Tasmanian spreading firm turns to IVECO T-Way

When it comes to taming tough conditions, Tasmanian firm Altrac Spreading says it’s reaping major benefits with its two recently acquired IVECO T-Way 6x6 trucks.

The family-run operation, which offers a wide range of spreading services from its base at Western Junction, near Launceston, has a fleet of spreaders it uses to spread an array of products including fertilisers and composts, among others, on rural holdings both large and small. It’s even been called upon to spread aggregate on snow- and ice-affected roads.

The firm bolstered its fleet with the new IVECO T-Ways last year, the trucks boasting Southern Spreaders bodies that haul spreading trailers. The trucks also feature Central Tyre Inflation (CTI) kits, which allow the operator to raise or lower tyre pressures at the touch of a button. Lower pressures deliver extra traction and comfort off-road, while also minimising the truck’s impact on turf.

According to Altrac Spreading Manager, Tim Murfet, it was in fact Southern Spreaders that initially recommended IVECO.

“We’d had some concerns with the other truck brands we were using for spreading work, so I asked them what my options were, and the IVECO T-Way was suggested to me,” says Tim.

“We purchased our first T-Way in March last year and with it being a new model, ours was the first that Southern Spreaders built a body for. When we took delivery of it, I ran the truck myself for about a month and was happy with it. I then handed it over to our drivers and ordered a second one.”

The trucks are powered by a Euro 6 (Step E) 12.9-litre Cursor engine that produces up to 450hp and 2200Nm. The powerplant is mated to a 16-speed Hi-Tronix automated manual transmission.

With a 32,000kg GVM and a 60,000kg GCM, the trucks are designed to take tough off-road conditions in their stride, and feature differential locks, hub reduction to all axles, a rugged steel chassis designed to ‘flex’ over undulating terrain, and compliant suspension that offers superior articulation and load-carrying ability.

Tim says the T-Way was proving a great fit for the company’s operations.

“The T-Way offers nice underbody clearance; everything is high off the ground and accessibility to the chassis and body is good,” he says. “It’s also plenty powerful and comfortable, and from the cabin visibility is great and all controls are right there at the fingertips for drivers. It’s an easy-to-use package, the drivers like them.

“We operate across a range of conditions – some areas can be quite flat but boggy, while other job sites are hilly where the vehicles will be on a decent lean. Our drivers are experienced and know the limits; the places these things go are impressive.”

Meanwhile, the trucks’ imposing look was lending itself well to promoting the Altrac name.

“Visually the trucks look great as well – they stand out and have an aggressive presence on the road; they have the Altrac signwriting and decals on them and are hard to miss,” says Tim.

“The T-Ways are standing up well and taking everything we’ve thrown at them so far.”

The trucks were purchased through Adtrans Truck Centre in Melbourne and are maintained through C&I Transport Repairs in Tasmania, and authorised IVECO part and service dealership.