Howard Shanks•12 Dec 2016

REVIEW

Freightliner Argosy/Hamelex White review

Name: Freightliner Argosy/Hamelex White review
Brand: Freightliner

This clever Freightliner and Hamelex White combo is delivering maximum efficiency and profit for its Tasmanian woodchip operator

Hamelex White's high-volume truck and dog combination coupled to a Freightliner Argosy is not only a stunning advertisement for Quinn Transport & Spreading, it also delivers an exceptional payload.

Neither Noel Quinn nor his wife Carol ever envisaged that the fertiliser spreading business they started with a second-hand ex-army truck over three decades ago would have ever grown to its current volume. Nor did they anticipate that spreading equipment and road transport hardware would advance as far as it has.

Today Noel and Carol's son Darren is the Operations Manager; he not only coordinates the daily transport operations, he also wheels one of their bulk tipper units.

The company is based in the Tasmanian town of Sorell, some 26 kilometres from Hobart. As Darren points out with modest pride, "the family can be traced right back to when the area was first surveyed for a town."

In one way or another, the family has been involved in farming, sawmilling and transport in the district for well over a century.

CUSTOMERS COME FIRST

Quinn Transport & Spreading has grown and diversified on the back of an ongoing commitment to customer care. For this family-owned outfit it's a philosophy that demands absolute reliability in its equipment – including its latest Freightliner Argosy and Hamelex White four-axle dog trailer.

Like every aspect of transport services, the end user is always looking at ways to rein in costs, just as fleet operators are looking for the most efficient way to deliver their services. In this instance, the addition of the Argosy with full height Hamelex White tipper bins means Quinn Transport & Spreading can deliver the biggest payload possible for a 19m combination.

"In this game it's all about volume because the woodchips we cart are not very heavy," says Darren.

"In fact, even when the Argosy and trailer are fully loaded we are still seven tonne under our maximum allowable GCM. When the mill is in full production we need to empty the woodchip storage bin twice a day.

"With these new 4.2m-high bins we can carry in excess of 100 cubic metres – that's a lot of woodchips each load."

According to Darren, Hamelex White is synonymous with producing quality truck and trailer combinations capable of achieving a superior payload within the PBS and Tasmanian Mass Management framework.

LOYALTY IS KEY

It's a well-known fact too that Hamelex White has long understood the value of maintaining genuine client relationships, knowing it can help cement the brand's market share in the long term. It's on-going communication with loyal clients also helps it improve its products.

In fact, Hamelex White's consistency in the 'loyalty department' has become the most priceless component of its operations, helping it grow into a highly regarded specialist brand.

"When we went searching for new tippers, Hamelex White's engineers came down to Tasmania and spent a day in the field with me studying our operation before coming up with a product that was tailored to suit our operation," Darren explains.

"Our trucks are our greatest advertising assets. That's why we go the extra mile and fully kit them out. We get the sides of our bins painted before the sign writing goes on and finally we get it all clear coated. It really helps protect the bodies and keeps them clean and looking like new.

"As a family business we believe in establishing customer loyalty and that works both ways," Darren says.

"While we inspire loyalty from our clients for the services and products we provide we also believe in returning loyalty to our suppliers.

"If we purchase a product that works well all the time, does not cause any issues and can provide a quality back-up service, then we'll stick with it," says Darren.

"That's our way to show loyalty."

BUILT TOUGH

Quinn's Hamelex White four-axle dog trailer has a 6mm high-tensile aluminium floor plate welded directly to the main bearers, while the walls are made from 5mm high-tensile aluminium plate welded to the top rail and lower corners with exclusive Hamelex White body extrusions.

The Meritor suspension also boasts a lift axle on the rear bogie set, which Darren says not only saves money on the unloaded return leg but aids with the trailer's handling when empty.

The dog also features a spring-assisted drawbar, an air tail gate, dolly lock and LED lighting, as well as a retractable tarp with a vertical aluminium headboard.

Darren also specified locally made Pacific scales.

"They're 'weigh' ahead," Darren says with a smile, pun intended.

"They are made right here in Sorell too. We also had extra LED lights added to the draw bar and we spec all our bodies with vibrators, which really assist in getting the product out of the bodies without the need for a driver get out the truck.

"We've dropped a few new trucks around to Hamelex White as a cab/chassis and they do a terrific job fitting the ringfeeder, air and hydraulic connections," Darren says.

"The finish of the Hamelex White product is first class and they're ready to work as soon as we pick them up.

"People doing line haul on the main highways don't realise how different the rural environment is," Darren says.

"The difference is massive; our work is hard on gear and requires a lot more skill from our drivers.

"It rains most of the year down south of the Huon River and the dirt road up over the mountain into the sawmill is usually muddy, and the log yard is a quagmire.

"It's a truck that really looks great on the outside and we get a lot of good comments from other drivers. The design of the fins on the front of the truck are really functional in the wet conditions as they divert air flow past the side of the cabin; this helps prevent the mud and road grime sticking to the side of the truck and improves visibility through the side window and mirrors."

SUPERB DRIVE

Driver Mark McGuiness cites the Argosy's swing-out staircase as a terrific safety addition.

"I really like the spacious interior too," Mark says.

"The dash is well laid out with everything in easy reach and it's so quiet to drive. At the end of the day you don't feel tied at all.

"The bunk is very comfortable to sleep in; you can get a great night's sleep just like you would at home," he adds.

Beneath the cabin is an ADR 80/03-compliant Cummins engine rated at 550hp that develops 1850lbft (2508Nm). An Eaton 18-speed transmission is coupled to the Meritor RT46-160 rear axles with cross-locks and Freightliner's AirLiner rear suspension.

We're told that the AirLiner suspension system was designed to virtually eliminate any servicing or maintenance. The use of elastomer bushings negates the need for regular lubrication and results in a greatly extended life cycle.

Freightliner's AirLiner suspension achieves a relatively constant spring rate by using a premium rotary valve that ensures correct height control. The rotary valve replaces traditional rubber-seat valves that deteriorate with age and alter spring rate and driveline angle, both of which cause a reduction in driveline life.

The AirLiner 46K unit fitted on Quinn's Argosy has a ground rating of 18,000kg and a GCM up to 90,000kg at a five per cent grade. It uses formed steel cross members and has iron main suspension brackets.

The Cummins engine is a real workhorse in the bush, but it is the 600 braking horsepower at 2100rpm that really rates high on Mark's list.

"This new Cummins has a terrific engine brake; it's the most effective I've ever had."

Nowadays the Argosy is on a roll, but whether the model has enough momentum to knock off Kenworth's K-series remains to be seen. Most truck suppliers (and most notably Kenworth) keep sales statistics for individual models a closely guarded secret – but there seems little question that Freightliner's cab-over is sitting close to the top of the tree.

"We've got no complaints about our Argosy or Hamelex White equipment," Darren says.

"They're reliable, a good match and carting at least a third more than anything else in our fleet."

Freightliner Argosy/Hamelex White review

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