Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 355 i Owner Driver

A couple of years ago, on New Year’s Day in fact, I received word that an old friend who I hadn’t seen for many years had passed away. I had been conversing with him for a couple of years before that but was unaware until a few months before his death that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). It is the same condition that had afflicted former National Transport Insurance (NTI) CEO Wayne Patterson, who passed away in 2018 following a brave battle. In recognition of their late CEO, NTI has, since then, conducted a series of raffles in a bid to raise funds for the MND and Me Foundation. The vehicles included a 1946 International K5 ‘Green Diamond’ truck and a couple of 1946 Ford Jailbar…

Recent research from the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says 93 per cent of women and only 85 per cent of men say they are aware that a truck driver may be unable to see their car when sharing the road. NatRoad says the research shows women motorists in Australia have higher awareness of trucks than men. In the research, 88 per cent of women and 80 per cent of men make a habit of being on the inside of a turning truck while females show a slightly higher respect for the size of a heavy vehicle. “Awareness and good behaviour on the road by Australians towards trucks is generally well understood – if not always practiced,” NatRoad chairman Scott Davidson says. “Women drivers appear to pip men at the…

The Federal Government says several intersection upgrades and three new overtaking lanes make up the first major work starting on the largest ever pavement upgrade of the Newell Highway. The work marks the start of the $261 million joint investment from the Federal and New South Wales governments to widen and strengthen 27.3 kilometres of road along four priority sections between Narrabri and Moree. The upgrade involves building entirely new sections of road as well as five new overtaking lanes, two new heavy vehicle rest areas, intersection upgrades and multiple new bridge-sized culverts for improved drainage. The work, led by contractor Fulton Hogan, has now commenced along the first two sections, including an eight-kilometre stretch about three kilometres south of Moree, and a 4.5-kilometre stretch about 46 kilometres north of…

Several years of sustained growth have led to an astonishing 2022 half-year result in sales of new trucks on the Australian market, with most truck suppliers working flat-strap to keep up with demand. In light, medium and heavy-duty classes, a total of 18,394 units were delivered in the first six months of 2022, buoyed by astonishing sales in June totalling 4342 deliveries across the three weight segments. As the Truck Industry Council (TIC) noted in its monthly report: “June 2022 saw a number of records broken for new truck sales in Australia.” Notably, the last month of the financial year was a stellar time for the heavy-duty sector, with 1,594 units delivered, breaking the previous June record of 1,433 units set in 2018. Up to the end of June, 6,916…

“The trucks are a lot more technology driven.” It’s the VISTA with a difference in 2022. The global pandemic put paid to the previously scheduled competition in 2020 and, with COVID still lurking, Volvo took the safer route with this year’s competition. Claimed to be the world’s largest service market competition, VISTA (Volvo International Service Training Award) is, under normal circumstances, held every two years. Teams of Volvo service market professionals from the Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses global service network vie for the chance of reaching the semi-finals and then competing for a place in the finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. For 2022, 106 teams containing over 400 contestants from Australia and New Zealand signed up for VISTA. Following two theory rounds and a pit-stop challenge, the field was narrowed…

Servings: 2 Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes INGREDIENTS Soup: 1L chicken stock (no added salt)1 cup water2 medium zucchini250g sweet potatoes1 medium onion2 cloves garlic (peeled and grated)2.5cm garlic (peeled and grated)1 large chicken breast(sliced)1 medium carrot½ tbsp olive oil Chili drizzle: 2 small chilli, fresh1 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp lime juice Nutrition information panel METHOD Step 1: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes and carrot into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onions and set aside to be used later. Step 2: Use a spiralizer and cut the zucchini into “noodles”. If you don’t have a spiralizer, chop into sticks, about 1cm in width. Step 3: Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium high heat, add garlic, ginger and onion, stir for 20 seconds then add chicken…

Along-time NatRoad member received a surprising reaction when he circulated a thoughtful memo to his employees recently to alert them about the latest CPI rises in National Heavy Vehicle Law (HVNL) penalties. A good proportion of his workforce responded that “enough is enough” and indicated they intended to quit. It’s been a tough couple of years but this was not the reaction the employer expected. The note about penalties was a courtesy to underline the need to maintain good fatigue management. “The view of more than a few drivers is that the risk of a significant administrative fine now far outweighs the satisfaction they get from doing the job,” the member says. “While driving is a job they enjoy and one they do well, the prospect of a fine equivalent…

Every now and then I get those stories where what I have to say is clearly unimportant. Well, ‘unimportant’ is probably the wrong word to use. It’s just that In particular cases I know that the pictures I submit are really all the information and entertainment needed. It would be more accurate to say my write-up in some cases, like this one, is superfluous. I can accept that, however I am still going to waffle on a little. Clearly not for your entertainment but solely to make sure I get a pay packet this week. For those of you with very little self-control feel free to just stop reading and go and thoroughly enjoy the state of this stunning 21-year-old Kenworth. Look at the photos of the interior, look at…

As many owners of older trucks can testify, sourcing spare parts can be a tiresome task in keeping their rigs on the road. The same goes for restoration enthusiasts, keen to get their pride and joy to the next classic truck event. For owners of European trucks, Melbourne-based business Volwreck is often the first port of call. As the title suggests, Volwreck specialises in parts for Volvo trucks, both new and old. However, the company has evolved over the years, expanding its parts supplies to cover other European truck models including DAF, Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Iveco. With former diesel mechanics John Lirosi and Graeme Troutbeck founding the operation, Volwreck grew from truck repair company B&G Transport Repairs to branching into spare parts through its wrecking yard in 2001. Jeanette Spencer,…

Mikael Jansson, Scania Australia’s managing director since August 2017, has returned to Sweden following his five-year stint here. Jansson, 63, says he will retire following his very enjoyable time in Australia. “I was very excited to be invited to run the Scania Australia business after 30 years working for Scania mostly in Sweden, and I have really enjoyed my time here,” he says. “Scania’s performance has stepped up another notch or two over the past five years as we powered our way toward 10 per cent market share for heavy trucks. “While the pandemic has had a major impact on our business growth potential, I am very pleased to say that our order levels continue to reflect record demand,” Jansson says. “Despite lockdowns and work from home orders, I was…

Demanding cash from customers, paying workers ‘cash in hand’, or not declaring all sales are the most common examples of the 43,000 tip-offs received by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in the 2021-22 financial year. The ATO says it is using intelligence from tip-offs as part of its approach to dealing with the shadow economy. The ATO explains that the shadow economy (previously referred to as the black economy) refers to activities that take place outside of the tax and other regulatory systems. The ATO estimates that the community misses out on around $11 billion in taxes each year as a result of the shadow economy. Road freight transport was among those industries topping the tip-off list during the past year. Other industries included building and construction, hairdressing and beauty…

“I wanted the 379, I wanted the extended hood, I wanted the 70-inch Unibilt sleeper.” I’m sure anyone who has read any of my previous stories understands that I love starting my stories with quotes. Often they even relate directly to the story. More often, they relate indirectly to the story. Today’s quote goes directly to the source of the love affair and dare I say Peterbilt addiction that has led us to the beautiful big Pete you see on the pages before you. Let me explain by reciting the quote first: “A good friend will bail you out of jail, a great friend will be sitting beside you saying, ‘damn, we f***ed up’.” The reason it resonated with me when I started writing this story is that it made…

Despite a host of new model releases over recent years, the pandemic-enforced lockdowns, as well as supply issues, have seemingly stifled Hino Motor Sales Australia’s (HMSA) efforts to promote its model lineup, including last year’s launch of the new 700 Series. Not to be thwarted for long, though, Hino has taken its show on the road – and it’s a long road too. Up and down Australia’s east coast where the bulk of its customers are situated. What better place to start than the far north Queensland city of Cairns, which was also the commencement point for an extended media drive event that took in the scenic Atherton Tablelands as well as a trip from Cairns to Townsville. While a number of other truck manufacturers have undertaken a roadshow of…

Narva has continued to expand its heavyduty LED work lamp range, offering a broad choice of models to suit a wide range of user applications. Narva says the latest entrants – which are available in either a spot or flood beam pattern – are designed to provide users with added convenience and practicality. Both are said to feature impressive light output courtesy of 9x5W Cree LEDs. Narva says they produce an impressive 3600 Lumens of bright white light (5,700 degrees K) for optimum visibility. These figures are said to translate to 135 metres of penetration for the spot beam lamp (part no. 72712HS) and coverage of 50 by 20 metres for the flood beam variant (part no. 72712H). Narva points out that a key feature common to both lamps is…

Daimler Truck’s Asian subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Fuso brand. The origin of the Fuso name dates back to 1932 when Mitsubishi’s first bus, the ‘B46 type shared car’, manufactured at the Kobe Shipyard of the former Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, was branded Fuso. This name was suggested by an engineer at the shipyard. It originally refers to a large sacred tree and is now used as a name for the hibiscus flower. “As we celebrate 90 years of Fuso, we would like to thank our customers, employees and partners for their loyalty and support,” said Karl Deppen, president and CEO of MFTBC and head of Daimler Truck Asia. “This anniversary signifies our stakeholders’ ongoing faith in our products, technologies and services.…

A landmark zero emissions agreement has been signed between the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and Volvo Group Australia (VGA). The agreement, which places VGA as preferred supplier of zero-emissions heavy vehicles to the ESA is believed to be a first for an Australian emergency services agency and firmly places both parties on the road to a fossil-free future. “The journey towards a zero emissions future isn’t just accelerating globally,” says Martin Merrick, president and CEO Volvo group Australia. “And that journey is fast gathering pace here in Australia. “Collaborations like the one we have just announced with the ACT ESA are vital to help decarbonise our world and I applaud the agency for its commitment to being a part of this journey with us. “We are very aware of…

Iveco has used an event organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in June to outline its zero-emission vehicle plans to dignitaries, including Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change; Minister for Solar Homes Lily D’Ambrosio Iveco states that it began preparations for the introduction of alternative fuel vehicles in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the announcement of a new Customisation and Innovation Centre (CIC) to assist with prelaunch development work, while also appointing long time Iveco executive Marco Quaranta to lead the project in his new capacity as strategic projects and industry relations manager. At the event, Iveco Australia and New Zealand managing director Michael May and Quaranta detailed the company’s plans to introduce a broad range of zero-emission vehicles that included light…

Volvo Trucks Australia (VGA) has announced the sales start of its all-electric medium-duty truck range. VGA says the new Volvo FL and FE Electric medium-duty range will now provide a zero emissions option in GVM applications ranging from 16,000 to 26,000kg. Wheelbases range from 3,800mm to 5,000mm for the FL as a 4x2 only, while the FE offers wheelbases from 3,900mm to 6,100mm in both 4x2 and 6x2 tag axle guise. Battery packs are also able to be configured to suit varying applications with a choice of three or four battery packs on offer. With four batteries on board both the FL and FE Electric offer 265kWh capacity, while the 3-battery option offers 200kWh. Volvo points out that the FL Electric utilises a single motor driveline that provides power to…

A new performance based standards (PBS) class 2 notice claims to introduce more nationally consistent conditions for road trains, supporting more seamless cross-border access and dramatically reducing requirements for permits. Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) is keen to support any changes to the national PBS network that facilitates better access according to national policy and government relations manager, Greg Forbes. “We welcome the latest notice as a step in the right direction,” Forbes says. “However, there is still l lot of work to do. “In particular, HVIA would like to see more extensive national networks for combinations using triaxle dollies. “Moving towards vehicle combinations being defined in terms of axle groups and spacings, rather than traditional descriptions, will open up access for more innovative combinations.” Operators of eligible vehicles can…

The new Preventing Fires – Truck Inspection Manual by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) aims to give truck drivers the inspection skills to identify and correct faults that have the potential to cause heavy vehicle fires. EPA’s director of environmental solutions Karen Marler says the aim of the manual was to help truck drivers and owners reduce the more than 200 truck fires Fire and Rescue NSW attend each year. “Truck fires are major incidents that can be extremely dangerous and result in smoke and water pollution, cargo loss and extended road closures,” Marler says. Many trucks catch fire because of mechanical or electrical faults that a trained eye could have identified. The manual is a user-friendly guide, developed with the help of industry experts, to show truck operators…

Speed limits are not a silver bullet for road safety improvement, the National Road Transport Association has told a powerful New South Wales Parliamentary committee. The Standing Committee on Road Safety – better known as Staysafe – is enquiring into regional speed limits and road safety. NatRoad has told it that while speed must always be appropriate to road conditions, governments at all levels need to bite the bullet and massively upgrade infrastructure. “There is no better example than the upgrade currently underway on the Kings Highway, which is the state road linking Canberra with Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast,” says NatRoad CEO Warren Clark. “Its focus is on building overtaking lanes and installing safety treatments, like widened centrelines and shoulders, safety barriers and audio-tactile line marking. “Safety…

ELVIS Various artists Sony Music www.rcarecords.com The soundtrack to the Baz Luhrmann movie of the same name, Elvis is a 36-track album that surprisingly is sprinkled with music from more contemporary artists as well as songs from Elvis Presley himself. A couple of Australians make a significant input – Tame Impala gives Presley’s original vocals a dream-like makeover on ‘Edge Of Reality’, and dance-pop trio Pnau transforms ‘Suspicious Minds’ into a new track with a new title – ‘Don’t Fly Away’. US country star Kacey Musgraves gives a haunting version of ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ while the movie’s main man, Austin Butler, does his best Elvis impersonation on ‘Hound Dog’. Original Presley songs include ‘Polk Salad Annie’, ’If I Can Dream’ and a tragic finale ‘Unchained Melody’, lifted from…

Two Isuzu Trucks technicians will represent Australia at this year’s I-1 Grand Prix, a battle of skills and technical knowledge between teams of Isuzu technicians from around the world. Pre-COVID, the I-1 GP, as it’s known, was held in Japan, with all competitors hosted by Isuzu Motors Limited, the parent company of Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL). This year, however, the competition to find the world’s best Isuzu Trucks technician will once again be held online. IAL’s team has put in some stellar performances at previous I-1 GPs, which have been held annually since 2006. In 2011, the Australian team won gold, and IAL’s team had podium finishes in six more of international events. In the early years of the competition, all countries competed directly. But since 2013, the countries have…

“We’re confident, but we’d just like an impartial outside opinion before we settle on the final spec.” The phone call came out of the blue late one afternoon and the request could not have been more direct. “G’day Steve,” started the senior Scania man. “We’d like to get your feedback on something.” Obviously enough, the conversation quickly developed; the ‘something’ turning out to be Scania’s upcoming R660 model and the ‘feedback’ essentially seeking an objective opinion on the truck’s specification and subsequent performance and efficiency in a linehaul B-double run, well before an official launch later in the year. “Sure,” was the emphatic answer, but on one absolute condition. “As long as it’s on the record and I get to write the story about the truck and the result straight…

FleetguardMap is a coolant monitoring service that provides information on the health of the coolant and alerts the customer of cooling system issues before they become major concerns. For transport and heavy vehicle businesses planned maintenance is a vital component of cost control. Preventing engine failures that force vehicles off the road or off site outside of planned maintenance is core to FleetguardMap offerings. Cummins Filtration says it knows that its clients strive for seamless maintenance of their engines, which is why it developed the advanced coolant analysis program FleetguardMap – a free service for Fleetguard customers that monitors and protects their engines. The FleetguardMap testing process involves a range of in-depth tests on the engine’s coolant that can identify problems with the coolant and/or the engine’s cooling system. The…

Victorian Iveco dealership Melbourne Truck Centre (MTC) has been renamed as Prestige Iveco and relocated to 43-63 Princes Highway, Dandenong South. Part of Eagers Automotive Ltd, Prestige Iveco is sharing the location equally with another high-profile truck franchise, Hino. Iveco says the new site will provide customers with access to a high-end facility that offers superior levels of sales, parts and broader support services. Dealer principal Kevin Purcell is managing the dealership, promising operators a larger parts and service infrastructure, the latest customer facilities and a wider stockholding of new Iveco models. “The new dealership footprint is significantly larger than the previous location, which will allow us to better cater to the needs of Iveco owners in many ways,” Purcell explains. “Our on-site parts warehouse has been optimised, allowing us…

Gas and engineering company BOC, a Linde company, and BP Australia has announced a new agreement to build a hydrogen refuelling station at the BP Truckstop in Lytton, Queensland. It will be the first service station in Australia with hydrogen refuelling capability. The Queensland government’s current fleet of five hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexos will be the first to use the new refueller, to be opened later in the year. BOC will supply and install the state-of-the-art Linde hydrogen refuelling station. It will dispense green hydrogen produced by BOC at its Bulwer Island production site, just 10 minutes from the BP Truckstop in Lytton. The green hydrogen will be produced by a 220kW electrolyser powered by solar energy generated onsite. John Evans, managing director of BOC South Pacific, says the partnership with…

Our struggle is finally in the spotlight and governments are beginning to do something about it. It’s been years, decades really, in the making but the penny is starting to drop that supply chain pressure and high death rates in trucking are directly linked to the lack of minimum standards and a dangerous race to the bottom on pay. The Queensland government has introduced to Parliament a bill that would provide for safe standards in trucking for everyone. By ‘everyone’, it means that not only would ownerdrivers have a safety net for fair negotiation with principal contractors, but we would also be protected from the incoming gig economy swell that threatens to slash our pay while controlling how we work. The proposed bill takes the best bits from NSW Chapter…