Our journey in the Vähälä Actros 2663 Road Train begins in the Oulu, Northern Finland, in the dead of winter, where temperatures plummet to minus 40°Celcius. Here winter presents both the trucks and their drivers with a particular challenge, short days, icy roads and poor visibility. Finnish transport company Vähälä Group was founded in 1937…
DetailsTasmanian based Andrew Flynn is one innovative operator that repurposes old highway prime movers to suit his growing firewood business. This striking K100G is one of Andrew’s creative custom builds that enables him to deliver generous loads of 4.2-meter-long firewood logs to his expanding customer base. We sent Howard Shanks to investigate. The winters in…
DetailsThe introduction of Mack’s B-Model in 1953 bought a raft of new technology and design concepts that would prove a complete departure from conventional trucks of the time. One of these more noticeable design concepts was found at the truck’s rear. Here top-mounted dual-reduction carriers were married with Mack’s Camelback suspension that eventually Mack marketed…
DetailsMack introduced the world to their unique Camelback suspension shortly after World War Two. This robust suspension system has carried the Bulldog Breed for more than seven and half decades. In fact, at the time of writing, you can jump on Mack’s US website and order a new current model Granite with the famous Camelback…
DetailsShifting in excess of 200-tonne economically and reliably today, from the coal face to the mine site processing plant, requires more than brute strength. It necessitates clever integration of both old and new technologies, as Howard Shanks recently discovered at one mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin region. The initial email I received was succinct, to…
DetailsHow long before driverless Road Trains relieve global road congestion? Technical Editor Howard Shanks asks several leading truck manufacturers what the future for road transport holds? Certainly, the truck will still be with us in 2050. To some degree, externally, it will still resemble today’s truck, albeit somewhat more futuristic. But under the surface, in the futuristic…
DetailsNew Government Regulations require, electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles clearly display a warning label so that first responders can easily identify the type of vehicle to minimise any hazards. In most cases this applies to electric, hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles built after January 1 2019 or to any exisiting vehicle modified to an electric,…
DetailsWhen launched, Iveco’s Powerstar 6700 was initially marketed as ideal for a diversified range of heavy-duty applications. Howard Shanks travelled to Roma in Central Queensland a while back to watch a 6700 cattle haulier strut its stuff. The sun had only just begun to rise; the air was cool and crisp, and the dim light…
DetailsUsed Truck purchasing tips. There is undoubtedly an art to buying a used vehicle. It’s an art worth learning if you’re keen on picking up a bargain. Fictional karate master Mr Miyagi’s quote, “never put passion in front of principle“, is lesson one regarding advice for buying used. On the other hand, if you’re unsure…
DetailsScania is now introducing Scania Mirror View Camera, optional digital rearview mirrors for improved vision and reducing blind spots Placement of displays and cameras gives unique functionality, based on ergonomic findings regarding HMI to reduce discrepancies Reduces the total width of the cab; the functionality makes it easier to drive, park and manoeuvre, resulting in…
Details
