Barker Retractable Skel Review Flexibility with carrying and loading options is the key behind Barker’s Retractable Skel trailer, that allows the tri-axle group to be rolled back for unloading and loading of short containers as well as improved axle weight distribution. Barker trailers are manufactured in Woodend Victoria. The company was founded by two brothers…
On the road with Mega Trucker – Jon Kelly Behind the customised Kenworth bug and under the glitter of the acres of chrome, polished stainless steel and aluminium are some of the most heavy-duty highway haulers on the road as Howard Shanks discovered. The sun wouldn’t appear for at least another hour or so. Yet…
DAF’s CF-530 is turning out to be a real Money Maker! Words and Photography by Howard Shanks. It is said that; DAF’s new CF-530 has a tenacious appetite for hard heavy work, yet the versatility to nimbly run urban errands as well, and it’s all neatly packaged with a spacious low entry cabin. We sent…
Komatsu WA500-6 Long Term Field Test Review A decade long test in a hot corrosive iron ore processing plant located right beside the sea in Northern Tasmania concluded last week with astonishing reliability results. An astounding 32,000 hours were clocked up on the Komatsu WA500-6 with no major component replacement as Howard Shanks discovered. Outside…
If you’re thinking of hanging the old axe up and purchasing a new hydraulic wood splitter, one question you’ll be asking is what tonnage machine is right for you. Most folks believe they require more tonnage than they actually need. Consider this interesting fact; most hire companies around the country only stock machines up to…
John Deere’s tow behind 40-inch aerator-spreader is certainly a handy addition for serious lawn care professionals. Its ability to be quick hitched behind a variety of machines combined with adjustable soil depth penetration and spreading rate add to its versatility as Howard Shanks discovered. The 40-inch (102cm) tow behind aerator-spreader combination greatly increases productivity for…
Quad Dog T610SAR & Ultrashift: Review Words and Photography by Howard Shanks These are good days for Kenworth. The company is logging good sales numbers, and that includes high volumes for its T610SAR in vocational applications. We sent Technical Editor Howard Shanks off to a sand quarry in Western Victoria to put a T610SAR with…
DAF’s Traxon Transmission operation explained! Words by Howard Shanks, Images supplied For the past two decades, engine development has increased exponentially driven largely by progressive emission standards, on the other hand, the development of clutches and transmissions is only driven by engineering innovation and competitive advantage. Technical Editor, Howard Shanks takes an in depth look…
Deutz-Fahr M600 Agrotron: Review Simplicity, reliability and ease of use along with local back service, is what swayed Northeast Victorian premium beef producer James McCormick to invest the new Deutz-Fahr M600 Agrotron. James and wife Emily run a Te Mania Angus recipient and donor cow head at Mansfield, Victoria, in the heart of the…
John Deere X350 Review There’s a hell of a lot to like about John Deere’s X350 lawn tractor, a hell of a lot! The X350 is a machine well suited to pros and serious lawn care devotees. It boasts a long list of features that make it an attractive package for heavy-duty jobs while delivering…