Table of contents for Issue 347 in Owner Driver

Victoria’s decision to reinstate delivery curfews following its rollback of COVID-19 lockdowns will worsen an already choked supply chain in the run to Christmas, the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has warned. The order waiving curfews that applied across all of Victoria expired on November 5, while the Queensland government reinstated its own delivery curfews in May. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says bottlenecks on the waterfront, industrial action, restrictions on inbound air mail and pandemic-related labour shortages were all creating a ‘perfect storm’ that was placing severe stress on the supply chain. Of the larger jurisdictions, New South Wales remains the outlier where NatRoad successfully lobbied for an extension of curfews until March next year. Clark says this is giving the state government time to research the case for a…

Tom Lindsay, one of two brothers who founded what has become one of the great names in transport and logistics, Lindsay Brothers Transport, has passed away at the age of 90. The Lindsay family paid tribute, noting his and his late brother’s focus on the task with an eye to the future. “Tom’s partnership with his brother, Peter (deceased), began in 1953,” the tribute reads. “Tom and Peter Lindsay formed a unique partnership to guide their local Lindsay Brothers Transport venture to develop into the thriving national transport and logistics company that Lindsay Australia Limited is today. “Through hard work and the dedicated work ethic of their employees, Tom and Peter built the Lindsay Brothers business through long-term associations and friendships with their customers and suppliers. “The Lindsay Brothers were…

Isuzu Trucks has announced what it states as the safest Isuzu truck ever developed for the Australian market with major updates to its new N Series light-duty range. Isuzu says the latest incarnation of its 4x2 N Series trucks will offer operators not only the brand’s famous promise of reliability, but the next generation of truck safety with the introduction of Isuzu Intelligent Safety. There are a number of cosmetic enhancements to the range, notably the improved cabin appointments. These updates include a revamp in seat cover material. Behind the dashboard also comes a new CAN converter circuit and connector, making it a simple exercise to fit a fleet management or telematics system. Outside, a new exterior lamp assembly with prominent foglamps gives the new range a distinctly different forward…

Transportation technology company eRoad has announced the expansion of its flagship video telematics portfolio with eRoad Clarity Solo Dashcam. The new dashcam is described as a single, robust and cost-effective video solution that delivers carriers more operational visibility while ensuring driver safety and protection from false claims. eRoad says that, while the new product can be seamlessly integrated with any fleet management solution, eRoad Clarity Solo is a standalone dashcam that makes it easier for fleet operators to implement video telematics into more asset and vehicle types – ranging from mixed fleets to short haul heavy and light carrier vehicle (LCV) fleets, like construction, waste management and distribution vehicles. Clarity Solo is reported to be designed with driver protection, safety and ease of use in mind, offering a contactless login…

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) is optimistic that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is committed to moving away from prescriptive offences, as signalled in its recently released Heavy Vehicle Safety Strategy 2021–2025. NatRoad notes that the strategy’s action plan includes updating the National Compliance and Enforcement Strategy and focusing on “risk-targeted” enforcements rather than prescriptive fines. NatRoad CEO Warren Clark says he’s “quietly hopeful” the regulator’s words will translate into actions. “We’ve been long-time critics of the tendency to apply fines to minor and obviously accidental offences, like not drawing a straight line in a work diary,” Clark says. “The overriding principle should be that punishment is in proportion to risk. “We’re all for appropriate penalties for operators pushing the envelope on safety, but having poor handwriting or…

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has provided detail of the enforceable undertaking (EU) Lindsay Transport agreed to this month. Lindsay Transport will see some $750,000 contributed towards implementing safety training and Chain of Responsibility education across the Lindsay group of companies. The EU stems from an NHVR investigation into Lindsay Transport’s safety policies and procedures, following the death of driver John Bolton on the Logan Motorway in Queensland in November 2018. Lindsay Transport was charged with three category 2 offences, for creating risk of illness, injury, or death contrary to the requirements of the primary safety duty provisions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL). After charges were laid in Coffs Harbour Local Court, Lindsay Transport applied to the NHVR to approve an EU as an alternative to the…

01 Jarred and Cassy Sacco’s 2013 Kenworth C509 Jarred and Cassy Sacco have come a long way, in both geography and adaptability, to operate one of the most professional heavy haulage outfits in north Queensland. S&S Heavy Haulage operates some of the coolest Kenworths in Australia, including this rebuilt 2013 C509 workhorse, rated to pull 220 tonnes. 02 TNS Logistics 2020 Mercedes-Benz Actros The late Tom Norton, founder of TNS Logistics, is immortalised in the form of this top-of-the-line 580hp 2020 Mercedes-Benz Actros, the standout truck of the fleet. Not a fan of European trucks, Tom’s sons convinced him to look at Mercedes-Benz when the new Actros range was launched. The new Benz boasts enough extras to turn the head of even the most anti-European truckie. 03 Jarod Smith’s Kenworth…

Illawarra-based Metal Transport Industries (MTI) finds value in holding onto and maintaining its Kenworth fleet for the long-haul. From its beginnings in 1979, MTI serviced the scrap metal industry almost exclusively for the best part of 25 years before pivoting toward the direction of heavy equipment haulage in search of increased business opportunities and profit margins. Brothers Dave and Kev Murada are MTI’s co-managing directors. Dave gives OwnerDriver an insight into how the business began 42 years ago. “The old man had machinery, bulldozers and the like and then got involved with excavators in the scrap game. It was Dad that got myself and my two brothers, Kevin and Peter, involved in the scrap metal transport game,” Dave says. Under the MTI banner, the three brothers (triplets by the way)…

In a country dominated by cricket, rugby league and cross-country netball (or Aussie Rules), it’s almost sacrilegious that I start this story with a quote from one of the all-time greatest real footy (soccer) players, Pelé. I’m not to saying there’s probably no good lines from Ricky Ponting or Jonathon Thurston or some AFL player that I don’t know. It’s just that Pelé, in one quote, managed to sum up completely the journey to success of Flying Horse Transport and, in particular, the man behind the bright orange truck you see before you: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and, most of all, love of what you are doing.” That one quote sums up Rasdeep Singh Bajwa, who is better known as Rusty and…

Before we climb behind the wheel, let’s go back to early June and a big showroom tucked into a quiet backlot of an inner Sydney suburb. Inside, Hino Australia’s leading lights were gathered, eager in this pre-Delta diaspora to showcase their new series of heavy-duty hopefuls. To be blunt, though, none of this was particularly surprising. After all, in the wake of new 300-series light-duty models and, later, advanced standard and wide cab versions of a newly crafted medium-duty 500-series range, it was plainly apparent that Hino would eventually follow suit with a completely reworked range of 700-series heavy-duty trucks. What did surprise, however, was just how far Hino had gone in its bid to make the 700-series a far more competitive and appealing line-up: a line-up entirely capable of…

Scania has announced that its newest flagship, the V8-powered R-series prime mover is now in Australia, arriving 12 months ahead of expectation. The initial arrival will be used as a company demonstrator, however Scania says the order books for the 770hp (574kW) are now open. “We often say, ‘You’re never late in a V8’, but this time we’ve outdone ourselves, bringing the 770hp variant to Australia a good 12 months ahead of the rest of the revamped V8 family, and ahead of our target,” says Dean Dal Santo, Scania Australia’s director of truck sales. “We’re very excited to be able to open our order books for the 770 for delivery during the second half of 2022. The 770 is the absolute pinnacle of Scania V8 performance and efficiency, together with…

The winners of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia’s (HVIA’s) awards for leadership and innovation in the heavy vehicle sector were presented at a November 19 gala event in Brisbane. The presentation, sponsored by National Transport Insurance (NTI) and Truck Assist, was also streamed around the country, where eager nominees and their supporters watched on. Speaking at the event in Brisbane, assistant minister for road safety and freight transport, Scott Buchholz recognised and commended the heavy vehicle industry’s contribution to the nation’s resilience. “We really, really appreciate everything the transport industry does for our great country,” Buchholz said. “The government is absolutely committed to getting our tax settings right, reducing the costs of doing business and providing an environment where, if you are manufacturing here in Australia, that your order book is…

Waking up on a Sunday morning with a hard drive full of photos and a body covered in sunburn can only mean one thing. It’s truck show time! Now, don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly endorse the ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’ campaign or whatever iteration they are using these days. I even lecture folk about making sure they are lathered up when the Queensland sun is out in force. However, on Saturday, November 6, I will admit I got a bit lax. Who could blame me, though – it was the Brisbane Convoy for Kids. The trucks were shined up, the crowds were out in force and my cameras were fully charged. It was the 12th running of the charity event and, this year, 620 trucks were registered and took part…

When Darcy Pollard arrived at Centenary Landscaping Supplies at Darra in south-east Queensland just on 32 years ago, it was by all accounts a fairly modest operation. His arrival was only three years after the now managing director Terry O’Shea purchased the company, which itself hadn’t long been in operation. Darcy recalls starting out in a little Centenary Landscaping Supplies’ 2.5 tonne Daihatsu. “We had one loader and one forklift when I started, and maybe four little trucks and one big truck,” he says. He laughs when he says he would load a little more than the allocated payload on the Daihatsu, adding: “I had long hair and no grey hairs when I started.” Darcy, a painter by trade, came to Centenary almost by accident. He was in the midst…

For the most part, Brett Cleary is a bloke who likes to keep things relatively simple. Simply put, he is the third generation of Cleary Bros, an immensely proud and resourceful family company that, for more than 100 years, has built and operated quarrying, transport and civil construction enterprises from a base on the Illawarra coast, which nowadays is little more than an hour’s drive south of Sydney. Similarly simple, within this family’s code resides a strong, historic appreciation for things that work well and, at the other end of the scale, an equally strong disdain for things that don’t. When it comes to equipment that doesn’t meet expectations, second chances are rare in the Cleary mould. These formidable and sometimes fierce attitudes are in the blood. Brett’s 80-year-old uncle…

Fuso is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fuso Canter’s Australian introduction with a special edition model. According to parent company Daimler Truck & Bus, the 50th Anniversary Canter is based on a 515. Already, 150 of these special models are available at Fuso dealers across the country. The Anniversary Canters are built ready alloy tray models and feature special factory silver paint, 50th Anniversary Edition badging and custom seat covers. Fuso has announced that it is also running a competition to celebrate the milestone. Three customers of the 50th Anniversary Canters, who purchase their vehicles before December 31, 2021, will win back the value of their trucks. Fuso says the standard specification of the Canter in 2021 is a world away from the original truck, which was quite bare…

MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH, headquartered in Munich, has announced that the 510hp (380kW) variant of its flagship truck received the prestigious award in the semitrailer tractor category at Italy’s Ecomondo, one of Europe’s leading trade fairs for sustainable and regenerative circular economy. The jury, which was made up of international trade journalists, awarded the TGX 18.510 for being particularly fuel-saving, efficient, and environmentally friendly. The title is one of numerous international awards that MAN’s new generation of trucks has already won since its market launch in February 2020, including the International Truck of the Year 2021 as well as the Red Dot Design and German Design Award. “The Sustainable Truck of the Year 2022 award for the MAN TGX is a particularly important new success, as it honours…