From the beginning of time, humans have been bringing home the harvest, so it’s surprising and gratifying to find those who do it for us are quick to adapt to better technology with successful cost-effective results.
It’s harvest time, and we are especially thankful for the farmers, the grain haulers and the livestock carriers who help to keep us fed. It’s not easy, and we are grateful.
We were introduced to Paul Doudle, the creative designer and builder of the belly dumper grain trailer. The obvious issue for Paul was how to reduce wastage of the grain through the hopper to the trailer, so it doesn’t end up all over the ground.
Then maybe not so obvious, is how to get that load quickly through the paddock and back onto the dirt roads, and then onto the highways, without creating a huge imbalance. These are harsh, heavy conditions and the soil, precious as it is, quickly becomes mud that throws rigs out of balance, chewing tyres and fuel.
One of Paul’s customers is Rob Lanyon of Lanyon Transport, who is also an Atlas Balance Rings customer. But we have found he is just one of hundreds of Australian drivers hauling grain and livestock. So, we thought we would explore their harvest experiences.
Jamie Cooper from Nuriootpa Traders runs DAFs, and some 45 Kenworths on tautliner rigs with Atlas Balance Rings. He comes from South Australia in the heartland of the Barossa Valley’s major commercial centre. The name Nuriootpa is reputed to be the Aboriginal word for “meeting place”, but we actually met Jamie in Adelaide.
Collins Adelaide runs nose and cabover Kenworths with three trailers, now with over 200 running on balance rings, on the same tough roads from Adelaide to Sydney and Melbourne.
Other major agricultural carrier fleets are helped along with Atlas Balance Rings. Zane, from All Bulk Transport in Toowoomba runs a fleet of balanced Kenworths, and Harrold Services runs trailers on a mix of ever-changing rough road conditions, with the trailers getting an extra 50,000 to 60,000 kilometres per axle.
We understand Harrolds hauls those delicious potatoes for Smiths Crisps. No less important are the fertiliser carriers, like the fully balanced rigs from Darren Powell Transport. He carries grain one way and returns loaded with fertiliser on a different route.
McVeigh’s, Dan & Marty Murphy, Wilken Bulk Haulage, S & J McMahon, Nitschke Chaff & Freight, John Maker from TJK Transport and Dan’s Trucking all run smooth operations with trucks and trailers fitted out and agree Atlas Balance Rings punch way above their weight in costs spent, versus costs saved.
Well, we are definitely “name dropping” here, but that’s because we can. Let’s also mention Freddy at Sloanebuilt Trailers, Robuk Trailers, GLT Trailers, Beggs Transport, Carpendale Agri, Hopkins Brothers, Ambrose Haulage, Wade from Hannasky Livestock Carriers, Cavanaghs Stockmaster, Brendon from MJ Peters Holdings, Betts, Few Transport, Hornby Transport and Nick from Thompson’s Transport from Cowra running cattle road trains.
All Atlas Balance Ring ambassadors, because these accessories don’t just look good, they actually save money and “save driveline components from friction” (thank you Aaron Eagle, our NZ distributor), and make a tough job more comfortable.
Most tell us the first set of balance rings pay for themselves immediately. And how about the feel of driving a balanced truck?
Atlas Balance Company sponsored The Fuel Doctor’s Little Miss Mack over the weekend at Round 3 of the Australian Super Trucks.
The driver Mark said he could feel the difference with the balance rings in the first 300 metres going into the first turn! “Simon, the drive tyres actually just stuck to the road for the first time ever,” he said.
Atlas currently has a special harvest offer – for every customer that purchases a full set of trailer rings (six sets) we will only charge you for five sets – that’s a set free, to say thank you!
So, if 15,000 drivers swear by tyre savings and drive balance, why not you? Australian rural areas have some of the roughest roads on earth, yet these guys are making a cost and comfort difference.
With a 365-day money-back guarantee, and a five-year product warranty, Atlas Balance Company dare you to try them.
Find out more by visiting atlasbalance.com.au or call 1300 228 527.