In the rugged and breathtaking terrain of Tasmania’s snow-capped Great Lakes, a revolution in logging transportation is quietly unfolding.

At the heart of this revolutionary transformation is Scania’s latest R770 V8, an engineering powerhouse with unique features, redefining efficiency and performance in the logging industry. With its impressive fuel economy, reduced trip times and notable operating savings, new owner Brendan Rowe sums it up: “The R770 is not just a truck – it’s a game-changer.”

As a second-generation logger, Brendan or ‘Jock’, as he prefers, could have chosen to stick to what he knows and kept life simple. However, by embracing the power of a new 770hp Scania V8, this traditional logger has proven two undeniable truths: He is not afraid of change, and he does have a lot to talk about.

Jock’s success story is not a solo act. He worked closely with Leigh Curran, owner of Scania’s Tasmanian dealership C & I Transport Repairs, and Scania account manager Neil Wesley. Their collective effort ensured the specification of the new R770 was well suited to the gruelling challenges of Tasmanian log haulage.

According to Jock, the decision to wait for a factory-built truck was indeed worthwhile because it hasn’t put a foot out of place since it arrived.

“Leigh and Neil were fastidious when it came to setting up this truck, particularly because it is the first Scania to enter Tasmanian logging in more than a decade. Their efforts and meticulous attention to detail are paying off because what’s initially impressed me is the exceptional fuel economy,” Jock says. “We’re getting 2.9km/L (34.48L/100 km), and it can only improve as the truck loosens up.”

The tenacious power output and incredible downhill retardation capability have cut trip times by more than an hour compared with Jock’s older trucks.

“On a good day, the best fuel economy I could get out of my older trucks was 1.9km/L (52.63L/100 km), and they’d take 40 to 50 minutes longer to descend the mountain than the new Scania,” Jock explains.

“The fuel savings I’m getting more than cover the monthly truck payment,” he adds. “Equally impressive is the three- year/800,000km extended warranty and the 500,000km service package that Scania provides.”

The DC16 770 V8 integrates advanced engine management systems that optimise performance and economy. It’s an engine well-suited to logging applications. The combination of high horsepower and torque means that the engine can handle the high-speed requirements of highway driving and the low-speed, high-power and torque demands of off-road logging. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for the varied conditions faced in the logging industry.

Jock has nothing but praise for high torque delivered at lower rpm, as it allows the vehicle to start smoothly and move heavy loads with ease.

“I like the low-revving, high-torque performance of the 770hp V8. It reminds me of my old V8 Super-Liner. The Scania motor likes working in the 1000-1400rpm range; that’s the sweet spot. Anything over that, and you’re wasting fuel and time,” Jock explains. “This is particularly beneficial for my logging job where I must navigate rough, uneven, and sometimes, like today, muddy and slippery conditions.”

The slick-shifting Scania GRSO926R Opticruise transmission seamlessly changes gear ratios, also highly beneficial in forestry applications. It features a more efficient gear-shifting system that enhances fuel economy and provides smoother transitions, which are crucial for maintaining momentum on challenging terrain often encountered in logging.

The transmission’s durability and increased torque capacity are ideal for handling the heavy loads typical in logging operations. Additionally, the Opticruise system includes automated clutch control and intelligent driving modes that adapt to varying conditions, improving overall vehicle performance and driver comfort.

Descending the mountain from Tasmania’s Great Lakes region, the Scania R4100D retarder enhances safety, providing consistent and controlled braking power by utilising an auxiliary braking system that operates on hydraulic principles. It is integrated into the vehicle’s transmission and functions by converting kinetic energy into heat, dissipating it through the truck’s cooling system.

One of the key advantages of the Scania retarder is its ability to deliver continuous braking force without the risk of overheating, maintaining a steady braking force, thereby preventing brake fade and ensuring consistent performance. Moreover, the retarder’s braking power is adjustable, which allows Jock to tailor the level of braking force to match the specific demands of the descent. And, unlike a Jake brake, you can still change gear when the retarder is engaged.

“If you want to know how well a truck performs, then take it on a test run up here,” Jock says with a smile that suggests he’s done this before. “In my other trucks, when you’re coming down the mountain, with the engine brake crackling, they struggle to hold the truck, even in lower gears, and we’re constantly forced to stand on the brake pedal to prevent engine overruns. Furthermore, the road speed is much slower than in the new Scania; sometimes, it can take 40 minutes longer to come down the mountain.”

The hub reduction design distributes the torque more evenly across the axle components. This reduces the strain on the central differential and other drivetrain parts, leading to longer service life and reduced maintenance needs.

The main advantage is that the input torque gets reduced twice, first in the differential centre and then through the planetary drive wheel ends. Reduction gears in the hubs increase the torque delivered to the wheels, providing superior traction on slippery, muddy, or uneven surfaces. This is crucial in logging operations where vehicles frequently operate off- road and need reliable traction to avoid getting bogged down.

Another advantage, especially for logging trucks that operate in deeply rutted bush tracks like Jock’s Scania, is the high ground clearance. It has 322mm ground clearance at the diff centre. The double reduction process means a smaller diameter crown wheel is required compared with a single reduction diff typically found on a highway truck.

Scania’s Neil Wesley adds that Jock had some very firm operating parameters when shopping for his new truck.

“He was adamant the new truck delivers high productivity in terms of trip times. But, critically, tare weight, reliability, durability, safety and ground clearance were important factors. The way the logging industry is structured here in Tasmania, you must keep your trucks on the road as long as possible, hauling as much as possible from the forest.

“We have a unique logging specification that includes essential safety features such as roll stability, ESP, EBS and built-in load scales, all of which help the drivers to do their jobs better and in greater safety. Furthermore, Scania’s logging spec truck is the ideal solution for forestry hauliers, like Jock, because of our Scandinavian logging expertise, plus our complete in-house engineering, our safety and, of course, V8 power. Jock’s experience with the new V8 proves that,” Neil adds.

“I’m indeed impressed with this Scania,” Jock concludes. “Especially the productivity gain from reduced trip times and savings I’m achieving thanks to the Scania’s fuel economy. Unsurprisingly, I’m seriously contemplating the setting up of another Scania log truck.”