MAN TGX proves a long haul winner with Kellara Transport Pty Ltd, Tasmania. Today Kellara transports products all over Tasmania as well as interstate across the Tasman and the Nullabor to Western Australia and all the way up to Queensland.
The variety of loads carried and transported by the company is extensive. In addition to general cartage the loads often comprise over-sized and heavy duty equipment, machinery, houses, portable office buildings and boats.
Kellara also specialises in long haul transport and it was this that prompted Ken Hughes to look for a prime mover with a sleeper cab, given the long interstate trips.
One of Kens drivers, Wally Allen, was so impressed when he tried out the MAN at Agfest, it prompted Ken to take a closer look and consider the purchase of an MAN.
After considering their requirements and looking at the alternatives, Ken selected a TGX 26.540 with an XL sleeper cab. The TGX sleeper cab has one of the largest storage areas and bed sizes of any European cab and this was a key attraction.
With a combination of high power, low tare weight, excellent fuel economy and cab comfort the MAN ticked all the boxes, Ken said. The added benefit of 60,000 km service intervals was another attraction, Ken went onto say.
To say Kens driver Wally is happy with the MAN is something of an understatement. With 47,000kms under his belt in just a few short months, Wally is over the moon with the new MAN TGX which he gets to drive.
One of my first big trips was to Perth and I found out quickly shes a beauty to drive. The comfort and quietness is just outstanding the controls are easy to reach and the driving position spot on. The climate control keeps the temperature just right – all in all its just a beautiful cab environment, Wally said. Im absolutely rapt with it, he added.
It took a bit of getting used to an automatic transmission given Ive been driving manuals for years but it didn’t take me long to appreciate how good and intuitive the 12 speed auto is, Wally went on to say.The MAN auto switch is located conveniently close to all other driver function controls, and includes the M setting which provides precise low speed manoeuvering whilst a fingertip lever allows shifting from automatic to manual mode easily.
Given the MANs proven performance to date and the excellent feedback he has received from drivers, Ken Hughes will certainly be considering additional MANs for his future fleet requirements at Kellara Transport. In short, there are just so many reasons for me to keep purchasing MAN, Ken stated emphatically.