Jeff Reeve says he’s not really a truck driver – concrete pumping is his game – but he was driving an impressive unit when Faye Lougher saw him in Shannon, so he’s worthy of a Just Trucking Around yarn.

The truck belongs to Wellington-based Reeve Gunite Services, specialists in concrete spraying and pumping. Jeff says his father started the company, which has been operating for more than 45 years.

Jeff has been driving trucks for about 20 years and got into that side of things out of necessity when the business outgrew the ute and trailer. He admitted he didn’t know much about the Isuzu FYJ350, other than it had an auto gearbox and rides well.

“The truck is just a way of getting from A to B. I enjoy getting concrete where it is meant to be, and I spend more time doing my job than driving to get there. If they checked my logbook, I’d be lucky to have done two hours’ driving a day.”

The unit on the back is a Sermac 4Z27. Sermac is one of the world’s main producers of concrete pumps, making boom pumps varying from 21m to 65m vertical reach. Jeff says the concrete pumping unit makes the truck a bit top heavy, and he certainly didn’t enjoy the trip over the Opiki Road between Palmerston North and Shannon.

“It’s all up and down, and you’re being kicked from one side of the lane to the other. That road is terrible.” [We know, Jeff – you’re preaching to the converted!]

Jeff says he does his best to keep the truck looking good, which is not easy considering the material he transports and works with.

“It’s two years old, and I try and keep it clean – the inside of the hopper is coated in concrete, but I think the truck still looks pretty good.”

Faye gave Jeff three vexing questions – Macintosh’s Toffees or Liquorice Allsorts; pie or hamburger; beer or wine? He opted for the toffees, a burger and a beer.