How good is this? On returning from Cape Town harbour to Citrusdal after dropping off another load of export fruit, Andre Romburg, the dedicated driver behind the wheel of his Hino 700 2845 truck-tractor, was greeted and cheered on by a guard of honour made up of his fellow employees at Heidedal Boerdery/Piekenierskloof Vrugte.
The company is situated on the Piekenierskloof Platea near Citrusdal in the Western Cape and the occasion was to celebrate the reaching of 1-million kilometres clocked up by Andre and his beloved Hino. It was a tribute to man and machine.
The Hino, which was bought new at Citrusdal Hino in March 2009, clocked up the million kilometres in September 2020. The main route travelled by the Hino, pulling a 30-ton tri-axle trailer, has been from the farm to Cape Town harbour for export of citrus, nectarines, peaches, and apricots.
According to company owner and managing director Oubaas van Zyl, the important fact about this achievement is that it was achieved with only regular servicing and the replacement of items such as batteries, compressed air pipes, brake linings and the like. No major work was required on the engine, gearbox, prop shaft or rear axles during this period.
This was the first Hino bought by this farming enterprise with its major attributes being reliability of the truck and excellent service from Citrusdal Hino, says Van Zyl. And it’s ready for its next million.
“The cost per kilometre of operating this truck is still very acceptable considering that major costs during the period it clocked up a million kilometres have been limited basically to servicing and tyre replacement, so it will remain a mainstay in our fleet,” says Van Zyl.
This story acts as true tribute to man and machine. Salute to both.
