Kenworth T6 side tipper road train Owner Review

IFE road train operations supervisor Mervyn Kupfer suggested we get an early start the following morning as Mt Cuthbert is a decent three-hour drive from IFE’s Mt Isa depot.

As Mervyn guided his work ute east out of Mt Isa a little after 3.30am, he explained that mining in the Mt Cuthbert area commenced in the early 1900s when the government’s decision to extend the railway from Townsville further west beyond Richmond stimulated further exploration in the region.

In 1907, Mt Cuthbert’s company raised capital of 240,000 pounds and commenced operations. By 1915, with the price of copper soaring, the company invested 130,000 pounds in constructing smelters and had already shipped copper matte by horse teams before the railway reached the mine in 1916.

These days, IFE operates five Kenworth T6s with Haulmark road trains in a 24-hour ore haulage operation. “We move approximately one million tonnes of ore in dust form through to 600mm rock from the stockpile to the crusher annually,” Anthony Kuhn said. “As an indication of how tough conditions are here at Mt Cuthbert, we only manage 17,000km out of drive tyres.”

The Kenworth T6 is renowned for its robustness and durability, making it well-suited for the harsh ore haulage conditions that Mt Cuthbert dishes up. This region is characterised by rough, uneven terrain and extreme weather conditions, which can strain vehicles immensely.

The T6, with its heavy-duty construction, is built to withstand such challenges. Its reinforced chassis, Cummins engine, and durable six-rod suspension system ensure that it can handle the rigours of mine haulage over rough roads without frequent breakdowns.

For fleet owners like Anthony, this translates to reduced downtime and maintenance costs, enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Anthony doesn’t scrimp when it comes to optioning his trucks, either. It starts with the proven double-row Kenworth chassis that forms the backbone of these trucks. They are no ordinary Kenworth T6s, either. They're optioned for extreme conditions, and it’s worth spending a few moments checking out the specifications.

“Given the hills we are working in here, we went back to old-school body trucks for this operation,” Anthony said. “Our biggest problem is getting back out to the stockpile empty, but with the body’s extra weight over the drive all the time, it gives us that additional traction.”

Performance is a critical factor in bulk haulage operations, and these Kenworth T6s excel in this regard. As you’d expect, there’s a Cummins engine rated at 600hp under the hood, coupled to an Eaton Fuller RTLO22918B manual transmission. The tail shaft is Spicer’s SPL250 coupled to Dana D52-190 axles with cross-locks in the rear and a final drive ratio of 4.56:1, all riding on Kenworth’s KW6-60A21T steel spring suspension.

Up front is a heavy-duty steel bullbar with robust driving lights.

These big-bore Cummins engines have an insatiable appetite for devouring large volumes of clean air, but here at Mt Cuthbert, where the dust is often thicker than fog on winter’s day, clean air is scarce.

To cope with this, these Kenworth T6s have raised Donaldson TopSpin HD pre-cleaners to extend primary air filter life, boost system efficiency and extend engine life.

TopSpin HD pre-cleaners are preferred for trucks operating in these punishing conditions because of their self-cleaning and self-scavenging characteristics. They separate more than 99 per cent of 20 micron and above particles and are suitable for engines requiring high airflows of 1.4 to 45.3 m/min or 50 to 1600 cfm.

Additionally, the Kenworth braking system and stability features enhance safety, which is paramount in remote areas and mine sites where emergency services may not be readily accessible.

The T6’s consistent performance under extreme conditions makes it a reliable choice for fleet owners looking to maintain high productivity levels.

The Haulmark side tipper trailers complement the Kenworth T6 perfectly, offering versatility and ease of use. The Haulmark side-tippers’ tubs are constructed of high-wearing, impact-absorbing materials to suit the cartage of many materials, including road-base, screenings, rock, and ore concentrates like at Mt Cuthbert.

The tub and door hinging design ensures low maintenance and trouble-free operation. The design delivers maximum tip angles to guarantee no product hang-up, load security and a clean, safe, fast tip every time.

Furthermore, the hydraulic systems are synchronised and employ over-centre lock valves to maintain a consistent and safe tipping process throughout the unit’s life cycle.

“That’s why we’ve stuck with these Kenworth T6s and Haulmark trailers. They’re built tough enough to endure the harsh conditions at Mt Cuthbert,” Mervyn explained. “Both Haulmark and Kenworth have the stability and support network to look after us, and we seldom have any trouble with them.”

Operating in remote areas necessitates reliable support infrastructure and after-sales service, and both Kenworth and Haulmark provide excellent support networks.

Brown and Hurley, the local Kenworth dealer, has an extensive network throughout Queensland to ensure that parts and service are accessible even in remote locations, minimising downtime in case of breakdowns.

Haulmark, similarly, offers strong after-sales support, providing maintenance services and spare parts to guarantee that their trailers remain in optimal condition. This level of support is crucial for fleet owners operating in the harsh and isolated environment of northeast Mt. Isa, where access to repair facilities can be limited.

Anthony explained that a straightforward breakdown in remote Queensland can cost many thousands of dollars to rectify, and that’s not something either he or his clients will tolerate. “Saving a few cents and kilograms on cheap equipment is just false economy out here,” he added.

While the initial investment in Kenworth T6 trucks and Haulmark side tipper trailers may be significant, the long-term economic benefits are substantial. These vehicles’ durability and reliability reduce the frequency and cost of repairs, while their superior performance ensures efficient fuel consumption and high productivity.

Moreover, the reduced downtime and maintenance requirements translate to lower operational costs, making the investment economically viable for fleet owners in the long run.

“But five or six years down the track, you can bet your bottom dollar that these Kenworth trucks and Haulmark trailers are by far the cheapest option to run, and they’ll still be running reliably,” Anthony said.

In conclusion, the choice of Kenworth T6 trucks and Haulmark side tipper trailers by fleet owners like Anthony Kuhn of IFE for their bulk haulage operations in the remote region northeast of Mt. Isa, Queensland, is driven by a combination of durability, performance adaptability, and reliable support infrastructure.

These factors collectively ensure that their operations remain efficient, cost-effective, and safe despite the challenging conditions. The strategic decision to specify these models underscores their suitability for the demanding task of bulk haulage in one of Australia’s harshest environments.

Correct at time of writing

2016 Kenworth T659 $750,000

2017 Kenworth T659 $670,000

2021 Kenworth T659 $425,000

2017 Kenworth T659 $285,000

2014 Kenworth T659 $220,000

2012 Kenworth T659 $225,000