3
NEWS
Upping the ante with Iveco Stralis
Queensland's JM Transport is pushing into the plant transport sector with its converted Iveco ACCO and a new Iveco StralisAfter 14 years of successfully operating front-lift waste compactors based on Iveco's ACCO 8x4 cab chassis, in late 2015 Queensland-based JM Transport decided the time was right to move into heavy haulage, and in particular transporting plant and construction equipment.
Keen to test the waters, proprietor Paul Chaffey had the compactor body removed from one of his 2350G ACCOs and he promptly fitted a South East Queensland Tilt Tray 'Strongback' body.
Putting the older ACCO to work was a sensible way of entering the heavy haulage fold without overcommitting and incurring the high start-up costs associated with new capital equipment, but what happened in the following few months was totally unforeseen, according to Paul.
"The heavy haulage business really took off, to the point that we needed to add another truck, and fast," Paul said.
"The Iveco trucks are great vehicles and have given me a good run over the years, so the brand was at the top of my shopping list, but that's not to say I didn't have a look at what else was out there.
"I considered other European alternatives as well as Japanese, before settling on the Stralis 8x4 AD, plus I'd heard good reports about the Stralis from some other operators."
In fitting the vehicle's body, Paul again turned to South East Queensland Tilt Tray, who commissioned an 8.3m tray and 30,000lb winch combination allowing Paul to carry loads of up to 15 tonnes. All other aspects of the truck remain totally stock and unmodified.
The Stralis features an Iveco Cursor 13 engine producing 450hp/336kW of power and 2200Nm of torque from a low 1000rpm. Paul says that while the engine has plenty of poke, the fuel economy is also impressive.
"With the 450hp, the truck has more than enough power for the sort of work we're doing and it's also very efficient," he said.
"Combined with the 16-speed AMT and an extremely comfortable cabin, it's just a great truck to drive and is providing us the scope to tackle jobs further away from our Jimboomba base than we normally would. Driving such a comfortable truck, you don't mind going a bit further."
Despite JM Transport Heavy Haulage largely focussing on transportation of construction, plant equipment and related, the team is happy to also take care of container work and other more varied loads.
The business is growing, to the extent that now Paul is just about ready to add yet another Iveco tilt tray to the fleet.
Share this article
Written byTrucksales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a trucksales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayRelated articles
Disclaimer
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.
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.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent