South Australian long haul specialist Garry Willis Transport has deployed its latest Kenworth T610SAR.
The new prime mover is working on dedicated runs Adelaide to Perth return.
At a distance of 5500 kilometres, it’s one of the most gruelling road freight legs in the world.
The truck was purchased in part for its versatility as it will be required to haul B-doubles, AB-triples and roadtrains on a weekly schedule.
It joins three other T610s that are also paired with a variety of different trailer combinations, two Kenworth K200s and a Western Star 48X.
“It seems to be quieter inside and the fuel economy is better,” said Company Director Mark Willis.
“The ergonomics are really good. Everything is at your fingertips. The T610s have good visibility with the sloping bonnet.”
The new truck will carry general freight in the main part. Outside provisional palletised applications sometimes it will be designated open trailer work hauling large machinery.
Garry Willis Transport often moves farm and mining equipment such as conveyer belt rolls on oversize loads.
Trucks in the fleet also service Darwin from Adelaide and venture infrequently to outposts in Western Australia like Newman, Port Hedland and just last week Karratha.
The business predominantly caters to the resources and agriculture segments.
“We’re the people with the knowhow to do it,” said Willis.
His father Garry Willis, whose name the company still bears today, is now 80 and happily retired.
He started the business in 1963 when he was just 17 with the purchase of his first truck — a 27-horsepower Bedford that carted milk in the Adelaide Hills.
A few years later Willis Senior began moving general freight to the small town of Cleve on the Central Eyre Peninsula.
The interstate service to Perth began just over 40 years ago with Garry Willis driving a Mercedes-Benz 1418 across the Nullarbor which in those days was still a dirt track.
Today the Burton-based business is situated 15 kilometres north from the Adelaide CBD.
The first B-double was introduced into the fleet during the mid 1990s, making the roadtrain work it performs today something of an inevitability.
As the new Kenworth T610SAR will be deployed as a roadtrain driver comfort was a major consideration.
Featuring a big bunk, the cabin is also fitted with a TV, microwave and fridge, plus Icepack bunk cooler by Clare Valley Auto Electrical.
The bullbar comes courtesy of Chris Barron Engineering.
A dovetail with infill is from Custom Truck Components. The truck is finished in their signature grey with green and white trim — Panagraphix were entrusted with the livery.
“The drivers seem to like Kenworths. They certainly like to hop in them and from our point of view they look after them,” said Willis.
“They take a shine to them because there’s pride in being responsible for a Kenworth.”
Adding new pieces of equipment to the asset portfolio can help retain good drivers in what is generally considered a tough market.
“It can be difficult on a certain level especially with some of the work you do which can be hard going when you ask them to do deliveries and tie their own load down,” Willis told Prime Mover.
“You really have to look after your drivers. The few good ones you come across you need to keep.
“The nature of the business is that you will see people join short-term and leave because it’s not for them.”
The driver of the new truck has acquitted himself well during the two years he has been with the business.
“When you get a good driver, you try and reward them with a nice truck and they look after us by washing it and keeping it clean and tidy inside and out.”
Rated to a load of 110-tonnes, the Kenworth T610SAR is powered by a 600hp Cummins X15 in the Euro 5 spec with Meritor differentials.
The driver requested a manual 18-speed RoadRanger gearbox.
CMV Truck & Bus handled the sale and delivery.
“The T610SAR is an all-round perfect truck,” said Willis.
“Though it doesn’t have a massive wheelbase it can still pull a decent load, quite comfortably.”
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