Ken Bell caught up with Nic Sneddon while he was waiting to ascend the access road to the new wind farm being built at Ferndale in eastern Southland.

Nic was driving a Kenworth C500 owned by McNeilly Heavy Haulage based in Dunedin and Timaru. The C500 is rated at 150-tonne GCM and powered by a Caterpillar C15 engine at 525hp. On this load was a No.3 tower section, weighing 52 tonnes and measuring 37m long.

Nic is a contract driver with a wide variety of experience, having previously worked for Fulton Hogan on oversize and heavy haulage work for three years. Prior to this he worked at Skevingtons on similar work, as well as for Alexanders on LPG deliveries around Otago and Southland. He’s done seasonal milk transfers as well.

Outside of work Nic enjoys following his children’s sports and leisurely jet skiing.

When asked the vexing question, Jimmies or McGregors? (Otago people will get it), he replied: “Jimmies pies every time!”