Albury-based aerial operations company Hazair has specified the Isuzu FVD 165-300 Auto as its new aircraft loader truck.
The specialised truck can be used for various applications such as aerial seed spraying, aircraft servicing and hiring and flight training.
Hazair co-owner Stephen Death committed to this fleet investment because of Isuzu’s capability to build such a niche heavy vehicle.
“When we looked at all the truck brands on the market, Isuzu was the easiest for us to modify because they already build dual-control waste trucks,” he said.
“It has an electronic interface with everything we wanted – remote steering, remote throttle, remote braking and remote hydraulics in the back.
Hazair’s Isuzu FVD 165-300 Auto features a standard front-end control, but the rear end’s controls have been engineered to allow the operator to backload the aircraft using the on-board mechanical dipper and bucket, and manoeuvre the truck concurrently from the same control point.
It is also fitted with Hendrickson rear airbag suspension and a six-speed Allison 3000 automatic transmission, meaning material weight, combined with the added weight of the second set of controls at the rear, is well accounted for on-road and in operation.
The truck has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 16,500kg and a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) of 32,000kg.
“It’s quick, it’s efficient and it’s comfortable to drive for Dave Funnell (Ground Support Equipment Manager), so his fatigue levels have dropped off,” said Death. “Most importantly, he can get to-and-from the job efficiently, which is what we need because our work operates on an hourly basis.”
Hazair often turns to Blacklocks Isuzu service staff and technicians for all ongoing truck maintenance.
In other news, Isuzu Australia promoted Matt Sakhaie to Chief of Product.
