Freightliner Columbia CL112 Review

Name: Freightliner Columbia CL112 Review
Brand: Freightliner

When it comes to making his way in the cut-throat metro concrete market, Lee's Freightliner Columbia CL112 is taking care of business…

'Taking care of business' is something Brisbane-based Lee Warnes and his Freightliner Columbia does well in the fiercely competitive metropolitan concrete business.

One glance at his truck and you quickly realise not only is he brutally proud of it, but he is also an owner-driver – something he has noted at the top of the warning signs on the rear of his agitator.

He admits he spent a considerable amount of time fine-tuning this truck's specs, and says he has nothing but praise for the sales team at Daimler Trucks Brisbane and its patience as he meticulously added one thing after another.

Firstly there is the custom interior, along with the large Clarion sat-nav system that integrates not only reversing cameras at the rear but mirror-mounted cameras each side as well. Then Lee fabricated a custom toolbox, which allows room for a decent-size fridge.

Outside the cabin, Lee specified a six-inch exhaust stack and 'disco' style revolving lights, then he had a custom polished chequerplate cover made for the AdBlue tank.

He also insisted that the water tank be polished along with the diesel tank. Lee laments that honesty scruples are waning in the industry these day, to the point that he's fitted an additional lock to his fuel tank.

Nevertheless, when the finished Columbia finally arrived earlier in the year, Lee couldn't have been happier.

OLD-FASHIONED VALUES

Lee says he approaches his work with a focus on good old-fashioned relationship building and looking after his long-term clients.

"I've just really focused on delivering service and quality to our customers along with being fair and honest with them over a long period of time," he says.

"By doing that you create long-term relationships with people. Hardly anybody seems to be doing that in business these days so it's not hard to stand above the rest if you get that right."

Lee told us that these eight-wheelers, however, really deliver their greatest efficiency when they are feeding large concrete pumps and on long-haul runs.

"We have about 50 per cent of the concrete market in this region," he explains.

"We deliver concrete to surrounding suburbs which means we have some long leads, and that's where these Freightliner eight-wheelers really earn their keep. We can get almost eight cubic meters into one of them, which means we are delivering more concrete with one truck. That's a huge saving not only for us, but also for our customers."

This Freightliner Columbia CL112 is equipped with the Cummins ISLe5, which pumps out up to 400hp and 1254lb/ft of torque. It's paired with an Allison MD3000 RDS automatic transmission and has a Chelsea PTO.

At the rear is a Dana DSH44 axle, which boasts both inter-axle and cross locks with a 6.17:1 final drive ratio, all mounted on Freightliner AirLiner 40K rear suspension. This eight-wheeler is fitted with the larger 225lt fuel tank and 70lt AdBlue tank.

However, a wide variety of transmissions are on offer for the CL112 to meet a range of applications, the choices spanning Eaton Fuller manuals and Eaton AutoShift AMTs, plus Allison 3000 and 3500 Series six-speed autos. Coupled with this are a variety of Meritor or Dana Spicer drive axles and various suspension systems to suit the application.

The Columbia CL112 also comes in 6x4 or 8x4, with the option of a 10x4 fitted with a pusher axle variant.

ROOM TO MANOEUVER

Lee says the short-bonneted Columbia's ease of access and vision put it in a class of its own.

The Columbia series is an ideal choice for these high-capacity metropolitan applications. The tight turning circle and short BBC (bumper to back of cab) measurement make this Freightliner a versatile performer with great manoeuvrability and visibility.

The cab interior offers drivers plenty of head and legroom. The instrument panel and switches are easily accessed and large mirrors, including one above the left-hand front guard, give a good view of the surroundings.

Visibility is one of the CL112's strong points. Large windows and a sloping bonnet, coupled with the mirror configuration, offer an unparalleled view from the driver's seat.

Freightliner has played particular attention to operator requirements across all areas of design and engineering, and the model is finding a place across a wide variety of applications.

Particular attention has been paid to bodybuilder requirements to mount all bodies. Att Mixer, who supplied the 7.5-cubic-metre barrel, agree that the new Columbia CL112 is one of the easier installations they've performed.

The barrel is made from high-tensile steel and includes a thicker high-tensile steel dished end with an inner wear plate. Other features include a 200lt pressurised water system, slump and water meters, plus a double-acting remote chute jack. The barrel can be controlled from either the rear of the truck or in the cabin via the centre console-mounted controls, or via a remote control unit outside the truck.

AUTO ADVANTAGE

Lee says the auto transmission in particular is a great feature.

"The Allison 3000R fully automatic transmission is tremendous for both highway and suburban driving because it easily accelerates to and maintains cruising speeds, but doesn't allow the engine to rev too high," he says.

"Because of this fuel consumption is kept to a minimum, especially when compared to my older truck."

Lee says reliability and long service intervals are significant factors in his longstanding loyalty to Allison transmissions.

"Concrete delivery is often time critical as it can sometimes have additives which promote fast curing processes," he says.

"I need to deliver concrete promptly at the time the client specifies, and I have never been let down by Allison.

"We've had no problems with Allison automatics in all the years we've been using them. We know we can trust them. In fact, the quality is getting even better, with longer services intervals and higher efficiency."

On another tack, Lee is sold on the economic value of turning over his trucks every three-and-a-half to four years.

"Year one repairs and maintenance costs are minimal; year two they're a little more; year three, more, and year four is more again," he says.

"After the fourth year the cost in maintenance really starts to rise, so that's why I keep my truck looking neat and tidy. An older truck that is breaking down makes you look bad in front of your customers.

"I just want a truck that is reliable. Everything in the concrete business is fast paced, so if my truck breaks down it is immediately a major headache – especially if there is something wrong with the engine, because the concrete can set in the barrel. That's why I keep my maintenance up and keep my truck in a relatively new condition.

"Freightliner has been good to me over the years, firstly with a durable product that can do the job and secondly with good back-up services."

Having a reliable truck not only means reliability on the job, it means there's plenty of time to throw a leg over his trust Harley-Davidson Softail on the weekends and cruise through spectacular south-east Queensland too.

"After all, that's what it's all about," says Lee.

"Taking care of business!"

SPECIFICATIONS: FREIGHTLINE COLUMBIA CL112 8x4

Engine: Cummins ISLe5

Horsepower: 400hp at 2100rpm

Torque: 1254lb/ft at 1300rpm

Retarder: Cummins dash-mounted engine brake

Gearbox: Allison MD3000 RDS

Fuel tanks: Polished alloy

Front axle: Meritor twin-steer MFS14

Front suspension: 12.0T taper leaf springs (load share)

Driveline: Dana Spicer 1760