The distinctive blue Freightliner Argosys of Canterbury-based Burnell & Son Transport are a common sight on Kiwi roads. A tidy load of roundwood on one of the Burnell trucks caught the attention of Craig McCauley and he persuaded Jordan Hillier, driver of ‘Optimus Prime,‘ to have a chat. His Detroit DD15- powered Freightliner operates as a 9-axle dropsider tipper, carting a mix of bulk and general cargo anywhere in the country. Jordan‘s career behind the wheel began in the City of Sails driving a Nissan Diesel with a truck-mounted crane for Swanson Transport before taking up residence in the South Island.

When asked what his dream truck would be Jordan replied, “Whatever I‘m driving”, and with the Argosy‘s reputation for being a good-looking, dependable rig with a well-appointed cab, who could argue? He rates the variety of work, the people you come across, and the scenery as the best aspects of the job, while the diminishing condition of New Zealand‘s roads as the worst. The mention of scenery led to our light-hearted vexing question: did he prefer to truck through the mountains or cruise alongside the coast? “The mountains,” was Jordan‘s reply.

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