South Australian refrigerated linehaul specialist, Wightman Transport has landed the first two Kenworth K220s of an order of four.
The first pair of day cab units have been active in the fleet on a new contract running between Adelaide and Melbourne.
Wightman Transport Business Development Manager Josh Starke said the K220s were able to meet some of the changes tasked of the fleet on a new contract with potential for even longer trips to New South Wales and Queensland.
“The Kenworth K220 is better suited to the latest developments in our workflow,” he told Prime Mover.
“For this linehaul run we had to have a more fuel and better fuel consumption.”
The Kenworth K220s are powered by a Euro 5 emissions compliant Cummins X15 producing up to 550horsepower and 1850 lb/ft.
This incorporates an 18-speed automated manual transmission which feeds a set of Meritor axles and differentials specified at a 4:3 ratio.
With a few months under their belt the drivers have had a solid period in which to evaluate the new Kenworths.
“The trucks are going great, and the drivers absolutely love them,” said Starke.
These two new K220s are 114-tonne-rated. All four units feature the retrofit advanced driver assistance Bendix Fusion system.
The fitment of Advanced Emergency Braking (ABE) to most heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is now required by law, specifically ADR 97/100.
ABE detects probable forward collisions, alerting drivers, and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond.
With nose-to-tail collisions the second-most common type of accident involving trucks after rollovers, the Bendix Fusion system is considered essential.
“All of our customers want it and it’s something we need,” said Starke.
“Safety is at the forefront of what we do, and having systems that optimise our operational safety certainly helps with future contracts and customers.”
Bendix Fusion also includes Enhanced Autonomous Emergency Braking, Enhanced Stationary Vehicle Braking, Multi-Lane Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Highway Departure Warning and Braking.
The other two Kenworth K220s due soon for delivery in the fleet are big cabs fitted with bullbars.
These units are destined for long haul into New South Wales and Queensland return.
Wightman Transport had its 60th anniversary last year.
Starke’s grandfather, Doug Wightman was instrumental in helping build the company. His son in-law Peter Starke, became Managing Director in 2010.
The 1980s was a particularly fertile period for the business in which it saw significant growth.
Some of its success was initially sustained on the back of a Mitsubishi Fuso that did everything from local PUD in Adelaide to trips across the Nullarbor to Perth.
That Fuso had a red underside trim that the newest Kenworths, as part of a tribute to its legacy, display via a striking dragonfly red vinyl wrap.
South Australian family business Panagraphix supplied the signwriting and design.
“It was something that caught my eye and I thought it would be good to get away this time from having all white,” said Starke.
“We’re happy to support a local business doing great work.”
The Kenworths were purchased from CMV Trucks in Adelaide.
