ProStar proves its worth in waste

While Iveco's ACCO springs readily to mind when most in the refuse industry think trucks, a sub-contractor for one Melbourne waste specialist says his International ProStar fit the bill perfectly.

Sean O'Conner has been a professional driver for over 30 years, and now works as a subbie for leading waste management company, Citywide.

Sean uses his ProStar, an extended cab model, to haul a three-axle single trailer from collection centres in Melbourne to designated landfill sites on the outskirts of the city.

Sean says he did plenty of research before settling on the ProStar as his latest truck.

"I've had a lot of first-hand experience driving a variety of truck brands, plus I also closely studied the specifications of the trucks I was interested in on-line," he says.

"And, just to make sure, I asked for opinions from other drivers I know.

"In the end I liked the look of the ProStar: it had the specifications I wanted; the fit and finish and feel of the cabin was good; and it was competitively priced."

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Sean’s ProStar features the standard Cummins X15 SCR engine producing 550hp and 2508Nm, the drive fed to the ground via an Eaton Ultrashift Plus automated manual transmission. After years of purely manual trucks, Sean says he's grown to love the ease of the AMT.

"A requirement of trucks working for Citywide is that they are automated, so this was the main reason I went for the Ultrashift," he says.

"But now that I do have the AMT, I really like it – it provides for a much more relaxed driving experience; it's almost like driving a car and it shifts so smoothly as well."

Sean often starts his working day in the early hours of the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic conditions when traversing the city's western commuter belt.

Sean says he's also a big fan of the truck's full LED lighting, as well as the excellent vision he has from behind the wheel.

"In traffic I can even see the roofs of the small cars in front of me and in the lanes either side; I reckon it's better than in a cab over," he says.

"The LEDs are also fantastic; they light the road up as if it were day time."

The ProStar is well equipped for the tricky terrain Sean often encounters on site, the truck featuring a power divider with cross locks on both axles for additional traction in slippery conditions.

"This truck manages to push through the muddy sites where some others struggle," Sean says.

"For these conditions we've also fitted rubber guards to the rear axles, which are easier to clean and maintain if debris gets caught up around the wheels."

Despite the application not normally requiring him to sleep in the truck, Sean says he selected the extended cab model to provide him with additional in-cabin storage space and for the odd occasion where he might need to rest-up.

This configuration also provides the flexibility for the prime mover to be used in other applications in the future if job circumstances change.

Sean bought the truck from Adtrans in Laverton, in Melbourne's western suburbs, and says he had a great purchasing experience through the dealership.

"The ProStar looks good, goes well, is comfortable and is quiet – it's grouse," says Sean.