Logistics provider Carroll Group has injected nine Euro 6 prime movers into its fleet.
The MAN TGX trucks are hauling PBS 30-metre pocket roadtrains from Brisbane to either Roma or Gladstone daily.
It’s punishing work loaded both ways.
It’s a vote of confidence in the brand which has been fast finding homes in some of the major fleets across the country.
“We went to the MAN for the safety features they have got such as crash detection and lane assist and the suite of other systems in them,” said Managing Director Troy Carroll.
“But also for the fuel economy which is appealing and reduced fuel burn being a Euro 6 phase II engine. With the second series of that engine the emissions are really low on that truck.”
Carroll is awaiting an annual data report that is presented to him internally by his operations staff but in terms of fuel burn numbers it’s very much a case of so far, so good.
“Hence the reason why we bought the trucks. We knew the fuel burn was going to roughly be with the roadtrains on it and compare it to the Euro 5 engines on the task and even in contrast to some other brands it was a lot better fuel burn,” he said.
“Emissions is a huge factor for us as well. We had a goal set for our company to have all Euro 6 by the end of 2025 which we will achieve. ”
Carroll Group is finalising the eventual phase out of its Euro 5 equivalent engines over the next few months.
Carroll said the trucks were sometimes reporting 2.1km/l on HML maximum weights.
The new units have been delivered across different power outputs from 540, 580 and 640hp.
Eight of latest trucks are rated to 90 tonnes to satisfy the Performance-Based Standards requirement.
The 640hp-rated MAN TGXs are 120-tonne rated.
There is one new 640hp in the fleet with two more due later this year.
The trucks have been handled from the Penske Brisbane dealership through sales manager Jayme Deves.
“That’s a really good strong relationship for us. We don’t just buy trucks. If anything goes wrong with those trucks I just call Jayme and he’s on top of it. It’s one point of call for me – that’s it.”
Driver feedback is undeniable having been heavily skewed by the benefits of comfort the MAN TGX prime mover offers. The powertrain is also proving a noteworthy feature.
“If you put to the equivalent of another European brand the actual torque of the MAN is really strong,” said Carroll.
“The drivers love how it takes off with a load on it. It’s a lot better than the other brands. It’s literally the driveability of the truck that they are raving about. Though it’s got an air ride cab you don’t get what the drivers call the washing machine movement. It’s really quite a smooth ride in the cab.”
The safety suite, which includes crucial lane assist and crash prevention functions are selling points to a fleet like Carroll Group.
“Some of the trucks these days are like driving a new age car. That’s the reason we have gone this way. The safety of our drivers foremost but also the safety of other road users out there.
“We’re trying to tick every box when it comes to trying to make everyone safer on the road.”
Carroll also confirmed that the new linehaul service is going well.
“There was only one a week to start off but we’re already sending a couple across to Perth weekly now,” he said.
“It’s definitely taken off. Our rates are really competitive going over because we do have the freight coming back.”
In related news Carroll Group recently appointed a new Chief Operating Officer.
