We revisit the trucks that graced the covers of New Zealand Trucking magazine in 2013.

Now registered JYS845.
Photo: Waimiha Enterprises.

Pussycat or lion?

Cat CT630 C15

• Currently owned by: Waimiha Enterprises, Cambridge, since April 2023.
• Odo reading: 592,315km.
• Mechanical work: Turbo hose previously replaced.
• Current work profile: Local transporter/four-axle tipping trailer work.
• Current driver: David Powell.
• Interesting facts: Paint to remain original, but stripe colours will be changed.
• What we said in 2013: “Only time will tell how successful this brand’s effort to penetrate the market will be, but as it stands at the moment, it would be hard to walk past one.”

January/February

I ME0W, originally featured in the colours of Ruakuri Contracting, Te Kuiti.

GLH560 now in Bulk Lines livery.
Photo: Bulk Lines.

Ultra Inter

International 9800i 63TS 8×4 Eagle highway day cab

• Currently owned by: Bulk Lines, since November 2021.
• Odo reading: 1,150,726km.
• Mechanical work: Cab and chassis painted by Brokers Waitara in 2022. Full engine rebuild mid-October 2023 at 1,150,000km.
• Current work profile: Transporting fertiliser and rendering products between Taranaki and Manawatu and occasionally into Waikato.
• Current driver: Paul Locker.
• Interesting facts: Bulk Lines purchased Jackson Transport in November 2021. Original driver Keith Colban still works for the company.
• What we said in 2013: “It’s a better product than the previous version, and it’s not giving anything away to its competitors.”

March

GLH560, originally owned by Jackson Transport, New Plymouth.

Ten years later and still barking.
Photo: Road Metals.

Macksimum loyalty

Mack Trident 6×4 day cab

• Currently owned by: Road Metals, Christchurch.
• Odo reading: 786,000km.
• Mechanical work: Nothing other than general R&M in line with its age.
• Current work profile: General aggregate cartage for roading and subdivisions in the Canterbury area.
• Current driver: Nicholas Helem.
• What we said in 2013: “Mack’s new Trident has an overwhelming sense of bulk when you take a walk around it … it looks as staunch as.”

April

GND457 as a fresh pup in the Road Metals fleet.

Lew Prince Logging now runs GHM522 off-highway.
Photo: Lew Prince Logging.

A mountain goat with manners

Scania G420 CB8x6HHZ

• Currently owned by: Lew Prince Logging, Taupo, since 2018.
• Odo reading: 584,723km.
• Mechanical work: Replacement motor about seven months ago.
• Current work profile: Off-highway stage truck.
• Current driver: Various drivers depending on location.
• What we said in 2013: “We might well be seeing more 8x6s working the type of tough country that stops other rigs in their tracks…”

May

GHM522 new to McCarthy Transport, Whanganui.

GSQ27: Now at work for Ireland Contracting, Tokoroa.
Photo: Sander Peeters.

X-factor

Volvo FMX13 HRX 8×4 rigid B-ride 8×4 day cab

• Currently owned by: Ireland Contracting, Tokoroa, since February 2018.
• Odo reading: 475,000km.
• Mechanical work: Nothing to report other than general oil changes.
• Current work profile: Dropside rural work.
• Current driver: Various drivers.
• What we said in 2013: “The FMX has broadened the FM’s grazing territory.”

June

GSQ27 was a jewel for Addline, Tauranga.

GSK959 has only recently joined the King House Removal fleet and awaits its adaptation for house removals.
Photo: King House Removals.

Fulton Hogan’s 250-tonne beast

Mercedes-Benz Actros 3365S/39 SLT 6×4 MegaSpace cab

• Currently owned by: King House Removals, Invercargill, since July 2023.
• Odo reading: 452,000km.
• Current work profile: Delivering houses and heavy haulage work.
• Interesting facts: Still to go on the road, currently awaiting painting, engineering and mechanical checks.
• What we said in 2013: “That big V8 growling away under the floorboards and the remarkable capabilities of the SLT Merc … means his [original driver Stephen Taylor] is a job that would be hard to beat…”

July

GSK959 doing the heavy lifting for Fulton Hogan Heavy Haul, Dunedin.

Now MQA548, MTP03 operates for Langford Transport out of Te Puke.
Photo: Langford Transport.

Night moves

DAF XF105.510 FAD Space Cab Airglider

• Currently owned by: Langford Transport, Te Puke, since December 2022.
• Odo reading: 1,400,000km.
• Mechanical work: None under Langford’s ownership.
• Current work profile: General and kiwi fruit cartage.
• Current driver: Adam Gilmour.
• What we said in 2013: “The XF was one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, but the secret is out as the past couple of years has seen impressive sales of the model…”

August

MTP03 was part of a twin test, alongside MTP05, run by Michael Pickford out of Palmerston North for NZ Post.

BushMAN

MAN TGS 35.540 8×4

What we said in 2013: “It may be that MAN might start carving itself a slice of the logging market, to add to the increasing numbers of linehaul trucks it is putting on our roads.”

September

GNY949 was originally owned by Pilbrow Transport, Maungaturoto. Unfortunately, we were unable to track down the current owners or details of the TGS.

GWM571 still looking and running good, its trailer now featuring an extra axle.
Photo: Satherley Logging

No-nonsense Kenworth

Kenworth T659 8×4

• Currently owned by: Satherley Logging, Napier.
• Odo reading: 1,131,197km.
• Mechanical condition: Engine rebuild at 771,000km (June 2019). Trailer converted from four axle to five axle in 2016.
• Current work profile: Logging in and around Hawke’s Bay.
• Current driver: No permanent driver currently.
• Interesting facts: Original driver Lance Wichman reckons it still goes as well as it ever did. Owner Bevan Satherley says it’s one of the best trucks the company has owned.
• What we said in 2013: “We’d predict that Game Over is going to be a feature of the East Coast for a decade or two.”

October

GWM571 fresh on the road for Satherley Logging, Napier.

Today, EZYONE is a big mover for Easy Moves, Glen Eden.
Photo: Easy Moves.

EDSDOG continues Mack traditions

Mack Super-Liner CLXT 6×4

• Currently owned by: Easy Moves, Glen Eden, since April 2020.
• Odo reading: 1,073,749km.
• Current work profile: House moving.
• Current driver: Troy Etting.
• Interesting facts: Also used to transport Troy and Connor Etting’s race trucks.
• What we said in 2013: “The name Super-Liner doesn’t do this truck justice.”

November

Eddie Tahakarania originally ran EDSDOG for Owens.

The 7600TS WorkStar still doing duty for Mondiale.
Photo: Mondiale Freight Services.

International’s latest legend

International 7600TS WorkStar 8×4 day cab

• Currently owned by: Mondiale Freight Services, Auckland.
• Current odo reading: 542,747km.
• Mechanical work: Some major repairs done to XY shifter, diff lock, DPF and coolant leaks.
• Current work profile: Transporting shipping containers.
• Current driver: Narinder Singh.
• What we said in 2013: “A good, sturdy vocational truck.”

December

GZN326 as new for Mondiale Freight Services, Auckland.