Trucking companies have a tendency to buy and sell trucks pretty regularly, but Beamish Heavy Haulage has held on to its “old faithful” Kenworth SAR ever since it was purchased brand new in 1976.
The company’s owner and director, Ted Beamish, said that at the time, the truck was the most powerful in their fleet.
“It was picked up for big float work, which no-one did back then,” he said.
“If people wanted a truck for heavy haulage work, they would normally buy a worn-out, second-hand interstate truck and put it to use.
“We bought a brand new one because the demand was there from our customers to get the job done quick and easy.”
Beamish said that after the truck was specced up heavy duty, it was twice as fast as previous trucks they had used.
“I was down to 20km/h in the old truck, going up hills with a heavy load, whereas this one could do it at 40km/h.”
The rig came with a 8v92T 430 horsepower engine, which has since been replaced by a 8v92T 520 horsepower one.
It also went from a 15-speed to an 18-speed double overdrive cog box.
Like most older trucks, it’s needed a fair amount of maintenance and repairs over the years, but it’s still in great shape.
“It’s a spare truck at the moment because we can’t get labour or drivers,” he said.
“I’ve got a newer Kenworth, a T659, and it’s got another hundred horsepower on it compared to the SAR, which makes life easier.
“The old girl might not have as many creature comforts, but she still performs well – even with 1.5 million kilometres on the clock.”
Beamish Heavy Haulage was founded by Ted’s dad William way back in 1942.
Ted followed his dad into the business at the age of 16 – and now in his 70s, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
“Retire? You don’t retire!” he said.
“It’s what I know. Every day is different.”
Based in Melbourne, Beamish Heavy Haulage specialises in oversized, awkward and odd loads for the mining, industrial, manufacturing and building industries.
The company’s extended fleet options include a low loader with a folding gooseneck.
“The front lays down flat as a ramp, so machinery can go straight on,” Beamish explains.
“We’ve got seven of those – and my father bought the very first one in Australia in the 1960s.”
After starting with just one truck, the fleet now includes three Kenworths and three Macks.
“We had four B model Macks over the years.
“We also had four Kenworth S models – the first models brought to Australia by Ed Cameron back in the day.
“I’ll always be a Kenworth man, because they are locally made.”
This story originally appeared in Issue 505 of Deals on Wheels magazine.