Automatic
CHOICE
for
FREIGHT
DYNAMICS
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A happy hand-over from left: Colin Shaw, Tyco International tender and business development manager; Coen Marais, divisional technical manager, Freight Dynamics; Thandeka Mgodousa, CEO Freight Dynamics; Hendrik Modise, financial manager Freight Dynamics; Tebo Shai, executive manager Freight Dynamics; Frik Smit, divisional operations manager Freight Dynamics; Walter Zikalala, marketing manager Freight Dynamics; and Mike Koch CEO Tyco International. |
Fuel economy, up-front price and loyal supplier support won the day for Tyco International recently when the company secured a 47 truck deal with Freight Dynamics, a division of Transnet.
FleetWatch was on hand to witness the delivery of the final unit - a 475hp 9800 6x4 truck tractor fitted with the Fuller RTLO-18918-AS2 Auto-shift* 18-speed transmission. This brings to 67 the number of Internationals operating in the 430 strong Freight Dynamics fleet.
In addition to the Internationals placed in the company's general cargo division, Freight Dynamics also operates 42 Freightliners in its container transport division.
Formerly a dedicated Mercedes-Benz fleet, Freight Dynamics has, over the last two years, been moving to standardise on American trucks. Divisional technical manager for Freight Dynamics, Coen Marais, reiterated South Africa's love affair with the American drivetrain - Cummins-Fuller-Rockwell - or more correctly, in this case Meritor.
Ten of the new Internationals are fitted with the AutoShift transmission while the remaining 37 come with Fuller RTLO 18913A 13-speed manual transmissions. Power comes from the 475hp Cummins ISX engine. The rear end sees Meritor RT46-160P tandem drive axles while Hendrikson air suspension keeps everything afloat. Eagle sleeper cabs featuring double sleeper bunks keep the driver and crew in true American style.
Commenting on the selection process, Freight Dynamics' Marais says comprehensive road tests and vehicle evaluations were carried out before the decision was made to put International trucks into the company's general freight division.
"We also obtained valuable input from the drivers," he says, adding that in addition to strong aftersales support, the Internationals proved themselves in terms of fuel economy and up front purchase price.
Freight Dynamics CEO, Thandeka Mgodousa, says previous relationships with Tyco International have proved Tyco's ability to support its products.
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Mike Koch,CEO
Tyco International and Freight Dynamics CEO, Thandeka Mgodousa |
And here's an interesting one: As far as the fitment of the AutoShift transmission is concerned, Mgodousa says this feature will assist the company in its efforts to get female drivers behind the wheel. "I am going for a heavy truck licence myself and I will use a truck fitted with the AutoShift to get it," she says.
Not a bad idea but one must question the wisdom of commercial truck drivers getting a licence with the 'assistance' of an automatic transmission. What happens when they jump into a truck fitted with a manual gearbox?
Noting the introduction of the Autoshift transmission into the Freight Dynamics fleet, Colin Shaw, Tyco's tender and business development manager, says it has significant advantages in terms of fuel economy, reduced driver stress and enhanced safety.
The AutoShift transmission is an advanced shift-by-wire system consisting of an Eaton Fuller heavy-duty transmission that communicates with electronic engine management systems providing precise control of the engine and transmission functions. The clutch is used only for starting and stopping.
Once the vehicle is in motion, AutoShift operates like an automatic transmission but with the efficiency of a manual transmission. The sophisticated microprocessor technology also skip-shifts when load and shifting conditions permit.
According to Eaton Fuller, the technology operates the transmission the way a veteran heavy haul driver would, extending the life of the drivetrain, saving fuel and running more efficiently. Shifting on grades is optimised by a smooth automatic interface with engine brakes. It also offers unique hold and manual shift features.
For his part, Tyco CEO Mike Koch says taking the US Dollar/SA Rand exchange rate into consideration, buying a truck currently represents a very good investment.
"The way things stand at the moment and taking cognisance of interest rates and other price increases, after operating a truck for five years you could almost get all your money back."
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