NZ Truckbody & Trailer December 2018

Page 1

December 2018

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8 ISSUE #044 DECEMBER 2018

T

Contents 12

2 8 12

16

16

NGS

TON

22

34

oon

wide

9:46 PM

Our round-up of the news and events from the truckbody and trailer scene. WASTE HIGH Envirowaste builds a big bin, thanks to BPW’s Cargo Floor. WATERJET SETTER A look at Bulls’ Roadrunner and its waterjet cutting systems. BIGFOOT, BIG SHOES Visiting Bigfoot to view its latest Central Tyre Inflation System.

22

RAISING THE GLASS

26

MAKING IT WORX

30

THE TEN COMMANDEMENT

34

PODS-ON FAVOURITE

38 42

38

NEWS

44 52

GlassTranz starts a new fleet of glazier trucks for Viridian Glass.

Catching up with Transworx, following its move into bigger and better premises.

RPC Logistics replaces 18 with 36, a big, new Hino Palfinger combination.

Northchill, Roadmaster and Stabi-Craft combine for efficient craft deliveries. MOVE YOUR CARS! Dunedin’s TL MacLean racks up another light weight car transporter, with ASAP. TOWN TANKER Looking at Linfox’s new red tankers, with BPW gear slung under the three axles. NEW BUILDS The latest builds and registrations from around the country. NEW REGISTRATIONS Robin Yates compiles and analyses the latest round of NZTA sales and registration data. Truckbody&Trailer | 1


HI-TECH OPENS IN SOUTHLAND N OTICING A LACK OF SPECIALISED

Moving forwards, Hi-Tech is forward-

transport engineering services in

focussed, adds Matt: “We are looking into

the Invercargill region, engineer

more specialised services for the future;

Matt Scheele decided to have a go at

what we are building today isn’t what we will

running his own operation.

be working on in 5-10 years’ time… trucks

Opening mid-2018, Hi-Tech Transport Engineering

offers

general

engineering

are becoming more and more advanced and we want to stay on top of that.”

solutions that are the ‘bread and butter’

While remaining small scale for the

of the job, says Matt, such as building log

foreseeable future, Matt says Hi-Tech will

trailers, drop siders or bulk bins.

always be looking to grow as the market

However, Matt says that their “aim was

changes:“If the right person comes along we

to go above and beyond the standard stuff”.

will look at hiring, but at the moment it’s best

As such, he has leveraged his 25 years of

for us how we are - we just have to get stuck

industry experience to provide engineering

in and do it.”

requirement

Hi-Tech Transport Engineering can be

including Hiab cranes, ROPS cabs, harvesters

found on Leet St, Invercargill, providing

and more. “We have a fully working hydraulic

engineering solutions for all types of transport

shop on site,” says Matt, “That’s our point of

operations across the lower South Island.

solutions

for

almost

any

TB&T

difference.” The team at Hi-Tech works on pretty much anything you can imagine but has a strong focus on creating specialised transport solutions such as crane trucks, waste management, and drilling rigs. Hi-Tech also works heavily with engineering design firm Transtec Dynamics, something that has been crucial to the company’s success. Matt reckons: “They were a big key to us going ahead; we needed their support, as we buy their drawings and design work.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY Allied Publications staff and contributors

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2 | Truckbody&Trailer

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MAXITRANS NZ TRAILER RENTALS OPEN

A

USTRALASIAN ROAD TRANSPORT

provides a further link with our service

equipment giant MaxiTRANS has

and repairs department to allow short-

announced the expansion of its

term backup for the customer while their trailer is in for repairs” he says.

trailer rental service in New Zealand, with

The gear available for rental includes

units available immediately.

units from Freighter HPMV 36 pallet

The company provides customers with the opportunity to rent units from its range

curtain-sider

of late-model and brand-new trailers from

axle skeletals, and Maxi-CUBE quad-axle

its Freighter and Maxi-CUBE range.

B-trains,

Freighter

quad-

now with great success. The product line

refrigerated 15.1m vans, all incorporating E-Road telematics technology.

The company’s trailer rental operation

for New Zealand will be a mirror image

provides a service that is almost identical

of what is available for our customers in

to

MaxiTRANS NZ provides its trailer

informs

Australia. MaxiTrans NZ has expanded

rental

MaxiTRANS NZ sales manager, Mat Story.

its service business in the last year with

originating

“We have been operating a rental fleet

further expansion planned for the near

Christchurch hubs, and operates as any

over in Australia for the past 12 months

future. By providing a rental offering it

other rental service.

its

Aussie

counterpart,

service

across

from

its

the

country,

Auckland

and

TB&T

TRAILER GIANTS JOIN FORCES Roadmaster and MTE combine.

T

“It gives the market the best range of trailer

for career growth and opportunities. “To be

options it has ever had - combining MTE’s

honest, I believe it is a win-win situation for

WO OF NEW ZEALAND’S MOST

Australasian resources with Roadmaster’s

everybody. It will work for the clients, for the

iconic

history of pushing the edge of technology and

market, and for the staff.”

truck

trailer

builders

are

combining operations to present the

innovation.”

Roadmaster (Trailers) began operations

NZ road transport industry with, what one

Roadmaster’s CEO, Ross Bell, said that

in 1991. It is known for producing a wide

of the company’s principals describes as, an

under the joint arrangement Roadmaster would

range of trailers, but, especially noted for its

unprecedented combination of economy of

continue to operate out of its Rotorua plant,

curtainsided innovations.

scale and cutting-edge innovation.

and he and Roadmaster Design Director, Lyall

MTE (Modern Transport Engineers) Group

McGee, would remain in their respective roles.

started in 1973 and is known for its bespoke

joined Hamilton-based MTE Group, the two

“It is important that Roadmaster’s valued

heavy haulage trailers, including the largest

iconic truck trailer builders have combined

clients are guaranteed continuity of service,”

built in New Zealand. It is one of the few New

operations.

he said, adding that Roadmaster’s staff:

Zealand

“would now have many more opportunities

operate in Australia..

Rotorua-based Roadmaster Limited has

Announced in September and effective October 1, 2018, MTE Group founder and chairman, Robin Ratcliffe, welcomed the move, saying: “I consider it a logical expansion for MTE, offering the market premium general freight trailers under the Roadmaster brand.

4 | Truckbody&Trailer

trailer

builders TB&T

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successfully


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Tyre Pressure Control System


HIAB JOINS TRT

H

IAB, THE WORLD’S LEADING PROVIDER OF ON-ROAD

priority, according to Steve Coonan, Hiab Head of Sales and Service

load handling equipment, has entered into an agreement

SEA and Importer Markets. “TRT has an experienced team with the

with Tidd Ross Todd Limited (TRT), as its new partner in New

internal systems and structures in place to manage all aspects of our distribution and maintenance.”

Zealand, handling the full range of Hiab equipment and services. TRT will be the sole distributors for Hiab cranes, Zepro tail lifts, Multilift

“This partnership will give NZ businesses access to specialist

demountables and skiploaders, Jonsered log cranes and recycling

advice, equipment and maintenance all from one company at multiple

cranes, and Moffett truck-mounted forklifts.

locations.” Steve said.

A key part of the delivery will be stocking genuine aftermarket parts

TRT Engineering Director Robert Carden will be leading the integration. “We are committed to a seamless, focused service for

and supporting nationwide fitting agents and service outlets. TRT has been a leader in the crane and manufacturing sector for more

Hiab customers,” he said.

than 50 years, with four business divisions – cranes, manufacturing

TRT Chief Operations Officer Lawrence Baker has also played an

(including heavy transport trailers), truck and trailer parts and service

integral role in the distribution deal. “The Hiab distribution partnership

– and is ideally placed to manage Hiab’s distribution in New Zealand.

continues to build on our growth and aligns perfectly with our overall

The new arrangement supports Hiab’s goal of expanding its

business strategy,” he said..

TB&T

market in New Zealand and ensuring customers are our number one

TRT and Hiab Australia joined forces for this installation earlier in 2018.

HYUNDAI FUEL CELL EV TRUCK

W

ITH 400KM DRIVING RANGE and a GCM of 34 tonne, Hyundai

body. Refuelling takes seven minutes. The distinctive design is simple, clean and

hydrogen in Switzerland, with business subsidiaries

in

Germany,

Norway

and

will provide a fleet of 1000 fuel

aerodynamically efficient, with a spoiler and

Austria. The company is experienced in the

cell electric trucks to the Swiss commercial

side protector and a graphic on the container.

roll-out of an optimised hydrogen ecosystem,

H2 Energy is a company specialised in the

which focuses on commercial viability for all

vehicle market, starting in 2019 to 2023. The supply of the fleet to H2 Energy marks Hyundai Motor’s first expansion of its FCEV leadership into the eco-friendly commercial vehicle sector. An 18 tonne 4x2 cargo truck measuring 9745mm (L), 2550mm (W) and 3730mm (H), the fuel cell electric truck features a new 190kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two fuel cell systems connected in parallel. It is expected to deliver a single-fuelling travel range of approximately 400km, and in order to secure sufficient range, eight large hydrogen tanks are being compactly installed, utilising areas such as between the cabin and the rigid 6 | Truckbody&Trailer

production

and

supply

of

renewable

stakeholders.

TB&T


NEW DIGITAL HOME FOR TRT

T

RT (TIDD ROSS TODD LTD) HAS

with improved functionality and are mobile-

The websites will be regularly updated

launched new websites for both

friendly, that helps customers find the right

with new products, new projects, news and

New Zealand and Australia www.trt.

information more effectively, and to contact

information. Visitors are encouraged to

the right people across the organisation

explore the websites and get in touch with

more quickly.

any questions..

co.nz and www.trtaustralia.com.au The websites have been designed to create

TB&T

a user-friendly experience with easy-to-use navigation

and

functionality

throughout.

Customers can now access comprehensive product information, technical specifications, drawings and videos across all business divisions: trailers, manufacturing, cranes, defence, parts, and service. New Zealand’s website also showcases the extensive range of truck and trailer parts and truck seats, featuring information and drawings to make parts identification easier for customers. According to TRT, the new websites feature a streamlined, user-focused design

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WASTE HIGH EnviroWaste uses BPW Moving Floor technology to help build a 110 cubic metre refuse truck and trailer.

M

what we understand, no matter how good the operator”, he explains. “With rubbish, there’s no way to get consistent loading, like

ORE THAN JUST A WAY TO TIP

auto - and specifically designed around the

you get with grain or chip, for example, which

rubbish from a truck, BPW’s

road regulations. “It’s a nine-axle truck and

allows you to design your truck to suit.

Cargo Moving Floor has enabled

trailer set-up,” explains Gareith, using BPW

“In the rubbish industry, you get everything

EnviroWaste to build a whole new design of

axles and EBS. “The trucks themselves are

- even things that shouldn’t be in there, like

larger, more efficient and cost-effective trucks.

tippers, and the trailers are fitted with the

concrete blocks, and steel, pieces of 4x2…

As one of New Zealand’s largest resource

Cargo Floors. They are specific top-loaded

so you need a fair amount of volume to go

rubbish vehicles, and handle materials from

with the weight. We’ve got up to 34 tonne

the city, back and forth to a landfill.”

payload, but we’ve got the 110 cubic metres

recovery

and

management

companies,

EnviroWaste’s latest build has been ground-

What sets them apart is their physical

breaking.

of space to allow for that.

“The Cargo Floor has allowed us to build

size, explains Gareith: “Previously we were

“The trailer is so long, it’s pretty much the

this,” says EnviroWaste Branch Manager,

working with a unit around 72 cubic metres

maximum allowable length, and if there’s a

Gareith

the

and 20 tonne payload. We’re now at 110

problematic load that can’t be easily recycled,

Palmerston North branch, one of 24 locations

cubes for the truck and trailer, and a 30 tonne

or construction materials or leftovers, they

throughout the country. “It has some really

average. The key is the walking floor – we

take up space but don’t increase the payload

good technology compared to the tippers.”

would not even be at 100 cubes without it;

weight, so we’ve got the volume to account

we’ve got more tonne and more volume,

for that. We aim to get them moving out

which is key in our industry.

around 30-32 tonne each time, with a bit of

Stanley,

who

looks

after

The new EnviroWaste units are a pair of massive trucks and trailers, identical save for the tractor units - an Isuzu manual and MAN 8 | Truckbody&Trailer

“You can’t tip a trailer of that volume, from

leeway, just to be safe.


“With tippers you can’t get too big as they’re a hell of a long way up in the air there can’t be any hangs, which can be quite dangerous. The walking floor means no

Above: Unlike conventional tippers, the Moving Floor enables the load to be ejected easily without having to raise and tip the bucket. Below: BPW’s Moving Floor is a simple but ingenious design, moving two of the three legs at a time, controlled by underfloor hydraulics.

tipping for the big load.” Licenced and permitted for 58 tonne over a specific route, the two trucks run the general rubbish from the Palmerston North depot out to a landfill 4-5 times a day on a two-hour round-trip. Adds Gareith: “They quite often go out reasonably full because with the loading, it’s not just pick up and chuck it in: they’ll put more solid bits of material, such as pieces of iron, or long wood on the floor as it creates a foundation and helps the floor walk, then put the other light stuff on top, like rubbish bags. This puts weight on it and settles it, then they’ll top-load the rest with the light and fluffy stuff, like pink batts and mattresses and bicycles… so it works out well. If we just put Truckbody&Trailer | 9


in residential rubbish bags, for example, we’d

from height. The guys put their grab into the

we can put on a Saturday quite easily – it’s

be at 70 tonne just like that, so it’s a bit of a

trailer to minimise the drop, but there are still

much less stressful to keep the rubbish

balancing act.”

heavy items that get dropped - we haven’t had

moving, especially in our environment when

The ejection part is made easy with the

any issue with the floor, which is really good.”

the Palmerston North city has grown around

walking floor, explains Gareith: “The guys

The first unit arrived in December 2016,

the transfer station, so we need to keep it

back the trailer over the tip face and use the

with the MAN in mid-2017, so they’ve been

controls on the front of the trailer to activate

given a good workout for two years. The

Total time efficiency is the net result, with

the floor, and effectively ‘poop’ the rubbish

other advantage is the ability to catch up

Gareith offering some insightful metrics: “It’s

out; then he parks up the trailer and does the

easily, explains Gareith: “If we have an issue

like a two-hour round trip; we’d do around 160

truck - and it all takes around 20 minutes.

rolling so it’s not sitting around.”

with the truck going out for service, or wind

tonne a day on the old rigs over eight runs.

“We’re also impressed we haven’t had

at the landfill and they close it, whereas we

We now do that in five runs, and we’re easily

much damage,” he adds. “I was sceptical

used to be in dire-straights with the smaller

saving around 30-40 minutes for a round trip,

when we first got them, as you’re loading

rigs, because of the new 34 tonne payload,

through the size, ease of loading and unloading, and even drive-time with the big rigs. “We would have had to limit it to about 92 cubic metres if we’d stayed with conventional tipping,” surmises Gareith. “And [to meet current regs] we can’t really make them much bigger than 110 cubes, but the technology like the Cargo Floor enables us to max out – it’s been really great for us.”

TB&T

Top: Though operators do their best, sometimes heavy items are dropped onto the Moving Floor, but damage has been minimal over the two years of use. Left: Large 110 cubic metre capacity is made possible by the BPW Moving Floor, enabling the unit to do things and go places during wild weather that conventional tippers could not.

10 | Truckbody&Trailer


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WATERJET SETTER

Story: Dean Evans

With the ability to cut through up to 30cm of material, the waterjet cutters are extremely effective.

Roadrunner Manufacturing’s new owners keep the name growing and technology flowing with its range of waterjet cutters and tanks for the transport industry.

S

of advancing technology, the company

goods,

Manufacturing NZ in Bulls has

introduced waterjet cutting in 2005, in the

Toulmin: “Toolboxes, hydraulic tanks, water

been a go-to for quality aluminium,

form of an OMAX Abrasive Waterjet cutting

tanks, air tanks, fuel tanks, combination

steel and stainless steel ancillary equipment

machine. This improved manufacturing

tanks for big trucks and trailers are our core

for the transport industry. Its iconic blue

speed, accuracy, consistency and efficiency,

products. Accompanied by the waterjets, it’s

oval logo is instantly recogniseable on

with a whole new range of possibilities

less labour, we can cut material faster, and

toolboxes, tanks and ancillary components

afforded

we can stack cut multiple profiles at once.”

on the sides of trucks and trailers all over

system. Roadrunner was appointed the

The tanks and products all start as a sheet

the country.

NZ agent for OMAX in 2007, for sales,

of material, and the profile is programmed

INCE

1974,

ROADRUNNER

by

the

computer-controlled

explains

Office

Manager

Bec

With the new partnership between Matt

installation and servicing of the machines

into the computer, telling the machine

& Gemma, and Nick & Bec, the company

throughout the country. Roadrunner has

what to cut and how thick it is. “We can

has a staff of 24 and has continued to

now sold over 50 waterjet cutters around

cut up to 300mm thick, through all kinds of

provide quality manufacturing, helped by

the country.

materials, such as titanium, carbon fibre, glass and composites: virtually anything but

its investment in a range of waterjet cutting

“Roadrunner first brought in the waterjet

systems, not just for its own streamlining

to manufacture faster, more efficiently

of manufacturing, but for customers around

produced

maintaining

The waterjet uses either just water or

the country for their own manufacturing.

Roadrunner’s reputation for high quality

with water garnet, an abrasive media, and

products, and to compete with imported

can cut over six axis.

With a desire to stay at the forefront 12 | Truckbody&Trailer

products,

whilst

toughened glass.”


Signs and design possibilities are almost endless with waterjet cutting.

Below clockwise: Roadrunner uses the MAXIEM 1530 as the demonstrator unit, allowing customers and prospective buyers to test and trial the process, from design to production. The OMAX MicroMAX offers enclosed cutting and the highest precision available. The ProtoMAX is a relatively compact water jet cutting system, perfect for smaller uses and, for example, universities where the lid offers improved safety. OMAX 160x series is the largest cutting bed, up to 6.1m cutting length, with the option of a DualBRIDGE for twice the cutting.

Truckbody&Trailer | 13


Far left: The line of waterjet cutters allowed Roadrunner to streamline manufacturing of its truck and trailer components, such as a square fuel tank. Left: Some potential parts a waterjet machine can make. Opposite page: Custom-built fuel tank with side-steps; a double-door toolbox; round water tank with stainless straps.

Roadrunner doesn’t just cut material and

manufacture

ancillaries,

as

the

range of waterjet cutters it sells is rather

Below left: Brand new MAXIEM set-up in Roadrunner’s Bulls workshop. Below: OMAX family of waterjet cutting machine.

impressive, with four key lines: OMAX was the first line released and is the premium, high-end brand for large jobs and volume manufacturing. It has the largest range of tables, and even DualBRIDGE options, it’s available in nine versions, including the MicroMAX enclosed cabinet, to the 160X Series, the largest of the range, with a huge cutting bed with cutting travel up to 14x4 metres. The generation 2 MAXIEM system is the perfect system for a broad range of applications with eight table options ranging from 700mm to eight-metres long. With a comprehensive range of available accessories, there is a MAXIEM model to suit almost any application or company. The

MAXIEM

waterjet

cutter

is

Roadrunner’s volume seller, as the price is a little more competitive with the precision that most customers require. The GlobalMAX is a value price abrasive waterjet machine. Ideal for old or new businesses alike, the GlobalMAX has the ability to cut a vast array of materials and thicknesses, but lacking the ability to accessorise like the OMAX and MAXIEM machines. The ProtoMAX is the most recent addition to the range, and is designed for prototyping work in the home, office or at schools/universities, says Becs: “It’s cheap and compact, and because it’s enclosed, there’s the safety aspect, which people love, as it doesn’t operate without the lid being closed.” The ProtoMAX system is at the entry level end, starting around $43,000NZD. 14 | Truckbody&Trailer

Hella TB


“And there’s the MAXIEM 1530,” adds

company in NZ. “We are the only NZ

Becs, the third size up in the eight model

waterjet seller with NZ-based technicians

range,“ which we use as a demonstrator,

who can go on-site and work on machines.

And though heavily influenced by the exchange

rate,

the

premium

OMAX

systems top out at $700-$800,000NZD. Roadrunner normally has two waterjet

so people can bring in material and we can

Plus we stock spare parts in our workshop

cutters in-house: the workhorse is the

cut it for them so they can see the whole

so there is no downtime waiting for parts.”

equivalent of the OMAX 60120, a mid-

process, from drawing it on the computer

spec machine in the OMAX range, that

to sending it to the machine to cut.

With the versatility of waterjet cutters, the only limitation is imagination.

the company has used and continues to

“The other part is looking after our

use to manufacture all its own high quality

customers, who require servicing and spare

Contact:

products over the last 12 years.

parts,” adds Becs, as the largest waterjet

www.roadrunnerltd.co.nz

TB&T

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A modest but very effective Rotorua workshop and office exports tyre inflation systems to the world.

Story: Dean Evans

BIGFOOT, BIG SHOES It’s a high pressure job in the world of central tyre inflation, with big things coming from a relatively modest company in Rotorua that’s celebrating 25 years in 2019.

B

OBCATS, KLEENEX, BAND-AIDS AND SHARPIES ARE

ride rougher when they’re empty so if we can put a bit of flex in

just a few examples of brand names that have evolved into

the sidewall, the shock loading is greatly reduced and the ride

describing nouns. And in the world of Central Tyre Inflation

is dramatically improved and there’s even added durability of

(CTI) systems for the transport industry, Bigfoot has taken another step towards establishing its name as the universally recognised brand name.

suspension systems and bushes.” Established in Rotorua in 1994 by Neil and Marie Wylie, Bigfoot’s new owner, younger brother Graham, took over the running in 2016

CTI systems, also known as tyre pressure control systems, were

when Neil and Marie moved into semi-retirement. Graham has

created in the 1940s to increase the mobility of military vehicles on

continued the evolutions and updates of products with his growing

weak, poor traction surfaces, such as desert sands.

staff of seven, and Bigfoot recently unveiled a big update in the

Important for optimising and improving not just tyre wear, but

form of a new head unit.

also driver comfort, component durability and outright tyre grip

Though continual improvements and evolution are natural parts

in all situations from a skid site to the highway, CTI systems are

of the business, the new display updates the Bigfoot ‘face’ and

a vitally important part of many forestry and transport fleets for

improves the user experience, functionality and efficiency of the

trucks and trailers.

system. Resized to fit in a conventional DIN-sized space, the new

“Every single truck driver is still sitting on a leaf spring,” explains

display is as much evolution as revolution.

Bigfoot Director Graham Wylie. “Even the flashest Euro truck with

“We’ve got thousands of the older units out there,” explains

an air-ride cab and air suspension seat and air bag rear suspension,

Graham. “When I took over the business, we were coming to the

the driver ultimately still sits on some form of suspended metal

end of the old housings, so I thought it was a good time to develop

spring, so having flex on the sidewall through lower and variable

a new one - this was one of my first projects with the business.

tyre pressures creates a much better ride for the driver. Trucks 16 | Truckbody&Trailer

“We wanted something that would fit into a one-DIN radio slot,


and still have the same mounting options of the older display, for example sitting on or under the dash. “One of the key things with the display is we didn’t want a touchscreen – it’s all about safety these days, so with this, a driver can feel the tactile buttons and adjust the pressure up or down, or alter the display brightness by hitting left or right.” It’s a basic operation with the main dial controlling the tyre pressure presets, displayed on the screen, and with supporting green LEDs. “We have five main pressure settings,” says Graham: “OnHighway Laden and Unladen; Off-Highway Laden or Unladen, and Emergency Traction. We can alter those preset pressures to suit the customer, but we have standard settings that we recommend and most customers respect that. “We also wanted download functionality, so the front has a mini-USB port, and on the back is a serial port. We can link this up with telematics systems, creating another function for the owner to have and monitor, to ensure the system is being used properly – it can be live, or downloaded, including date and time; it’s GPS-based for speed and location, and it’ll tell tyre pressure and whether it was inflating or not. At lower pressure settings, the ride quality is dramatically improved, so the Bigfoot system also uses a speed sensor for added safety (as it did in the previous system), so if the driver tries to prioritise ride comfort over the requiredw safe tyre pressures, it’ll override. In the low pressure setting (emergency traction), if the truck passes 40km/h, it provides an overspeed audio/visual alert, and logs it as well. After 30 seconds, if the driver doesn’t respond, the Bigfoot system will automatically inflate to the

Above: Bigfoot’s new display offers a number of improvements over the previous generation, key being its ability to mounting into a single-DIN.

Truckbody&Trailer | 17


1

2

1 & 2: Bigfoot’s display and test unit, with old (left) and new display. 3: On front wheels, Bigfoot mounts the hoses to a dynamic mount on the upright so it moves and turns with the wheel.

3

highest highway setting. In the Off-Highway settings, it will do a

The evolution of the electronic unit has also helped this, and over

similar thing above 75km/h, though it allows a 30 second buffer, for

the past 20 years, the ECU has shrunk to around a quarter the size

a run at a hill, for example.

it once was.

There is also self-diagnosing within the control box with a

“We do that with both the singles and the duals, and we’re

number of LEDs flashing in different ways to signal normal running

working on a multi-zone which can do three zones: steer axles,

or a fault, which helps remote and roadside diagnosis if there is a

drive axles and trailer, or two different pressures on a trailer. For

problem, helping identify if a problem is electrical or mechanical.

example, in Australia, the B Doubles are dragging their first trailer

“It’s an effective, intelligent system: but bulletproof and reliable,” explains Graham. “One air-line goes in and one comes out, and there’s a three-core cable. So when we have problems,

all the time, but carrying their second trailer, so there’s no point adjusting their second trailer when it’s on the back of the truck.” The boxed unit mounts externally, usually on the chassis though

generally down to a bit of neglect. If the tyre guys aren’t

there are a lot of options given the compact size, and takes the air

cleaning the inside of the tyres, it can lead to minor issues. All the

feed from the truck as a low priority. “We’re only taking ‘excess’ air

air going into the tyre is filtered through the truck’s system, but

from the truck,” says Graham. “We take the air once there’s 90psi

the air coming out isn’t - so we filter it, and it extends the life of

in the air tank, and the Bigfoot system won’t actually use it until

the deflate valve catching all the debris in a filter. It’s often one of

it gets to 110psi, and we close off at 90psi again so the system

the first things we check; it’s common to clean muck out, but it’s

prioritises the truck’s own air/braking system.

it’s

generally not enough to stop it working – when it’s really slow to deflate, that’s the clue.” As the most compact CTI unit on the market, Graham has also recently improved the main system unit. Previously using exposed

“We think our system operates the best as well,” states Graham. “You can hear the long shots of air, which only gets better with more wheels – we can generally get air into the tyres quicker than the truck can get air into the system.”

tanks and wiring and solenoids, Bigfoot has incorporated all the

Along with the display and box units, Graham has also revised

components into a single, condensed, neat box, for the single, dual

some of the final wheel components. “We make all our wiring

or multi- (three) zones.

looms and harnesses, we make our rotating unions, in a variety of

“Our old system would be mounted, and had external solenoids,”

types, for a Scania hub reduction, Mercedes… the insides are all

explains Graham, “but now it’s plug and play; apart from the display,

the same, and each one gets tested.” Graham leads us to a very

everything sits inside the box, so it’s basically just air in and out of

well-used but important piece of machinery that tests every union

the box, and the cable into the cab for the display.”

part to leave the factory, running at 375rpm – or 160km/h, and at

18 | Truckbody&Trailer


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1

2

3

4

5

6

1: New box design keeps all components internal, away from potential damage, and can mount on the chassis or anywhere there’s a space. Fitting the whole system normally takes one day. 2: Many of the mechanical parts, like the rotating unions are made in-house at Bigfoot. 3: The well-used test rig tests every one of the rotating unions to exit the door. 4: Solenoids, pipes and fittings, now all encased in a single, neat alloy box. 5: Old versus new design of lighter manifold design for Meritor axles. 6: Three more dual units being finished off in the factory. 7: Three evolutions of Bigfoot control box over the past 20 years. Smallest is newest, obviously, and about one-quarter the size of the original unit.

7

F 20 | Truckbody&Trailer


120psi, which exceeds anything the parts would see on the road.

roading contractors. We’re doing a lot more spreaders, four-wheel

Each part will typically test from 15-60 minutes, and then the rotary

drives that go on paddocks. Typically we’ll take the pressure from

seal is checked for leaks.

60psi loaded on the highway down to 40psi on the paddock, and

Bigfoot also has its own design of drive axle kits and castings to

as the operator empties his bin they’ll be dropping it to 30psi, and

suit the wheels of specific models, and Graham points to a new,

more than doubling the footprint. The difference in ride, comfort,

more tapered, lighter manifold design for Meritor axles, which uses

traction and flotation is immense. The key thing is the flotation:

the axles’ exposed thread.

with a bigger footprint, there’s less pressure on the paddock, and

“We also do a fair amount of old stuff service exchange and refurbishing of second-hand systems. We like to say ‘a new system

less furrows, and that’s a real big advantage. It won’t have the wheelspin, and the truck rolls a lot easier.

for a new truck’; at least ‘a new loom for a new truck’, as some

“The truck is now a lot safer to drive: it’s got traction going up

systems are 20 years old, might have done a million or two million

and down the hills, and also on the side of the hill, the front single

km and it’s still going strong. Or the truck might have been sold and

tyres are holding the grip, rather than washing away”. With new parts, evolution and export, Bigfoot has also just

the new owner didn’t need a CTI system, so it’s being refurbed and moved to another truck.

launched a new website as it heads into 2019, its 25th silver

“We pull the valving apart and tidy it up, and we’ll test-run the

anniversary year, as the company pumps up for the next 25. With

control and display units in the electrical room for a few days to

an eye for the future Bigfoot has also teamed up with Transport

make sure everything’s working properly – they come up looking

Repairs Ltd as distributors to help extend and improve the sales and

pretty good! We obviously sell new systems, but we’ve got a few

service in the Canterbury, Otago and Southland regions, explains

systems that have been on 3-4 trucks – reliability is through the

Graham: “They are great guys with the experience and ability to

roof!

service our customers, they have been buying and installing our

“Along with NZ, we export to the UK, Australia, USA and Canada,

systems for quite some time now so it was a natural progression”

anywhere really. We’ve also diversied outside the forestry market,

Contact:

which is our bread and butter, with fuel tankers, fertiliser trucks and

www.bigfoot.co.nz

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Story: Dean Evans

Viridian Glass thought it was time to update its ageing delivery trucks, so turned to Auckland bodybuilder GlassTranz to start freshening up the fleet.

E

AND

century. From manufacturing to installation,

from Wellington, to Whangarei to Dunedin.

serving a long life, the glazier truck is

companies like Viridian are proving invaluable

There are over 20 glass delivery trucks in

a unique and specific machine, and

to not just the building industry, but with

Auckland, and more across the country, and

there are many reasons why this transport

the subsequent demand, to the transport

they called us in as part of a five-year plan to

sector has relatively few manufacturers and

industry, too.

freshen up their entire fleet.”

XPENSIVE,

SPECIALISED

competitors in the business.

“Viridian and Metro Performance Glass

And in their green and white livery, it’s

building

backed us to get into it,” explains Scott

a bold, great looking fleet that needed a

manufacturing, from commercial offices to

Vermulen, director of Auckland’s GlassTranz.

freshen up to keep up with the company’s

residential buildings, the demand for glass

“Viridian has 18 branches across the country,

quality name.

But

with

so

much

new

and its competent, effective and efficient delivery is increasing in the same way as demand for housing and commercial space. Viridian Glass is one such company servicing the industry and as one of the more established players, Viridian has its origins going back more than 100 years, manufacturing glass for three-quarters of a Above: Part of a new fleet for Viridian, GlassTranz is building these new units, the second of the trucks the company has done. Right: Built to accommodate the new size rules, the unit falls to within 5mm of maximum, from each side. 22 | Truckbody&Trailer


“They’ve all done over a million kays,” adds Scott, “but every truck has gone over a million due to the fact that the bodies are so dear; and they never sell a body… they are basically destroyed at the end of life. All the glass companies do this, otherwise someone could get an old, cheap truck and compete. “They also keep them for so long because of the cost of replacement, as the units are well over $400,000. Keep in mind, glass companies don’t charge freight - people just pay for the glass, which in the industry automatically includes delivery.” Established

on

Auckland’s

North

Shore

in 2015, GlassTranz was started alongside Scott and business partner Mike’s existing transport manufacturing business, Tradesmen Motorbodies. Specialising in glazier trucks, frails for vans and light flat deck utes/trucks, harp rack and factory trolleys, the company is into the early stages of renewing the fleet for Viridian, following a timeframe of setting up dies, running extrusions and testing everything. “Viridian has a whole load of new units going on the road, as part of a five-year plan,” says Scott. “The average age of its fleet is over 10 years, so they’re having a freshen-up, and this is the second of these units, of the 30-40 across the country at all their branches. But this is the biggest unit we’ve done so far. “The wheelbase was obviously stretched significantly,” explains CAL Isuzu’s Blair Phipps, talking of modifications to the Isuzu CYJ400. “We did a lot of the design and engineering at our Hamilton location and had to do a fair bit of work to tighten the steering turning circle, as well as move fuel tanks and air tanks to fit this body on.” And then GlassTranz took over the body stage, which was another whole process in itself, possibly proving ‘why not?’, as many truckbody manufacturers don’t delve into glazier trucks. “It’s a very busy industry and takes a lot to get into,” adds Scott, “but we can put the truck like this on the road at a competitive price – it’s an industry that probably needs a little more competition.” Building the glazier truck wasn’t a hugely different build, just evolving it for the transport size updates, says Scott: “The biggest evolution between the old and new is that this is on the new maximum width, length and height… we have 5mm each side, to carry as much glass as possible. “We’ve come up with the design of the body

Top: CAL Isuzu was involved in the process, making modifications to stretch the chassis and steering. Below: Adjustable racks for glass stowage in the multitude of sizes, thicknesses configurations of a typical glazier truck. Truckbody&Trailer | 23


but the basic design is the same. It’s become

business partner to take over his role.

a normal build to us now. The construction

For now, the first few Viridian trucks

is alloy, where the glass sits. Everything’s

are on the road, having their typical bugs

on an angle, and all the glass is flat –

ironed out, and preparing and building

and everything is doubled glazed, with a

the next one, and for GlassTranz it’s the

20mm air pocket between the glass. So

company’s big step into a relatively new

when the rules allowed trucks to go wider,

world with a clear future.

it gave them another piece of glass each side, with deep pockets that sit down low down, out to the 2550mm width - there’s probably another tonne of glass on it with the new regs, with all the racking designed to take as much as possible. Plus the roof is retractable: like a curtainsider but on the roof and allows the glass to gantry in. “We made some tracks and a roller system, which retracts forward, and bunches up taking up a quarter of the space. There’s a square frame above the rear entry, with a ratchet handle that cranks the roof shut.” The biggest problem for the business lately has not been one of manufacturing, but personal health, explains Scott: “My business partner Mike has run into serious health problems and has now stepped back from the business, and on a personal level, it’s not looking good. Mike started here when he left school, and now he’s 49, and we bought this business 20 years ago. So there’s that we’re working through. And that means the business is now potentially looking for a 24 | Truckbody&Trailer

Above right: Alloy everywhere, tanks and toolboxes were repositioned, as this unit is looking ahead to a long service life. Below: It’s an imposing beast, from any angle.

Contact: www.viridianglass.co.nz CAL Isuzu: www.calisuzu.co.nz

Above left: Alloy chequerplate steps allow access, while the roof rolls back and glass is gantried in.

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Story: Dean Evans

MAKING IT WORX Timaru’s Transworx moves into the future, with a new location, new equipment and the same high quality work it’s done for 15 years.

I

T MAY NOT BE THE BIGGEST, BUT IT’S

we do a lot for both of them.

not aiming to be. Timaru’s Transworx

“Prestige Commercial Vehicles is also

strives to be an industry leader, offering

the correct wheelbase, we’ve shortened them up to Fuso specs, and do the exhaust

local, and we do a lot for them. All the four-

modifications

of

axle Fuso tractor units in New Zealand are

and meeting critical weight loadings and

manufacturing and management systems

ours, and we do the wheelbase and truck

driveline specifications.”

while fostering talent into the industry.

unit set-ups with them, which involve a

As a mechanical engineering company,

lot of work: because Fuso doesn’t bring in

there is scope to do more work, including

world-class

“We

service,

specialise

development

in

truck

builds,

crane trucks and modifications,” says Transworx South Island Limited Director Jeff McLennan. “We also do truck units – we don’t do a lot but what we do is very specialised, and built to customer requirements, with specific custom setups, so when the customer leaves here, it’s exactly what they want. We work with Netcon with some of its specialised equipment, and we also work with Hilton Haulage building its crane trucks, from the babies to the biggest ones, some of which are 14 years old, and they still look as good as the day they went out the door. We’re right on their doorsteps, so 26 | Truckbody&Trailer

to

meet

the

standards,


Some examples of Transworx’s builds including crane trucks and local companies with whom Transworx has built and maintained solid relationships.,

Truckbody&Trailer | 27


Left: The introduction of an OMAX waterjet cutting machine has meant faster, more efficient and accurate profiles, and it’s all done in-house. Above & right: Some of the intricate shapes and materials that Transworx has cut, for signs, toolboxes and much more.

tippers, and a lot of the mountings for Delta

a

tradesmen. It’s the one thing that holds

the

back growth, and we’re always looking

amount of work, but finding the people

for more mechanical engineers, and

to do the work.

people able to think on their feet…

The

biggest

company

Stockcrates. “We’ve also worked with a heavy haul truck unit for Fulton Hogan with 180 GCM, that’s used for house movements in

like

limiting

factor

Transworx

for

isn’t

“We have six employees,” says Jeff, “but we’re always looking for skilled

Auckland.“

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“We currently have one apprentice, and

we’ve

always

maintained

one

apprentice on the go at any time –

the old place

helped boost business and it allows us to

at 58 Sheffield St, and we’re now at 68

control the timeline of jobs a lot better,”

Sheffield St… about 300 yards away!

says Jeff. “We build to order, and we

size – we’ve gone from

and we’ve had them for 15 years! All

“We’d been at the old place for 14.5

now do the majority of the profiles to

our current full-time staff started as

years… we’d outgrown it and probably

keep it in-house as much as we can. It

apprentices.

experienced

should have moved a long time ago.

allows us to guarantee the quality of

guys each have around 10 years, so it’s

There’s lots more parking for trucks, and

what we’re getting and doing.”

a young crew – and thankfully we don’t

the workflow has increased dramatically,

For a relatively small company doing

have a high staff turnover.”

plus the ability to move around and

big things in a small region, for Jeff

actually not be tripping over things.”

and the Transworx team, it’s all about

Our

most

The other evolution for the company

making it worx.

was a recent move, a big one in regards

There was also another addition to the

to significance if not distance; “We

Transworx working family, in the form of

Contact:

have moved,” explains Jeff. “We’ve

a waterjet cutter. “We got the machine,

Transworx S.I. Ltd

gone to premises that are four times the

an OMAX 1530 before the move but it

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THE TEN COMMANDMENT Story: Dean Evans

Ten tonne was the target for RPC Logistics’ new unit, and with a lightweight and unique 8x4 Hino and big Palfinger, the result is something special.

I

horsepower, but it’s new, modern tech.”

T MAY NOT BE TWICE THE SIZE, BUT

that’s a little bit special. “It’s not just

it’s twice as good for Robert Pascoe.

one of the first Hino 500 Series in the

On the back is another reason for the

Truck number 36 for RPC Logistics is a

country,” enthuses Robert, “but it’s the

18x2 term: the old truck had a Palfinger

Hino 500 Series, nicknamed ‘18x2’. It’s the

first with eight wheels. It came in as a

20002 crane, while the new one has

newest and latest addition to his Auckland-

6x4; Hino supplied another axle with it

a Palfinger 26002 crane with constant

based fleet, packed with lots of details and

and we changed it from a 6x4 into an 8x4.

geometry linkages. “We can lift 5.5-6.0

some unique changes, and a replacement

Wilkinson Transport Engineers extended

tonne, and we can get 10 tonne on it

for truck number 18, which has served a

the chassis and fitted it; it’s not just one

legally, with a crane that’ll lift it – that’s

long and effective term since it started

of the first 500 series, it’s the first eight-

why we chose the 500 Series.

with the fleet in November 1999.

wheeler 500 Series.

We join the RPC Logistics guys and experienced

driver

Ian,

who’s

been

“It’s been a good truck but it’s old

“The goal was to carry 10 tonne of

tech,” says Robert of the older unit. Now

payload,” he adds, “which is why we

designated driver for the truck’s first

19 years old and heading into retirement,

went for the smaller Hino that’s two tonne

couple of months of operation, ironing out

in its place is this new Hino 500 Series,

lighter. This new one doesn’t have as much

the bugs of the new truck, in preparation

30 | Truckbody&Trailer


for regular designated driver Jodie. Ian is finishing up washing the new unit in RPC’s large, undercover wash bay, at the back of its organised warehousing, and it’s a perfect chance to see the old and new trucks parked together – numbers 18 and 36 – as Ian hoses and dries off the unit and shows us the key highlights, before a few local jobs. There’s the opportunity to see the level

Opposite page: Palfinger 26 tonne crane is ideal for the pallets and 10 tonne carrying capacity of the Hino 8x4. Above: Old and new units, numbers 18 and 36, showcasing 1999 and 2018 technology. Below cockwise: Fuel tank neatly incorporates tool box. Toolbox also incorporates water tank and tap. Ladder is neatly mounted on rear, and easily accessible from the ground. Two small slide-out boxes are located between the rear axles.

of detail work put into the Hino as well, with the rear housing not just the crane, but a handy ladder rack that spans across the back rail that’s readily accessible from the ground… at least with a caveat. “You have to be mindful if you’re in a narrow driveway,” explains Ian, “to get the ladder out beforehand.” Plus the rear legs have a seven-metre spread, so there’s plenty of stability there when required. Up front behind the cab are equally neat racks for a broom and spade, plus there are pull-out, locking, high-vis hazard markers situated near the front and rear of the deck, a mounting rack for traffic cones alongside the fuel tank, plus LED lights on the rear, and LED beacons that ‘simulate’ spinning. Truckbody&Trailer | 31


1

2

3

4

5

6

1: Palfinger controls, though most of the time it’s done via the remote. 2: Pop out and locking hazard markers are a neat touch on both sides, front and rear. 3: Reversing camera is tucked under rear and includes audio feed to cab. 4: Controls for legs. Note LEDs on leg upright, and pop-out hazard board. 5: Broom and spade are neatly mounted on the front of the deck. 6: Loading at Mainfreight with a forklift. 7: Leg pads and crowbar holders mounted under the rear.

7

32 | Truckbody&Trailer


All these additions are there for a distinct

There’s also a small slide-out box above

pallets and around 2-3 tonne, putting it up

purpose, explains Robert: “I just wanted

and between each side of the rear axle,

around the 18-19 tonne mark; while the

to make it easier for the guys - they just

for chains and strops.

truck is good for up to 44 tonne GCM. Back on the road, Ian works his way

turn up on the job and go,” as he walks

The whole unit was then painted and

around and points to his design of water

signwritten by Gavin and CFX Signage &

through

tank, which is integrated in to the front

Truckpainting, using RPC’s new logos and

signature part of all of Robert’s fleet,

of the tool box, with a tap. Roadrunner in

iconic red, white and blue.

for its run around Auckland, while it also

the

Roadranger’s

gears,

a

services the Waikato.

Bulls manufactured them, along with the

Adds Ian: “For what we do this is a

toolbox integrated on the front side of the

good compromise; the crane has five

We head back to the RPC yard for

fuel tank on the passenger side, and Mike

hydraulic extensions, and one manual

unloading and photos: the rear legs extend

at Tradesmen Motorbodies fitted them.

one. And the manual is really good: you

and the Palfinger comes into life, extending

“Mike’s done all my work since 1986

can take it out and have a clean beam,

to pick up the nearby pallet forks and

back when he was an apprentice,” says

which you can poke through doorways

unloading some of the pallets in minutes

Robert. “And now he’s co-owner.

and containers and the like, which makes

via the remote strapped to Ian’s waist.

“Everything has its place: the leg pads

It’s all very quick and efficient, and with

it more versatile.”

are neatly mounted in their box under

The deck height was also kept low,

its light weight and ten tonne capacity,

the crane, and there’s also a crowbar and

down to 1170mm, thanks in part to the

exactly what RPC Logistics needs to keep

holder alongside… you make it easy for

275/70x22.5 wheels. It’s also a wide unit,

things moving.

the drivers, and we’re turning up to job

out to 2.54m, just shy of the 2.55m limit,

sites looking professional – it’s close to

to maximise load space.

Contact:

400 grand we have invested here; we

We arrive at Mainfreight and an on-site

like to do things properly,” adds Robert.

forklift loads up a typical job with seven

RPC Logistics: www.robertpascoecarriers.co.nz

TB&T

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The brain behind the Bigfoot system is the Bigfoot OptiTraction control module. and makes monitoring and adjusting tyre pressures simple. The display also provides visual and audible alarms.

www.bigfoot.co.nz Truckbody&Trailer | 33


PODS-ON FAVOURITE Story: Dean Evans

Moving multiple new boats around the country is made easy with a big Northchill DAF Roadmaster curtainsider, using portable, configurable and colourful pods.

1

2

T

3

BOATS

to Australia and America; they are built and used mainly for

around the country can be difficult at the best of

leisure use, but also encompass everything from water police

times, with varying sizes, locations and the need for

to Canadian Coast Guard.

RANSPORTING

AND

DELIVERING

protection. But Northchill Express Ltd, a division of Graham

“They got to a point where they needed a base in Auckland,

and Michelle Redingtons’ Northchill Ltd, has worked with an

recalls Graham. “We used to bring the boats up on a five-axle

Invercargill boat manufacturer and Rotorua’s Roadmaster to

flat-deck – it had uprights that they put the boats on, and the

create a unique and highly effective solution – using pods.

truck would leave and deliver in Wellington and all over the

While pods may be less popular in the coffee world littering

North Island, and then reload and get back - but it just wasn’t

the country, they’ve been doing fantastic work moving boats

working, and it was an old truck. And by the time they got to

from the south to the north.

us in Auckland, they were covered in dirt. And it was just too

Northchill Director Graham Redington explains the new DAF linehaul truck and trailer curtainsider has been put on to work with Invercargill’s Stabi-Craft, to service deliveries to the North Island. Established in 1987, Stabi-Craft is a leisure craft

34 | Truckbody&Trailer

hard delivering off a trailer; driver hours weren’t great, and it was a nightmare. “We could bring up 6-7 boats on the flat-deck B-train, but once we broke the frames down, it limited our back-loading, so we were always scratching around for stuff to take back.

manufacturer with over 90 employees and will build more

“So we sat down with Paul Adams, the owner of Stabi-

than 700 boats in 2019, half for NZ and half for export, mainly

Craft, and came up with a concept of a truck and trailer, all


Main: Stabi-Craft Northchill DAF moves leisure boats around the country, and all signed up in company colours, it’s a looker. Facing page: 1. Once the ‘empty’ unit arrives back at the Stabi-Craft manufacturing facility in Invercargill, inside are the empty modular ‘pods’, that are designed to be flat-packed and allow more room for back-runs. The six pods each have ten pieces which are neatly packed into itself, and are coloured to ensure each piece goes with its own colour pod; 2. The pods stack and are easy to identify, and easily removed for use; 3. Not all pods do the drive at once, as while the returning empty pods are unloaded, other pods have already been packed and prepared and ready to load into the trailer.

drawn up with Stabi-Craft signage - and he loved it! It had two

the hull dimensions and drawings for all the models of boats,

main advantages: it meant we get the boats up to Auckland in

back and forth with Stabi.

good condition, and it gives us better access to back loading: like potting mix, chipboard… you name it we can do it. “So we built this unit… I was going to refrigerate the DAF,” adds Graham. “It has double-thick curtains and insulated

“There was a huge amount of design work in those pods between Roadmaster, and the design engineers at StabiCraft. There are nine full-time R&D at Stabi, and their work is second to none.

floors and roof - and it’s all fridge-ready. On the left side of the

“The pods are all the same, and have uprights and V-bars,

truck is a row of toolboxes, which is where we were going to

and each pod has ten 10 components that all disassemble and

put a fridge underneath. The front headboard of the truckbody

neatly stack flush in the base frame for tidy stacking, plus we

has the air cleaners built into it and gets good airflow, and all

can load pallets on top of them and barely take up any space.

plumbed into the engine. So if we decide later on to refrigerate it, it’s all pretty straight forward.” The special part about the unit is the custom designed and

“We painted them all different, garish colours so we know which part belongs to which pod; they don’t get lost and we don’t get confused if a part is misplaced or missing.”

manufactured ‘pods’, a concept devised by Graham, which

Each pod generally takes two boats, depending on their

are multi-coloured, custom-built, portable frames that carry

size, adds Graham. “On average we get five boats on a unit:

the boats. “We built six pods, all in different colours,” explains

the truckbody takes one pod and the trailer takes two pods -

Graham. “Roadmaster manufactured the pods… they got all

but it could be a little 1410 or an 8 metre 2750 that will take up Truckbody&Trailer | 35


1

2

4

3

5

6

1. The Stabi-Craft aluminium boats are loaded into the pods, though they are often pre-loaded before the truck’s arrival, to enable fast turnaround. 2. While the craft sits on its own V-brace, outer legs allow easy and safe stacking. 3. Depending on the size of the craft, the pods allow easy double-stacking and easy strapping. 4&5. Once ready, the pods are lifted onto the trailer. 6. Locked into place, the pods are ready to go in a safer, cleaner and enclosed space, making delivery and final distribution much easier and faster. Below: Five craft stacked in their pods, packed and loaded, ready for their trip to Auckland.

the whole front or two-thirds of the trailer.” The six pods also

locks and within an hour our driver Grant is in and out and

means that while three are on the road delivering, three more

gone. It’s better for Stabi, because the old way we used to

are back at Stabi-Craft ready and waiting for the new boats to

get in and tie up their guys for 3-4 hours loading and trying to

be loaded on, so once the truck returns to the yard, it’s just a

make it all work, but now, as the boats are built and finished,

matter of loading.

they can load them up to the pods in preparation for transport

Cleaner, safer and more efficient, a routine schedule also makes it easier from both ends, particularly the loading side.

36 | Truckbody&Trailer

and we all know the schedule – and the pods also minimise any damage to the boats, which are alloy.”

“We get into Stabi,” says Graham, “unload whatever

While the DAF unit services predominantly the North

we’ve brought back, and the pods are already pre-loaded with

Island, there are times when there are deliveries on the way

the finished, new boats and strapped into the frame ready to

to Auckland, adds Graham: “If we’re light on load, we might

go. We lift the full pods back in with a forklift; they sit on twist

drop boats for Christchurch on the way through, we’ll top it


Above: Different size craft, but similar stacking method, and the unit allows a multitude of layouts, carrying both small and large craft. Below: A smaller UD, ‘Lil UD’, works alongside the large DAF, and carts units in the conventional way with a trailer, and is signed up like big brother.

up with South Island… Stabi is great to work for and it’s a real

drums to get both the centre of gravity low and make loading

strong team. We also work with the retailers direct so there’s

easier. We ran 980mm spring centres but we can go out to

a lot of liaison between us and the dealers.”

1040mm with that axle and suspension system to add even

So the DAF arrives into Auckland, and the pods are unloaded, and the boats taken off the cradles and distributed

more stability. We use a lot of this gear with transporters”, he adds.

by smaller trucks, with individual boat trailers that have been

There’s also added functionality for its life beyond boats,

supplied to schedule by DMW Trailers, who know the order

with Graham adding that the unit has rear doors on both units

numbers, and to time it with the arrival of the DAF.

so cars can be driven through if needed.

Detailing on the unit is also important, with Stabi-Craft

The DAF itself is a high-spec super space cab with night

placing high importance on image and marketing, with the

heater, microwave, flat-screen TV, fridge and cab AC for day

DAF truck and trailer signed up in Stabi-Craft colours.

sleeping.

Talking componentry, the unit uses Peterson LED lighting,

The unit does the one 3500km return trip per week, though

as well as Weweller suspension which gets it really low.

for the run up to Christmas there was a second smaller unit

Fitted with Durabright 17.5 wheels, “Weweller is actually

helping satisfy the demand, Graham drawing on one of his

Europe’s largest air suspension manufacturer and supplier to

Northchill 23 metre truck and trailer units to run a second load.

Schmitz Cargobull,” explains TATES Ltd’s Aaron Burson. “It’s a 200mm ride-height underslung ROR suspension design with

And it’s all been made possible, and substantially more efficient, by half-a-dozen brightly coloured pods.

TB&T

Truckbody&Trailer | 37


MOVE YOUR CARS! Story: Dean Evans

TL MacLean unveils its latest car transporter for – and about – ASAP.

D

CAR

transporter truck and trailer built for ASAP by TL MacLean

transport specialist, TL MacLean, has unveiled its

is a little unconventional - relatively at least. Using a local

latest double-deck, lightweight car transporter, a

engineering company and computer design, to put it in

UNEDIN

TRAILER

BUILDER

AND

bright new unit built for ASAP Car Transport. A new car rental company based in Christchurch, ASAP

simple terms, TL MacLean cuts holes to save weight without sacrificing strength or integrity.

is typical of many car rental companies, needing to move

The size and location of the holes is calculated by the

all kinds of vehicles to all kinds of areas, working the

design engineers, following a meeting and discussion

southern regions like Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin

about the intended use, and a virtual stress analysis

and across the North Island for Avis New Zealand.

ensures the strength and steel is retained where it needs

While the work may be more conventional, the

38 | Truckbody&Trailer

to be.


Truckbody&Trailer | 39


Above: With trailer detached, it’s easy to see the rear stops, that fold down to aid loading. Ramps also fold out from the trailer to fill the ‘gap’ between the truck and trailer. Note the slimline Peterson LED lights. Left: Slimline LED lights on the trailer allow it to drop down to road level for easy loading without separate ramps Below: Fully extended, with the upper deck lowered for loading, the ASAP transporter is the first of many similar builds to come.

40 | Truckbody&Trailer

TL MacLean’s Managing Director, Barry Armour,

as both additional two-car transport, and also the loading/

says it follows the same construction as its current and

unloading platform. This is done by simply flipping over the

increasingly popular design of lightweight transporters.

ramps on the front of the trailer which joins the ramps to

The design, if not done properly, can lead to fatigue and

the 11.5m long truck’s bed, while both raising the front and

stress, but Barry is proud of the methods and techniques

lowering the rear of the trailer to road level.

used in the computer design and construction, reinforcing

This allows two vehicles on the truck’s lower bed,

the feeling by explaining one of its similar lightweight

with two more on the trailer. An extra top ramp uses TL

transporter trailers has just turned over 440,000km of use,

MacLean’s legless design, and allows maximum versatility

so durability and longevity have both been proven and

for all shapes and sizes of vehicles, with a particular focus

assured.

on width. The hydraulic rams are located to not just provide

The new lightweight truck and twin-axle lightweight trailer

easy ramp access, without the potential restriction of the

for ASAP is an integral unit, using the 8m long low-ride trailer

top or lower ramps of a conventional leg design. Even


TBT profiled TL MacLean’s new design of light weight transporter in the September 2017 issue, where we covered the build process and the engineering involved in the construction of the orange unit for HVS, which also included the iTAP remote control app to adjust the air suspension and read axle weights. Photo: Andrew Geddes.

wide vehicles, like SUVs or a truck with duals, can still be

7.8-litre engine producing 191kW/760Nm and running on

put behind the cab, without the rams interfering with the

a 12 tonne GVM. The new unit has already proven successful - and very

opening of the loaded vehicle’s doors. The legless design offers a lot of little benefits, and

busy! TL MacLean was already well into building its second

apart from fast loading, it also eliminates the risk of vehicle

unit for ASAP in November, with more units ordered and

damage to mirrors or doors – plus there’s the lower weight,

being built every couple of months for the fast growing

lower centre of gravity, and it eliminates the potential for

ASAP company.

related stress cracks, as the top deck is always leaning on

For a company that started out as a welding and engineering firm in Dunedin in 1920 before moving

the legs. While it’s a reasonably simple, lightweight design, TL

to specialist welding, and now approaching its 100th

MacLean also added some detailing, including Petersen/

anniversary in 2020, TL MacLean reminds us that it’s clearly

LED taillights to keep it all modern looking and reliable - and

no lightweight in the light weight transporter business.

the HSV Sting Red colour also looks sharp and standout,

Contact:

matching the truck, an Isuzu FSD650A which uses a

www.tlmaclean.co.nz

TB&T

Specialists in transport engineering 5-7 CAR TRANSPORTER SEMI

Airbag Suspension - Remote Controlled Hydraulic Deck - Fast Easy Loading ARMOUR CROUCHING TRUCK

New Product – Greater Capacity Trailer on Airbags & drops to the ground NO RUC on Trailer (Runs on WOF)

7.3m deck length Lower deck angle 11 deg Quick easy loading

TBT29009

FIVE CAR TRANSPORTER

We specialise in creating innovative engineering solutions for the transport industry www.tlmaclean.co.nz • 7 Carnforth Street, Green Island, Dunedin Phone 03 488 4308 • Fax 03 488 4489 • Email daryl@tlmaclean.co.nz

Truckbody&Trailer | 41


TOWN TANKER Story: Hayley Leibowitz

Linfox rolls out a new quartet and generation of all-red fuel movers for urban work.

S

IX COMPARTMENTS RATHER THAN FIVE,

makes it more versatile, allowing for deliveries to

a 38,000 litre barrel as opposed to 40 and a

multiple locations,” says Tanker Solutions’ Scott Wilkin.

shorter body, all make for a tanker well suited

He adds that the shorter barrel and shorter trailer work

to metropolitan deliveries and routes. Manufactured by

for tight sites and the tanker can “get closer to filling

Tanker Solutions Ltd for Linfox, the four new tankers

to its maximum capacity of 38,000L, rather than running

allow for smaller drops as opposed to big bulk drops.

downloaded”. A tighter turning circle completes the

Though it remains a standard specification, four

package.

compartments are the same size, with two bigger

Thought it can’t actually carry 38,000 litres as that

ones. This multi-product tanker can thus carry different

would exceed the maximum weight, it can carry around

products in each compartment; for example, diesel in

80 percent of each compartment of safe fuel levels,

one compartment, 91 octane, 95 and 98 in the others.

which are fixed - depending where it sits on the truck.

And under all those compartments and tanker

This also varies depending which fuel is put where, as

equipment is a trio of BPW 19.5 axles, along with Jost

diesel is heavier. Also, over drive axles or rear axles,

Modul landing legs, tried, proven and chosen solutions.

the load might be limited to 8000 litres in a 9000 litre

It’s also made slightly short, given its purpose. “This

compartment. In terms of design and build Scott says there were no new challenges resulting from the shorter spec

42 | Truckbody&Trailer


1 1: Jost Modul landing legs have proven their worth. 2: BPW 19.5 disc brake axles and airbags are used on each of the trailer’s three axles. 3: Six fuel compartments can be configured with multi-fuels, though today’s load is diesel in all but one compartment. 4: Alloy boxes store cones and barriers used during fills. 5: Once the fuel drops are complete, the security bar lowers to activate the locking mechanism.

2

3

4

5

compared to a regular semi build, “just a new

by Mark and Robyn Wilkin when they

design with more equipment”. He adds, “I

recognised the need for an independent

believe they are the first red tankers in the

customer-focused

country, though they are very similar to other

based in Wellington. The company is a

tri-axle semi tankers in looks”.

leading supplier of tankers and tank trailers to

Three of the Linfox-owned and branded

the

New

tankwagon

Zealand

constructor

petroleum

industry,

tankers are based in Auckland and one in

specialising in the design, manufacture, and

Wellington, and the first units are all red to

maintenance of all classes of tankers and

signify its own trucks.

trailers for fuel. It supplies anything from a

Ease of access is key for metro work as

dustcap to a complete turnkey new built

opposed to bigger units and quads, and

tanker and trailer ready to take to the road,

even truck and trailers. Built for metro work,

fully certified to deliver fuel. A wide range of

they’re more versatile around town, with

light engineering is also on offer, paint shop

manoeuvrability in mind and as much fuel on

facilities for heavy vehicles, a service centre

board as possible.

specialising in tanker maintenance and also

Tanker Solutions was founded in April 2007

an aluminium and bronze casting foundry.

TB&T

Truckbody&Trailer | 43


SHOW US YOUR BUILD

Got a new build? Email us a high-res photo, and some info, to dean@trucker.co.nz

Company: Waikato Iveco Specs: Built by Iveco Hamilton in conjunction with Birkett Motor Bodies for a client, the Iveco Daily 70 Series has a GVM of 7000, GCM of 10,500 and a tare weight of four-tonne. Body is a 30 cube, with a Dhollandia 1000kg tail lift. Customer: Undisclosed

Company: Piako Transport Engineering Ltd Specs: Isuzu 460 tipper, 4.8m full wear plate body, 4mm sides and 5mm floor, and Interpump 5 stage hoist. Customer: Paul Steiner Contracting

Company: Piako Transport Engineering Ltd Specs: Three-axle semi transporter, ROR 17.5 axles, Weweller suspension, Alex alloys, power pack and a 40,000 GVM. Customer: Downer

44 | Truckbody&Trailer


Company: Nickel Engineering Specs: Features 1000mm inside height, 4800mm long, 5mm hx floor, 4mm hx sides, one-piece coaming rail. Customer: TR Group

Company: Domett Specs: 15.2m type 2 quad platform trailer, 19.5-inch SAF disc braked axles, Wabco EBS and ECAS Customer: TR Group


SHOW US YOUR BUILD

Got a new build? Email us a high-res photo, and some info, to dean@trucker.co.nz Company: Frazer Fabrication for Aarons Contracting Ltd Specs: A new bin to an 2004 ex-Mcdowells Transport K104, Gazza from Frazer Fabrication in Paparoa built the 40m3 bin out of Wear Plate to the new 2550mm widths. High tare weight, but extremely strong for the large bulky logs Aarons loads that can bend rear posts out of shape. Extra features include fold-away ladders, auto tarp by Power Tarps, aftermarket drop visor and roof spoiler. Also twin seveninch stacks diverted to further outside the chassis to keep the tarp clean. Also two-speed hoist valving, as the switching is electric over hydraulic, which offers Aarons the option to drop the bin fast or slow, for a trailer as well. Speed Signs also did all the vinyl signage. Customer: Aarons Contracting

Company: TL MacLean Specs: UD MK 11 250 two-car transporter, which tows our light weight 3.5 tonne two-car trailer, that drops to the ground for easy loading. Customer: Best Car Delivery, Christchurch

Company: TL MacLean Specs: MAN 4x4, with a 4.8m flat deck with removable 044 Hiab, toolboxes and generator box. Customer: Lindis Honey, Cromwell

46 | Truckbody&Trailer


Company: TRT Specs: Three-axle Mid-Tipping Deck Low Loader, designed to carry multiple machinery with safe loading to top deck with hydraulicoperated full-width Mid-Deck; 10m deck length and 3.8m top deck, on BPW axles and air suspension and Wabco EBS. Non-skid surface to all deck sheet with Cold Crip surface at elevated areas. Special pockets in deck for load frames, slide-out delineators fitted to hydraulic ramps. Alloy wheels to outside, and two-pack paint in company colours. Customer: Abernethy Projects Ltd

EG29011

68 Sheffield Street, Washdyke, Timaru Ph: 03 688 2760 Email: transworx.si@xtra.co.nz

www.transworx.co.nz Truckbody&Trailer | 47


SHOW US YOUR BUILD

Got a new build? Email us a high-res photo, and some info, to dean@trucker.co.nz

Company: Domett Specs: Volvo with 8.2m internal Trident Curtains curtainside body, internal steel walls, LED lighting and Resene Paint. Trailer is 10.3 Int four-axle curtainside, with SAF 19.5 Intradisc axles/ suspension, Wabco brakes, Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels, steel internal walls, LED lighting, Resene paint and Trident Curtains. Customer: Robbie Allen Transport

Company: Onehunga Transport Engineering Limited Specs: Flat deck crane truck, Isuzu FTR750L chassis, Palfinger PK17001 B crane Customer: Samoa Electricity Power Corporation

Company: Onehunga Transport Engineering Limited Specs: 4x4 line truck, Isuzu FTS800 4x4 chassis, Palfinger PK17001 B crane. Customer: Northpower/Wellington Electricity

48 | Truckbody&Trailer


Company: Mills-Tui Ltd Specs: A neat little Lowrider F143 three-axle flat deck trailer, 6.5m long hi-tensile chassis with Corten steel deck, twistlocks to suit 20ft container, Hendrickson INTRAXX disc brake axles and air suspension, Knorr-Bremse EBS, Mills-Tui alloy wheels, LED lights, Red Flag toolbox, finished with stainless spring-loaded mudflap hangers and Mills-Tui mudflaps. This is the second three-axle built for Bowers, for carrying concrete water tanks to site for installation. Customer: Bowers & Son, Te Awamutu

Company: Mills-Tui Ltd Specs: Lowrider Alloy bathtub tipper to match Skiffington’s Kenworth that was built last year. Flush outside flat top alloy bin, dual swing taildoor, steps front and rear, Edbro hoist, Hendrickson INTRAXX disc brake axles on air suspension with TIREMAAX PRO inflation system, Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels, KnorrBremse EBS and finished off with custom guards and lights and Quicksilver liner. Customer: Skiffington Transport

Truckbody&Trailer | 49


Patchell Group continued its dominance of the NZ trailer market, number one for the ninth year in a row.

THE YEAR (ALMOST) IN REVIEW Story: Robin Yates

Trailers sales set for yet another record year, and there are still two months of sales to go!

F

IN

August, which itself was 18 percent down on September 2017.

August and September, official NZTA registrations

Things improved in October with 146 registrations, and though

for

just two units ahead of 2017, more is more.

OLLOWING both

THE

heavy

MARKET trucks

and

SLOWDOWNS trailers

returned

to

truck

More significantly, thanks to a strong start and steady sales

sales reached a new high of 4414, which was 1.4 percent

all year, the Year-To-Date total of 1458 was 13.6 percent ahead

ahead of 2017: a small improvement, but importantly,

of last year, which, remember, set a new all-time record of

a reversal of the trends of the previous two months.

1577 units for the full year. Though our numbers are based

September trailer registrations were 23 percent down on

on figures to the end of October, even an average month in

record

breaking

MTE’s Smart trailer was a recent registration, with the company grabbing the number one spot for one month in 2018.

50 | Truckbody&Trailer

levels

in

October.

Year-To-Date


November will see a new record set, with December still to spare! It would take a miracle (or disaster) for Patchell’s 188 YTD sales to be overtaken, and the company is looking highly likely

in 2018, while 16 lost share, and five remained the same. Proving the growth and competitiveness of the trailer industry, with a market that grew 13.5 over the period, just to maintain share required a 13.5 increase increase in sales.

to earn its its ninth year in a row as market leader; but the battle

The cut-off for the sales chart is under two units for the

for the number two spot has been close all year, and only now

current year, therefore some manufacturers who appeared last

is Fruehauf opening up a slight gap, with 138 units, over MTE

year who did not reach two units for 2018 have dropped off the

on 114 and Domett’s 103.

chart, and their 2017 registration are included in ‘Other’.

On an individual monthly registration level, from the ten

Included in ‘Other’ for 2018 are 14 tankers and semi tankers

months so far, Patchell has been leader six times, while

that have no manufacturer’s identification. Tanker Engineering

Fruehauf claimed the monthly best-seller title twice; MTE

and Lowes products appear under their own names.

grabbed the top spot once, as did Domett and Roadmaster who tied on unit registrations for that month.

By weight, MTE remains the top seller in the 60t+ segment, but has lost its lead in the 50-60t segment to Patchell.

The year-on-year to October comparison chart shows that a

Two new brands appeared this year: Manac from USA and

very impressive 35 manufactures improved their market share

Feldbinder from Germany. In the main market segments, the

Domett also claimed the number one spot for a month in 2018, displacing Patchell, but having to share the title with Roadmaster which coincidentally also beat Patchell, and matched Domett for the month.

Truckbody&Trailer | 51


30-40t types grew by 155 units - or 24 percent - and is Two new imports joined the NZ market in 2018: Manac (above) from from USA and Feldbinder (below) from Germany.

52 | Truckbody&Trailer

now bigger than all other segments combined.

In our August issue, the registrations by area showed that Auckland and Hamilton had shrunk slightly

The UK remained the largest source country for

compared to 2017. This decline has continued, but

imported trailers followed by USA, Germany and

Christchurch has reversed and gained in the latest

Australia. Another first was a trailer from Turkey; however

figures.

despite the imports, and reinforcing the strength of local

So while the 2018 numbers look almost set, we will

engineering, NZ manufacturers increased their share of

update the final yearly numbers in the next issue of

the market from 94.9 to 95.7 percent.

TBT, out March 2019.

TB&T


YTD Sales By Area, to Oct 2018 vs to Oct 2017 (%) Area

2018

2017

Area

Units

% Share

Auckland

27.7

30.4

Auckland

404

27.7

Hamilton

15.8

14.3

Hamilton

231

15.8

Christchurch

8.9

10.0

Christchurch

130

8.9

Rotorua

4.9

4.2

Wellington

25

1.7

PATCHELL

Invercargill

4.7

2.7

65

4.5

FRUEHAUF

138

9.5

121

9.4

M.T.E.

114

7.8

88

6.9

Palmerston North

4.5

3.5

Palmerston North Invercargill

68

4.7

Napier

4.2

5.1

Napier

61

4.2

New Plymouth

3.9

3.2

Whangarei

45

3.1

Tauranga

3.1

3.4

Tauranga

45

3.1

Whangarei

3.1

2.7

Dunedin

44

3.0

Dunedin

3.0

2.9

Rotorua

71

4.9

Thames

2.7

1.7

Nelson

34

2.3

Gisborne

2.4

2.6

New Plymouth

57

3.9

Nelson

2.3

2.6

Thames

39

2.7

Timaru

1.9

3.2

Timaru

27

1.9

Wanganui

1.9

1.2

Gisborne

35

2.4

Wellington

1.7

2.6

Blenheim

12

0.8

Greymouth

1.2

0.6

Mastrerton

13

0.9

Mastrerton

0.9

0.9

Greymouth

18

1.2

Blenheim

0.8

1.2

Wanganui

27

1.9

Oamaru

0.5

0.8

Oamaru

7

0.5

Westport

0.0

0.2

Westport

0

0.0

Increase of share

loss of share

No change

GVM in kg YT Oct 0ver 60,000

2018

%

2017

%

MTE

10

0.7

10

0.8

Patchell

2

0.1

TRT

2

0.1

2

0.2

50,001 to 60,000

12

Patchell

20

1.4

5

0.4

MTE

6

0.4

7

0.5

1

0.1

3

0.2 0.5

Tidd Manac Feldbinder

8

0 to 50,000

30

40,001 to 50,000

117

8.0

121

9.4

30.001 to 40,000

793

54.4

638

49.7

20,001 to 30,000

429

29.4

439

34.2

10,001 to 20,000

34

2.3

34

2.6

< 10,001

34

2.3

27

2.1

Total all

1017

Country of origin YTD Oct Australia UK China France Germany Turkey South Africa USA Netherland New Zealand Total

839

2018 vol 9 25

10 1

2017 % 0.6 1.7

0.7

18

1.2

1395 1017

95.7

vol 9 16 4 14 16

% 0.7 1.2 0.3 1.1 1.2

2 4 1 1218 839

0.2 0.3 0.1 94.9

Brand

October YTD year on year comparison 2018 2017 Volume % Volume % 188 12.9 158 12.3

DOMETT

103

7.1

89

6.9

ROADMASTER

96

6.6

95

7.4

TMC

80

5.5

81

6.3

TRANSPORT TRAILERS

71

4.9

84

6.5

MAXICUBE

59

4.0

81

6.3

TRANSFLEET

52

3.6

43

3.3

JACKSON

47

3.2

50

3.9

FREIGHTER

45

3.1

FAIRFAX

40

2.7

17

1.3

TES

33

2.3

27

2.1

EVANS

26

1.8

21

1.6

KRAFT

24

1.6

23

1.8

CWS

20

1.4

25

1.9

HAMMAR

19

1.3

18

1.4

MILLS-TUI

18

1.2

12

0.9

CHIEFTAN

13

0.9

12

0.9

LUSK

13

0.9

11

0.9

MAKARANUI

12

0.8

11

0.9

TRT

11

0.8

8

0.6

HTS

10

0.7

7

0.5

ADAMS & CURRIE

9

0.6

11

0.9

MTT

9

0.6

8

0.6

FELDBINDER

8

0.5

TEO

7

0.5

2

0.2

COWAN

6

0.4

8

0.6

PTE

6

0.4

6

0.5

TANKER ENGINEERING

6

0.4

6

0.5

WHITE

6

0.4

6

0.5

MORGAN

6

0.4

4

0.3

TRINITY

6

0.4

LOWES

5

0.3

4

0.3

SEC

5

0.3

4

0.3

NICKEL

5

0.3

3

0.2

GLASGOW ENGINEERING

5

0.3

2

0.2

GUY NORRIS

5

0.3

2

0.2

KOROMIKO

5

0.3

2

0.2

SDC

5

0.3

BEL

4

0.3

ACE

4

0.3

DOUGLAS

4

0.3

WARREN

4

0.3

3

0.2

MORBARK

4

0.3

2

0.2

BARFORD

3

0.2

DT5

3

0.2

M D ENGINEERING

3

0.2

MANAC

3

0.2 3

0.2

2

0.2

124

9.7

CECO

2

0.1

CONVAIR

2

0.1

EMS

2

0.1

JAMIESON

2

0.1

ORION

2

0.1

PENNY ENGINEERING

2

0.1

WAIMEA ENGINEERING

2

0.1

OTHER

76

5.2

Total

1458

1284 Truckbody&Trailer | 53


ENGINEERED, DESIGNED, INNOVATION. ROADMASTER LTD

Contact 0800 THE BULL www.roadmaster.co.nz Thanks to Graham Reddington from Northchill Ltd for this great build

TD28869

Is customer focused with a nation wide service agent network coupled with our Company Service facilities in Manukau and Rotorua. We produce the best Truck Trailers in New Zealand.


Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A

TRUCKBODY & TRAILERS Ace Equipment & Engineering Ltd Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Action Manufacturing - actionmanufacturing.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A

.

Automated Truck Body Solutions - automatednz.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Birkett Motorbodies - birkettmotorbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Bison Equipment - bisonequipment.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Boss Motorbodies - bossmotorbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A

Cambridge Welding Services Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Cartwright Engineering - cartwrighteng.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Cowan Trailers - cowantrailers.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Deakin Motors - deakinmotors.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Delta Stockcrates - deltacrates.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Domett Truck & Trailer - domett-trailers.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Evans Engineering - evanstrailers.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Fairfax Industries - fairfaxindustries.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Fleet Engineering Ltd - fleet-engineering.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Fruehauf NZ Ltd - fruehauf.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Gary Douglas Engineering - garydouglas.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Hammar NZ - hammar.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Jackson Enterprises - jacksonenterprises.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Kraft Engineering - kraftengineering.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Kingsford Motor Bodies - kingsfordmotorbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A LB Engineering - lbengineering.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Lowes Industries - lowes.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A

TD28869

McCormack Motor Bodies - mmbltd.co.nz

DID WE MISS YOU?

McCurdy Trucks - mccurdy.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Manukau Truck Bodies - manukautruckbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Maxitrans Industries - maxitrans.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Modern Transport Engineers - modtrans.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Modern Transport Trailers - moderntransporttrailers.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Mills Tui - mills-tui.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A MP Motorbodies - mpmotorbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A MTC Equipment - mtcequipment.com Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Nickel Engineering - nickelengineering.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Onehunga Transport Engineering Ltd - otel.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Patchell - patchell.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Piako Transport Engineering - lowloader.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Roadmaster Ltd - roadmaster.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 54 SEC Transport Engineering - sec.co.nz Ad on page: ........................................Outside Back Cover Tanker Engineering Specialists - tankerengineering.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Tanker Solutions Ltd - tankersolutions.co.nz Ad on page:………………………………………………..................N/A Ten4 Transport Engineering - ten4.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Tidd Ross Todd - trt.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 29 TLMacLean Ltd - tlmaclean.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 41 TMC Trailers - tmc-trailers.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Total Transport Engineers Ltd Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Tradesman Motorbodies 2000 Ltd - tmb2000ltd.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Transport Trailers - tandg.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Transport Engineering Otago ltd - teotago.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A

This guide is provided as a free service to the truckbody and trailer industry. Did we miss you? If you’re a truck body and/or trailer manufacturer or supplier, and would like to be listed here, simply send us an email with your website, to dean@trucker.co.nz. Truckbody&Trailer | 55


Transport Engineering Southland - tes.co.nz Ad on page: ...................................................................N/A Transfleet - transfleet.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Transmech NZ - transmech.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Transworx S.I Ltd - transworx.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 47 Trout River - troutriver.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Trucks New Zealand Ltd - trucksnz.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Waikato Motor Bodies Ltd - waikatomotorbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Waimea Engineering - trinder.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Wairau Truck Bodies – ALIMAX - wairautruckbodies.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Valley Crates - valleycrates.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Warren Auger Bins Ltd - warrenaugerbins.co.nz Ad on page: ...................................................................N/A

SUPPLIERS Allflow - allflow.co.nz Ad on page: ...................................................................N/A Airplex - airplex.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Archers Auto Springs - autosprings.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Brake’z & Alignment Ltd - brakez.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A BPW Transport Efficiency - tenz.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Bigfoot Equipment - bigfoot.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 33 CAL Isuzu - calisuzu.co.nz Ad on page ....................................................................N/A CDL Autoparts/Peterson - cdlautoparts.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Commercial Transport Spares - cts.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Forest Centre - forestcentre.com.au Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Gough Palfinger - goughpalfinger.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Gough Transpecs - goughtranspecs.co.nz Ad on page: ............................................................19 & 25

DID WE MISS YOU? 56 | Truckbody&Trailer

Hella - hella.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................... 15 Hendrickson - hendrickson.com.au Ad on page: ....................................................................... 5 Hino Distributors (NZ) Ltd - hino.co.nz Ad on page: ....................................................................... 3 Ezi Tarp - ezitarp.com Ad on page: ...................................................................N/A Kiwi Tarps - kiwitarps.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Malcolm Cab Solutions - Rotorua Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Mega Pacific - megapacific.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 28 Mikes Transport Warehouse - mtw.net.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Nationwide Stock Crates - nationwidecrates.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A NZ Tarping Systems - nztarpingsystems.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A NZ Trucks - nztrucks.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Peak Panel & Paint - peakpanelandpaint.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Plytech International Ltd - plytech.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 21 Promax Engineered Plastics Ltd - promaxplastics.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A PTEK Ltd - ptek.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A PPG - ppgpaints.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Racewell Engineering (McIndoe Group) - mcindoegroup.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Real Steel - realsteel.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 11 Resene Automotive & Light Industrial - fleetcare.net.nz Ad on page: ...................................................................... 7 Rhino Products - mudguards.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Roadrunner Manufacturing - roadrunnerltd.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 45 SiLodec - silodec.co.nz Ad on page: .......................................... Inside Back Cover Smallbone Isuzu - smallbones.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Tates NZ Ltd - South Auckland Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A Thermo King - thermoking.co.nz Ad on page: ..................................................................N/A TRT - trt.co.nz Ad on page: .................................................................... 29 Truck & Trailer Parts - tatp.co.nz Ad on page: ....................................................Inside Cover

This guide is provided as a free service to the truckbody and trailer industry. Did we miss you? If you’re a truck body and/or trailer manufacturer or supplier, and would like to be listed here, simply send us an email with your website, to dean@trucker.co.nz.


Weighing Equipment Proven Weigh Systems In NZ For Over 20 Years With: • Dedicated Personnel For Technical Support • Full Back-Up Parts Inventory

• Technical Support & Suppliers Of An Extensive Parts Range For Most Brands • Weigh Systems For Most Applications

Harper Log Transport – Napier, Manufactured by Patchell Industries

Green Transport – Taupo, Manufactured by Patchell Industries

McCarthy Transport – Whanganui, Manufactured by McCarthy Transport Engineering Ltd

Dynes Transport – Tapanui, manufactured by Patchell Stainless

Weighing Equipment Is Our Business!! 150 View Road, Rotorua, New Zealand • Ph: 07 349 4700 • Fax: 07 349 4800

www.silodec.co.nz

TBT29004

SI Lodec South Island Ltd

Sales and Service - Contact Mike Long 021 651 965


TRUCKBODY & TRAILER MANUFACTURERS full design and certification facilities

TRANSPORT ENGINEERING

accredited

Contact

Mobile: 021 822 220 Email: sales@sec.co.nz Phone: (03) 215 8001 www.sec.co.nz accredited manufacturer

TBT28243

South Island’s Original


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