Still looking the part with a million on the clock, DDS411 is based out of Palmerston North. Photo: Derek Tankersley.

DDS411 has been a solid truck, needing only the basics. Grant explains: “Yeah, DDS411 has had an oil cooler at 935,000km and a new turbo at 943,000km. It also had an air compressor head at about the 1,000,000km mark, and then a water pump at about 1.2. But up to this point, the internals are all original, with the top never been taken off the ISX-475. So, yeah, again a great performer. Also, another point that is worth noting is that both trucks got a million Ks out of their clutches.”

The simplicity of the trucks’ specifications lies at the core of the reliability that PTS has experienced with these rigs.

Cummins Gen-two ISX engines at 475hp, mated up to version one Eaton AutoShift transmissions, with 46,000lb Meritor axles and International’s own IROS suspension, has certainly been a winning combination for many operators.

Grant sums it up: “It is all good gear that, if maintained correctly, will last. The proof of this is that both trucks have never had a major issue at COF time, maybe a universal joint or something, but they normally breeze through inspection.”