Livestock hauler chooses a Fuso duo
Murwillumbah livestock hauler is using two very different trucks to look after his customersJakeb Duffy carts livestock in Northern New South Wales and he has recently added a large Fuso Heavy and small Fuso Canter to his fleet.
The Canter is used for small yards and short hauls, while the FV Heavy is perfect for larger yards and longer trips to Dalby, Lismore and Brisbane.
“The Canter is perfect for doing work locally and the Heavy is just right for the longer runs with more stock on board,” Jakeb says.
Jakeb bought the business from his boss a few years back and three trucks came with it. One of them was getting old and starting to play up, so he decided to switch brands and buy a new Fuso Heavy.
“The old truck was costing me money and I realised it was easier and cheaper to go to this new one and not worry about any of that,” Jakeb said.
Part of his decision to go with a Fuso Heavy was that he wanted to deal with Murwillumbah Truck Centre, which was recently named the 2017 Fuso Regional Dealer of the Year, rather than other dealers further afield.
“It is nice dealing with the guys there right in town,” Jakeb says. “It is really convenient and they look after you.”
Most Fuso Heavys are sold with airbag suspension, but Jakeb was keen to use the familiar six-rod steel rear suspension.
This specification runs the 360hp version of the 12-litre six-cylinder engine and Jakeb chose the 13-speed Eaton manual transmission over the optional automated transmission.
The Heavy certainly has enough grunt for the task at hand, which can include hauling up to 18 large cows.
“It’s good to drive, especially on the longer runs, it just sits on a hundred, no problem,” Jakeb says.
The Heavy is also easy to move around in the yards, which can be tricky: “It has got a good turning lock on it, which is good because there are some pretty tight yards around here,” Jakeb says.
“Some of them are pretty rough too, but I haven’t had a problem.”
If the yard is particularly small, or the livestock only needs to be moved a short distance, Jakeb calls on his 918 long wheelbase Canter.
It can fit 15 calves or seven full-grown cows in the crate cows and is powered by a 129kW (175hp) four-cylinder engine, linked up to a five speed manual transmission.
Jakeb also has the extra piece of mind provided by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, which applies across all Fuso trucks.
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.