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A lifetime
performance
NamPower is the source of electrical energy for 1,7 million people in 823 144 square kilometres of Namibian territory - a massive challenge in a country two-thirds the size of the Republic of South Africa.
At the heart of delivering NamPower's service to Namibia are Hino and Dyna trucks that see 60% service on dirt and off-road conditions. The under-foot off-road conditions in Namibia can be so tough that tyre costs vie with fuel costs for the number one position in operating
expenses. |
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Bennie Gabrielsen - thrilled with
his fleet |
New Hino 7.145s have recently
been added to the flee |
Grand old Super Dolphin with over
700 000 kms clocked up. |
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These magnificent old Hino 14-177s have given excellent service working in on and off-road conditions.
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When it comes to ensuring service delivery at power failure sites, Hino trucks have to track through bush where there are no roads - the reason why tyre costs are so high. Roads that run through sharp shale-rock are particularly damaging to tyres - in some areas resulting in a loss of two truck tyres per trip!
Despite encountering a larger proportion of off-road operations in conditions that are sometimes severe, Hinos in the fleet have given long service. Evidence of this is seen at the NamPower Brakwater depot where a Hino 13-176 has now clocked up 612 000 kilometres. First registered in 1986, two Hino 49-380 Super Dolphins have also achieved exceptional distances of 600 000 and 712 000 kilometres pulling low-bed trailers with construction machinery, equipment and materials.
Bennie Gabrielsen, an assistant supervisor at Brakwater depot, points to the fact that a Hino Super Dolphin arrived at the depot when brand new, having covered only 1 200 kilometres and it's first task was in off-road conditions where one bulldozer cleared a path while the other pushed the Super Dolphin and loaded low-bed trailer at the rear. This tough initiation for this Super Dolphin did not weaken a lifetime performance of low-bed trailer work.
When it comes to vehicle servicing, it is not only the distance that has to be taken into account. So too must engine idle time for trucks equipped with hydraulic cranes. All these factors mean that NamPower services its Hino and Dyna fleet every 10 000 kilometres. Very dry conditions and off-road work combine to make dust a vehicle servicing challenge in Namibia.
Attending to urgent service for NamPower's electrical grid does not remove speed control disciplines, especially at night when animals can be encountered on the road. Drivers have signed a commitment to adhere to the standard speed limit of 80 kph for trucks in Namibia. All vehicles are fitted with additional long-range driving lamps. On-board vehicle monitoring systems back up driver disciplines.
When NamPower's truck fleet is required to respond to demands for electrical energy, Dynas and Hinos are there to provide reliable support transport, ensuring that Namibia is part of the 24-hour global economy.
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