Tatra trucks disregard all conventions when it comes to truck design. But the applications they’re expected to operate usually defy most conventional trucking tasks. Yet, new or used, they are sort after pieces of equipment for specialised unconventional applications, as Howard Shanks discovered. 435HP V8 Engine 8×8 All Wheel-Drive Indepenndant Suspension ROPS & FOPS canopy…
A growing roadworks and traffic control operation in regional New South Wales has added three Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks with Etnyre Falcon tri-axle walking floor trailers to its fleet. The advanced 2653 models will perform asphalting work for the business, which was founded in Forbes by Kevin and Colleen Gunn with a focus on traffic control.…
Adelaide-based Diamond Brothers Transport has earned an enviable reputation for tailored transport solutions over nearly 7 decades in business. With an early history in car carrying, the company has evolved into a dedicated interstate general carrier with a keen eye on both customer service and operational efficiencies. The Diamond Brothers fleet services all east coast…
Sources close to roadtrains.com.au revealed today that Queensland Transport is considering scrapping the reversing test for new truck licences. “I was truly shocked when the PADA from Queensland Transport rang and asked me how important and how often a truck driver was required to reverse a truck,” our source admitted to roadtrains.com.au. “The issue Queensland…
Inevitably when you hear about logging controversy and the last stand of tall timber in the world, there’s a fair chance you’ll be hearing about the Southern Forests region of Tasmania. Howard Shanks joined Lester Townsend on his regular run into the Deep South. The chilling arctic winds that often pound the southern tip of…
How to drive an Eaton 18-Speed Roadranger Eaton’s 18-Speed Roadranger Driver’s Instruction manual available for download at end of article. Driving a constant mesh transmission like a 13-speed or 15-speed Roadranger transmission correctly used to be a fundamental part of truck driving, and old school truck drivers took great pride in the way they swapped…
Secret to Reversing a B-Double & Semi-Trailer I often get asked what is the secret to reversing a B-Double? This article should put your mind at ease, as it explains the fine art of reversing a B-Double in simple terms. Basically, it can be broken down into three uncomplicated steps; have a plan, understand the…
Elphinstone Engineering is redefining log haulage with the introduction of their ‘Self-Loader’ powerpack option to their EasyLoader trailer models. The new powerpack enables standard prime-movers to haul and operate logging trailers without the expense of specialised PTO and auxiliary equipment fit-up. Additionally, it is backwards compatible, meaning retrofitting the unit to older EasyLoader trailers is…
Way down a muddy dirt road on the wild west coast of Tasmania is the last place you’d expect to see glistening chrome and polished stainless steel reflecting from a T909 grill. But Adrian Cassidy is a workin’ man, and so is his immaculate 9OH and Lusty 4×4 deck widener. The bright flashing amber LED…
From the late eighties through to the end of the last century, Eaton globally dominated the manual transmission market with their popular Roadranger gearboxes. So popular were Eaton Roadranger transmissions that many European manufacturers had to fit them merely to get a sale here in Australia. In fact, there was a time once, where if…