3
NEWS
Customised ACCO for K&S
With a side lifter and rear-mounted forklift, delivering gas is a breezeThe K&S Group is a prime contractor to Air Liquide Healthcare, a leading provider of respiratory care services and medical gases, and recently joining service on the contract was a new model ACCO 6x4 fitted with a unique curtain-side body, incorporating rear-mounted Moffett forklift and side lifter.
Iveco says that the ACCO’s low tare weight allows for a high payload while still accommodating the forklift, leading to a flexible delivery vehicle. Even with the forklift, the ACCO offers over 10.7 tonnes of payload. The tray accommodates 10 stillages, each stillage housing 15 cylinders of medical gases.
In this application, the forklift is used to unload the larger items while not having to wait for assistance. Some of the clients, such as hospitals don’t have their own forklifts which makes the ACCO’s set-up even more practical.
As well as delivering from home base in Melbourne to regional cities as far away as Albury, the ACCO is also used on metropolitan routes, where again flexibility is the key.
Delivering to hospitals in inner-city Melbourne, the access can be tight, having the road-registered forklift allows for the vehicle to be parked in a suitable location, with the delivery being completed into the more restricted areas with the forklift.
For efficiency and safety, the ACCO is fitted with an in-cabin camera and data tracking device, other security features include keycode access to the cargo area.
Along with delivering via the rear-mounted forklift, the ACCO’s curtain-side body features a side lifter which allows the driver to safely and conveniently unload smaller cylinder quantities – these can weigh as much as 60 kilograms each, so the lift is a necessity.
Given the customised nature of the body, IVECO Australia worked closely with the K&S Group and bodybuilder, Fleetweld, to adapt the truck along the assembly line, allowing for faster and more efficient body fitment.
Among the special requirements was about a metre of space behind the cabin for the side lifter platform as well as room for steps, this involved relocating battery boxes and fuel tanks, a request comfortably accommodated by IVECO’s engineering and production teams.
This ACCO is equipped with an 8.9-litre engine producing 320hp (239kW) and 1350Nm of torque, and when combined with the Allison Gen 5, six-speed automatic transmission, provides a comfortable and hassle-free driving experience.
Vehicle servicing is undertaken by K&S Group’s in-house maintenance division, it’s a straightforward process thanks to easy parts availability particularly with the ACCO’s American drivetrain.
Share this article
Written byTrucksales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a trucksales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayRelated articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent