Capital Equipment News June 2021

COVER STORY

The Scania R560 is powered by a 16-litre V8 Scania engine delivering 560 hp.

LTD Transport has been running Scania trucks for the past 15 years.

Truck Generation (NTG), which has set new benchmarks in total cost of ownership, providing customers with sustainable cost- efficiencies, has further boosted savings through unprecedented fuel economy. Going the Scania route Founded some 26 years ago by Duard Pretorius and his wife, the family-owned business currently operates a modern fleet of 70+ vehicles, including 8 and 12-tonners, tri-axles, flat decks, tautliners, box side tippers and dry bulk tankers. For its dry bulk tanker business, the company is largely running Scania units. The company bought its first Scania R480 units some 15 years ago and never looked back. According to Pretorius, LTD Transport recently purchased 25 NTG R560 models following the grand launch in 2019. A dry bulk tanker operation is no easy task; it demands a vehicle with power – lots of power. The NTG R560 strikes a healthy balance between power, productivity and fuel efficiency, three key parameters that have influenced the company’s decision to standardise its entire fleet with this

powerful model. The Scania R560 is powered by a

“Since the launch of our NTG range in 2019, our customers have seen at least 5% more fuel efficiency. What’s important is the fact that you don’t just order a new truck; you order the right truck, for the right application – a notion which Scania very much shares. Understanding my clients’ application and topography is essential in ordering the right truck that performs with the best fuel efficiency, which is what we have done with LTD Transport,” says Charles. This, he adds, coupled with Scania’s Driver Scoring (Scania FIT Report), which can be tracked by both Scania and the client, indicates where the driver needs to pay attention. “We have had instances where a driver would score a 92% average, but had a bad rating on coasting or idling, which impacts fuel consumption and efficiency,” explains Charles. For years, Scania has been championing its operating economy approach with great results for fleet owners. There are three cornerstones of operating economy: the driver, the vehicle and the services behind it. These are all areas of focus with the

16-litre V8 Scania engine delivering 560 hp, allowing the truck to discharge more than enough power to master this tough application. For Pretorius, however, it is the fuel efficiency that matters most. “Fuel is in fact the biggest consideration when we make our buying decisions. Bear in mind that fuel accounts for 35 – 36% of our running costs,” says Pretorius. “We recently switched to the NTG R560 after its local launch in 2019 and the fuel economy has been superb. We are, on average, achieving 2,8 litres per kilometre, which for a V8 is unheard of.” Neil Charles, sales representative at Scania Southern Africa, says given that fuel costs can equate to over a third of transport companies’ total operating costs, the proven fuel saving on Scania’s NTG range boosts profitability for transport operators. “The SA transport industry has seen a diverted market over the past year, with clients opting to change lanes as fuel consumption continues to become a fundamental tool in preparing and costing their rates,” he says.

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JUNE 2021