Needing to replace one of their aging tilt tray trucks, Peter Grealy from family-run business Grealy Motors and Towing recently reached out to his preferred Isuzu dealership, Blacklocks Isuzu in Wodonga, with the instructions to source a truck with more payload, more power, and extra length for larger loads.
The FYJ 300-350 Auto with a customised CTE tilt tray has hit the right combination of features for heavy-duty towing, with an extra-long wheelbase measuring just shy of 11 metres making it capable of transporting multiple vehicles or capital equipment for clients.
A hefty payload and weight rating of 30,000 kg GVM and 45,000 kg GCM meets Grealy Motor’s on-road requirements.
The FYJ’s Meritor drive axles with twin-steer load-sharing front suspension are key features for balancing big loads, assisting with weight distribution across the chassis when transporting oddly weighted equipment such as cranes.
“The FYJ 300-350 is mainly our equipment transport truck, so it’s shifting multiple units like forklifts, knuckle booms, scissor lifts, large tractors and bigger, heavier equipment,” says Peter.
“The beauty of the twin-steer in the FY Series is you don’t run the risk of going overweight on the steer tyres like you do on some of the other brands in that weight range.
“I was so keen to add this model to the fleet because that extra set of wheels at the front alleviates some of the overweight issues you can run into by loading boom lifts and cranes.”
More power for Peter comes in the form of Isuzu’s 6UZ1-TCC six-cylinder, 24-valve engine which offers 257 kW @ 2,000 rpm of power and 1,422 Nm @ 1,400 rpm of torque.
Grealy Motors favours the FYJ’s Allison six-speed automatic transmission for the task, with Peter saying it minimises distractions for the drivers without the need to change gears.
“The Allison automatic transmission is amazing—it opens up the capacity for extra drivers for us as the majority of drivers now go for automatic licences over manual.”
The FYJ’s Isri 6860/875 air suspension driver’s seat is also a crowd pleaser, reducing fatigue on long hauls, along with the up-high view from the cab which offers excellent visibility for tight situations and reversing.
“Our full-time driver who pilots the FYJ says that driving it to Sydney feels like you’ve only been at it for half a day, compared to driving the old prime mover which felt like you’d been driving for four days straight—it’s just that comfortable,” says Peter.
Taking care of the team (and their customers) with the best in capital equipment has been an integral part of this intergenerational family business. In 1967, Peter’s grandparents, Brian and Mary Grealy, worked in a three-way partnership with other owners, running a single hook lift tow truck.
Brain and Mary signed on as the sole owners in 1985 and refurbished the business name to Grealy Motors.
Peter and his wife Caroline took over from Peter’s parents, Lionel and Carmel Grealy, who had been running the business since the early 2000s.
“What we do for our customers is vital, especially when it comes to responding to emergency roadside assist—so we’re very proud of the fact that we can continue to keep the Grealy name in the industry and support and service our local network,” Peter says.
