Keeler Transport is a subcontractor of Stratco Industries, an Australian producer of building and home improvement products.
The company’s latest purchase, a Hino SH 2045 4×2 AMT Air single drive prime mover joins three other Hino trucks in the fleet.
“My dad Rob bought his first Hino about 12 years ago for our business, and we’ve never looked back,” explains co-owner of Keeler Transport, Tim Keeler.
“We’ve bought and sold many Hino vehicles over the years, all proving to be very valuable assets to our family-owned business.
“We always liked the 700 Series. Originally when we were looking for a new Hino we thought we’d have to modify an SS model to single drive, but Mark Webster from WA Hino informed us of the SH 2045 with the automated transmission, and I was sold.
“WA Hino has been great throughout the entire purchase process. If I ever have any questions I just give them a call and they sort them out,” Tim says.
The SH 2045 purchased by Keeler Transport is the stand out model in the Hino 700 Series, featuring 331kW of power and 2157Nm of torque. To help make light work of heavy building materials, an Effer 130 crane has been fitted behind the cab to take care of lifting heavy cargo on and off the tray.
“We carry things like fencing, rain water goods, sheds, roofing and patios, servicing everyone from handymen to the industrial and mining industries,” says Tim.
“On the road the SH is fantastic. It drives great and feels like other Hino trucks I’ve driven – everything is familiar. The truck gets lots of looks, too. People are always commenting on it.”
Adding to the truck’s credentials, the SH 2045 is also equipped with high levels of active and passive safety equipment. Standard safety features include four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with electronic braking control (EBS), an ABS anti-lock brake system and Frontal Underrun Protection (FUP). Other features are Hino’s anti-slip regulator (ASR) and Hino’s four-bag cabin air suspension with remote leveling, which helps to reduce fatigue and increase driver comfort.
The Hino SH is fitted with vehicle stability control (VSC), thus providing an additional layer of safety that assists the driver to maintain control of their vehicle. VSC is designed to help prevent the vehicle from skidding out of control should it deviate from the driver’s intended path through a corner.