Ballarat construction company increases Cascadia fleet to six

Clifford Brick and Tile has added a further four new Freightliner Cascadias to its fleet.

This follows an impressive run of fuel burn figures for the Ballarat-based family business on the pair of initial Cascadia units it purchased along with three Mercedes-Benz Actros models last year.

Brothers Peter, Neil and John Clifford have run the company since 1976.

“Our trucks are running with a load of bricks, all over suburban Melbourne, often in heavy traffic, with a forklift sitting on the back which is not great for economy, but the Cascadia is proving to be very economical,” Peter Clifford said.

“That’s part of the reason we were keen to order four more,” he said.

The Clifford Cascadias are 116 models with a 36-inch sleeper and a 13-litre Detroit six-cylinder pumping out 505hp and 1850lb-ft of torque that meet the Euro 6-equivalent US emissions (GHG17) rating.

They have been selected with a mix of DT12 fully automated transmissions and Eaton 18-speed manuals.

Clifford also points to the quality of the Cascadia’s cabin noting the build standard is impressive.

“The fit and finish is great and the doors shut like a car,” he said.

Clifford was interested in the Cascadia early on and expected it to perform strongly given the Daimler technology under the bonnet.

“We bought the new generation Mercedes-Benz Actros when it came out in 2016 and it has just been a brilliant truck and was easily the most economical truck in the fleet,” he explains.

“Given the powertrain is effectively the same in the Cascadia we knew that it was going to be a good thing and that has turned out to be absolutely correct.”

Another key attribute that attracted the Clifford Brick and Tile team to Cascadia was the full suite of safety features that are standard, including radar-based emergency braking and adaptive cruise control as well as Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent High Beam and Automatic Wipers.

The excellent visibility out the front of the truck, especially for a conventional model, is also a big plus for the Clifford team.

“Our trucks are often operating in an urban environment, in a lot of traffic, so it is reassuring to know we have the safest trucks available,” he said.

The Clifford Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner trucks are sold and supported by Daimler Trucks Somerton.

“It certainly helps having both our bonneted and conventional trucks supported by the same dealership and that it’s a big plus with the Daimler products,” said Clifford.

The Freightliner Cascadia range will feature on the Daimler stand at the Brisbane Truck Show to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 13 to 16.