2021 Kenworth T410SAR: Operator Review

There was little to no chance of this new Kenworth T410SAR tipper missing the mark for Tasmania's Walters Contracting.

It's fair to say that when a family company is in the hands of the third generation and has been trading for more than 50 years, business decisions are carefully planned and well executed. They're decisions driven by experiences often taught by life rather than gleaned from textbooks; proficiencies passed down from generation to generation. That's Walters Contracting for you.

Consequently, when Joseph Walters starts talking about truck specifications and what works to deliver the best productivity and profitability for the Deloraine-based business, it's well worth getting out your notebook.

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"It was a tall order, but we were searching for a truck that could perform dual roles," Joseph said.

"We required a nimble, maneuverable body truck that could work out of our Devonport landscape supply yard, where deliveries are mostly into tight building sites. At the same time, when we have large civil construction projects, we wanted it to slot into a bulk delivery role.

"The T410SAR is the 10th Kenworth in our fleet," he added.

"Our other Kenworth trucks are bigger, heavier models, specified to endure the more rugged working conditions of civil construction tasks. Subsequently, when we started talking to Chris Saltmarsh at CJD in Launceston about sourcing a more versatile model for our operation, he suggested the new T410SAR might fit the bill – because it features an extensive specification options list that enabled us to customise the specs to find the balance between a robust, yet lightweight, tipper that would deliver the versatility we wanted.

"For instance, when you start adding 'Hardox' tipper bodies with rock ribs, your tare weight goes south – along with any payload gains you're chasing – rather quickly.

"Nevertheless, the light tare weight of the Kenworth T410SAR combined with the proven reliability and economy of the PACCAR MX-13 engine certainly ticked a lot of boxes for us," Joseph continued.

"The fact that we could specify it with a traditional 18-speed manual transmission and Meritor RT46-160 rear axles, like our bigger trucks, was pleasing. From a fleet point of view, it's terrific because it gives us parts commonality across the fleet.

"So far, we're more than pleased with the economy and payload we're getting from the new T410SAR," he said.

"With PBS, we are getting a 32-tonne payload, which is great considering the robust construction of the truck and trailer combination.

"At the moment, we have a three-axle dog trailer behind the T410SAR, but there is nothing to stop us from coupling it up to a quad dog in the future – Chris Saltmarsh explained that the T410SAR's shorter bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) length of 2850mm is primarily designed to provide for maximum payload for truck and quad-dog applications."

Under the hood, the MX-13 engine is rated at 510hp (380kW) and produces 1850lb-ft (2508Nm) of torque between 1000-1400rpm, while still punching out 1600lb-ft (2170Nm) at 1650rpm. Meantime the MX-13 engine brake delivers up to 450 braking horsepower (335kW), which is an excellent asset in Tasmania's hilly terrain.

We asked the truck's driver, Emily Shadbolt, what she liked best about driving the Kenworth T410SAR – and she was quick to answer…

"It's so luxurious to drive," she said.

Before hopping behind the wheel of the T410SAR, Emily drove Walters' old W-Model.

"Don't get me wrong," Emily began, "That W-Model is a great truck, and it certainly gives you an immense appreciation of how far along technology has come when compared to the new T410SAR.

"The vision out of the T410SAR's cabin is exceptional. Since the mirrors on the T410SAR sit lower than traditional mirrors on other trucks, they enable a broader panoramic view because I can see over the tops of the mirrors. However, I like the rearward vision too, especially when I'm running gravel because they are so sturdily mounted that there is no vibration. Even when backing the trailer, I can adjust the mirrors to follow the trailer while I'm reversing.

"The dash layout is well thought out too," she continued.

"All the critical gauges are easily viewed with a glance. The dash display menu also has some useful features, like the four trip meters, driver score and digital gauges.

"The trip meter is handy for our job costing too, because I can zero the trip meter at the start of the load, then get a snapshot of the trip at the end of the journey. The snapshot provides useful information such as fuel used, average speed, distance covered and idle time, to mention a few."

Daily checks are another area of the Kenworth T410SAR for which Emily has high praise.

"The truck's light check activation button on the key fob makes checking the lights easy during my pre-start – I use it every day," she said.

"And the bonnet is so light to lift. The T410SAR is the first truck that I've been able to open the bonnet by myself. With the other trucks, I'd have to get my dad to help me because they were that heavy. This T410SAR has an automatic lock on the left-hand bonnet strut that prevents the bonnet from accidentally closing and that's an excellent safety feature, especially for us here in Tasmania where we often get strong winds that can blow a hood closed.

"The ride and handling of this T410SAR is terrific. For instance, even on the narrowest rough country back roads, the steering is precise. The truck goes exactly where I steer it. My partner even commented on how much happier and how much more energy I have when I get home in the evenings since I've started driving the T410SAR. That certainly underlines how the improved ride and handling of this truck make my work so much more pleasurable."

Joseph Walters is first to admit that the new Kenworth T410SAR is undoubtedly delivering the economy, productivity and versatility they were looking for in a new truck. It's serving the company exceptionally well, while the service and back-up provided by CJD Equipment in Launceston caps off one very impressive package.

Make: Kenworth
Model: T410SAR
Year: 2021
Wheelbase: 5000mm
Cab to end of frame: 4640mm
Odometer: 12,560km
Cab colour: Ice White
Chassis colour: Bright Red
Engine: PACCAR MX-13
Power: 510hp (380kW)
Torque: 1850lb-ft (2508Nm)
Alternator: 160A non-isolated
Clutch: Eaton Advantage-3 (self-adjust)
Transmission: Eaton RTLO20918B (18-speed)
Front axle: Meritor MFS66 6.6T
Front springs: 7.2T taper leaf
Rear axles: Meritor RT46-160GP with dual DCDL
Rear axle ratio: 4.30:1
Rear suspension: Airglide 460 Steel Pedestal, 10.5 ride height
Brakes: Drum with ABS/EBSS
Interior: Fleet Soft Trim KW Black
Driver's seat: ISRI 6860/870 Pro with armrests
Passenger's seat: Fixed Rider's seat
UHF: Electrophone
Fuel tanks: 470lt RHS & 260/200 split fuel/oil LHS
AdBlue tank: 75lt
Bumper: Texas, polished