S-Ways help build WA’s highways and byways

News

20 Feb

Road infrastructure is critical in a state such as Western Australia where a large landmass is populated by relatively few, meaning roads are called on to handle the lion’s share of freight movements, while also providing convenient travel for citizens.

Keeping the road network maintained at a high standard while also constructing new roadways is a major focus for the state, with transport investment forming around 45 per cent of the WA Government’s Asset Investment Program. It means that civil and roadworks companies such as Perth’s SGA Group, are playing a big part in meeting infrastructure growth. Demand for SGA’s services is also strong from airports and mining sites that have air strips, with the company often called on to lay new surfaces and then groove them to minimise the skidding and aquaplaning of aircraft.

A regular need for these services in WA and SA, has seen SGA invest heavily in its heavy truck fleet over the past four years with the company purchasing its first IVECO – an X-Way 8x4 rigid – in late 2021. Another X-Way 8x4 model followed, and more recently, four new S-Ways.

Owned by Jason Hind and Stephen Hamill, SGA’s exceptional run from its first IVECO models meant it had no hesitation in adding more to the fleet, according to Jason.

“The X-Ways have proven to be a great truck, they’ve worked in remote locations, in quarry pits and in hot environments with air con running all day; the conditions are tough and they’ve proven to be reliable, no dramas at all,” Jason said.

The latest additions are two S-Way 6x4 460 AT prime movers, an S-Way 6x4 530 AS prime mover and an S-Way 8x4 530 AS rigid. The newest 6x4 460 AT prime movers feature Euro 6 (Step E) compliant 460 hp / 2,150 Nm engines coupled to 12-speed Hi-Tronix Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs) and have a GCM of 60,000kg, while the other two trucks are rated at 530 hp / 2,400 Nm and are equipped with 16-speed versions of the Hi-Tronix AMT. GVM / GCM for the AS prime mover model is 27,600kg and 70,000kg respectively, while GVM / GCM for the AS rigid model is 32,500kg and 70,000kg.

The prime movers haul ‘walking floor’ single trailers, while the rigid features a tipping body with rear aggregate spreader.

Jason said the S-Ways’ specifications are well suited to the application.

“We’ve found that the S-Ways do the job well,” he said.

“The new ones are fitted with powder coated bull bars for added protection as well as additional lighting and stone chip guards, they’re also finished in our orange, white and grey corporate colours.

“The prime movers are a good combination with the walking floor trailers, it means they can operate nice and low, there’s no tipping needed and there’s less worry about overhead obstacles. We’ve also found their cabin heights to be lower than other trucks, which allows us to easily fit under batching plants and travel most roads.”

According to Jason, his team of drivers are enjoying the new S-Ways and were appreciative of the “little things” the trucks offered.

“Features like the flat bottom steering wheel make it easier to get in and out of the cabin and everything’s within easy reach – all the controls are wrapped around the operator. The drivers also like the ease of use of the AMT, the cabin comfort levels and the fridge/freezer units, especially in the middle of summer,” Jason said.

Having an in-house workshop with qualified mechanics, SGA Group undertakes its own servicing and Jason said that the vehicles were easy to work on.

“Maintenance on the IVECO fleet is straightforward; they’re good, reliable trucks and not overly complicated to maintain,” he said.

“Given how well the first trucks have performed and the ease of servicing, we’ve elected to stick with the standard 3 year / 750,000km warranty and haven’t taken up extended warranties.

“The purchase experience through AV Trucks and sales manager, Ryan, was also excellent and the dealership is close by should we ever need more support.”

For further information about IVECO Australia:
www.iveco.com.au