More than 2.3 million kilometres and still going strong!
“Two Bar” is the fitting nickname for Namlog's Hino 500-Series 1324 freight carrier that has covered more than 2.3 million kilometres since it was purchased new in 2009. It certainly carries its age well and does not look like a truck that has covered a distance equal to going around the earth almost 60 times!
Amazingly the Hino has covered this distance without any major mechanical problems. The bottom end of the engine is original, as is the gearbox and rear axle. The engine had the cylinder head reconditioned and some wear items such as the clutch plate have been replaced, as has the starter and alternator.
Importantly, this Hino truck still looks favourable in the Namlog financial books and there is no plan to replace it at this stage. Average fuel consumption is about 22.5l/100km which is acceptable for this type of operation where the average load is about five tons. In fact, budget has been provided for a respray of the cab during 2017.
Namlog is one of the major contractors involved with moving Toyota, Lexus, and Hino parts from the distribution centre in Ekurhuleni to the network of dealers in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
“These operations all function on the Just-In-Time principle with limited time windows for collection and delivery so we need reliable trucks above all else,” explains Albie Greyvenstein, Namlog's National Fleet Manager.
The Namlog fleet manager is very particular about tyre care and each truck has its wheel alignment checked every 15 000 km and corrected if necessary.
This strategy pays off and one of the Hino 1626 freighters had its first tyre change after travelling 350 000 km operating in Gauteng.
Usually Namlog considers replacing its trucks when they have covered between 700 000 and 800 000 km as they start costing money in terms of repairs, so the Two Bar Hino is very much an exception to the rule and is now on its way to covering three million kilometres.
Namlog (the name is derived from Namibia Logistics) was founded in 2002 and has grown into a leading supply chain group, made up of four companies with operations in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
The group employs more than 500 people and manages numerous distribution centres on behalf of global and blue-chip clients through long term, mutually beneficial partnerships. –Quickpic.co.za
Amazingly the Hino has covered this distance without any major mechanical problems. The bottom end of the engine is original, as is the gearbox and rear axle. The engine had the cylinder head reconditioned and some wear items such as the clutch plate have been replaced, as has the starter and alternator.
Importantly, this Hino truck still looks favourable in the Namlog financial books and there is no plan to replace it at this stage. Average fuel consumption is about 22.5l/100km which is acceptable for this type of operation where the average load is about five tons. In fact, budget has been provided for a respray of the cab during 2017.
Namlog is one of the major contractors involved with moving Toyota, Lexus, and Hino parts from the distribution centre in Ekurhuleni to the network of dealers in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
“These operations all function on the Just-In-Time principle with limited time windows for collection and delivery so we need reliable trucks above all else,” explains Albie Greyvenstein, Namlog's National Fleet Manager.
The Namlog fleet manager is very particular about tyre care and each truck has its wheel alignment checked every 15 000 km and corrected if necessary.
This strategy pays off and one of the Hino 1626 freighters had its first tyre change after travelling 350 000 km operating in Gauteng.
Usually Namlog considers replacing its trucks when they have covered between 700 000 and 800 000 km as they start costing money in terms of repairs, so the Two Bar Hino is very much an exception to the rule and is now on its way to covering three million kilometres.
Namlog (the name is derived from Namibia Logistics) was founded in 2002 and has grown into a leading supply chain group, made up of four companies with operations in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
The group employs more than 500 people and manages numerous distribution centres on behalf of global and blue-chip clients through long term, mutually beneficial partnerships. –Quickpic.co.za
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