AirRoad Logistics has bolstered its linehaul fleet by adding four new Euro 6 compliant prime movers.
The Volvo FH700s are working on interstate tasks hauling B-doubles between Melbourne and Sydney with provision for B-triples once permits in New South Wales are approved.
Because these trucks are replacing another brand of prime mover and feature a different wheelbase access permits have had to be updated with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
“The Volvo wheelbase is about an inch longer than the Kenworths that are being replaced on this lane which means we have had to submit new paperwork for approvals,” said Kevin Suggate, AirRoad National Linehaul Manager.
“We decided to go down the one truck brand path on the heavies and a lot of companies are doing it now which makes it easier for servicing and reliability. That way our mechanics, who are all attuned to looking after the one model, don’t have to bounce around with different parts and technology.”
In the domain of high productivity units there are other conveniences in managing one truck brand.
“If you try and keep the same fleet you don’t have to change your permits too often,” said Suggate.
“The NHVR have been good to deal with but there’s other government bodies they need to deal with in NSW.”
Upgrades to the Hexham Bridge in the Hunter Region and the Coffs Harbour bypass, which completed its third and final tunnel last week, have been factors in what is, at present, a wait and see approach for AirRoad.
“We’re hoping the permits will be relaxed a bit for the Sydney to Brisbane leg but we’re watching with interest what happens at the moment,” said Suggate.
The fleet is going to revisit the deployment of additional high productivity units, particularly into Adelaide in November, as it gets a better understanding of what the economy is doing or not doing as the case may be.
Suggate told Prime Mover that the extra horsepower offered by the new Volvo FH700s is proving beneficial for fuel efficiency evaluation.
“That’s given us power to spare and a little less wear and tear over the hills these trucks encounter on the east coast,” he said.
AirRoad has previously run FH16s on linehaul tasks.
It was a strategic decision to increase the power available moving from 600hp Volvos to 700hp. The six-cylinder 515kW D17 engine, which offers 3400Nm of torque, has left a good impression.
“It’s true that we had a good run on the older Volvo FH models. We find because of Volvo’s national breakdown network, the support from Volvo, if we need it, as we service our own vehicles, is great,” said Suggate.
“Volvo seems to have the national breakdown network sewn up.”
Next year AirRoad begins its big expansion with new purpose-built facilities being built in Melbourne and Sydney. It runs several Hinos out of each of the current sites in these cities.
Trucks in the local fleet are typically turned over every five to seven years. But with Hino, the reliability, even at end of life, makes it tough to move them on according to Suggate.
“We get such good life out of them they tend to keep running strong when it comes time to look at replacing them and they get extended in the local fleet,” he said.
“Our business is running half a dozen Hinos on metro deliveries in Sydney and another seven in Melbourne. We find they’re a good, reliable truck.”
AirRoad has also added a new Hino 300 Series hybrid electric from City Hino which replaces an internal combustion engine Hino that has recently reached end of life.
“Servicing with City Hino is good and we’ve had a strong relationship with them for over ten years,“ said Suggate.
Suggate said he was looking to renew the fleet next year with late model Hino 500 Series vehicles.
“PUD work is low kilometres so we can keep them under the million kilometre mark,” he said.
“A lot of the work is stop and unload and operational time is rarely more than five hours in a day.”
“Our Specialized division accounts for sensitive freight so it can take a while to unload which cuts down on engine hours.
“We don’t rush that freight. It needs an airbag suspension and our OEM partners provide what we need.”
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