The story of Wettenhalls is one of longevity. Reginald Amezdroz, who founded the company in 1925 by carrying perishable products for a major western district dairy, can’t have known at the time that a hundred years later it would also be one of rarefied continuity.
In this, its centenary year, Wettenhalls, quite remarkably, even now provides transport services for the same dairy in Colac, the small town where it all began.
Earlier in the year the company unveiled a commemorative Kenworth T909 combination with heritage livery on a Freighter refrigerated van.
That unit serves as a real and present reminder of history in motion, on daily runs currently between Colac and Melbourne.
The company, however, is anything but stuck in the past. Last month it capped off the milestone year with major recognition as the Application of Technology category winner at the Australian Freight Industry Awards (AFIAs).
The catalyst was its successful adoption and rollout of JOST’s JSK37 sensor coupling.
Part of JOST’s growing stable of advanced sensors and clear visual indicators, the JSK37 sensor coupling features a sensor that permanently monitors the connection status and incorporates a second sensor to control the position of the kingpin.
An additional third sensor monitors the contact locking position and displays it in the driver’s cab.
Wettenhalls, according to Head of Fleet, Marcus Prato, began trialling the JOST technology around nine months ago.
“You always want the driver to get out and physically check the correct coupling but to have that secondary safeguard up on the dash provides an extra layer which is important,” he tells Prime Mover.
“Anything that will help them and guide them with safety the drivers are all for. The ease-of-use and knowing when the dash indicator goes green, they are connected correctly, it gives them peace of mind.”
The JSK37 sensor coupling plugs straight into the truck’s wiring loom. A graphic of a turntable appears on the truck’s dashboard.
When the turntable lights up green it indicates to the driver that the fifth wheel is successfully locked. Red indicates it is not safe to proceed.
The integrated dash display lights up right in front of the driver’s eyes for both convenience and to minimise distraction.
As an advanced solution, it’s a simple to use ready instrument and one that promises to cultivate improved safety protocols incumbent on vital connection processes.
Marcus makes a keen observation. The sensor lock, he notes, also enhances the overall comfort of operating a high productivity spec’d prime mover.
“Along with emergency braking and other safety technology, the sensor lock coupling is an extra layer on top of those now essential functions and overall, our drivers love it,” says Marcus.
“After ensuring it was a reliable product we’re wholly satisfied and have made it a standard feature on all prime movers going forward.”
That will include all prime mover-based applications. Wettenhalls have backed the product recognising it as a major safety initiative not only for their fleet but for broader commercial use in the industry.
There is currently 16 JOST sensor couplings active within the fleet with another four on order.
JOST offers greaseable and greaseless options in addition to optional lubetronic technology.
Wettenhalls recently deployed ten new prime movers for A-double assignment.
Of these eight are Mercedes-Benz Actros 2653s and two are Scania G560s.
The trucks are transporting bulk products across Melbourne. It’s a 24-hour operation, over two shifts, five days a week.
“They do an awful lot of coupling throughout the day and so it’s really important in an instance like that when you’re coupling trailers and dollies all day long,” says Marcus.
“That was going to be our real test case coupling and uncoupling many times a day and it’s performing very well given the conditions.”
Not only is JOST’s sensor coupling roadtrain compliant it’s also suitable for use in the transport of dangerous goods per Australian Design Rules.
The sensors on the fifth wheel are located in protected zones on non-moving parts. Wettenhalls predominantly runs the JOST JSK37 fifth wheel with nylon top across its fleet which consists of over 200 trucks.
“The nylon top decreases skid plate wear and brings better longevity to the turntable,” says Marcus.
“If you wear out your nylon plates, they’re easily interchangeable and away you go again.”
Marcus, who has nearly three decades experience previously working with major OEMs, was present at the AFIAs when Wettenhalls was recognised among its industry peers.
“The award is great recognition for the business especially when you’re trying to push the barrow on safety and innovation,” he says.
“It’s a company that turns 100 years this year and we’re not resting on our laurels. We want to be ahead of the curve and constantly pushing innovation and safety-related concepts. Any little extra safeguard that’s available off the shelf that we can utilise we’re happy to embrace it.”
