Iveco Stralis with real horse power

Tim Shute is a horse person through and through: he grew up with horses, commenced his working life with them, and now operates a business transporting them from Melbourne to Adelaide and Sydney

Tim’s business, Hanns Horse Transport, is entrusted with a very valuable cargo, requiring the best form of transportation available. To meet the needs of his equine cargo, Tim chose an Iveco Stralis ATi 4x2 Rigid, when looking for a new vehicle to be the focus of the business.

Hanns Horse Transport was set up almost 50 years ago by Malcolm Hann, who subsequently transferred ownership to a business associate, for whom Tim commenced working about seven years ago as the company’s driver.

At this stage, the business only did the Adelaide run, but was looking to expand. So as well as being the driver, Tim was charged with the task of helping set up and promote the Sydney run, which has since become a significant part of the business.

More recently, Tim and his wife took over the business.

The development of the Sydney run necessitated a new truck. The company had previously operated another Stralis, plus a couple of older Ivecos, so Tim was familiar with the brand. Yet this didn’t stop him thoroughly researching what else might be available, and still the Iveco was ahead in the final straight.

"The Stralis ATi 360 is the first vehicle I’ve purchased for the business since taking it over," Tim said. "The previous owner had three Ivecos, and had always been happy with them. The research I did before buying this truck helped me understand why.

"Transporting horses safely and comfortably requires a specific kind of driving skill, with its emphasis on smooth gear changes, gradual braking, and all-in-all, a sensitive and caring attitude towards our cargo," he said.

"Ride quality is critically important, and no truck does this better than the Stralis, with its front and rear electronically controlled air suspension.

"In addition, the auto-shift significantly helps avoid fatigue for the driver and maintain a smooth ride for the horses," Tim continued, referring to the Iveco Eurotronic II automated 12-speed overdrive transmission.

The needs of the driver were also at the forefront of his thinking when choosing his new truck.

The Stralis cab is 2.28 metres in width, with an integrated sleeper, fully adjustable driver and passenger air suspended seats, and pneumatically controlled adjustable steering column.

Tim says he is also impressed with the power output from the 360hp / 265 kW 8 litre Euro 5 Cursor engine.

"The engine is fuel-efficient and quiet, and provides more power than we normally require, but I’d rather have it this way than ever be short of power. It’s a powerful truck that does everything we need easily," he said.

The body attached to the Stralis was 100 per cent purpose-built for the highest level of horse transport by Premier Floats, one of Australia’s leading horse float body builders, located in Geelong.

The interior is illuminated by LED lighting, as are the side and rear loading ramps. A minimum of three CCTV cameras monitor the whole interior, which is capable of carrying up to ten horses. The vision is relayed directly into the cabin, enabling the driver or passenger to keep an eye on all horses.

Each animal is placed in an individual bay, surrounded by large stallion dividers with floor- length heavy duty vented rubber. Bay sizes are fully adjustable, to suit any breed and size of horse, and the high ceiling adds to the sense of spaciousness. Insulated walls and superior natural ventilation further enhance the comfort of the horses’ environment.

Tim transports on average 40 to 50 horses a week, increasing beyond this number during peak times.

As the main driver, Tim regularly meets up with all the horse owners and trainers he transports for, maintaining the personal touch which has been the hallmark of the business since it first began operating.

"With its long history and established reputation, Hanns Horse Transport is well-known and respected in the equine industry. To help maintain that reputation, we need a truck that both looks the part and does the job as best as any can. In the Iveco Stralis we have that truck. As a total package it makes a very strong statement as the flagship of our business," Tim concluded.

Iveco Stralis with real horse power

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