CLZ266 – 2005 KENWORTH K104

Our first inductee to the Bridgestone Million Mile Club this month has a rather interesting past sporting some very distinctive fleet liveries throughout its history.

Starting out life new for Guy and Helen Knowles, the K104 was the first Kenworth for the Palmerston North-based fleet. According to Guy it was a solid performer for them while in their care. Built with a 620hp Cummins Gen2 Signature and 18-speed Roadranger, Razor Sharp, as it was affectionately known then, was big gear in its day, and still is to be fair.

Six years later, and with a touch under 900,000km on the clock, the K104 found itself with a new coat of metallic blue paint, as it became a member of the Dynes Transport fleet of Tapanui. It was a good stint also in the blue, with about 800,000km added to the clock in just over seven years.

A move back north was next for the K104, to the East Coast with Farmers Transport, based out of Hastings. The curtainsider body was removed, and a new Jackson Enterprises stock deck and effluent tanks were fitted. According to the records, the K104 appears to have spent about three years at Farmers Transport. At some point in this tenure, the K104 surprisingly ended up on water cart duties. Not really a job befitting a truck with its pedigree and heritage; however, it certainly added a level of prestige to the world of water carting.

Midway through 2023, the truck was rescued from its water cart chores by the team at Eastland Transport of Hastings. Trent Taylor, who pilots the big K104 now, brings us up to speed. “We purchased the truck as it was found as a water cart. It really had been neglected. There was mud and dirt all through it, but with a bit of time and a bit of hard work we have brought it back to its former glory. The Cummins is running sweet, it just had a service last week and we found that it had used no oil at all since the last service, so yeah, very happy with that. We move a lot of baleage, so the Jackson Enterprises stock deck is still in place and works well for us.”

Trent says they pull a four-axle flat deck Jackson Enterprises trailer as well.

“She’s a good solid truck for us. In fact, I have just been right down south again with it, into Central Otago, and it didn’t miss a beat. We’re very happy with how well it’s doing the job; a good truck with good spec.” Yes, we definitely agree with you there Trent, built to be a solid performer, she truly has earned membership into the club.