Scania R620: Loader Transport's flash new truck
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Deals on Wheels drops by Loader Transport in Hawke’s Bay to check out its latest acquisition: a brand new Scania R620 truck.
Brent Loader started Loader Transport in Hawke’s Bay in 2001 with "one old Volvo" and has gradually built up from there. Now he has six trucks and employs five drivers – this includes two part-timers who work during the fruit season.
Because much of the work in Hawke’s Bay is seasonal, Brent has also added two diggers, a front-end loader and a grader. "It’s another portion of business that in winter, when everyone is vying for the same work, we can go off and do something else. We still use the trucks but instead of six trucks, we run three."
Loader Transport carts containers, structural steel, precast concrete and produce such as apples and kiwifruit throughout the North Island.
The R260, which we’re here to visit, is mighty spunky-looking, with its blue wave paint finish, courtesy of Robyn’s design and paint finish by Rob Walker from Rob Walker Panel Beaters and Spray Painters in Masterton.
Settling down with a cuppa, Brent talks about the Scania: "We wanted a premium truck, something that was a flagship for our business. It didn’t start off to be a statement but that’s how it’s ended up.
"A new truck like this is a huge commitment for small operators like us. There’s the equivalent to a house sitting out there."
Initially he thought he wanted a multi-purpose truck – one that could be a tractor unit or with a deck added, a truck and trailer. But having thought a bit harder about it, he realised he had enough work to warrant getting a tractor unit.
"With the Isuzu which we bought new – we wanted it to work every day so it had to be able to do two or three different jobs. But over the last 12-18 months our company has grown and I realised we didn’t need to make this a multi-purpose truck, so away we went adding the features we wanted on it."
Hastings-based Deakin Engineering Ltd carried out the build on the Scania.
"We went for an Opti Cruise transmission with a two pedal system and no clutch, as recommended by CablePrice. A 620, V8 engine because these appear to be reliable and fuel-efficient – more so than the six-cylinder ones. The 620 was the former 580 engine but tweaked a little – whereas the 730 is completely new and I tend to not want to have things that are brand new – they can have teething problems. We went for the high-line cab to allow more space inside. We opted to put bunks in there, too, as both myself and our main driver have kids and kids tend to want to come with you."
Brent is enthusiastic about the Scania’s auto transmission. "We have two other trucks with auto transmission but the technology in the Scania is in another league altogether. It’s way more intelligent than any of the others. It has so much power that whatever decision it makes, whatever gear it decides on, it can handle it, and if it makes a wrong choice it will simply pull away from that situation."
He adds: "Fuel economy was another deciding factor and in fact, that’s what won it for the Scania. Based on what it says it will do, we calculated fuel savings over 400,000kms of around $120,000. If that’s correct, it will save enough money in fuel to justify the extra money we’ve spent."
Another thing Brent likes is Scania’s in-built driver support system that analyses driver performance in real time and coaches the driver with tips and hints. He spent time learning all about this so he was able to in turn, coach his drivers.
Meanwhile, Loader’s four-axle Roadmaster quad trailer is also rather unique: "It has demountable decks – it can be a skeletal trailer today and once the decks are clipped on, it becomes a flat deck trailer."
Scania R620
Scania Opticruise comes with new performance modes to further optimise fuel efficiency. Fully integrated with the cruise control Scania Active Prediction, the new economy mode provides fuel savings of up to four or five percent.
The G- and R-series have redesigned front corners and refined airflow along the sides. The restyled sun visor fitted with optional auxiliary lights give a new, wind-cheating roofline. The results are not only better fuel economy, but a smoother look as well.
More fuel saving improvements includes the new Euro 6 engine range, with savings of up to two percent. A new disengaging brake compressor is also introduced with Euro 6. To round things off, optimising the oil level in the new low-drag gearbox has resulted in further fuel cuts. All in all, every detail matters.
Read the full article in issue #263 of Deals on Wheels magazine. Subscribe here.
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