ISSUE #1 2014

Five in a row for Hino

HIRE PURCHASE Contractor enjoys 20 years of Hino reliability

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT Bridgestone tyres make the grade

TOTAL PROTECTION Hino Genuine batteries built to last

DAKAR RALLY 2014

2 ISSUE #3 2013 3Torque

In this issue

3

Inside line

Torque

The start of the new year has signalled the next phase of Hino’s continuing development in Australia, and that is good news for our business partners – dealers, suppliers and customers alike.

In early February the president of Hino Motors, Yasuhiko Ichihashi, flew to Australia

for just one day to ratify the appointment of a new chairman and CEO, and a new

president and COO. The details are covered inside this edition of Torque but it’s

appropriate to give perspective to what the changes mean.

For a start, they’re anything but dramatic. They are a natural evolution created by

the move back to Japan of our chairman of the last four-and-a-half-years, Ken

Sekine. Ken came to Australia at the time of the global financial crisis and his

firm hand on the wheel has guided us through a period of concern for all in the

community. At a time when, frankly, our customers needed help, we’ve been able

to be there for them.

Our reward has been that Hino remains firmly the number two truck brand in this

country, but even more importantly, our customers have benefited from our actions.

With Ken’s departure I’ve been promoted to the role of Chairman and CEO. It’s not

possible to do anything other than express how honoured, proud and excited I am

to be given the opportunity to lead the Hino Australia team.

As part of the process of evolution I’m joined by a new President and COO

Shunichi (Sean) Takahashi. Sean is a man of the world. He’s worked in several

countries and is knowledgeable and well connected. That means a lot when it

comes to opening opportunities for Hino and its business partners.

Most importantly, Sean is a Hino true believer.

He said in his acceptance that in the last five years alone Hino’s global stock price

has risen seven-fold – and regretted he’d not invested back then.

Well, we think there’s still time.

This issue of Torque gives all the reasons why. On top of strong customer demand

in 2013, there’s new product arriving now, increased investment by our dealers,

and innovation coming from the factory and its technical partners. We’ve even

taken on a new corporate identity at dealerships across the nation.

The bottom line of all this activity is that Hino has shifted up another gear.

We’ve used the worst of the difficult times to build a strong base – one that

everyone in our network can trust. Now it’s time to build on that foundation.

The arrival of Mr Ichihashi in Australia for our executive handover was a clear

indication of the culture of Hino, one that respects its people and makes this a

company with a strong future.

It is my intention, and that of my team, to ensure Hino continues to be a brand of

choice for our customers, the franchise of choice for our dealers and the employer

of choice for our employees.

By focusing on those objectives Hino will continue to grow in relevance to its

customers, to the trucking industry and to the community at large.

Steve Lotter

President

Hino Motor Sales Australia

4 NEWSThe latest Hino and truck-related news

6 DAKAR RALLY 2014This year Hino Team Sugawara notched up its fifth consecutive class win in the world’s toughest off-road sprint race

10 GOING THE DISTANCEA fencing and event hire company has enjoyed 20 years’ service from some of its Hino fleet

11 THE GENUINE ARTICLEHino’s new range of batteries are made in Australia to withstand our tough conditions

12 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENTThe thorough development and testing of Bridgestone tyres make them the perfect fit for Hino

13 MOVING ON UPA Tasmanian removals business has upgraded to a new Hino 500 Series

14 HI-WAY TO SUCCESSQueensland dealership group Hi-WAY 1 has added the Rockhampton Hino franchise to its growing stable

15 FLEET TRAININGHino provides comprehensive training for local government service fleets

16 FISHING FOR FLATHEADFind out how to bag your share of Australia’s most common fish

18 TRIED AND TESTEDToyota’s rugged LandCruiser 70 Series has been a staple of the Australian Outback for more than half a century

COVER STORY

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^ Free reverse camera (including installation) on all 300 series models offer applies to any new Hino 300 series cab chassis or built to go

model ordered between 1, January and 31, March 2014. Available at participating Hino dealers only. See hino.com.au for full details.

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4 ISSUE #3 2013 5Torque

news newsnews news

Strong sales for Hino and Toyota in 2013

Hino appoints Australian as new Chairman and CEO

Hino helps develop world-first refrigeration technology

Hino has appointed of Steve Lotter to the position of Chairman and CEO of Hino Motor Sales Australia.

Mr Lotter was previously President and Chief Operating Officer and has held executive roles at Hino Motor Sales Australia and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia for more than 35 years.

He was welcomed by incumbent Hino Chairman and CEO Kenichi Sekine, who returned to Japan after more than four years in Australia.

“Steve and I have worked closely together, and I am very glad that his efforts have been recognised by this appointment,” Mr Sekine said.

“The past four-and-a-half years have been both challenging and exciting; I would like to thank everyone at Hino Australia and the Hino dealer network for their strong support.”

General Manager of Overseas Planning at Hino Motors in Japan, Shunichi (Sean) Takahashi, took up the role of President and COO vacated by Mr Lotter.

Mr Takahashi also has more than 30 years’ experience with Hino and Toyota, having previously held positions such as Director of Toyota Brazil and Toyota Argentina.

“I’m very excited to join Hino Australia at a time when Hino is building the highest quality, most reliable and durable trucks it’s ever made while focusing on providing total support to all its customers,” Mr Takahashi said.

“Hino is a brand Australians know and trust and I look forward to working with Steve, the Hino Australia team and the entire dealer network around the country.”

Hino Australia began the year by rolling-out a new national corporate identity program, with prominent new pylon signs as the centrepiece.

Other elements of the program include directional signs and Hino-branded internal and external signs at dealerships.

Hino Australia Dealer Development Manager Paul Tuffy said the new signage gives the brand a bold, contemporary look.

“The new pylon signs in particular really stand out on the streetscape,” he said.

New South Wales’ West Orange Motors and Sci-Fleet Hino at Nerang and Hi-WAY 1 at Forest Glen in Queensland were the first dealerships to receive the new signage.

“We’re looking forward to the new signage being rolled out nationally throughout the course of 2014,” Mr Tuffy said.

Hino has drawn on its hybrid drivetrain expertise while partnering with automotive parts manufacturer Denso Corporation to create a world-first in truck refrigeration technology.

The new Hino/Denso system uses energy generated by the hybrid system, both while driving and braking, to operate the refrigerator’s compressor.

The Hino/Denso refrigeration system debuted in Japan at the beginning of February on the heavy duty Hino Profia (known locally as the 700 Series).

Compared with conventional truck refrigeration systems which require an auxiliary engine or power from the main engine to run the compressor, the Hino/Denso system provides improved fuel economy, more consistent refrigeration performance and quieter running.

The lack of an auxiliary engine delivers a weight reduction of approximately 150 kilograms, and

simplifies truck refrigeration set-up and maintenance through the inclusion of fewer parts.

The system contains a stand-by unit that can be connected to an external power source to maintain refrigeration when the truck engine is switched off for extended periods.

The stand-by unit also has a timer function which can automatically pre-freeze the refrigerated room.

Hino Australia Product Planning Manager Daniel Petrovski said the new refrigeration system underlines what is possible with Hino’s hybrid expertise and its willingness to partner with industry experts to develop better products.

“Hino’s engineers are constantly looking for better ways to improve the efficiency and performance of its vehicles,” Mr Petrovski said.

“The fuel savings resulting from this innovation means that the new Hino Profia’s (700 Series) fuel efficiency beats Japan’s 2015 standards by five per cent.

“And the reduced ongoing running costs from simplifying the refrigeration system will make for an even better cost-performance proposition for owners and operators,” he said.

New year, new look for Hino

New auto Hino off-roaders arrive in AustraliaThe first mid-sized 4WD Hino crew cab trucks with a fully automatic transmission have landed in Australia.

The 500 series GT 1322 chassis units have been bought by the Tasmanian Fire Service.

For the first time they are custom-built with the Allison 2500 series transmission.

The Tasmanians are so keen on automatics that for some time Hino has been pulling out manual gearboxes and retro-fitting Allisons for them.

Hino is responding to the sort of customer demand which has also seen the competing Isuzu FTS 800 crew cab model offer the Allison gearbox option.

Hino product planning manager Daniel Petrovski says 4WD automatics are a natural

choice for rural fire services, making the job “so much easier” compared with a manual.

“There’s no need to worry about what gear you’re in, or gear changes, or tackling the hills off-road,” Petrovski says.

To that he could add that fire brigade officers who are also driving – as is often the case – can more safely use a fire radio handpiece in their left hand without also having to juggle changing gears.

“You can’t beat the automatic off-road for hill climbing ability,” he says. “This vehicle will go where a manual will struggle just due to the torque converter being able to deliver the torque smoothly to the tyres without wheel spin.

“So it allows you to get up those steep, gnarly hills a lot easier.”

Words and image courtesy of www.fullyloaded.com.au

Toyota HiLux was Australia’s best-selling light-commercial and four-wheel drive vehicle in 2013.

Steve Lotter

Hino’s strong sales results in 2013 were helped by the introduction of ProShift 6 AMT on 500 Series FC (pictured) and FD models.

Hino Australia and parent company Toyota Australia both enjoyed strong sales results in 2013.

Hino Motor Sales Australia sold 4,156 vehicles in 2013 – growing its share of the total truck market to 15.8 per cent.

Hino’s sales performance was largely driven by the increasing popularity of automatic transmission and ProShift automated manual transmission (AMT) models.

“This is a continuation of a long-term trend because of the greater comfort and ease of operation that they provide to drivers on traffic-congested routes,” said Hino Australia’s Divisional Manager of Sales, James Morris.

The 300 Series 616 and 617 models – the only light duty trucks in Australia to offer a true automatic transmission – enjoyed a seven per cent increase in sales over 2012.

300 Series sales were also boosted by the growing popularity of its Built To Go model variants – Tipper, TradeAce and SteelAce – all now available with an automatic transmission option.

Hino’s share of the Medium Duty truck

market grew to 29.6 per cent in 2013, with the introduction of the ProShift 6 AMT on 500 Series FC and FD models helping to increase their sales by 11.9 per cent over the previous year.

Hino’s heavy duty 700 Series enjoyed a 31.4 per cent increase in sales to 127 units.

Meanwhile, Toyota Australia extended its overall automotive market leadership to an 11th consecutive year.

Toyota Corolla was Australia’s best-selling car and Camry stretched its run as the top-selling mid-size car to 20 consecutive years.

Toyota remained the commercial-vehicle sales leader for the 35th year running.

HiLux, in 4x2 and 4x4 variants, was Australia’s best-selling light-commercial and four-wheel drive vehicle retaining its mantle as the country’s workhorse of choice.

Toyota HiAce van and bus also topped their respective segments.

LandCruiser Prado was Australia’s best-selling Large Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in 2013, while sales of the latest-generation RAV4 increased by 15.9 per cent to 16,983.

6 ISSUE #3 2013 7Torque6 ISSUE #1 2014 7Torque

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Seventy-two-year-old Yoshimasa Sugawara is known as the Iron Man of the Dakar. He’s the head of the semi-works Hino team that this year claimed its record fifth successive class victory in the world’s most demanding off-road sprint race.

THE FABULOUS FIVE

He has now competed in 32 Dakar rallies. For the first nine years he raced motorcycles and rally raid four-wheel drives. But it was in 1992, when he persuaded Hino to use the Dakar as a high speed proving ground, that he really hit the big time. Since then the native of Hokkaido has seldom been far away from the podium.

In fact, along with his 41-year-old son Teruhito, Hino Team Sugawara has claimed 14 class victories – the last five of them in a row.

The diminutive Yoshi, with the thick-lensed spectacles and motocross kidney belt to withstand the incessant pummelling of off-road competition, is anything but a bystander. He builds, tests and then races the trucks, giving Teruhito (who admittedly these days is a bit quicker) no quarter.

For Hino, the decision to back the Sugawaras and go racing was a bold move. The Dakar

Rally is not only the world’s most demanding off-road event, it’s also the most dangerous, and the most controversial.

Seventy people – competitors, spectators, even the founding organiser – have been killed during competition.

Six years ago it moved from its traditional base in the deserts of North Africa because the political situation had become untenable. It found a new home in South America in the middle of summer, where temperatures soar to more than 40 degrees Celsius and where vehicles can climb in heavy sand from sea level to 3000 metres in one day’s racing.

Hino, now in its 23rd year of Dakar competition,

has kept clear of both political imbroglio and on-track catastrophe, but is immersed in what makes the Dakar great – taking on, and beating, the harshest conditions in motor sport.

Hino uses its 500 Series as the basis for its competitive vehicles – and in truth the base

trucks are not that far from series production. When father and son claimed their one-two victory in the Under 10-litre category this year, Teruhito was using the eight-litre JO8 series engine and Yoshi the 8.9-litre AO9C engine, both of which are available in Hino 500 Series trucks sold in Australia.

While they were putting out more power and torque thanks to ECUs which allow engineers to purpose-tune them for each special stage, when you come right down to it they are in effect high speed test beds for future Hino development.

The Sugawaras may come from the cold country of Hokkaido but their workshop is an annex at Hino’s headquarters and their service crew is made up of senior factory technicians and engineers. Even the Hino chairman turns up to look and learn.

This year’s Dakar Rally was special for Hino

and the team. The decision had been taken to upgrade from the 485hp JO8 series engine – now sporting common-rail injection and running through a highly efficient ECU – and to prepare for a full-on assault in 2015 using the 600hp AO9C.

The goal in 2015 will be to elevate the Under 10-litre category winner into outright contention in the truck category, taking on vehicles with 50 per cent more capacity and power and beating at least some of them with sheer technological innovation.

In 2014 Teruhito drove the proven vehicle while Yoshi claimed the prototype.

A newly commissioned heavy duty Hino 700 Series ZS, with a special body and 20-inch wheels (replacing the 24-inch so they’d be compatible with the race trucks), were all shipped to South America via a warm-up race at

Rally Mongolia and a test track in France.

On day three of the Dakar it looked like any hope of a 1-2 victory was gone. Teruhito had arrived at a mountain crevice to find the way blocked by a crashed truck. He tried to squeeze by and went over the edge, landing on his side. But 1000Nm of torque allied with a series of jacks and pullies can do wonders, and although late into control the number two truck (Yoshi always drives Number One) was back in the event.

This year’s Dakar was a car-killer. At the front of the field in their rally raid buggies legends like Carlos Sainz and Robby Gordon succumbed – twice world rally champion Sainz with a shoulder injury after his second crash. Better than a third of the field failed to finish and it’s a testament only to tenacity than many others made it to the finish. Three people died this year – a motorcyclist and two journalists.

Hino’s Dakar Dominance• 23 consecutive finishes

• 5 consecutive victories (2010–2014) and 14 wins overall in 10-litre or smaller truck category

• 1st team to make a 1-2-3 sweep in the Truck category (1997)

• 1st Japanese truck maker to enter Dakar (1991)

Yoshi Sugawara is a veteran of 32 Dakar rallies.

9Torque

Road to Dakar 2014

Team Sugawara’s preparations for Dakar 2014 began almost as soon as the dust settled at the conclusion of the 2013 edition. Changes included fine-tuning the 500 Series race truck’s aerodynamics, cooling, steering stability and suspension damping.

The modified truck was tested on Hino’s Hamura test course in Japan in mid-July, before being shipped to Mongolia to contest the eight-day Rally Mongolia event in August.

The 3000-kilometre round trip from Mongolian capital Ulan Bator to the middle of the Gobi Desert is contested in conditions similar to those found in South America, making it the ideal environment to test the revisions and additions made to the truck.

The Hino 500 Series truck put in an impressive performance, finishing the race in third place in the four-wheel division, which included cars.

Later in the year Team Sugawara launched its two new race trucks in front of a huge crowd of motorsport fans on a special skidpan set up on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay.

Heavy duty supportFor the 2014 Dakar race Hino Team Sugawara upgraded to a new 700 Series support truck, replacing the original 700 Series support vehicle it first used in the 2004 event.

Building on the rugged foundations of Hino’s 700 Series ZS 6x4 chassis, Team Sugawara’s tough support truck featured a 350-litre freshwater tank for cleaning and laundry, retractable staircases and ladders, specialist storage boxes for fragile equipment such as windshields, a motorised crane with 300-kilogram load capacity, as well as a generator with welder and air compressor.

Following the Sugawara competitors at full race speed meant a rethink of some of the systems on the 700 Series ZS. The standard wheels and tyres were replaced in favour of the same 20-inch wheels and 14-inch-wide tyres fitted to the 500 Series race truck for easy parts sharing in the event of an emergency, while the fuel tank’s volume was increased from 300 to 800 litres to ensure the truck wouldn’t leave its drivers stranded.

8 ISSUE #1 2014

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9Torque

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Hino has never failed to finish, although one year it was disqualified on technical grounds. It’s a source of pride to Yoshi Sugawara. His philosophy, ingrained in Teruhito, has been to win at the slowest possible speed.

Over 14 days of competition the Hinos had to cover 5212 racing kilometres out of a total 9209km – and the transport stages were not much less demanding than the special stages. Testing one truck while trying to fettle the other to victory was challenging, made moreso by heat and on one occasion rain which caused a stage cancellation.

Changes were constant, particularly on Yoshi’s truck where suspension development was especially important to make the new 500 Series bullet-proof for its 2015 assault. Almost daily the ‘Iron Man’ would call for suspension modification; not to make his ride easier but to cushion the Hino from the incessant pounding which can break the vehicle and force retirement. Teruhito’s job was made easier mid-rally when his major competitor, a German brand, did break.

The Hino crew trialled new axles equipped with hub reduction mechanisms to increase ground clearance and improve terrain-crossing ability. They fitted up disc brakes all round. One of the goals was to deliver greater torque over a broader rev range and to find more acceleration when the surfaces are hard-packed.

The Hino’s advantage over the larger trucks is in the dunes, but if it’s going to be outright competitive next year it needs to find pace against the bigger-engined trucks. A combination of atmospheric pressure and hard slogging through deep sand puts immense strain on cooling systems. In 2013 the Sugawaras nursed their trucks home to avoid overheating. This year new technology immensely improved cooling performance.

At rally’s end Teruhito finished 12th outright – up from last year’s 19th place – and he won his class. He could, he said, have done better if some of the stages that suited his Hino had not been cancelled or shortened.

Yoshi finished second in class, proud as punch that he and his son had claimed a 1-2, and

pleased also that he’d brought a prototype to the chequered flag.

Hino, which enters the Dakar Rally in a genuine attempt to improve the quality, durability and reliability of its production vehicles, was justifiably delighted with the result.

Hino Australia Chairman and CEO Steve Lotter said achieving the 1-2 result and fifth straight class victory was an outstanding achievement.

“Hino learns so much by pushing its trucks to the limit at the Dakar Rally, with real benefits that flow down to Hino customers by giving them superior trucks for a wide range of applications,” Mr Lotter said.

“We look forward to 2015 when Team Sugawara will take what its learnt from this year and use it to push into the upper reaches of the truck class.”

Yoshi said at the conclusion of the race that next year “we’re committed to competing for a top-10 outright placing”, although in an earlier statement a top five was mooted.

After five straight class victories, a top five in 2015 would be perfect symmetry.

2010 Dakar Argentina-Chile: Two starters and one finisher in 7th position out of 28 trucks (from an original field of 54) that finished. Winner of the Production Series truck category and under 10-litre engine capacity class. (The second Hino Team Sugawara entry was disqualified for missing a checkpoint.)

2011 Dakar Argentina-Chile: Two starters and two finishers in 9th and 13th positions out of 41 finishers from an original field of 66. Winner of the Production Series truck category and under 10-litre category.

2012 Dakar Argentina-Chile-Peru: Two starters and two finishers in 9th and 24th position out of 60 finishers from an original field of 73. Winner of the under 10-litre engine category.

2013 Dakar Peru-Argentina-Chile: Two starters and two finishers in 19th and 31st position out of 60 finishers from an original field of 74. Winner of the Dakar Challenge in under 10-litre class.

2014 Dakar Argentina-Bolivia-Chile: Two starters and two finishers in 12th and 32nd position out of 50 finishers from an original field of 70. Winner of under 10-litre class for fifth straight year and also second place in class.

HINO DAKAR HIGHLIGHTS IN SOUTH AMERICA

10 ISSUE #3 2013

BUILT IN WATERINDICATORFor on-the-spot diagnosis of the battery’s state-of-charge

SUPER PLATE SEPARATIONAdvanced envelopeseparator materialproviding increasedpuncture resistanceand protection fromshort circuit

CENTRE LUGCentral position for improved current flow and vibrationresistance

POSITIVEGRID ALLOYImproves durability, reduces plate growthand enhancesbattery life

HINGED VENTCOVEREnables easy access for maintenanceto maximise battery life

RADICAL GRID DESIGNLower electrical resistancefor higher starting power and faster recharge

LONG LIFE PLATESThicker cast construction and paste coating of the positive grid to increase battery life

MUD RACK DESIGNSpecialist support racksfor plates, minimises short circuit and vibration

Hino total protection

11Torque

fleet

One of the nation’s largest fencing and event hire companies has been running a fleet of Hino trucks for over 20 years, with some still in service after clocking up over 1.3 million kilometres.

TFH Hire Services runs a fleet of over 60 Hino trucks at its Sydney and Queensland headquarters.

Operations Manager Stephen Sheehan says some of the oldest models have been on the road since 1992 and are still going strong after delivering well over one million kilometres of service.

“They’re still running well, and while we refurbish them from time to time the fact that they’re still performing is a real testament to how well they’re built,” he said.

The vast majority of the Hinos have been purchased through the Sci-Fleet dealership in south-east Queensland, and when it came time to upgrade with two new trucks recently TFH Hire Services had no hesitation in ordering the trucks through them again.

“We could have considered another brand, but we’ve had excellent service from the Hinos and the people at Sci-Fleet, so it just made sense to upgrade from the Hino range,” Mr Sheehan said.

TFH Hire Services has ordered two 500 Series FC 1022 Proshift 6 models, with the potential for another two to follow in the near future.

“They’ll be used for the growing portable toilet hire part of our business, as we needed a larger truck to handle the bigger loads. They’ll be ideal for that purpose with the longer wheelbase, 162kW of power and six-speed ProShift automatic transmission.”

Apart from the reliability and durability of the Hino fleet, the comfort features and versatility have also been a standout for TFH Hire Services.

“The drivers find the Hinos very comfortable and easy to operate; it’s just like driving a car,” Mr Sheehan said.

“We service about 90 per cent of the major sporting and cultural events around the country, so many of our trucks are doing long-haul trips and comfort features like cruise control, fully adjustable ISRI 6800 driver’s seat, and comprehensive multimedia systems are really appreciated by the drivers.

“With a varied business like ours – taking in fencing hire, event flooring and portable toilet facilities – the versatility of the Hino fleet makes a real difference,” Mr Sheehan said.

TFH Hire Services is family-owned and operated and has over 30 branches nationwide. It provides fencing, staging and portable toilet facilities to a wide range of events, including V8 Supercars, the Nikon SuperGP (formally the Indy Grand Prix), the Big Day Out, the Melbourne Cup and the Splendour in the Grass music festival.

Going the distance

“With a varied business like ours the versatility of the Hino fleet makes a real difference”

Hino’s suite of Total Protection products and services includes heavy duty Hino Genuine Series Batteries.

HINO GENUINE SERIES BATTERIES

Like all Hino Genuine parts, the new range of batteries are built to last and made in Australia to meet the demands of our extreme conditions.

Designed to provide more than just reliable starting power, Hino Genuine Series batteries sustain constant loads for running on-board accessories and equipment.

Hino Genuine Series batteries are also extremely durable. Internal glass mat separators bind the battery plates together securely to resist the effects of vibration damage and help prevent early battery failure, while robust materials ensure outstanding corrosion

resistance to deliver longer battery life.

Hino Australia Manager Parts and Accessories

Kirk Harrison said the fact that the batteries

are built and tested in Australia provides real

peace of mind for Hino owners.

“The extremes of high and low temperatures, harsh road surfaces and long distances encountered in Australia place extra demands on all our Hino Genuine parts and accessories,” Mr Harrison said.

“Hino’s Genuine Series heavy duty batteries are designed and built to perform in the harshest of conditions, giving Hino owners the confidence of knowing they won’t be let down.”

To find out more about the Hino Genuine Series battery range and other features of the Hino Total Protection package, visit the Hino Australia website at www.hino.com.au or contact your nearest Hino Dealer.

Hino Genuine Batteries built to last

“Hino’s Genuine Series heavy duty batteries are designed and built to perform in the harshest of conditions”

10 ISSUE #1 2014

fleet

13Torque

suppliers

The thorough testing and development invested by Hino in its trucks is mirrored by the original equipment suppliers it chooses, like Bridgestone tyres

Since early 2009 Hino Australia has partnered with Bridgestone Australia to provide original equipment tyres for its trucks.

Hino Australia Manager – Product Planning Daniel Petrovski says the arrangement is a good fit for both parties, with Bridgestone’s market share and strong product support offering being two of the main drivers behind the partnership.

“Like Hino, Bridgestone is committed to supporting the transport industry and is focused on providing innovative and market-leading products,” Mr Petrovski said.

“Its investment in research, development and testing of its tyres to produce the best product for local conditions is in step with Hino Australia’s development of its trucks.”

The Bridgestone Group has research and development facilities in 25 countries as well as five technical centres and 10 proving grounds located around the world. In 2012, the Group

spent close to $1 billion on research and development.

Claudio Sodano, General Manager – Technical Field Services, says Bridgestone keeps the unique requirements of Australian conditions top of mind when developing its truck tyres for the local market.

“The Bridgestone approach to developing truck tyres involves two fundamental considerations: understanding the needs and expectations of our customers and identifying the products that are best suited to Australian conditions,” Mr Sodano said.

“High temperatures, coarse road surfaces and relatively high driving speeds compared with other markets are a few of the notable characteristics we experience in Australia.

“All of these things play a critical part in the development process, ensuring Bridgestone’s truck tyres are designed to perform and deliver in our harsh conditions.”

Mr Sodano said many of these characteristics are

also relevant to compound development.

“The compounds used must provide the correct

balance when it comes to wear resistance,

irregular wear resistance, traction, heat

resistance and cut resistance.

“For example, our premium highway steer tyre,

the Bridgestone R150, has a dual layer tread

compound to give greater durability through

cooler operating temperatures, as well as

exceptional mileage with good resistance to

irregular wear,” Mr Sodano said.

Bridgestone Australia also invests in research

initiatives as part of its development and

improvement process. These include an industry

audit aimed at gaining a detailed understanding

of the Australian transport industry and its needs,

a review and evaluation of scrap tyre samples,

and regular customer surveys.

Solid foundations

“Bridgestone’s truck tyres are designed to perform and deliver in our harsh conditions”

12 ISSUE #1 2014

A Tasmanian removal company recently added a new Hino 500 Series medium duty truck to its fleet to replace a Hino that had clocked up nearly one million kilometres.

Moving with the times

Hobart-based Andrew Mathers Removals runs a fleet made up of a number of truck brands, and when it came time to upgrade its 1980s-vintage Hino owner-manager Byron Stott took the opportunity to see what was out there.

“We were impressed with the durability of the older Hino, which we’d owned and operated for over a decade, so after a quick look around it wasn’t hard to settle on a new model Hino truck,” Mr Stott said.

“We’ve always liked the Hinos and the specifications they offer. We decided on a medium-duty FG 1628 nine-speed manual which has been in operation for a few months now, and we couldn’t be happier with it.”

The new FG is used for container haulage from Hobart to Burnie in the state’s north-west, which can include both pick-ups (for local and interstate freight) and deliveries.

“It’s a real workhorse,” Mr Stott said. “It’s always running back and forth along the route, and it’s proven to be a great multi-purpose vehicle for our needs.”

With the hilly terrain along the route the nine-speed synchromesh Eaton transmission offers an extended selection of gears, with synchromesh removing the need for double-clutching, while the 206kW diesel engine generating 824Nm of torque provides plenty of power.

The company’s most experienced driver works

on the Hobart to Burnie run, and Mr Stott said he

loves the new Hino.

“He really likes the driving comfort – with smooth

steering, cruise control, easy gear-changes and

the multi-adjustable ISRI seat.

“These things are pretty important on a long-

haul route like this,” he said. “And the heated and

electrically controlled exterior mirrors are a bonus

in the cold weather down here.”

The decision to purchase the Hino was made

easier thanks to the assistance given by Luke

Bennett and the team at FRM Hino in Hobart.

“FRM worked hard to help deliver exactly what

we needed,” Mr Stott said, which including taking

care of the swap-over of the container tray from

the old to the new truck.

“The container tray on the back of the old Hino

was in good order and perfect for the new Hino,

so we had the tray refurbished and resprayed and

then fitted to the new one,” Mr Bennett said.

As business continues to pick up, Mr Stott said he

may consider standardising the company’s fleet in

the near future.

“There’s a lot to be said for running a fleet of the

same make, and given our positive experience I’d

say Hino will be up there in our calculations when

the time comes.”

Andrew Mathers Removals is a family-owned and

run business that has been in operation for over

140 years.

“It’s a real workhorse … and it’s proven to be a great multi-purpose vehicle for our needs”

reliability

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training

Hino provided factory level training for 45 local government maintenance staff from the Darling Downs region in a series of training workshops held at the dealership.

The plant mechanics and diesel fitters came from five regional councils – Toowoomba, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Western Downs and Southern Downs.

Three comprehensive training days were held, ensuring a maximum of 16 participants per day and allowing the various council workshops to continue normal daily operations.

The largest council in the region, Toowoomba Regional Council, sent a total of 20 staff to the sessions over the three training days.

Fleet Procurement Officer Ross McManus said his staff commented favourably on the quality and relevance of the Hino training.

“With approximately 70 Hino trucks on our fleet, it is important that all the workshop staff members are up to date on maintenance techniques,” he said.

Mr McManus said Hino trucks have been part of the Toowoomba Regional Council fleet for more than 20 years.

“The trucks range from 4500 to 24,000kg GVM and fill a wide variety of roles, including use as large utilities, plumber’s trucks, building trades, light tippers, heavy tipper and dog combinations, crane trucks, road sweepers, tray trucks and primer movers for low loaders.”

Vanderfield Hino Truck Sales Manager Grahame Phillips said the company had sold Hino trucks for more than 20 years.

“The same level of service training is available to private-sector fleet operators,” he said.

Mr Phillips said Vanderfield Hino has a vast sales territory: “east to Beaudesert, out to Roma and west to Birdsville”.

Hino Australia also offers state-of-the-art technical instruction at its training headquarters in Sydney and ‘on the road’ in dealerships nationally.

Hino Australia Technical Training Manager

Sergio Bonvini heads the team of presenters and instructors, and managed the three training days in Toowoomba.

“Serviceability has always been a key design feature of Hino trucks,” Mr Bonvini said.

“Features such as the engine and cabin design make for greater ease of servicing. Everywhere you look in the Hino cab, you see impressive attention to detail, with easy-to-remove service panels and easy access to fuses located above the electrical-wire bulk head.”

Hino fleet customers who would like to learn more about these training programs should contact Sergio Bonvini on (02) 9914 6633 or at sergio.bonvini@hino.com.au.

Hino’s commitment to providing the best training for its customers’ maintenance staff continued recently at Vanderfield Hino in Toowoomba.

Councils reap benefits of Hino training

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“It is important that all the workshop staff members are up to date on maintenance techniques”

Queensland dealership group Hi-WAY 1 Truck and Tractor continues to go from strength to strength after adding the Rockhampton Hino franchise to its growing stable of transport, agricultural and grounds care equipment solutions.

Hino is also represented by Hi-WAY 1 at its other dealerships in Maryborough, Gympie and Forest Glen on the Sunshine Coast.

General Sales Manager Paul Smith said the transition had been a smooth one since adding the Hino truck range to its existing Rockhampton dealership in late December.

“It’s basically been business as usual,” he said. “There was room to expand in our existing facility, so apart from a few minor adjustments the Hino trucks and parts have fit straight in.”

Mr Smith said the addition of the Hino truck range has enabled Hi-WAY 1 to keep building on its strengths.

“Hi-WAY 1’s reputation has been built on providing whole-of-business solutions for our customers, and the Hino range dovetails perfectly into this philosophy within Rockhampton.”

The fact that Hi-WAY 1 already had a presence in the region has helped it to hit the ground running this year.

“We had existing relationships with truck body builders in the area, so we were ready to capitalise on the many opportunities offered by the mining and agricultural sectors in this region.”

Hino Australia Chairman and CEO Steve Lotter said it was pleasing to see Hino trucks represented by a successful dealership group in such an important region.

“Hi-WAY 1 has established a strong reputation for sales, parts and service excellence, and we’re

sure Hino will continue to have a strong presence in the Rockhampton area under the Hi-WAY 1 banner,” Mr Lotter said.

“Hino Australia has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Hi-WAY 1 for many years.

“With four dealerships located across Queensland, we’re confident that Hino Australia will continue to be well represented in a very important region for truck sales.”

Hi-WAY 1 Truck and Tractor was established at Gympie in 2001 by Dennis and Sue Jurss with a total of 20 staff. It now employs over 100 people across its five locations.

Full workshop facilities and support are provided at all five of its dealerships, and the workshop operations are supported by a 24-hour breakdown service.

Hi-WAY 1 Financial Services was added to the business in 2009 and now employs a dedicated full-time finance manager.

Hino takes the Hi-WAY to success

“Hi-WAY 1’s reputation has been built on providing whole-of-business solutions and the Hino range dovetails perfectly into this philosophy”

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14 ISSUE #1 2014

16 ISSUE #3 2013 17Torque

Catching Flathead

Flathead have to be one of Australia’s favourite fish. There is probably no fish better for introducing anglers to the joys of lure fishing because they are aggressive ambush predators, and their numbers are in good shape.

Flathead can be found right around Australia, making them extremely accessible from the upper reaches of an estuary, to offshore reefs. Dusky flathead can even grow to over a metre, so they provide anglers with an opportunity to catch a fish of considerable size.

Getting started

To get started use a light to medium outfit, with any type of decent reel spooled with 2–12lb line. Flathead don’t really strip drag off reels unless they are of considerable size, but they have an impressive set of teeth so a decent leader of at least 8lb is required if your main line is at the lighter end of the scale, or you hook a decent model. Considering this it is also worth mentioning that a pair of gloves, a set of lip grips, or even a rag with which to hold the flathead with will save you from bleeding thumbs and infected digits.

Flathead also possess a forked venomous spike behind either side of their head, so it pays to be careful with these fish. A landing net is essential

for boat fishing as a flathead will go crazy if you try to lift its head out of the water. This often results in lost fish next to the boat, so scooping the fish from under the water is always the best option.

Where to find flathead

Flathead are ambush predators. They will be anywhere the bait or food source is, ideally in a bottle neck or advantageous ambush location. Sand bar drops offs, feeder creeks, gutters along the beach, the mouth of small bays, and

fish holding structures are all likely options for Mr Flathead to find his lunch.

I find targeting flathead is best on the run out tide, as the fish will position themselves in such a way that all the receding water passes over their head and brings the small prey items straight to their bucket-like mouths. Flathead prefer a sandy bottom, adjacent to some sort of structure. Weedy bottom with sandy patches in between are great, mud/sand flats are very reliable, the base of rock bars and walls, and emptying creeks are my favourites.

If you are a bait fisherman drift along to find the fish with your prawn, nipper, or small live fish baits positioned on, or slightly above the bottom. If you really want results, then purchasing a

packet of soft plastics and some jig heads will be the best investment into your fishing you have ever made. Work the plastics along the bottom in the aforementioned areas, making sure your lure returns to the bottom after every lift of the rod.

Simple techniques

To work your plastic, cast it out and let it sink to the bottom. Take up the slack and hop the lure off the bottom. Stop – let the lure sink back down, take up the slack and repeat.

When you have covered the whole target area, move on to another part of the bank and repeat.

Most flathead don’t need to strike – their bucket mouths simply inhale most lures. So don’t expect any bites – when you get a strike, you will know about it so stay alert.

Flathead are masters of disguise and can be hiding in the shallows at your feet without you seeing them. Be sure to put a few casts into any area you intend to wade through, before disturbing the water.

“Flathead are masters of disguise and can be hiding in the shallows at your feet without you seeing them.”

BEST FLATHEAD LURES • Shallow and deep diving hard bodies

• Soft plastics: Paddle tails, minnows, curl tails (3–5 inch)• Metal Blades• Soft Vibes• Poppers

lifestyle

16 ISSUE #1 2014

Fishing is a great recreational activity regardless of the time of year. Read on for some tips and tricks to help you catch one of Australia’s most common fish.

Originally published in issue 41 of the Australian 4WD Camping Guide. Words and photographs by Michael Gregg

lifestyle

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18 ISSUE #1 2014

LandCruiser

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NEW SOUTH WALES

Albion Park Rail Illawarra Hino ................................ (02) 4256 7111

Beresfield Newcastle Hino ........................................ (02) 4974 7800

Guildford City Hino ........................................................ (02) 9681 8111

Inverell Tait Motors ........................................................ (02) 6722 5090

Kempsey South Mavin Truck Centre Pty Ltd ... (02) 6562 6211

Mascot Adtrans Hino ....................................................(02) 9598 9444

Moree Tait Motors .......................................................... (02) 6750 7400

Muswellbrook Widelands Hino ...............................(02) 6543 3066

Orange West Orange Motors .................................... (02) 6361 1000

Queanbeyan Southern Truck Centre .....................(02) 6299 6433

Smeaton Grange Adtrans Hino (Narellan) ......... (02) 4655 5755

Tamworth Widelands Hino ........................................ (02) 6765 5552

Wagga Wagga Wagga Trucks Hino ....................... (02) 6971 8000

Wyoming Adtrans Hino (Gosford) ............................ (02) 4323 3879

VICTORIA

Dandenong Prestige Hino .......................................... (03) 9212 5555

Golden Square Bendigo Truck Centre ..................(03) 5440 9111

Laverton North CMI Hino (Melbourne) ................(03) 9931 6500

North Geelong ISR Truck City ................................. (03) 5278 9844

Wodonga Jacob Hino ...................................................(03) 6055 9800

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Pinelands Vanderfield Hino (Darwin) .....................(08) 8932 4200

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Bunbury Bunbury Truck Sales & Service ............ (08) 9725 6880

Welshpool WA Hino Sales & Service ..................... (08) 9351 2000

QUEENSLAND

Ayr Don West Hino ........................................................ (07) 4783 1600

Cairns Pacific Hino......................................................... (07) 4052 4708

Coopers Plains Sci-Fleet Hino ................................ (07) 3722 2888

Forest Glen Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ..................(07) 5453 5000

Garbutt Primemovers (NQ) Pty Ltd (Townsville) .... (07) 4727 5200

Goondiwindi Tait Motors ............................................ (07) 4671 7300

Gympie Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ............................(07) 5480 5000

Kedron Sci-Fleet Hino .................................................. (07) 3361 0024

Mackay Carlisle Hino .................................................... (07) 4952 1088

Maryborough Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ...............(07) 4190 4190

Mount Isa Bell & Moir Hino ....................................... (07) 4743 3066

Nerang Sci-Fleet Hino ..................................................(07) 5596 3599

Rockhampton Ian Weigh Motors ............................ (07) 4924 5200

Toowoomba Vanderfield Hino ..................................(07) 4633 4822

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mt Gambier Barry Maney Group ............................ (08) 8721 3400

Port Augusta Northpoint Hino .................................(08) 8642 3433

Regency Park CMI Hino (Adelaide) ....................... (08) 8243 8100

TASMANIA

Derwent Park FRM Hino (Hobart) .......................... (03) 6272 3822

Devonport FRM Hino ................................................... (03) 6424 9855

Invermay FRM Hino (Launceston) ........................... (03) 6334 5877

hino.com.au

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SEE YOUR LOCALHINO DEALER TODAYThe reliability and durability of Toyota Group vehicles is no more evident than in Toyota’s

LandCruiser 70 Series, which has gained a reputation as the go-to vehicle for working and travelling in the outback.

Man’s best friend… the dog. Which means the Australian farmer’s best friend must be the Kelpie.

Travel through parts of rural Australia and the prevailing method of transport for Kelpies is the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series.

The sight of a Kelpie in the back of a LandCruiser 70 Series is as Australian as the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the MCG on grand final day.

In fact, in certain parts of Australia, if you need a four-wheel drive and you don’t buy a LandCruiser 70 Series, you might find yourself alone at the end of the bar, trying to start up a conversation with the barman.

With a history dating back more than half a century to the early 40 Series, Australia’s link to the 70 Series is inextricable.

Australia was the first export market for the LandCruiser, working on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme in the late 1950s.

The LandCruiser 70 Series has forged a

reputation as a go almost anywhere, do almost

anything four-wheel drive vehicle. It retains the

same square-bodied appearance as it did when

first launched in 1984, designed and engineered

to simply be as good at its job as possible.

The current model was launched in 2012,

featuring a 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine

delivering 151kW and peak torque of 430Nm held

between 1200 and 3200rpm.

The 2007 model saw the first appearance of a

wagon variant, a wider track, as well as improved

suspension and steering feel.

In 2009 modernisation moved into the cabin,

improving convenience and comfort with

features like USB input and Bluetooth™ hands-

free technology, while voice recognition was

introduced in 2012.

Now, Toyota has introduced a double cab version

– offering a more flexible utility vehicle

where five adults can be accommodated, or

about a one-tonne payload.

The 70 Series now features ABS anti-skid brakes

as standard, while fuel tank capacity has been

increased by almost 50 per cent in the wagon

model. Rear leaf springs have been revised for

optimal handling stability and improved ride

comfort.

Customer loyalty is remarkably strong, with

the majority of buyers replacing an existing

LandCruiser 70 Series vehicle due to its

capabilities in rough conditions.

With a combination of nonchalance and

enthusiasm for more, buyers simply cannot go

past the tried and tested ‘troopy’ – especially

when their livelihoods are at stake.

It is why the LandCruiser 70 Series remains

the choice for so many Australians – both human

and canine – and will do for years to come. For

more information on the LandCruiser 70 Series,

visit toyota.com.au/landcruiser-70-series.

Tried and Tested

20 ISSUE #3 2013

hino.com.au

The legend conTinues.Here’s to our 5th consecutive championship in the under 10 litre

category at the grueling Dakar Rally. That brings our total to 23

starts, 23 finishes and 14 class wins. Our legendary performance

won’t end here, we look forward to proving again and again that

HINO is a better class of truck.

A Toyota Group Company

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