scania was very good, proving to be about 0.2 of a litre per km better than the American motors.

“Another combination we pull is a B-double and dog, or five decks. We’ve found that set up is also getting exceptional economy. In fact, we are sending the Scania from Perth to Mount Isa with five decks to bring back a herd of cattle. We reckon it will probably do around 1.4 to 1.5 km/litre and we don’t see that sort of fuel economy from our other trucks.

“We’re also finding the Scania is kind to its steer tyres and after 100,000 km they don’t even have a mark on them,” he says.

“There’s no sign of any misalignment or scrubbing and the drive tyres are only about N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 17

TESTIMONIAL

Turning heads and winning hearts

40% worn after 100,000 km. What does most of the tyre damage are the roads themselves.

The tyres could be wearing beautifully up to a point and all of a sudden you go down a couple of the roads we use and they’ll tear the hell out of them. But some of it goes back to the horsepower to the wheels and the load we are carrying,” he says.

Operating in such a harsh, isolated environment means reliability is paramount and though just six-months old, the Scania has been trouble-free.

According to John, as an extra safeguard, Leeds trucks are serviced more often than recommended as the cost of a little extra oil and filters is nothing, compared to being stuck on the side of the road waiting for a service vehicle, or worse, hoping the service truck can actually find them in the first place, 18 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL John Leeds at the wheel of his new Scania R 730 prime mover, below, far left. The truck in the yard, left, hooked up to a bespoke Leeds Cattle Transport livestock trailer. The family arrives to collect the first Scania: Justin, Aiden, John and Nicholas.

given some of the barren areas that Leeds operates in.

Although Leeds has hired a Scania in the past, when one of its company trucks was off the road, the Scania Opticruise automated transmission was another first for John.

“I’m more than happy with it,” he says.

“The only problem I had was putting my foot down and realizing there is no clutch which is a bit funny,” he laughs. “But I think they (Scania) have got that technology worked out.

We’ve had some pretty heavy loads on it and it doesn’t seem to have any problems getting the job done.”

As a leader in cattle transport, Leeds Transport is often the first to introduce new practices, technology, trucks and trailers and when word got out that it was buying a Scania, many in the industry didn’t believe it www.scania.com.au

until they saw it on the road painted up in the company colours.

“Yeah, I’ve had a few remarks and some didn’t believe it until they saw it. All I can say is we made a decision to buy the Scania and we certainly haven’t regretted it.”

Given the experience Leeds Cattle Transport has enjoyed with their Scania so far, more could soon be joining it, according to John.

“We are looking very closely at one right now and if Scania is willing to work with us they have a big future. We need trucks that will work in the bush not just on the highways. We are talking with them about the spec for their mining trucks regarding bigger fuel tanks and a longer chassis, so they will suit what we and others in the industry do.”

“Scania welcomes Leeds Cattle Transport

to the Scania family,” says Michael Berti, Regional Executive Manager at Scania WA. “Scania trucks are robust and powerful and very well suited to cattle transport. “ We already have several livestock industry operators in WA and around Australia using our vehicles, and globally Scania has a strong reputation in cattle transport. In fact, our smooth shifting transmissions give the cattle a more comfortable journey, which means they arrive at their destination in better condition and less stressed.

“We have regular dialogue with John and his team about the performance of the R 730, to further optimise the specification to suit what is an arduous application and deliver maximum uptime.

“Leed’s Cattle Transport are renowned in the industry for delivering first time, every time, for their customers. Reliability is critical to John’s business, and the Leed’s fleet regularly goes to places that many other operators would consider off limits.

“In reality, Leed’s R 730 is working in conditions more akin to a mining application, and as John says, we are borrowing features from our ultra-heavy duty mining prime movers as we refine the specification for what will hopefully be the next Scania in this customer fleet.

“We are very happy to have John Leeds as a customer of Scania and he joins a growing list of long-standing operators of American trucks who have decided to give Scania a go and have found to their delight that our trucks do what we say and help them deliver enhanced profitability,” Michael says.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 19

NEW DELIVERY

Photos: Paul Kane

Q SCANIA 10X8 SPECIFICATION The unique Scania CA8x8EHZ specification includes 4700 mm axle and 1450 mm bogie distances.

The engine meets Euro 5 with EEV enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle specification, and can run on biodiesel. The Scania fully automated Opticruise gear change system comes with Standard, Power and Off-road modes as well as Ecocruise.

The hub-reduction bogie-drive axles deliver impression traction, running a 4.27:1 ratio. The fifth axle is a tag unit fitted at the very rear.

Braking is by drums all round backed by traction control, ABS/EBS, while suspension is all steel multi-leaf.

The fifth wheel is a heavy-duty Jost DR38C-1 rated to 260 kN.

UBE BULK, AUSTRALIA’S LEADING mine to market

logistics provider, will utilise the new Scania 10x8 in its PBS Quad Road Train fleet in the Pilbara, Australia.

Qube’s PBS Quads are the largest on-road vehicles in Australia.

The new Scania has just been commissioned and it is anticipated that it will be able to haul up to 220-tonnes catering for further development in PBS combinations.

“We selected the Scania R 730 and 10x8 configuration to assist us achieve improve tractability and performance for PBS Quad road trains in the Pilbara,” says Todd Emmert, Director of Qube Bulk.

“We have designed this truck to give us the flexibility to take advantage of payload improvements under PBS now and into the future. As it stands now, a standard Quad Road Train can pull 175-tonnes, or 200-tonnes under PBS. We anticipate that in the near future we should be able to raise this to 220-tonnes, once permission is granted by the relevant authority.

“The most important factor leading to the purchase of this vehicle was safety on the road. We have safety as a number one priority. Safety drives performance and quality outcomes,” Todd says.

The new truck will be used to haul bulk

iron ore around the clock from various mine sites to the terminal at Port Hedland. The truck will be in operation 6-and-a-half days a week. A one way trip from the mine can be as far as 450 km, so the Scanias can be expected to clock up close to 1 million km over the first 3 years of their working life on the job.

“This new prime mover will improve our productivity and efficiency and this will allow us to provide a better service to our customers, some of whom are junior miners in the iron ore export market. Boosting efficiency is critical for our clients, while for us safety is our priority,” Todd says.

“One of the benefits of the higher payload is ultimately a reduction in the number of truck movements on a given piece of road.

Reduced interactions between cars and trucks, and having trucks with higher levels of safety will all combine to make these roads safer for all road users,” Todd says.

“We have gathered a degree of experience working with Scania on our other WA operations, pulling quad trailer combinations, so we know what to expect,” Todd says.

“Scania is totally focused on safety, productivity and efficiency,” says Robert Taylor, General Manager of Scania’s Mining and Resources Division based in Western Australia.

“So when Qube asked us about a vehicle that would meet these requirements we were

Heavy-duty

Scania Australia has just built its biggest ever truck for Australia, an R 730 20 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017 3/2016

www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY able to draw up a plan for the R 730 10x8.

This vehicle has amazing traction, and with its powerful 730 hp engine, it has the heart for pulling four trailers of ore across vast distances to the terminal.

“This vehicle is the prototype for future iron ore PBS Quad haulage that we hope to deploy more widely in this market as they combine safety, comfort and efficient operation for customers,” Robert says.

“The Scania R 730 is fitted up with some hydraulics and has a high-riding chassis suitable for this type of work. The 8x8 base configuration includes drum brakes all round for greater durability in very arduous working conditions,” he says.

“Scania has accumulated plenty of mining services experience in Australia and around the world and we have been working closely with many mining operators over recent times.

“What we have learned has improved the product and operational experience for our customers, and we are confident that even 1 million arduous km of operation for Qube will not trouble this very impressive V8 powered 10x8 truck,” Robert says.

“Scania has a proven safety, reliability and durability record in this industry. Our cabs are comfortable and safe and offer an appealing working environment for drivers who do a difficult job,” he says.

Qube’s Don White in front of the new 10x8. The addition of the lazy axle behind the drive bogies makes this the longest Scania yet in Australia, with a 4.7m axle distance.

cubed

V8 8x8 converted to 10x8 specification by adding a lazy axle. www.scania.com.au

N oo 3/2016 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 21

NEW DELIVERY

Photos: Charlie Suriano

A

BIG JOB DEMANDS A BIG TRUCK. And for Matt

Winterfield that job has always been done by a big American truck. But not any more. Now a brand new Scania R 730 V8 undertakes the job of hauling farming, earthmoving and logging heavy machinery around Mount Gambier, the far eastern corner of South Australia and western Victoria. So what has bought on this change for a rural businessman with more than 25 years of experience under his belt?

22 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

“We’re a family-owned heavy haulage company,” Matt says. “We’re contracted to move other people’s gear. About 85% of the work is forestry-related, with the rest farming and earthmoving.

“I’ve been in the industry 25-30 years, and in trucks all my life. I’m a mechanic by trade and I grew up around trucks. My dad was a truck driver and my whole family works in the forestry industry.

“We run two prime movers and two low loaders. We have a new Scania and once my American truck is sold I’m getting one, too. www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY

Float like a butterfly Matt Winterfield says he’s never had a truck with too much power, until now. Meet his new R 730 V8 …

“We have never bought brand new trucks as we have always run second-hand prime movers. But the repair and maintenance costs are very high on second hand equipment. So I figured the only way to fix the repair and maintenance issue is to go new, and Scania fitted the bill,” Matt says.

“I have never liked Euro trucks, I’ve always been American based, but things have come a long way from when I last had anything to do with European trucks. The Americans have dropped the ball. They’re not even close. In the big picture the Scania is www.scania.com.au

way ahead on all counts.

“We looked at all the Europeans, and the Scania was the best on the market, you can tell by the way they are finished.

“Our business strategy is to stay in front of our maintenance, and with second-hand equipment it has proved to be impossible. But now with a new Scania and the Maintenance & Repair contract we know exactly what we’re up for, and not waiting for another big bill at the end of the month,” he says.

“I have been paying off a second-hand American truck and also paying for repairs as

Matt Winterfield, above, bought his first Scania R 730 for his driver, Peter O’Dea, after the costs of running his American truck got out of hand.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 23

NEW DELIVERY DRIVER’S VIEW

P

ETER ‘DARKIE’ O’DEA IS A

fair dinkum salt-of-theearth Australian icon. His straightforward call-itlike-he-sees-it attitude is refreshingly direct. Never short of a rapier-like one-liner, he’ll bring a wide grin to any group. Peter’s past life included stints in the national rodeo circus, assisted by his imposing tall timber stance and whip-crack reactions. Best not to creep up on him then.

If ever there was to be an advocate for traditional old-style trucking you’d imagine Peter as the figurehead, and so it was. But no longer. With only a few thousand km under the wheels of his new R 730, ‘Darkie’ is converted.

“There’s not much to not like,” he says in a legendary, laconic way. “It is a pleasure to get into.

“Everything is easy. Excellent vision is the first thing you notice from the driver’s seat. They haven’t just thrown mirrors on the side for the sake of having them there.

Comfort is a big thing. The bed is good, and I have had a few nights in it. A few weeks ago, I was in Melbourne overnight and it snowed. It’s a well-insulated cab because in the morning it was just as warm as it was when I turned in, that’s unusual. But I guess this truck comes from a country that’s used to a bit of snow. The sleeping area lights can be switched off when you’re in bed. That’s another bonus.

“It’s quiet on the road. I have taken to listening to the radio again.

“I haven’t listened to the radio for years for the simple reason that I couldn’t hear it in the last truck.

“At the end of the day I feel a lot better.

Although I was crook in the back for the first week, only because now I was sitting straight behind the wheel, whereas in the past the steering wheel was offset by 2-inches, so I was twisted all day. Now I am good as gold all day.

“A typical day is long. There’s a lot of loading and unloading and a lot of driving.

On a busy day we’ll do 5-or-6 drops, and we load 80% of the gear ourselves. The trick to loading this machinery is the slower you are the better you are.

“I like getting in and out of the Scania, you can manage it without spilling your coffee.

“Initially, we were worried about the ride height for the bush work, but through the wet season it has been no trouble.

“I’m a fan of the Scania Retarder. It’s

24 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

a whole new world. I’ve only ever had a Jake brake before and they’re only good for scaring old people and wild animals. This retarder is much better. I’m watching the scores on the Driver Support readout on the dash. Got up to 98% on braking, pretty happy with that.

“I went into Adelaide loaded the other day, set the speed at 50, held it there. In the past you’d slow it to 20 down Mount Lofty and then let it run up and then slow it again. Whereas the Scania just sat on 50 and away we went.

“Everything in the truck is built for the driver. All the systems are making my life easier. They build a chassis and a cabin and engine and then they have concentrated on the driver. It makes everyone happy. If I’m happy, the boss is happy,” he says.

“These Drake trailers Matt has bought with their rear steering axles let you go around corners a lot tighter because you’re not dragging them. They’ve saved him more than he paid to have them put on in the first year, compared with his old float.

“With a load on like this John Deere, it doesn’t actually feel like you have anything behind you. It’s only about 26-tonne. The old girl (previous truck) would have known it was there, but this thing just goes. It doesn’t seem to matter what you have on it.

“It does have to grunt sometimes, though. I was going into the bush the other day and we had a chipper on, right up on my weights, probably 80-tonne, and I could feel the trailer in the spongy ground, but I never needed to alter the accelerator; it just started to grunt and away it went. It fair blew me away. And it’s only doing 1500 revs at 100 km/h.”

they have come up. Recently the repair costs have been getting out of hand. So, working with Paul Riddell from Scania in Adelaide, we structured a package that includes maintenance and repairs on the R 730.

This gives me full transparency of my truck costs out over the term. It gives me the ability to plan my cash flow and deal out the unpleasant surprises at the end of the month.”

And then there’s the performance bonus of the R 730 V8.

“We move a lot of big equipment, and with oversize, over-mass machines in the past you couldn’t always keep up to the speed limit, dropping back in the hills. We needed extra power, and we got that with the R 730 V8.

“I’ve never had a truck with too much power, until now,” he says with his trademark grin.

“I have been very impressed with the Scania’s performance,” Matt says.

“Peter O’Dea has been working for me for a long time and he is the regular driver of the www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY The Drake trailer has steerable rear axles which have helped extend tyre life considerably.

Scania. A few days ago we both loaded at the same location and I headed off well before him. I couldn’t believe it when he caught me up, and of course, he chirped over the radio that I must have a trailer brake locked on.

Well, I hadn’t. That Scania he was driving was powering up the hills and I couldn’t get away from him.

“Another time we were heading towards Ballarat out of Melbourne and came past a B-double up the hills. The driver of the B-double couldn’t believe we had breezed past him up the hill. We were very surprised because although we were pulling a loaded trailer, he said he was running empty. Didn’t get any more chirps out of that guy after that. That’s the difference the Scania makes,” Matt says. “We’re getting excellent trip times because we’re not slowing on the hills.

“One of my core business goal is to find gear that helps me stay in front of the market,” he says.

“The 50-tonne Drake trailer is a good example. I had this one specified with selfsteering rear axles. The cost saving in tyres www.scania.com.au

has already paid for the additional cost over a standard trailer. Where tyres on the rear were lasting only 45,000 km on fixed axles, I have had 175,000 km out of these. Saves money, and downtime having them replaced.”

The new Scania is eye-catching and very smartly turned out. In addition to the stripe kit there are chrome highlights and V8 badging, as well as chromed Chris Barron mudguards, and a catwalk set between the long-range tanks that hold 1100-litres of fuel and a 75-litre AdBlue tank.

“Matt has made a big statement by coming to Scania,” says Paul Riddell, New Truck Account Manger at Scania Wingfield.

“He’s come to us after identifying what he wants from his truck, studying the market, and making a business decision. With his Maintenance and Repair programme he’s got peace-of-mind and knows what his costs are, and best of all for his business, his driver is loving the experience.

“I’m looking forward to delivering Matt another R 730 V8, and this one he is going to drive himself,” Paul says.

Hauling heavy and large loads is the Winterfield’s speciality. The company is well known throughout the Mount Gambier region.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 25

NEW DELIVERIES

Photos: Charlie Suriano

There’s no tougher test of a truck than slow speed, stop-start driving, which is why Melbourne-based Tony Roussos has relied on Scania for the past 19 years.

King of the road makers

T

Trout River walking floor trailer sits behind the new Scania R 730. Tony, above, has a passion for powerful V8 machines, as the GT Falcon ute attests.

26 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

ONY’S BUSINESS, SUAREZ

NOMINEES, purchased from

his father, specialises in transporting asphalt. It is slow, hard, dirty work, in tight conditions and regularly takes

place at night.

The job entails taking the old asphalt that’s been dug up, to the Downer EDI plant, located in the outer eastern Melbourne suburb of Bayswater, where it is crushed, recycled and mixed with new materials then transported back to the site.

Once on site, Tony drives along at around 10km/h, ‘feeding’ his load of new and recycled materials into the giant road machines that turn the mixture of ingredients into roads.

Throughout his career Tony has been a loyal Scania owner and although he has owned a couple of Americans and Europeans, he quickly returned to the Scania brand.

His first Scania was a 1984-model 112 followed by a 113, then over the years, a 143, 450, 460, 480, 500, 580 and a 620 as well as twin-steer models.

All up Tony has owned 10 Scanias with his latest being the recently purchased topof-the-range, R 730 V8. So did the love of Scania’s come from his father?

“No”, says Tony, “Dad had another European truck which he bought new in 1987 and kept for 27 years until he retired.

“I started off driving Dad’s truck and to be honest the first Scania I bought came with a contract, which got me into the place.

“It grew on me and since then I have pretty much remained with Scania ever since.”

At the same time as the R 730 arrived, Tony took delivery of a new bespoke trailer, a first for the asphalt industry Melbourne.

Although it looks like a tipper, it’s not.

Built by Trout River Trailers in Hallam, Victoria, it’s a state-of-the-art trailer with a walking floor. Inside is a conveyer belt that feeds the bitumen into the machine that lays the road.

“It’s fantastic to operate and makes working in inner suburbs so much easier, as I don’t have to worry about power lines anymore.”

One visit to Tony’s workshop and you quickly realise why he has chosen the R 730.

Under cover are a couple of very special V8 passenger vehicles undergoing restoration in Tony’s spare time.

“I’m all about the horsepower to be honest, as you can tell from my office and my workshop, I’m into cars. www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERIES

www.scania.com.au

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 27

NEW DELIVERIES

“In 2009 I bought the Scania R 620 which was the biggest at the time and I have just sold it to a guy who works for me. The R 620 was a great truck and now I have the R 730, the same as the Holden Racing Team,” he says.

After owning 10 Scanias, Tony knows every nut and bolt of them and the standout feature for him is their reliability, especially the V8s.

“If you keep up with maintenance you won’t have a problem. I’ve got my own workshop and every weekend I am underneath it greasing it and looking for anything that might have come loose or worn between major services. But to be honest, we’ve rarely been off the road with any problems,” he says.

Tony is certainly enthusiastic when it comes to the V8 engines that power his Scanias past and present, claiming they are bulletproof.

“I love the power and torque, I can’t get enough of it. My R 730 has a 14-speed Opticruise automatic gearbox. The performance of the R 730 especially on hills is the best. I’ve yet to come across a truck that can beat me up the hills. They say the

28 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

American trucks have better power but I suck them up in my air cleaner and shoot them out my exhaust pipe, (laughs), and it is very easy to drive.”

Manoeuvrability is a key to Tony’s work, operating in confined spaces and new estates with their never-ending winding roads and cul-de-sacs. “The turning circle is unreal,” says Tony, “That’s why I love the cab-over design of the Scania. It is easy to get into these jobs and move around.”

Each year Tony averages 120,000 km and like any business owner, he keeps a close eye on overheads. With a gross weight of 46-tonnes, operating in the most punishing environment for a truck – urban stop-start, slow-speed driving - the R 730 is averaging an impressive 2.3 km per litre loaded and up to 3.5 km/l when empty. And to maximise tyre life he regularly rotates them as his work includes a lot of turning, which quickly wears them out.

Scania’s unsurpassed reliability has helped grow Tony’s business over the years and there has been little if any downtime.

His R 730 was purchased through Scania’s Dandenong factory-owned branch. Not only was Tony happy with the deal he received from salesman, Ben Nye, the customer service also impressed him.

“I’ve never had anything major put me off the road with any of my Scanias and while there have been minor issues, the willingness of the boys at Dandenong to get me back on the road quickly is fantastic. I know them all well and they are a great bunch of blokes who know their stuff and love what they do.”

Tony undertakes the day-to-day maintenance on the R 730 and it came with a www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERIES Building roads needs asphalt, and lots of it, so Tony and Elio spend ther days loading up and delivering the hotmix to site, where it is seamlessly off-loaded through the Trout Rover Trailer’s walking floor into the road surfacing machinery. The process requires precise throttle control and the ability to work hard at low speed and stay cool, for the driver as much as for the truck. Tony and Elio have spent some time and money personalising their Brilliant Silver trucks, and the results are eye-catching statements.

Elio, below is very happy to have made the switch to Scania V8 power.

Scania three-year service plan. After owning it for just 10-weeks it’s already clocked more than 30,000 km.

“I tried an American brand once to see what it was like. The cabin was small and the seats uncomfortable, which is opposite to the Scania.

“A couple of my mates own American trucks and I let one of them drive my Scania and he couldn’t believe the difference. He’s now just bought an R 730, almost identical to mine and he thanks me every day for letting him try mine.”

“I know I could have bought a smaller, lighter model to give a bigger payload, but I’ve done the hard yards and this truck is a bit of a reward to myself. I’m enjoying my job now with the R 730 more than I ever have before,” Tony says.

www.scania.com.au

LEAP OF FAITH

B

EFORE THEY BUY, MOST PEOPLE TRY on a shirt or

jacket or jeans or shoes.

Melbourne-based Elio Palermo may well do that, but when it came to buying his new truck, his first-ever Scania, he put his faith in the recommendation of his good friend and long-time Scania owner Tony Roussos.

After a working life driving an American brand, Elio is now the proud owner of a Scania R 730, one that’s almost identical to Tony’s.

Elio, like Tony is in the asphalt game and since 2003 he’s been carting stone from the quarries to asphalt plants where it’s mixed with other materials and then transported to the jobsite. From there Elio, unloads his cargo into the machines that lay the roads.

Elio’s business name, Bluemack gives away his long association with the American brand and while he still has two in his fleet, his newest addition, the Scania R 730 is quickly becoming a favourite.

Timing, as they say in business is everything, and when Elio could no longer source a cab-over he had to test-drive a few potential replacements.

“Tony Roussos has been a Scania man all his life. We both love the power of V8s, and the Holden Racing Team has one, so I reckon we are in good company.”

Elio’s R 730 was delivered in June and in the first month it clocked up more than 7,000 km. And while he is a fan of its

driveability, he says it took a bit of getting used to.

“This is my first automatic truck and it feels strange there is no clutch pedal or gear stick. My left hand and leg don’t know what to do,” he laughs.

“Now that I have got used to it, there’s no doubt it makes a big difference, especially around town. It is very comfortable and city driving is unbelievable, with the 730 hp I can easily keep up with the cars away from the lights,” Elio says.

All-round visibility is excellent allowing easy manoeuvring in the many tight spots Elio encounters, and after many hours behind the wheel each day, he reckons his new Scania has taken the word ‘comfort’ to a whole new level, especially when compared with his previous rigs. He’s also happy with the cab’s overall spaciousness, too.

Fuel economy from the V8 has also been a revelation. Elio is averaging 2.3 km/l in all the driving modes, and that is with an all-up weight of 46-tonnes.

Not only is the R 730 exceeding Elio’s expectations so far, the purchase process, also from Scania Dandenong’s Ben Nye, went very well.

“Ben did a great job”, said Elio, “everything was very straightforward and he made the purchase very easy. He organised everything and I am very happy.”

So after a lifetime in American trucks, and just a short while in the Scania R 730, how’s he feeling?

“I am very happy with the Scania. It really is a good truck. And I love the power of the V8.”

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 29

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Mark Horsburgh

HRT’s third driver

I

T’S A HIGH-SPEED KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOUR, noise and emotions,

that can thrust you to the heights of elation and the depths of despair, where split-second decisions often mean the difference between glory and disaster.

Supercars is one of the most professional and competitive racing championships in the world, with a massive trackside and global television fan base, all in awe of the 26 skilled warriors who are so evenly matched.

While the faces of Holden Racing Team stars Garth Tander and James Courtney are familiar to race fans, the identity of the team’s long-serving third driver has been a secret…. until now.

His name is Darryl Kruzinga and he is the man behind the wheel of the iconic team’s 60-tonne, Scania R 730 B-double race transporter and its three million dollar specialised cargo, including two Holden VF Commodore Supercars.

Power is everything and even though Tander and Courtney have a handy 650 horsepower under the bonnet of their Commodores, it’s nothing compared to the 730 horsepower Darryl has under his right foot, making the Scania R 730 the most powerful vehicle in the team and the entire Supercars paddock, creating a good deal of envy from the other truck drivers.

Representing this legendary racing team on the roads of Australia, took some getting used to as Darryl explains, “The public 30 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

reaction is overwhelming at times.

“When I started this job, I’d be driving and people were taking photos. The first couple of times I thought, I must have done something wrong. Then I realised what I was driving and why people want to photograph it. Nowadays I don’t even notice.”.

It’s the same whenever he stops, people come and take photos, ask about the truck, ask for a poster or sticker or a peek inside at the multi-million-dollar inventory.

With an interstate trucking background before fulfilling his dream of working in motorsport, Darryl used to rack up 250,000 km a year, these days it’s about 45,000 km each year.

“The Scania just cruises along brilliantly and at times the only reminder I have of its weight and size is when I look in the mirrors.

It’s such a great thing to drive.”

Unlike the Commodore Supercars, the Scania R 730 features an automated gearbox and a retarder to assist with steep descents. In fact, it is Darryl’s favourite feature.

“It works brilliantly, say through the Adelaide hills, as it lets you set the cruise-

control and it will just stay at that speed all the way. That’s pretty cool.

“It’s new technology to me and is an awesome feature as it’s basically set and forget and away you go.”

On long journeys to Darwin and Perth, Darryl enjoys the Scania’s overall driveability, roomy cabin, and comfort, especially in the sleeping area.

“You just slide the bunk forward slightly and it basically turns into a full-size bed, and there is plenty of room to stretch out,” he says.

Driving the Holden Racing Team big rig is only a part of his job, but an enjoyable part.

“It’s a relatively small, but very public part of my job,” says Darryl. “The majority of my work involves managing the wheels and tyres for the two race cars. After each meeting, three days are spent stripping off the tyres, inspecting, measuring and cleaning them ready for re-fitting to the cars.”

Darryl also manages the running, maintenance and appearance of the Scania R 730 and its B-double trailers, keeping them in pristine condition. www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL Darryl stands proudly in front of his weekend warrior, while Garth and James look on. The immaculate HRT transporter visits almost every corner of Australia during a typical Supercar season.

While the on-track battles rage between the drivers and teams, there is a good level of camaraderie among the teams’ truckies, who often travel in convoy.

“We get to each event a couple of days before everybody else and often travel together, as there is safety in numbers as it means there’s someone there to give you a hand to change a flat tyre or something. The truck drivers are a great bunch of guys and at the end of the day we are all doing the same job, just with different team shirts.”

In fact, it’s not uncommon to see the truckies help wash each other’s rigs at truck stops in preparation for the truck parade through the city streets, before most of the Supercars rounds.

There, the team transporters and their drivers take centre stage, with Darryl and his Holden Racing Team branded Scania R 730 B-double getting some of the loudest cheers from the thousands of fans that line the streets. “It’s like the Grand Final parade,” he says, “the fans love it and so do we.”

After the parade it’s off to the track but not the end of Darryl’s job, just one part of it. www.scania.com.au

On arrival, he unloads the tiled floor and wall panels, complete with sponsor logos, tool chests, spare parts, banks of computers, desks and the cars. The setup takes a good part of the day.

With that done, Darryl continues his ‘weekend job’, looking after the 10 sets of wheels and tyres that 2010 Supercars champ James (Courtney) will use over a weekend.

The tyres have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice, with the correct pressure and compound and used in the right order and sequence as there are severe penalties given for not doing this correctly.

“As the races unfold, strategies can change quickly due to weather, track conditions or safety cars. I work closely with the engineers to make sure that whenever they call for tyres for James they’re ready to go. You have to keep your eye on the ball as to what is happening. I used to be part of the pit-stop crew, but now my job is to feed the tyres to them, then measure the depth, wear and pressure of the tyres coming off the car after a pit-stop.

“It’s hard work, but worth it all when we win and tough when we don’t.”

By the time the cars and equipment are packed it’s usually dark, and the once bustling track is now a ghost town. This is also one of Darryl’s favourite times of the weekend, as he climbs aboard the Scania R 730 and puts an hour or two under his belt before turning in for the night.

“There’s nothing better than jumping into the Scania and getting down the road for an hour or so. It feels like home. I’m in my own world again. It’s a pretty nice way to wind down after a long, hard and stressful weekend.”

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 31

NEW DELIVERY Photos: Charlie Suriano

Solid, reliable and smart

The search for innovative solutions has led Corio Waste Management to Scania once again, with a new G 480 8x4 ready for some serious work.

32 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY

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N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 33

NEW DELIVERY

B

ASED NEAR THE BAY THAT IT TAKES its name from, Corio

Waste Management, now in its 20th year is owned by the local Geelong Dickens family of Ken, Matthew and Nathan, who have a successful history in the waste management industry.

Corio Waste Management is engaged in the collection, treatment and disposal of solid, liquid and other waste types (including hazardous waste). The company employs over 60 people, has a fleet of 45 vehicles, performs over 10,000 waste and recycling collections per week and has more than 1,600 commercial and industrial customers.

It operates facilities in Altona North and Dandenong South.

The company’s unique Organics Resource Recovery facility operated at Western Composting Technology in the central Victorian town of Shepparton, processes green, commercial food and industrial organic wastes in composting tunnels, then sells to wholesalers who blend it into their own compost ranges. Chances are if you have bought a bag of compost, some of what’s in it has come from the Shepparton operation.

To keep the Corio Waste Management wheels turning, the company’s Asset innovation and technology Manager, Peter Wilkes, a 25-year military engineer, specialising in facilities operations, relies heavily on his fleet trucks, none more so than the Scanias, to which a new model has recently been added.

Peter explains the decision to go with Scania. “A couple of years ago I conducted a feasibility study on drivers’ performance and productivity and found room for improvement.

34 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

“After trialing different brands of trucks it was clear the Scania ticked all the right boxes.

I initially bought a hook lift and a front lift, so I had the two different systems covered and I wanted to establish if the Scania’s could do the job but with less driver fatigue and improved economy. The answer was ‘yes’ to both, so I have stuck with Scania since”.

With the Scanias proving their worth, Peter’s long term strategy is to have a Scaniaonly heavy fleet. While he acknowledges the initial outlay for the Scania may be higher, the added performance and fuel economy savings combined with minimal driver fatigue, quickly balances that out.

And what of the latest addition to the fleet? It’s the Scania G 480 which features the brand’s most powerful six-cylinder 13 litre engine, that is also impressively fuel efficient.

Peter explains the decision, “The power comes in handy when towing the 6-axle dog trailer that is fitted with a hitch for greater maneuverability. We also have a hook system for improved versatility and ease of getting around town and we have adapted our business to match our clients’ waste containers.

Corio Waste Management is seeking innovative solutions to push down the cost to clients while increasing productivity and ensuring the waste is recycled rather than going to landfill.

“I’ve been working on a project with the CEO for 18 months as to how we could save our customers and ourselves money by diverting waste from landfill,” Peter says.

A lot of what used to go to landfill of one particular client now heads to the composting facility and from there it is recycled and sent out again. This has reduced the client’s costs as it is more economical and environmentally

responsible for the waste to go to the composting facility than to landfill.

Another major client requires its waste to be transported to farms in western Victoria for composting and the Scania has proved its worth in this application, being nimble enough to get around these sites and get the product in and out quickly.

While the waste management industry business has changed over the past few years with an emphasis on environmental responsibility and recycling, Peter and his team have been at the forefront in improving operational efficiencies. He is delighted that Corio’s customers have been supportive of the changes, even though some come at a cost.

“I recently conducted an audit on waste streams for one of our clients in the manufacturing sector and conceived a plan www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY

Solid, reliable and smart

of how we were going to reduce their costs.

We almost lost this client as they didn’t believe any savings were possible, but once we showed them the plan and how it would improve their operations and bottom line, we retained them and now they couldn’t be happier.

“We are striving to make things greener, better and more cost-efficient for our clients so it’s a win-win all around.

Getting back to the Scania’s, Peter can’t fault the service he receives from his Melbourne-based dealer and happily reports he has never had an issue with the Scanias, both old and new.

“They’ve proven to be a very good truck,” says Peter, “and the drivers love them, as they feel they could easily go on for at least another hour or two, they are that comfortable.

“They have great visibility, have everything we want and come configured to our needs. They’re ready to go basically.

“I like the Scania because they are solid, reliable and smart looking and few maintenance invoices come across my desk.” www.scania.com.au

CWM's Peter Wilkes (far left in the cab), ordered a new G 480 8x4 to pull a 6-axle dog trailer.

The Ringfeder hitch gives decent manoeuvrability for urban and suburban work, despite the overall length. With three bins on board, productivity is enhanced, while the most powerful 6-cylinder Scania engine delivers performance and economy. Loading the rear bins is done by first manipulating the truck's on board hook, and sliding the bins along the channels, before unhitching the dog trailer to lift on the last, and largest bin. Excellent visibility through the wide Scania windscreen is another benefit the drivers value.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 35

NEW DELIVERY

Photos: Charlie Suriano

A

NEW FIRE APPLIANCE IS BIG

Scania fire appliances have been a familiar sight in Mount Gambier for decades as this centenary edition 3 series shows. Now it proudly lines up alongside its far more modern brother. The new Metz unit stops the traffic outside the Station when the lights go on and the motor cranks into life.

Station Officer Jason Draper sits in the ‘pulpit’ while Senior Fire-fighter Mat Williamson observes the scene from the cage (right). The new ladder adds greater reach in several directions compared with the previous generation unit, providing greater flexibility and utility.

36 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

NEWS. Especially when it’s a new Metz extendable ladder, Rosenbauer multi-stage NH45 pump “combination aerial pumping appliance”, and it’s been delivered to Station 70, the Mount Gambier Fire Station.

It’s big news all over town. Even the hotel receptionist knows about it. As the ‘Scania Experience’ crew checks-in, she notes our shirts and tells us it visited her daughter’s crèche on the previous day, just to be shown off, of course.

Everyone is excited, and everyone likes these PR visits, much more than the serious ones accompanied by the blues and twos (lights and sirens signifying emergency).

The excitement is palpable among the crew at Mount Gambier’s fire station too, though in a highly-trained cool, calm and collected professional way, of course.

The new vehicle replaces a smaller, much older ‘Skyjet’ appliance that lacks many of the innovations and features of this cutting-edge 21st-century fire-fighting instrument.

The vehicle has been designed to fulfil a number of roles: general pumping, rescue, water and foam delivery from the top of the ladder, as an observation post, and to move people and equipment into or out of hard-toreach places, either as a ladder or as a bridge.

Mount Gambier is predominantly low rise, sprawling, and easy to get around.

However, there are some structures that rise above 3 stories and the new 20 m extendable ladder, with a 17.3 m reach, is designed to provide not only fire suppression but access and escape from residential structures, and with its new four-person cage, provide a mobile fire-fighting/rescue platform that can extend over factory roof sections, out off the top of bridges or even over the water, such as Mount Gambier’s

Valley Lake or many sinkholes.

Senior Fire-fighter Mat Williamson, says from positioning ladder to ‘getting to work’ takes little over a minute, which is very useful in emergency situations. The ladder can be deployed 10 degrees negative from the rear of the truck, for reaching down off the banks of a river for a water rescue or recovery.

This access can be achieved by rigging the hydraulic jacks that deploy from under the chassis like a V8 Supercar, so that the nose is raised relative to the rear, all without the chassis bending, underlining the inherent robust rigidity and strength of the Scania design.

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service is acquiring 6 of these new Metz appliances, all of which are mounted on Scania 6x4 P-series Crew Cab chassis, with the bodies supplied by Germany’s Rosenbauer through Brisbane-based Sasgar Fire & Rescue.

The early vehicles in the contract have been provided with 360 hp engines, but there are 4 x 400 hp versions coming to give the appliances that little bit of extra grunt to speed up hills with the weighty aerial platform on its back.

These are very high tech machines, bristling with computer-aided functions such as in-built hydraulic lifts that drop vertically from the chassis to provide a stable, perfectly horizontal platform for the ladder.

The fire-fighters can adjust each individual jack leg using one of two rearmounted joysticks to ensure the stability of the vehicle when the ladder extends. The ladder itself can be deployed rapidly with the use of just a two-person crew, and can be driven from the ‘pulpit’ at the base of the turntable as well as from the cage.

The cage can be extended without an occupant if the job requires simply spraying suppression foam or retardant or water over a thermal event.

Station Officer Jason Draper, and Senior Fire-fighter Mat Williamson, are keen to explain the features of the new Metz L20 FA, call signed 703.

“The 70 indicates the station it is assigned to and the last number indicates its capability, the ‘3’ in this case means that has some form of aerial ability. Mount Gambier has a ‘1’ (first response general purpose pumper) a ‘3’ (the CAPA) a ‘9’ (pump rescue) and a ‘14’ (4x4 grass fire unit).

“We would have between 4-6 career fire-fighters, and up to 25 retained (part time) firefighters on duty at any time and access to all 4 appliances depending on the type of emergency,” Jason says.

A Scania on duty at the Mount Gambier station is a regular sight, and a 3-series has www.scania.com.au

NEW DELVIERY

SCANIA METZ ROSENBAUER AERIAL APPLIANCE VEHICLE Scania P 360 6x4 Engine: 9-litre 5-cylinder diesel with XPI injection Transmission: Allison MD3060PR 6-speed automatic with two PTOs Retarders: Transmission and exhaust brake Brakes: EBS backed ABS front and rear Electrical system: 24 Volt Fuel capacity: 200-litres

Dimensions: H:3.8 m, W:2.5 m, L: 9.5 m, Wheelbase: 4.9 m, turning circle: 15.8 m GVM: 23-tonnes PUMPS Rosenbauer NH 45 combined normal and high pressure pump Main: 4000 L/min @ 1000 kPa @ 3 m lift; 4800 L/min @ 1000 kPa max High pressure: 250 L/min @ 4000 kPa @ 3 m lift; 400 L/min @ 4000 kPa max Water tank capacity: 2000-litres Foam: Rosenbauer Fix Mix round the pump automatic foam proportioning system

South Australians can with 200-litre tank sleep more soundly in LADDER PLATFORM Max working height: 20 m their medium-rise beds Maximum elevation: 75-degrees Maximum side outreach at full height: 4.2 m now that their Metropolitan Maximum side outreach at 0-degree elevation: 17.3 m no load in cage Maximum side outreach at 0-degree elevation: 11.7 m 4 persons in cage Fire Service is taking Maximum down reach cage floor below ground: 3.4 m Maximum load lifting eye on ladder: 1300 kg delivery of 6 new ScaniaMaximum cage load 450 kg (270 kg wet) mounted Metz extendable Maximum rescue stretcher platform 250 kg Maximum wind speed for safe operation: 21.5 m/s (80 km/h) ladder aerial platforms Rotation of ladder platform: 360-degrees continuous throughout the state.

Stairway to the

heavens

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N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 37

NEW DELIVERY

The day squad of Mat, Julien Tralongo, Phil Wood, Peter Bowden, Joel Van Eeten and Jason.

38 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

been serving the community faithfully since 1991, Scania’s centenary year, and is still a first responder vehicle. Compared to other commercially operated Scanias of the same vintage, the 300,000 km it has covered means it’s barely run in.

The ‘Skyjet’ ladder the new truck replaces was in service for 30 years, though the truck it was mounted on was changed over during that time. The new ladder is expected to be in service for a similar length of time, with the Fire Service likely to change-out the truck after 15-years.

“We have been waiting for a while for a replacement for the ‘Skyjet’ unit we have been operating, but after only a few weeks we can see that it has been worth the wait,” Jason says.

“One of the biggest improvements has been the adoption of a cage on the end of the ladder. It provides a safer work place and allows the vehicle to be used in far more diverse environments, giving us added flexibility,” Jason says.

“This vehicle was the prototype for the next 5,” Mat says of the new unit. “A lot of Firefighter’s from within SAMFS had input into the specification and we’re very happy with the outcome. This vehicle has been under evaluation for 18 months and was commissioned in early 2016. It arrived in Mount Gambier in late June with 21,000 km on it, and we have been putting it through its paces.”

“We have to test it every day to ensure we comply with elevated work platform regulations,” Jason says, “and we have been visiting locations where it is likely to be needed to test out its capabilities.”

The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service operates many Scanias. They are preferred for their WH&S qualities, such as the bespoke CrewCab with special seats that accommodate the Firefighter’s Breathing Apparatus; the rear cabin safety steps that fold out when the doors open to speed up their exit; and the driver assistance systems such as the Scania Retarder, EBS-backed ABS disc brakes and electronic stability control/ traction control. www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERY The comprehensively equipped fire-fighting unit was specified using years of experience combined with some new ideas from the SAMFS development team. Behind each roller shutter is a forest of gear, all clearly and easily accessible. The hydraulic stability rams are individually adjustable from the rear of the unit to ensure a secure platform for the ladder.

Mat is able to suit up in no time at all, before climbing into the cage for the ascent to the top of the tallest building in town. Officers appreciate the logical and familiar layout of the Scania dash, which means less to worry about when answering an emergency call.

The truck rides on Continental 315/70R 22.5 drive tyres and Bridgestone 305/70 22.5 steers for greater grip and stability.

“This is a bigger vehicle than our usual first response vehicles, but it just floats along.

“You can feel it is heavier but the performance and the ride are first rate, very smooth. And it has a great turning circle for a vehicle of this size. An important factor is that behind the wheel it looks like any other Scania fire-fighting appliance which means that whoever jumps in knows where all the controls are, which aids safety in the dash to get to an emergency situation,” Mat says.

There is a power take-off to drive the ladder hydraulics and a separate one to drive the rear-mounted pump.

The vehicle is equipped with a Vanguard generator, to power an electric hydraulic pump as a back up to the vehicle’s PTO which drives the ladder, as well as incident scene general power requirements.

The ladder’s turntable is able to rotate through 360-degrees so long as the angle allows it to clear the superstructure of the vehicle. When extended, the cage can still hold up to 450 kg. Ladder adjustment can be controlled from a panel in the cage and this cage can also be removed from the ladder and operated at the Pulpit.

The cage at the top of the ladder contains a remote controlled monitor for delivering foam or water, plus there’s a camera to monitor operations from the ‘Pulpit’ The lockers along the side of the vehicle have been purpose-designed, drawing on years of experience. There’s a place for everything and everything is in its place held securely. Swing out or pull out equipment carriers allow the fire-fighters to grab the tool they need with the minimum of fuss.

Equipment carried includes a selfpowered portable positive pressure fan to quickly clear smoke out of buildings, hydraulic tools to cut cars open after road crashes, various entry tools for breaking into premises, HAZMAT gear and the standard hose lines and nozzles.

Basically, it’s a mobile ‘tool box-with-the lot’. www.scania.com.au

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 39

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Charlie Suriano

Logging on Scania V8 logging trucks are becoming a common sight at forestry operations around Australia.

S

INCE THE DAWN OF THE 20TH

Century, Scania has been assisting Scandinavian logging contractors to extract timber from forests far from sealed surfaces. In fact, a snowy Christmas-card landscape routinely greets Scania drivers hauling logs up near the Arctic Circle, where slippery, slushy track surfaces demand excellent traction at all times.

While Australian forestry tracks are far less arduous, the same advantages of

40 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

seamless grip and secure handling appeal to local owners and operators in the forests surrounding Mount Gambier.

And in line with timber industry players in Europe, Latin America, and South East Asia, Scania’s local logging customers are benefiting from high levels of fuel efficiency and low running costs, driver comfort and enhanced safety as well as effortless power, even with the largest loads.

One such operator is Tabeel Trading, which has taken delivery of a fleet of 7 new

Scania V8-powered logging trucks, teamed with locally assembled Canadian Titan Thin Wall wood chip bins.

The alloy bins increase the payload the trucks can pull to 68.5-tonnes, and the Scania 620 hp V8 engines use their low-down torque to safely haul the loads out of the forests and down to the terminal in Portland. A typical Tabeel B-double will cover around 130,000140,000 km per year.

“Scania’s Paul Riddell offered us a demonstration truck when we had an issue

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TESTIMONIAL

with an older vehicle, and we took the opportunity to have a close look at how the Scanias would perform in our working environment,” says Adrian Flowers, General Manager at Tabeel Trading.

“We were very impressed, achieving much improved fuel results.

“We then bought a couple of trucks, and I was surprised by how good the uptime rate was. In the first 100,000 km that the trucks covered, we have had downtime only for routine maintenance. And because Scania

www.scania.com.au

makes all of the components in the truck inhouse, there’s only one place to go if there’s a problem,” Adrian says. “We’re confident that Scania will stand behind its product 100%.

“When we came to order the next batch of trucks, Paul and Alfons Reitsma (Scania’s Senior Technical and Commercial Products Manager) listened to our requirements and helped us specify the trucks exactly for our needs. We have been happy with how they have come up,” Adrian says.

Michael Wilson is another Tabeel driver enjoying the benefits of Scania comfort.

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TESTIMONIAL

Logging on

Ashley Miller and Robert Hegarty are recent converts to Scania’s cab over comfort and superior vision. Thanks to the Scania driver Support system they can monitor their driving performance and occasionally mention their scores to each other.

In line with traditional logging industry standards, Tabeel selected a 12-speed transmission (plus 2 crawler gears) with a manual gear-change.

“We specified a 3.67 lightweight hub reduction axle with the Scania load transfer function, and a 9-tonne straight front axle.

We have a reinforced chassis frame for extra strength, and inside the cab we went for highgrade leather and wood grain, the fridge and Bluetooth for phone and audio connectivity.

Finally, we fitted a GPS-linked tyre inflation system to ensure the optimal tyre footprint in the forest to get us through the mud,” Adrian says.

“Fuel has been impressive. We used to get about 1.4 km/litre from our old trucks but the Scanias achieved 1.6-1.7 km/l off the bat from new, pulling up to 68,000 kg with 500 kg in reserve,” Adrian says.

“Another Scania advantage is that the trucks come with built-in weigh scales so we know exactly how much we’re carrying to ensure we’re not over the limit.”

“We have had some Scania Driver Training to fine-tune our drivers’ understanding of how to get the best from the vehicles, and this has had a positive impact on fuel use,” he says.

“Scania’s Peak Efficiency driver trainer Craig Shipcott visited after we’d had the trucks for a couple of weeks and it was really beneficial. Craig will return as the new trucks come on line.

“Our drivers are very capable, but having 42 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

someone come in from outside to observe how the new Scania are being driven is valuable, especially as they have switched from American trucks.

“It is a massive change to come from a bonneted truck. Now they have a fully synchromesh gearbox that’s a lot smoother to shift and the Scania Retarder. We are seeing good numbers out of the trucks, so far, and the drivers are open to the explanations from Scania’s driver trainers and are keen to get improved results,” Adrian says.

“We have the trucks on the Scania Maintenance and Repair programme (through local service agent OGR Trucks) so we know our monthly costs up front, and we have nothing but peace-of-mind.

“We run 20 hours a day with some trucks double shifting, and our own workshop is open through that period to ensure availability,” Adrian says.

“All bar 2 of our trucks are running as B-doubles. Drivers on our internal training programme drive the other two trucks, pulling single trailers.”

Paul Riddell, Scania’s Account Manager for new trucks says he is finding more Mount Gambier haulage operators are showing interest in the Scania V8 offer.

“We have plenty of power for any job, low

fuel consumption and the drivers love the comfort and quietness inside the cab. Even drivers shifting from bonneted trucks who never thought they would ever drive anything else have been converted within a short space of time. You’d struggle to find one who’d want to go back,” he says. www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

A family affair

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Adrian Flowers, General Manager of Tabeel Trading, above. Steve Witherow, above right, founded the company with his sister Heather, 32 years ago. Top, running through the forest on unmade paths provides no stability, traction or confidence issues for the Scania prime movers and their drivers.

www.scania.com.au

abeel Trading is a family owned and operated business with a large number of family members holding a variety of junior and senior positions across the company from human resources management to truck driving, working as technicians and heavy plant engineering apprentices.

Steve Witherow began the business 32 years ago with his sister Heather and her husband John. Adrian Flowers joined it almost 11 years ago when he married Heather’s daughter, Kerryn.

“There was an opportunity to expand the business at that stage, and we decided to move from Melbourne,” Adrian says.

“Prior to that I had a roof truss company, and we also ran some trucks. The Tabeel business has experienced quite rapid growth in the past 10 years,” he says.

“From our base in Mount Gambier we work a radius of up to 250 km from the town.”

“We have a depot in Portland where 5 trucks are based, because that is where the drivers live and the port is a major delivery destination.

“A major portion of our business is infield wood chipping, our equipment can fill a B-double chip bin between 20 and 30

minutes,” Adrian says.

Founder Steve Witherow says his love of trucks drove him to logging in the Mount Gambier area at a young age. “Logging is one of the last frontiers. It’s a challenge to get the task completed each week. I love the equipment and it is a good feeling when we all work together as a team,” he says.

“It’s good to see young guys come into the business with no experience. We train them up properly through different operations. We constantly drill them about safety because at the end of the day we want them going home to their families.

“We take guys with minimal experience to do local chip haulage for 6 months to train them up, then when they are ready, they can move to B-double work. We are very active in training to get young guys into a good work ethic. They need to be trained up to a level that meets our standards,” he says.

“The good ones stay and some have been with us up to 20 years.

“It’s also good to see family members working in different areas of the business, and preparing for succession,” Steve says. *As we closed for press we learned of the sad passing of Steve’s sister, Heather.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 43

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Charlie Suriano

I

T’S NOT JUST ABOUT GREAT FUEL.

But that has been a factor for sure.

With 1.83 km per litre from an R 730 pulling a B-double fridge van loaded with meat and seafood from Adelaide to Sydney, it’s a result the owners of the business, Kelvin and Anthea Armistead are happy with. And that’s from a truck with only 50,000 km on the clock. So there’s still scope for improvement as the run-in process evolves.

In addition to a great fuel result, there are efficiencies from the performance of the 44 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

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TESTIMONIAL

Chilled and thrilled Customer service is the driving force behind the growth of Adelaide Refrigerated, a proud and fiercely independent familyowned business that’s enjoying a wide range of benefits from its relationship with Scania.

Adelaide Refrigerated is a home-made success story that has grown organically under the watchful eyes of Kelvin and Anthea Armistead. Driver Ken Struthers, below left, has been achieving impressive efficiency results with the new Scania V8, as well as improved journey times.

V8 engines cutting journey times as well as the huge amount of data on tap to assess performance and asset utilisation, factors that help businesses large or small control their costs, and maintain a competitive edge.

“The secret to success in a business is control of costs and control of growth. We like to keep this in mind. We don’t want to get too big,” Anthea says, “but we do want to renew the fleet.

“We want to be sure we can deliver on our promise of excellent customer service. So growth will be steady. It’s how we have always www.scania.com.au

operated. We go by the book: accreditation, safe driving plans, logbooks. It’s demanding, but it’s how we work,” she says.

The business began at home in Murray Bridge but has grown so much the head office moved to Adelaide in 2007 and Anthea and Kelvin followed to reduce the commute.

In recent times they have moved to new premises in Dry Creek not far from the Scania branch in Wingfield. The new location has the added advantage of larger chilled storage, which the business required to cope with its growth profile.

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TESTIMONIAL

Chilled and thrilled ‘We’re unloading directly into a chilled area which means the entire distribution chain is temperature controlled,” Anthea says.

The company has recently employed a Continuous Improvement Manager to run more than just a cold eye over the refrigerated transport business and weed out inefficiencies. Dispassionate cost control is a smart move, yet it is one that typically escapes many family-owned businesses who have set a pattern of behaviour that feels comfortable, but may not be the most efficient or effective way of doing things.

And it could be impacting negatively on profitability. In businesses such as these the bottom line number is a very personal detail.

“The Continuous Improvement Manager has been tasked with looking at all aspects of the business,” Anthea says, underlining the

fact that the review is a hands-off process from her perspective. She is keen to learn what he will find.

Continuing the theme of the move towards enhanced efficiency, Adelaide Refrigerated is taking on more Scania prime movers and these will be hooked up to the Scania Fleet Monitoring system to provide greater clarity regarding vehicle and driver efficiency.

At present, the company runs 22 A-trailers and 40 B-trailers. In the early days of the business in 2003 one of the first workhorses was a Scania but then the company switched to American branded trucks. Now the pendulum is swinging back to Scania.

Two new Scanias joined the fleet in mid2015, with another new V8 joining in August

That’s Sarge, who runs the company, right, with Anthea Armistead and delighted Scania driver Ken Struthers. Immaculate presentation comes as standard at Adelaide Refrigerated, along with some nice, individual chrome touches.

46 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

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TESTIMONIAL DRIVER’S VIEW

2016. New Scanias joining the fleet will run the Scania Fleet monitoring System.

“We are already taking a close look at the vehicles in service,” Anthea says. “We monitor their trailer temperatures and track where they are, but the new Scania system will tell us a lot more.

“Paul Riddell has been looking after us very well and the Scania customer service has been good,” Anthea says. “If Scania continues to back the product we’ll continue to buy,” she says.

“The drivers we have put into the Scania have taken to them very quickly and now we can’t get them out of the trucks.”

The FTE trailers with Thermo King chillers are loaded with fresh chickens as well as seafood and some meat products head out of Adelaide daily to Melbourne, Sydney, with two runs weekly to Brisbane.

The company moves a good deal of prime Coffin Bay oysters, mussels and kingfish and other seafood out of Port Lincoln.

Backloads are a mix of dry and chilled food. There’s also a road train food service to the Moomba gas fields.

Two staff are employed full time in the wash-bay cleaning the trucks and trailers inside and out.

All trailers are washed out between loads and must not drip liquids on the road when driving, which calls for specialist cleaning knowledge.

“At the end of the day, our business success comes down to customer service,” Anthea says. “Our vehicles need to be roadworthy, clean, and on time.” www.scania.com.au

Ken Struthers has been driving for Adelaide Refrigerated for 7-and-a-half years, and prior to that was at Scott’s Refrigerated for 7 years.

“I’ve been driving refrigerated trucks for around 30 years,” he says.

“I did take a while off to run a fencing company and a bike shop for Harleys. It was good, but on a Friday afternoon I would see the trucks going out and think ‘why am I sitting here?’”

So after 5 years of fencing and biking, Ken returned to the road. He’s still got a Harley, of course. But busting a stereotype, Ken’s enthusiasm for driving a Scania runs deep.

“It’s the comfort, you know, I reckon there’s about 20% less fatigue driving a Scania. It’s basically like driving a car. The auto shift in these make American trucks look pre-historic. They haven’t got their act together.

“The Scania has great vision. Its comfort and ease of driving means you can concentrate on your steering and braking.

Being a bike rider you are always scanning, identifying risks. The Scania cab gives you great vision out.”

Ken runs Adelaide-to-Sydney. It’s a long haul with a couple of stops.

“After that you know you have been to work, but you feel pretty good. You’re not collapsing all over the place, you just go and have a shower and something to eat, hop into bed. Like coming home from any other sort of job.

“I often sleep in the cab. On the way to Sydney we have to pull up and have a 9-hour break on the way. The Scania bed is extremely comfortable, and it is easy to extend it out another six inches, and with the foot pedal to push the seats forward to make more space, there’s no mucking around.

“The underbunk fridge is fantastic.

It’s got good temperature control. You can keep ice cream cold in there without any problem at all,” he says.

So it’s comfortable, and has plenty of creature comforts, but what does Ken like most about his R 730?

“Well, for example, the Penfold Hills going towards the Barossa, in my old (American) truck, at 65-tonne you’d be

going up at 60 km/h, and in the Scania you get up there at 80 km/h. That’s 33% faster.

It means less fatigue because it’s less time behind the wheel. You don’t have to worry about slowing other traffic. You can just set the cruise, and use the retarder, and off you go. And the cruise goes right down low, which means you can focus on steering and braking,” he says.

“It’s been good on fuel, too. At the moment this truck, with a 3.07 diff is returning 1.83 km per litre with only 52,000 km on the clock. It probably won’t be up to optimum till 80,000 km. Our last one with slightly different gearing, managed 1.63 km/l at this stage of its life, so the new truck is already better.”

Ken is driving with an eye on the Scania Driver Support readout that monitors his driving style and rewards with tips or comments and renders a trip average for efficiency.

Ken’s driving is towards the very top of the scale, recording a 92% rating for his recent trip from Sydney to Adelaide and he is justifiably proud of this result. A good score means the truck is being driven efficiently which means its total operating economy is improved, which saves the business money.

“That’s what counts you know,” Ken says. “If the boss is doing well, then you’ll do well. A few cents a litre makes a big difference over a bunch of trucks.”

Among the Adelaide Refrigerated driving group about half the team are allocated a particular truck and the others float from vehicle to vehicle. So what would happen if Kelvin wanted to shift Ken out of his Scania?

“I’d have something to say about that.

It’s just fantastic driving this truck. Every now and then the other guys drive this when I have a day off, some of the young guys don’t get it yet.

“Those Americans are the Harley Davidsons of the transport industry.

Everyone wants to drive one, but you just know you’d be better off on a BMW. “Everything in here is built for Scania, even the little mats in the cab.

With the Americans there’s a bit of this and a bit of that. They’re still holding headlight covers in with little screws,” he says, incredulously.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 47

TESTIMONIAL

Scania’s R 560 is the perfect choice for general access B-double livestock operations, as Tasmania’s Hingston Transport has discovered.

General access on the double

B

DRIVER’S VIEW “Driver comfort in the Scania is car-like,” says driver John Townsend.

“I love the power of the V8 especially in the hills. The truck is so easy to drive.

The vision out of the cabin is terrific especially on a day like today on these narrow roads, and they’re just so easy to manoeuver back into the stockyards.

Really there’s nothing bad to say about our Scania trucks,” he says.

48 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

Y MID-MORNING, THE SOUTHeasterly brewing out in the Tasman Sea had begun to unleash its fury. Nicholas Hingston guided his Scania R 560 complete with 520 sheep penned into the B-double trailers down the mountain to the east coast town of St Helens, famous for its big game fishing.

Nicholas and brother Marcus are third generation livestock carriers. They manage the family business as it enters its 70th year.

Over time the livestock haulage business has expanded to include milk and general transport services to the agriculture industry.

Their grandfather Viv started the business with a Desoto tray truck back in 1947. Yet it wasn’t till the early 1980s when their father Kerry purchased a second-hand log truck. that the first Scania entered the fleet. So impressed were they with the performance and reliability of that truck, along with the service they received from the local Scania dealer, that they started ordering more.

The diversification and growth of their business into all areas of the agricultural industry is attributed to the prompt and reliable service they provide their clients, which takes them as far as Hobart. Along with a diverse range of trailers, there are nine trucks in the fleet ranging from a Scania P-series to the R-series B-double.

“We use the P-series predominantly for our bulk milk haulage operation,” Nicholas says. “It runs 24/7. Dad mostly does the day shift in it, alternating with one of our other drivers.”

“The older white R-series is powered by the 620 hp engine and it has been an extremely good truck,” Nicholas says.

“My truck is the latest R-series with the newer 560 hp engine. Because the later engines have greater torque we chose this to save on fuel. Even though it is early days, it is returning very pleasing results in both performance and economy.

“So far this truck has done 380,000 km and averages roughly 1.8km/litre. You have www.scania.com.au

Text and photos: Howard Shanks

to be happy with that sort of economy out of a B-double livestock truck in the hilly, Tasmanian countryside.

“One standout feature is the short wheelbase we specified so we can get this B-double down to 21-meters, which allows us general access,” Nicholas explained.

“That’s why the polished alloy bumper is flush with the body work, as every millimetre was critical.

“We’ve stuck with manual transmissions on our livestock trucks,” Nicholas said.

“We feel they better suit our application and we only employ skilled drivers. The 14-speed manual transmissions in our Scania trucks have two crawler gears and they are extremely robust. We’ve not had any problems. The Scanias in our milk tanker operation have the Opticruise transmission, and they’re really well suited for this application, where there are a lot of stops. The automated gear change makes it easier on the driver as well,” he added.

“In order to achieve good economy you www.scania.com.au

need to be able to get the truck to cruising speed as quickly as possible, and the Scania engines are very good at achieving this. The undulating terrain requires large torque across a broad range of revs, which makes maintaining cruising speed a lot easier on the truck with minimal gear changes.

“Torque in my truck peaks from around 1000 rpm and remains usefully high all the way to 1400 rpm,” Nicholas says.

“Another feature I like is the dynamic green economy band (in the rev counter).

This is extremely useful in our operation because when another driver gets in it, the truck is virtually telling them where it should be to deliver the best performance and economy.”

Another feature that Nicholas has high praise for is the Scania Retarder and downhill speed controller.

“With the Retarder it can be used manually by the driver to control the speed of the truck or it can also be set to operate automatically, according to the requirements at the time,” Nicholas says.

“For example, in the fully automatic mode, you simply make a quick dab on the brake pedal which engages ‘downhill speed control’. This means that the exhaust brake is operated automatically whenever needed, in conjunction with the Retarder, to control the vehicle’s speed.

“Alternatively you can use the Retarder manually simply by moving the wand into the position you require. There are five positions from mild through to maximum.

The operator’s guide tells you that use of the Retarder in the fully automatic mode will reduce wear on tyres and will preserve the wheel brakes in a cool, fresh condition for

TESTIMONIAL

when they are really needed.

“When I’m coming down the St Mary’s pass heading into Scamander which drops over 400 meters to sea level in approximately a 7 km run, I use the Retarder in automatic mode, which means the downhill speed is controlled entirely by the truck. This means I am descending the hill at a safe speed, yet still maintaining an efficient trip time, with minimal wear on the truck’s service braking system.

“Another great advantage of Scania’s Retarder is the fact that it does its braking through the transmission, which means you can down-change a gear with it still engaged and the road speed of the vehicle does not increase during the gear-change. It is so effective that I can virtually bring the truck to a complete stop by using the Retarder and down-changing, and not have to touch the service brakes,” Nicholas says.

By the time Nicholas arrived at the stockyards, the wind and rain had intensified and the ground had turned to slushy mud.

Maintaining traction in these conditions with the Scania is easy enough. Nicholas engages all the axle cross-locks with the flick of a switch, which gives positive drive to all four driving wheels.

Nicholas says atrocious weather like this is where the true worth of the Scania is evident.

“In these conditions we simply couldn’t do our job efficiently with lesser machines,” he says.

“Our service can only be as good as the tools we use. With Scania we have an excellent product that is not only reliable, but efficient to run and the back up support we have from Scania is first class.

(Clockwide from top left) Tasmania’s liquid sunshine keeps the Apple Isle looking green and freshly washed, but doesn’t trouble the sure-footed Scanias. Sheepdog peeps out of his bespoke cabin. The freight appears eager to mount up. Nicholas behind the wheel, ready to go.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 49

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Mark Horsburgh

Elementary transport

A

LTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN

OPERATING full-time for just five years and a relative newcomer to thoroughbred breeding, Element Hill Stud traces its history back 13 years, when Josh’s father John Hutchins turned his interest and growing hobby of breeding race horses into a reality, with the purchase of a New Zealand horse, named Pravana.

His outlay returned handsome dividends with Pravana collecting over $250,000 in prize-money and her first foal returning $350,000 in the sale ring. The next broodmare he bought was a 13-year-old, called Tracy’s Element and the purchase included her being covered by a stallion called Red Ransom.

The filly that was born was christened Typhoon Tracy and was sent to Peter Moody of Black Caviar fame, for training.

50 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

Scania knows a thing or two about thoroughbreds and so does Josh Hutchins, who manages his family-owned, Queensland-based, Element Hill Stud.

Transporting high value equine stud around Australia requires a suitably refined and impressive vehicle, and the Scania P 360 recently acquired by Element Hill Stud fits the bill nicely. Other bills have been declining since the Scania arrived, such as those for fuel, thanks to the Scania’s excellent efficiency on the open road.

“Before the arrival of Black Caviar, Typhoon Tracy was Moody’s number one horse and won six Group One races as well as $2.5 million dollars. John and his wife, Fu-Mei, had so much fun and joy with her, she became the reason for them starting and naming the business, Element Hill,” Josh says.

The Hutchins family were deeply involved in the women’s footware industry though their ‘Famous Footwear’ brand. The business ran 42 stores across Australia at its peak under John Hutchins Sr’s control. It’s now run by Josh’s brothers, Joseph and John Hutchins Jnr. The Hutchins established Element Hill Thoroughbred Stud, residing on 700 acres in Beaudesert, south-west of Brisbane, with a total of 111 horses and more at Scone in the Hunter Valley, where another 100-acre property lies.

Although considered a medium-sized www.scania.com.au

stud, Element Hill was the number one Queensland breeder at the 2016 Magic Millions Horse Sales.

With the business growing significantly and the constant need to move horses, Josh brought this transport function in-house and now trusts this task to his recently purchased Scania P360 6x4 and nine berth horse float.

“I spoke to many people in the industry and was referred to Scania by one of the horse transport drivers who had one,” Josh recalls.

“I tried several brands as well as the Scania, and then sat down and compared prices, value, quality and our specific needs.

The Scania was the clear leader,” he says.

Although he is the Manager of Element Hill, truck driving is a part of Josh’s job and he is enjoying every moment behind the wheel.

“I’ve only had the P 360 for a short time and while I’m still new to it, it is really good to drive. It’s about eight hours from our farm in Queensland to Scone and the horses and I always arrive relaxed.

“As a business owner, I also appreciate the excellent fuel efficiency of the Scania, which was another purchasing factor. Our transportation expenses have gone from $70,000 to $15,000.”

The Scania is also used for local jobs to collect and drop off horses near Brisbane and

south-east Queensland, as well as trips to the veterinary surgery, a mere 30-minutes away.

Josh is delighted with the service offered

by Scania Brisbane and cites this as another key factor in his purchase decision, noting that another brand didn’t even return his calls.

“Scania’s people have been outstanding,” says Josh. “Any questions or queries were answered immediately and this great service has continued well after the sale.” The nearest Scania branch for servicing is only an hour away in Brisbane.

Josh estimates the Scania will cover about 300,000 km each year. He says the cabin layout and driver comfort are both excellent.

“It’s fantastic, the Bluetooth and audio are terrific and the sleeper cabin in the back is wonderfully comfortable and surprisingly spacious.

“The suspension seat is very good and despite having a bad back, I can drive longdistances in the Scania with no back pain at all. It’s user-friendly and very easy to drive.

“Most important is the comfort of the horses and minimising their stress. We have cameras in the back to monitor them. We aim to carry no more than six at a time, so they have more room. Their welfare is our number one priority and the Scania combined with our horse float gives them a comfortable, stress-free ride,” Josh says.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 51

TESTIMONIAL

Photos:Mark Horsburgh

A LONG HISTORY OF FUELS TRANSPORT

A

wholly Australian-owned and operated business, Pacific Petroleum is an authorised ExxonMobil distributor for fuels and an authorised importer and distributor of Phillips 66 and Shell lubricants.

The business began in 1969, when Ivan Hollows became an Esso fuel distributor in the Queensland town of Wandoan, marking the start of a series of activities that led to the formation of the Pacific Petroleum Group in 1994.

After five years in Wandoan, Ivan took over a retail outlet in Ashgrove. He then expanded to NSW, acquiring the Esso distributorship in Lismore and later in Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

When Mobil bought Esso’s retail network in 1990 it led to the formation of new company owned 50/50 by Hollows and Mobil Oil Australia. The company today is known as Pacific Petroleum.

In 2005, after the global merger between Exxon and Mobil, the Hollows family purchased Mobil’s 50% interest in Pacific Petroleum to gain full ownership of the company.

Pacific Petroleum has continued its relationship with ExxonMobil. In 2007, the company expanded its offerings by becoming an authorised importer and distributor of Phillips 66 and in 2013 it added Shell lubricants, and the company’s expansion to Mackay and Toowoomba. Expansion continued to Newcastle in 2014 and Melbourne in 2015.

52 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

The search for greater productivity has led Queensland-based Pacific Petroleum to Scania’s V8-powered R 560 8x4 rigid truck.

A

V8-POWERED 8X4 IS AN

UNUSUAL configuration for a fuel truck, but this new workhorse commissioned by Pacific Petroleum has been purpose-built for the job.

Using PBS mass management, the Scania truck is fitted with a 20,000-litre Tieman barrel and hitched to a 28,000-litre quaddog tanker trailer, to provide a significant improvement on the 35,000-litres possible under previous configurations used by this fuel distributor.

Pacific Petroleum is headquartered in Brisbane. It operates a small number of www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

Rigid adds flexibility

trucks, from a variety of manufacturers, but among the larger trucks, there are more Scanias on the fleet than any other individual brand.

“With this new truck we are seeing a significant increase in payload,” says Michael Hollows, Pacific Petroleum’s Managing Director.

“We have moved to a payload closer to that of a 19-m B-double, and the configuration gives us greater flexibility.

“When we reach a customer with a tight access issue, say on a farm, we can drop the trailer, take the rigid truck into the yard, offload and then hook up again and head to the www.scania.com.au

next customer.

“Likewise we can run the combination in line-haul configuration if we need to.”

The company runs up and down the east coast, transferring from the terminal to retail fuel station customers, truck stops, transport operators, civil contractors, mines and industrial premises, as well as farms large and small, growing cane and cotton.

“We are servicing an area from Melbourne to Mackay,” Michael says.

The company will deliver fuel volumes of anything between 1,000 or 55,000-litres using its network of bulk fuel depots and a modern delivery fleet. Product comprises lubricants

from Phillips 66, Shell and Mobil for a wide range of industries, from agriculture to mining, manufacturing and transport.

The core management team of this family-owned and operated company (see panel) has more than 100 years of combined industry knowledge and experience. This means that it understands its customers’ needs and knows the market.

“We have recently expanded our geographical footprint because we want to lower our risk profile. We recognised the need to diversify after last year’s Queensland floods, which brought a lot of people to a standstill. Then there has been the mining N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 53

TESTIMONIAL

and gas slowdown in Queensland as well, so we are actively looking for growth in other sectors now, to provide a more even spread of risk,” he says.

“Since we have taken on the Scania R 560 we have noticed an improvement in fuel consumption compared with the American trucks we were using, plus the drivers, some of whom were a bit reticent about switching to Scania early on, have quickly come to love the cab ergonomics.

“Running fuel we need reliability and good maintenance and we have been very impressed with what Scania has delivered,” he says.

Some of the trucks are running double shifts, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and others are running 12 hours 6 days a week.

“We’ll cover around 250,000 km per year in the trucks on average, but some of the journeys are quite short, but as we have expanded our footprint, pushing out west, we are obviously covering more ground,” he says.

The specification of the new R 560 8x4 rigid for fuel use came from a concept devised by Scania’s Cairns new truck selling dealer, RSC Diesels.

Ross Nucifora, the owner of RSC had come up with a specification for a vehicle like this previously, using a Tieman tank, and so when he heard that Pacific Petroleum was interested in a similar concept he became involved in the programme.

The Pacific Petroleum truck thus became the first sale made by RSC Diesels of a Scania truck, since the dealership became a selling dealer, and Ross is very proud of the result.

“I quickly built a solid relationship with Michael at Pacific Petroleum after we began 54 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

Rigid adds flexibility discussing his project.

“I understood his need for manoeuvrability and to be able to haul a larger volume of fuel product. In discussion with Scania’s technical support in Melbourne, Ian Butler, we ensured that some of the preparation engineering and work for the tanker was done at the factory.

“Of course there were some local additions made by Liquip on arrival such as the e-stops and flame proofing around the exhaust, etc.,” he says.

“The V8 is a powerful engine for an 8x4, and the cab is spacious enough to keep the driver happy. So with plenty of performance and comfort it is not surprising the Pacific Petroleum drivers are smiling,” Ross says.

The Cairns-based dealer even flew to Melbourne to check over the vehicle prior to its handover to Pacific Petroleum.

“It was the first truck that I sold, and so I wanted to ensure it was all ok personally,” Ross says. www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

The new Scania rigid 8x4 R 560 gives Pacific Petroleum plenty of flexibility when it comes to deliveries in hard-to-reach places, The concept for the new truck was devised by Cairns’ Scania dealer, Ross Nucifora from RSC Diesels. Pacific Petroleum has several Scania V8s on the fleet, including this impressive B-double unit, seen here, right, heading into Toowoomba.

www.scania.com.au

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 55

TESTIMONIAL

Photos: Stuart Grant

There are one million more km on this clock than the odometer numbers suggest.

T

ERRY GREEN HAS DRIVEN 1.5 MILLION of the 1.6 million km

covered by his 1987 Scania 2- series.

Although the 112M pictured has an 8 m rigid chassis and tautliner body, it actually began life as a prime mover, hauling a single trailer of soft drink for Linfox.

Supplied as a demo vehicle, the truck was returned after a year and 100,000 km and found its way to a sales yard in Wagga Wagga where Terry Green saw it in 1988. It was turned into a rigid with a bogie drive, and he found it was ideally suited to his needs.

“I paid about $100,000 for the truck when it was about a year old. I had such a lot of work then, driving very long days, I had it paid off in about 3 years,” Terry says.

“At the time it was pretty powerful for a delivery truck, with 300 hp. There weren’t many at this size with so much power so it has done the job very easily over the years. It didn’t matter what weight you put on it, it just pulled, and it didn’t mind a hill either.

56 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

“The low gearing means that it will go up a hill at 100 km/h at about 2000 rpm in 10th (top gear),” he says. “The upside is that I get 3 km to the litre on average, year-in year-out,” he says.

“It will take 12 pallets and because it is just a little longer than normal. In the old days the palletised freight would often bulge out over the sides of the pallet, so the extra 400mm or so was handy to ensure we could get all 12 pallets on.

“It has proven to be very reliable, bearing out what folks were saying about Scanias at the time.”

Fast forward to 2016 and Terry is contemplating life after work. The faithful 112M is still his daily drive that gets him on the road at 4.00am, departing Fletchers Insulation in Dandenong every day. He’s been delivering all over Victoria for Fletchers for many years; some days it’s a short local hop, others it could be to the far reaches of the Victorian state; Portland, Hamilton, or Warrnambool. In a typical year he’s driving around 50,000 km, not huge by interstate

standards, but still an impressive feat in a 30-year-old truck.

“This has been a pretty good truck,” Terry says with his trademark understatement.

“About 5 years ago, Danny did an out-ofchassis rebuild of the engine, because one of the cylinders dropped a liner.”

That Danny is Danny Manak, a longserving Scania technician who started as an apprentice and who is something of a specialist at rebuilding tired Scania engines.

Danny has worked on this particular truck, servicing it and carrying out refurbishments for more than 20 years.

He first encountered it when Scania ran a workshop in Footscray and then when he moved to Scania at Laverton, the truck followed and received many years of care and attention there.

Since Scania opened up its Dandenong facility in 2009, Terry has been bringing the truck in, because, conveniently, it is less than 1 km from where the truck is based.

“I started at Scania in 1992 as a first year apprentice and I think I have been working www.scania.com.au

TESTIMONIAL

Green power

Few truck drivers would be willing to sit on the same seat in the same truck for almost 30 years, but Terry Green is one such driver.

on this truck for 20 years,” Danny says quietly.

Over the years, Terry and Danny have become very well acquainted, with Terry bringing the truck in for an oil service every 20,000 km, and Danny makes sure he’s the one to look after it.

“I think the first job I did on it was a clutch in Footscray. We have done the engine, gearbox, axles, diff locks, suspension and brakes, but only due to wear and tear,” Danny says.

“I spent a bit when we overhauled the engine,” Terry says.

“We did the turbo and the heads, so it was practically a new engine. I could have scrapped it instead, and bought a new truck, but I figured this one is paid off,” he says.

Terry started his driving life with Toll in 1982 driving local general freight. In the intervening years he has driven for most of the Toll divisions and subsidiaries as a sub-contracted driver, including IPEC, Toll SPD, and Toll Priority. He did 9 years driving dangerous goods (acids), so he developed a www.scania.com.au

gentle cruising style of driving. In fact, Danny comments on how softly set up the 112M is, which possibly accounts for its longevity.

“He has it set up to float over the road.

It’s very gentle,” Danny says of the 22-tonne GVM truck that can carry around 12-tonnes.

“He does take it easy.”

So what’s it like to be behind the same wheel for such a long time?

“It has an air suspension seat and I put a sheepskin cover over it and it has been fine,” Terry says. “It’s still comfy, so why change it?”

Unlike modern machinery, it gets along without air conditioning or power windows.

“Yes, climate control would be nice, or Opticruise.” Terry says.

“The air deflector on the roof keeps a lot of the sun off the cab. It’s OK if you’re moving, but being stuck in the traffic on a hot day gets old quickly.

“I have got a couple more years left in me before I get serious about slowing down,” Terry says.

“I’ll try to sell the truck with the contract.

It’ll give someone a good start.”

After three decades on the road the Scania still looks strong, straight and ready for another day’s work, thanks to Danny’s constant care and attention and Terry’s sympathetic driving style. Danny and Terry, above, discuss their love of fast American racecars.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 57

GAS ENGINE Photos: Stuart Grant

Blue Scania gas engines are set to become a common site wherever highly efficient and environmentally friendly power is required.

Blue

D

is the new

ANNY WILLIAMS IS THE DRIVING force behind Green

Power Solutions, a familyoperated business based in Thomastown, Victoria that reaches out nationally to provide biodiesel-fuelled generators and solar-battery hybrid energy systems to remote industrial facilities, farms, special events as well as some domestic solutions.

The business is focused on delivering Australia’s cleanest and most reliable mobile generators, and is set for growth.

Scania aims to help the environmentally friendly mobile power provider greet the big time with a range of gas-fuelled engines, the first of which have already arrived in Australia.

Scania’s proven solution not only reduces carbon emissions but also sets new standards for fuel consumption rates and its new gas platform engines can use renewable fuels such as biogas and syngas.

In concert with its Dutch partner Sandfirden Technics, Scania has been providing global operators with environmentally friendly mobile power solutions for marine, industrial and agricultural operators for more than 14 years.

Scania supplies its engines to Sandfirden, which then adds the gas componentry 58 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

green

hardware, and then Scania Australia imports and supplies the engines to operators such as Green Power Solutions.

The first Sandfirden equipped engines are now in Australia and interest is already building in these green power plants from a variety of sources. Councils around Australia are interested because the Scania engines have an excellent reputation for reliability, durability, low fuel consumption and the ability to run on 100% biofuel.

After 30 years in the power generating business, predominantly for remote minesites, Danny Williams and his partner Keith Lucas set up Green Power Solutions 5 years ago. The business employs his wife Anna, and son Richard, as well as technicians Matthew and Liam and business development manager Stephan Curtis. The GPS team is enthusiastic about the potential that Scania/Sandfirden powered biofuel generators offer.

“This is the first Scania gas engine in the southern hemisphere, and with the growing availability of closed loop waste-generated biofuel, we can help make some agribusinesses become self-sufficient for power,”

Danny says. “There’s also huge potential for fuel savings for industrial complexes as well.

“We can see the Scania engine generating low cost power for industry through closed loop systems.

“A perfect example is a flour mill that generates 50-tonnes of waste husks each day.

On a typical day the mill has to contend with and dispose of this waste, but now we have a way to turn the waste husk into syngas to power the mill’s generators using the Scania engines.

“What was once a waste product is now a fuel, powering the four generators that power the mill,” Danny says.

“The payback for the engines would be only around 4 years.

“There’s even the possibility that excess power could be fed back into the grid. So it is easy to see how much interest there is in this concept from councils, keen to develop new industrial facilities in their regions and keen to earn credits from the government for establishing green industry.

“Green Power Solutions is well placed to become the driver of bioenergy power www.scania.com.au

GAS ENGINE The Green Power Solutions team of Anna, Richard, Matthew and Liam join Danny Williams with the new Scania gas generator (left). Blue engines are now popular sights around the world. Green Power Solutions has been growing as a supplier of stand-alone ecarbon-neutral energy.

systems for this new green energy market,” Danny says.

“There are a number of biomass waste streams and our goal is to create value through waste-to-energy, instead of sending it to landfill.

“The waste product is actually from food plants used in food production, so we’re not substituting food crops for fuel crops.

“In the past, farmers would grow oats to feed their draughthorses to supply energy for the farm, so growing energy crops for liquid biofuels or converting waste to electrical energy is pretty much the same concept, something the farmers have warmed to,” he says.

“The closed loop energy generation also gives us an element of fuel security.”

Danny came into contact with Scania when he used a 310 hp Scania truck for field support delivering biofuel, and couldn’t believe how fuel-efficient the truck was. Then he found out Scania had a readymade 100% biofuel-powered generating solution.

“I had been looking for a diesel engine platform that would run on 100% biodiesel, www.scania.com.au

and was delighted to find Scania already had such an approved technology,” he says, “and even happier to find they had a biogas solution.

“Together with our Shindaiwa generators, the Scania engines and generators give us a full range of generators under a green umbrella.

“Our generators run on biofuels that meet Australian and international standards and we use 100% ethical feedstock. Our fuels are 100% renewable and 100% Australian made and owned,” Danny says.

“Unlike diesel generators that can create 2.7 kg of CO2 for every litre of fuel consumed – more if they’re older or poorly tuned – biofuels have a zero carbon footprint for generating remote site power needs. There’s also the bonus of fuel security, energy efficiency and up to 100% reduction in LCA carbon emissions,” he says.

Green Power Solutions also specialises in hybrid energy systems that provide power during the day from solar while also charging batteries that release power at night to maintain constant supply. The generators

are now only used as back up if the weather reduces the solar production.

These hybrid energy systems are excellent for urban renewal projects such as the Melbourne rail-crossing removal programmes where night works can be carried out without the noise pollution of power generators.

André Arm, Scania Australia’s National Manager for industrial and marine engines is excited at the prospect of being able to supply the Scania gas engines to a wide variety of customers in the green industrial environment.

“There is a lot of potential for the Scania gas engines in Australia. Working with Danny we can see there are many situations where our low emission, low consumption 100% biofuel engines can provide the perfect solution to a range of industrial and agricultural powergen operations.

“We have proven technology behind us, and an excellent track record around the world in this market. We look forward to our blue engines becoming the by-word for green power in Australia,” he says.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 59

NEW DELIVERIES

Photos: Mark Horsburgh

Efficiency Combining an aluminium body with Scania’s frugal engines and fleet monitoring gives Bus Queensland a valuable advantage.

Adam Pulitano, Managing Director of the Pulitano Group and Julian Gurney, Scania’s Bus and Coach National Manager, Retail Sales in front of one of the new Gemilangbodied buses, which will be based at the new Park Ridge depot.

60 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

bonus

S

CANIA HAS DELIVERED FOUR OF

AN order of seven new low floor

city buses to Bus Queensland for its outer urban routes in Brisbane and urban routes in Toowoomba, bringing to 170 the number of Scanias in the group’s fleet.

The buses replace aged bus stock, providing state-of-the art route bus facilities to patrons in these growing suburbs.

Bus Queensland has also recently opened its completely rebuilt Park Ridge depot where two of the buses will be based. The new depot building houses approximately 120 staff along with 90 vehicles.

The new Gemilang-bodied buses provide efficient air conditioning, wheelchair access and low floor convenience, and wear the highly identifiable green Translink (Brisbane) and the company’s yellow (Toowoomba Transit) front panel livery.

There are 41 Vogel-supplied seats and space for 35 standees, with provision for a single wheelchair. The bus offers a double door at the front and a single SMC door along the middle of the body.

The new buses use Scania’s highly acclaimed K 310 SCR Euro 5 engine driving through a ZF push-button 6-speed automatic transmission. Scania’s Communicator is also fitted to provide a high degree of fleet

monitoring data.

“The new buses will be welcomed by our customers, our drivers as well as by our workshop staff,” says Adam Pulitano, Managing Director of the Pulitano Group.

“The low floor accessibility makes a difference for our outer urban passengers, and the drivers enjoy the new smooth ride and comfortable driver’s station,” he says.

“We have been running Gemilang bodies for 5 years, with 20 vehicles of this type performing very well. The appeal of the Scania and Gemilang combination is it provides a reasonably priced solution for our application. In addition, the vehicles have had a high level of acceptance by our driving and workshop staff.

“The Scania chassis and running gear over time has significantly improved its fuel efficiency, and the Scania Driver Support on-board tips and advice functions keep our drivers focused on doing a good job, and assist them to continually enhance their skills.

“One of the main benefits of the aluminium body that we get from Gemilang is its durability and ability to resist corrosion, helping to control the whole-of-life costs.

“When added to the Scania’s improved fuel performance we can see a benefit of the combination of body and chassis,” he says. www.scania.com.au

NEW DELIVERIES

The Pulitano Group has been buying Scania buses for around 30 years and has acquired more than a dozen over the past 2 years fitted with the latest Scania SCR Euro 5 emission engines.

“After undergoing Scania’s driver training we have seen very impressive fuel efficiency gains from our drivers,” Adam says.

“We have been utilising the Scania fleet monitoring system to give us visibility of our costs and driver performance as well as emissions. After training delivered by Alana Mountfield and the Scania bus driver development team, our drivers have had a strong focus on economical driving, and there is a good vibe among the drivers as they attempt to improve on their fuel use, and compete with each other to deliver the best levels of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.”

The two buses sent to Toowoomba are the first of 5 that will replace some aged buses in the town.

“It has been a few years since we have introduced new full size low floor buses to the Toowoomba region,” Adam says. “There is good demand in the area, and we are looking forward to increasing utilisation over the next few years. At present, we have 65 vehicles in the town, running a broad array of services from route bus, school, charter, and long distance services. We operate 2 and 3 axle coaches on the express services including some Scania K 440 3-axle vehicles.

“We were the first operator to take the new A30 when it arrived in Australia and www.scania.com.au

we have grown that fleet to 31 vehicles, now powered by the same 310 hp SCR engine as the route buses.

“Some of the early fleet have clocked up significant km already. We even run a daily A30 route to the outback, underlining its versatility. They are very popular with the drivers and passengers,” Adam says.

“Bus Queensland’s continued commitment to the Scania brand is a vote of confidence in the product,” says Julian Gurney, Scania Bus and Coach’s National Manager, Retail.

“They were the first with a fleet of A30s when we launched them in 2010 and they have continued with the product as we have evolved it, from the initial 270 hp to today’s 310 hp versions. The experience Bus Queensland has had with the A30s has given other operators the confidence to take on board Scania-Higer A30s into their fleets,” he says.

“In the same way, we are confident that the aluminium-bodied Gemilang bus that we have just introduced to Bus Queensland with our 310 hp chassis will also be successful for this operator, and will also again provide other operators with the confidence to give this cost-effective and highly efficient package a go.

“The price effectiveness of the Gemilang offer gives them a significant advantage in the Australian market, and when teamed with the frugal and reliable Scania running gear, you have a combination that will be hard to beat for route bus services,” Julian says.

Stylish and comfortable driver station, top, fresh and welcoming passenger saloon aims to encourage greater patronage. Two of the Toowoomba buses head into town for the first time. Low floor disability access buses will be welcomed by the community, above.

Adam Pulitano, left, Julian Gurney, Justin Smith from Park Ridge, and Brian Thompson from Scania Queensland at the handover at the new depot.

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 61

SAFETY TRUCK

Cyclist-safe Scania Designing a truck to be cyclist-friendly in the heart of the city was a challenge Scania GB accepted.

W

HILE SOME TRUCKS HAVE blind spots

that pose a danger to pedestrians and cyclists, others have far better visibility, according to a recent study by the Loughborough Design School at Loughborough University in the UK. The research – on behalf of Transport for London, the local government body responsible for the transport system in Greater London – has been prompted by concerns for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. While road safety in the UK has improved over the past decade, the number of injured or killed cyclists has increased.

Loughborough University compared the blind-spot size in the 19 best-selling trucks in the UK. It found that low entry cabs generally offer better direct vision when compared to standard cabs. But it also found that the Scania P-series cab shared many of the good visibility characteristics of the low entry cabs.

A cyclist is visible to the driver in immediate proximity to the Scania P-series cab while in some other brand cabs the cyclist is obscured for a distance of 1.5 metres.

Pedestrians standing in front of the truck will, in some cases, not be visible unless nearly one metre from the cab, while the distance when they can be detected by the drivers in low entry cabs is nil and in Scania’s P-series cab 20 centimetres.

“With many of the characteristics of a low-entry cab, the Scania P-series cab has great direct vision, which drastically reduces fatal blind spots,” writes the Brussels-based NGO Transport & Environment.

The organisation has drawn this conclusion by combining the obscuration 62 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

distances in Loughborough study – the distance from the truck where the cyclists or pedestrians cannot be fully seen – for cyclists positioned on the left and cyclists on the right, as well as pedestrians in front of the truck.

According to the Loughborough Design School study, vehicles with a higher driver

height above the ground generally have larger direct vision blind spots.

“However, the further analysis of the situation for the passenger-side rear cyclist and the central pedestrian in front of the vehicle illustrate that the specific design of features such as the driver seat location, and the design of the window and windscreen

www.scania.com.au

SAFETY TRUCK

apertures can affect the size of the blind spots,” the study summarises.

In response to the challenge to reduce risk and afford greater protection to pedestrians and cyclists, Scania in the UK has worked with its industry-partners and academic research bodies to develop a new standard for tippers operating within city centres.

Scania is the biggest supplier of 8x4 tippers in the UK. Equipped with a lightweight body, the research vehicle has been specified for applications where it is anticipated that 90–95% of the vehicle’s driving-time will be on the public highway.

Designated the Scania Urban Tipper, the vehicle encompasses a raft of safetyenhancing features: Breaking away from the 8x4 norm, the 8x2*6 configuration provides a highly manoeuvrable chassis with three steering axles.

The truck features a 410 hp SCR Euro 6 engine, which has set new fuel-efficiency records in independent trials conducted throughout Europe. It features fullyautomated gear-selection through the www.scania.com.au

two-pedal Scania Opticruise transmission to enhance safety in operation by reducing stress and fatigue on the driver. Full airsuspension enables the chassis height to be lowered when driving in urban areas, thereby also lowering the driver’s eye-line for better direct vision. The suspension can be raised to increase ground clearance when working on more demanding terrain.

Developed specifically for the British right-hand drive market, the large glass panel inserted into the lower section of the passenger door provides the driver with a direct line-of-sight to the front nearside of the vehicle.

The Scania Urban Tipper features a range of proven active safety features including Advanced Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Electronic Stability Program and a Camera Monitor System by leading safety solutions provider, Brigade Electronics plc.

For more details, a video has been produced which can be viewed on the Scania global website: https://www.scania.com/group/en/ scania-urban-tipper-enhancing-road-safetyin-city-centres/ N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 63

Scania Service Directory New South Wales/ACT

Northern Territory

Scania Prestons 16-18 Lyn Parade, Prestons nswbranch@scania.com.au 02 9825 7900

Darwin Diesel Contract Services (Engines) 14 Farrell Crescent, Winnellie dieselcontract2@bigpond.com 08 8984 4568

Scania Newcastle 1 Enterprise Drive, Beresfield nswbranch@scania.com.au 02 9825 7940 Albury Border Truck Repairs 33 Catherine Cres, Lavington bordertruck@bigpond.com 02 6040 5500 Bathurst Johnson’s Towing & Mechanical 85 Sydney Rd, Kelso admin@jtmc.com.au 02 6332 5511 Canberra Glover Mechanical & Breakdown 101 Underwood Street Oakes Estate glovermechanical@bigpond.com 0429 650 147 Coffs Harbour K & J Trucks (Truck Selling Dealer) 1-3 Isles Drive North Boambee Valley service@kjtrucks.com.au 02 6652 7218 Dubbo Hall’s Transport Repairs 10 Richard Ryan Place Dubbo hallstrepairs@bigpond.com 02 6882 6060 Lismore Laurie Predebon Truck Repairs 42 Bruxner Highway, South Lismore admin@lptr.com.au 02 6622 0336 Port Macquarie North Star Motors 48 Uralla Road, Port Macquarie port@northmotors.com.au 02 6581 3533 Tamworth Wideland Truck & Machinery 137 Gunnedah Road Tamworth geoff.evans@widelandgroup.com.au 02 6765 5552 Wagga Wagga NJ’s of Wagga (Truck Selling Dealer) 301 Copland Street Wagga Wagga njrepairs@bigpond.com.au 02 6971 7214

64 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

Darwin Vanderfield Cnr Stuart Highway & McKinnon Rd Pinelands darwin@vanderfield.com.au 08 8932 4200

Queensland Brisbane Scania Richlands 149 Archerfield Rd, Richlands richlands.service@scania.com.au richlands.parts@scania.com.au 07 3712 8500 Pinkenba Scania Pinkenba 213 Holt Street, Pinkenba pinkenba.service@scania.com.au pinkenba.parts@scania.com.au 07 3712 7900 Bundaberg Sullivan Horan Services 23 Sheridan Street, Bundaberg sullivan.horan@gmail.com 07 4151 8622 Cairns RSC Diesels (Truck Selling Dealer) 29-31 Ponzo Street Woree info@rscdiesels.com.au 07 4054 5440 Cairns McLeod Engineering (Engines) 50 Aumuller Street Portsmith admin@mcleodengineering.com.au 07 4035 1364 Dalby West Dalby Ag Sales 62 Yumborra Rd, Dalby mail@westdalbyagsales.com.au 07 4662 5616 Gladstone Outcall Mechanical 1 Anson Close, Gladstone admin@outcallmechanical.com 0429 794 002 Gold Coast Advanced Truck Service & Spares 83 - 87 Dover Drive, Burleigh Heads admin@advancedtrucks.com.au 07 5520 3977

Goondiwindi Country Link Mobile Mechanical Service (Engines) 14 Boodle Street, Goondiwindi country_link@bigpond.com 07 4671 4222 Mackay Mackay Truck Parts & Repairs 2 Central Park Drive, Paget mytruck@bigpond.net.au 07 4952 3722 Rockhampton Tibbs Fleet Services 19 Somerset Road Rockhampton admin@tibbsfleetservices.com.au 07 4933 2211 Salisbury DA.MET (Australia) 42 Precision Street Salisbury info@damet.com.au 07 3277 3111 Toowoomba Wideland Ag & Construction 55-57 Carrington Road Toowoomba admin@widelandag.com.au 07 4633 1150 Townsville Hi-Way 1 23-27 Langton Street Garbutt admintsv@hi-way1.com.au 07 4727 5200

South Australia Scania Adelaide 218-234 Cormack Rd Wingfield adelaidebranch@scania.com.au 08 8406 0200 Mount Gambier OGR Trucks 203 Jubilee Highway West Mount Gambier admin@ogrtrucks.com.au 08 8725 7999

Tasmania Launceston C & I Transport Repairs 430 Hobart Rd, Youngtown admin@citransportrepairs.com.au 03 6344 7944

Victoria Scania Campbellfield 212-216 Northbourne Rd Campbellfield csrcampbellfield@scania.com.au 03 9217 3300 Scania Dandenong 2/66 Greens Rd Dandenong South csrdandenong@scania.com.au 03 9217 3600 Scania Laverton 125-129 Boundary Rd Laverton csrlaverton@scania.com.au 03 9369 8666 Bairnsdale Livingstone Truck Repairs 726 Main Street, Bairnsdale admin@livingstonetrucks.com 03 5152 1100 Bendigo TTW Truck and Bus 6 Waterson Court, Golden Square mark@ttwtb.com.au 03 5447 7272 Echuca Rich River Truck Repairs 26 Hume Street, Echuca richrivertrucks@bigpond.com 03 5482 3799 Geelong PJ & T Motors 311-319 Portarlington Rd Moolap pjt@pjtmotors.com.au 03 5248 4466

Port Lincoln West Coast Diesel Service 32 St Andrews Tce, Port Lincoln info@wcdiesel.com.au 08 8682 1753

Koroit Allansford Truck & Trailer 230 Ziegler Parade, Allansford attrailer@progresstransportservices. com.au 0459 320 500

Port MacDonnell Ashbrook Diesel (Marine Service) 14 Elizabeth Street Port MacDonnell ashbrookdiesel@bigpond.com 08 8738 2028

Leongatha Gippsland Truck Mechanics 16 Cusack Road Leongatha info@gtmleongatha.com.au 03 5662 5266

www.scania.com.au

Mildura Marshall Group 335 Benetook Avenue Mildura nick@ngmgroup.com.au 03 5023 1701

Bunbury Scania Bunbury 12 Proffitt St Bunbury csrbunbury@scania.com.au 08 9724 6200

Morwell M & J Stewart Motors 111 Alexanders Rd, Morwell admin@stewartmotors.com.au 03 5134 4359

Albany SLR Mechanical Lot 69 Pendeen Road, Albany accounts@slrmechanical.com.au 08 9844 3152

Shepparton Taig Bros 6 Wheeler Street, Shepparton reneen@taigbros.com.au 03 5821 9811

Esperance Kip & Steve’s Mechanical Repairs 21 Currong Street, Esperance kipandsteves@westnet.com.au 08 9071 2411

Wangaratta Robinson’s Truck & Coach Maintenance 45-47 Gibson Street Wangaratta rtcmaint@bigpond.net.au 03 5722 3644

Geraldton Kelly’s Truck & Marine Service 314 Place Rd, Geraldton admin@ktms.com.au 08 9964 3444

Warracknabeal Brunt Truck Repairs Cnr Henty Highway & Gardner Street Warracknabeal brunttruckrepairs@bigpond.com 03 5398 1244

Western Australia Perth Scania Kewdale 527-529 Abernethy Rd Kewdale csrperth@scania.com.au 08 9360 8500

www.scania.com.au

Kalgoorlie Kalmech 2 Brinsden Road, Kalgoorlie workshop@kalmech.com.au 08 9022 2011 Kalgoorlie Prime Power Engineering (Engines) 8-12 Epis Street, Kalgoorlie sales@primepowereng.com.au 08 9021 8899

Scania Emergency Dealers Directory New South Wales Eden Phillip Mitchell Tractor Repairs 1 Government Road Eden phillipmitchell999@hotmail.com 0409 366 999 Griffith City Truck Repairs 1056 Bridge Rd, Griffith noelene@citytruckrepairs.com 02 6962 5216

Queensland Goondiwindi MacIntyre Mechanical Service Lot 11 Racecourse Rd Goondiwindi macintyr@bigpond.com 07 4671 3569 Gympie Gympie Truck & Bus 26 McMahon Rd, Gympie cardal@bigpond.com 07 5482 8545 Mount Isa JD Bradbury 178 Duchess Rd, Mount Isa john.bradbury48@gmail.com 0429 193 397

Roma Vanderfields 137 Raglan St, Roma roma@vanderfield.com.au 07 4622 2222

South Australia Bordertown Tatiara Truck & Trailers 4 McLellan Road, Bordertown admin@tttbt.com.au 08 8752 0077

Western Australia

Broome Broome Diesel & Hydraulic Service 4 De Castilla Street, Broome bdhs@bigpond.com.au 08 9192 1330 Kununurra Top End Motors 28 Bandicoot Dr Kununurra service@topendmotors.net.au 08 9168 2207 Port Hedland Earthmoving Maintenance Solutions (EMS) Lot 843 Bell Street Port Hedland daniel.finch@emsl.com.au 08 9173 1115

Karratha Double R Equipment Repairs 2493 Collawanyah Road Karrartha karrartha@dblr.com.au 08 9185 2699

N o 1/2017 • SCANIA EXPERIENCE 65

THE BACK PAGE

Running against the clock

T

ime waits for no man or truck. But Scania has taken up the race against time with an innovative challenge that involved 14 trucks keeping track of every second for 24 hours. Literally.

At a deserted airfield in the middle of nowhere, Scania created a gigantic clock made out of trucks – one that would run on time for 24 hours straight.

When you operate in long haulage transport, being at the right place at the right time can make or break your business. This is why Scania put its new generation of trucks and services through the toughest test of them all – time itself. The process of setting up the world’s first clock consisting entirely of trucks required 14 trucks, 90 drivers and 750,000 square feet of deserted airfield. The gigantic truck clock is broadcast on line and corrects itself to your timezone.

“Trucks are huge, powerful machines, but they’re also intricately designed, refined instruments. Just like watches. Each truck had to be optimized for its specific task in the clock, and real-time monitoring and analysis through our connected services made the whole operation possible”, said Staffan Arvas, Head of Marketing Communications, Scania.

The trucks that made up the clock faced a variety of difficulties depending on which clock hand they were forming. The trucks that made up the second hand had to drive on a round track in a perfect circle every 60 seconds for 24 hours.

The inside truck had to maintain a constant speed of 13 km/h, while the outside 66 SCANIA EXPERIENCE • N o 1/2017

truck had to hold a constant speed of 53 km/h.

For the trucks making up the minute and hour hands, the challenge was to ensure a perfectly synchronized sequence of starts and stops.

In order to maintain a correct, even speed while minimizing fuel consumption, each truck had to be carefully managed depending on their position in the clock.

Scania fleet managers in the control tower were able to keep track of all the trucks and constantly monitor the status of each vehicle to avoid unexpected stops and keep wear and tear to a minimum.

The drivers played a key role in ensuring that the whole operation worked smoothly.

Elin Engström, a truck driver at Scania, played a lead role in the second hand that all the other trucks had to follow.

“The most demanding challenge in long haulage is precision and punctuality,” she said. “The clock was the ultimate test of staying in your line, maintaining your speed

and keeping track of every second for 24-hours straight. All the drivers had to be in perfect sync and precision was the key to achieving this.”

The clock was filmed using five different cameras, which allows viewers to switch between different angles on the website.

Visitors to the site can also learn more about the project and the new generation of Scania trucks and services.

The clock was set up to prove that regardless of whether you are hauling grain or fuel, transporting timber or building a 750,000-square-foot clock – Scania can always offer a solution tailored for the only business that matters. Yours.

Check out the clock at: scaniaclock.com Watch the video of the making of the clock here: https://www.scania.com/global/ en/global/scaniaclock.html

www.scania.com.au

YOU

SCANIA

CLOSELY MONITOR EVERY BUS. Scania’s Communicator gives School Bus operators total peace-of-mind.

With the insights from the data collected from the Scania Communicator, you’ll be able to monitor vehicle locations, driver performance and efficiency compliance, as well as being able to identify waste and then structure strategies to improve your total operating economy.

• Meet Chain of Responsibility requirements • Monitor and compare driver behaviour • Reduce operating costs • Improve customer experience • Vehicle tracking and geo-fencing

And all the savings flow directly to your bottom line.

And for a limited time Scania is offering a special introductory offer of $27.60/mth*, representing a 40% saving over the normal price.

*Offer ends 31/12/2016 and applies to first 5 years of contract only. Applies to Control 10 package only, minimum contract term of 60 months. Offer ends 31/12/2016. Price excluding GST. Only applies to A30 and/or Scania school bus chassis.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:QLD Brian Thompson: 0418 531 632 NSW Rob Lanteri: 0478 317 177 Warren Young: 0411 768 027

VIC / SA / TAS Dean Cash: 0478 310 518 Jamie Atkinson: 0408 059 501 WA Dean Cash: 0478 310 518