There’s a strong sense of history at Sadleirs, one of Australia’s most established logistics providers.
Projected whole-of-life costs were the key reason the Kenworths were given the nod, says Thomas McAulay, National Assets and Facilities Manager for Sadleirs.
Resale value, durability, fuel burn, service support and driver acceptance were among the factors that figured strongly in the analysis of which trucks to purchase.
Significantly, Sadleirs is looking at a lifespan of 10 to 15 years for the T610s.
All seven Kenworths are operating on triple roadtrain work between Perth and Karratha, a one-leg distance of 1,500 km, hauling freight for the Barrow Island oil fields.
“We’re running at gross weights of around 100 tonnes from Perth to Karratha and around 80 tonnes on the return trip,” Thomas says.
“Our oldest Kenworth has done over 130,000 km and we’ve had no issues.”
X15 performance
“The Euro 6 Cummins is impressive. Reliability has been very good to date, the drivers love the performance and we’ve had very good support from Cummins,” Thomas says.
Sadleirs is operating the ‘Performance’ version of the Euro 6 Cummins which is evident in the power and torque curves.
The X15 delivers its rated 565 hp over a wide band, from 1600 to 2000 rpm, while this is backed up by peak torque of 1850 lb ft which extends from 1600 rpm all the way back to 1000 rpm.
Sadleirs’ Kenworths are equipped with Eaton UltraShift 18-speed automated transmissions, driving through to 4.3:1 rears.
Thomas points out that the ECM download from the Kenworth shows fuel consumption of 1.58 litres/100 km, a running time of 90 per cent in top gear, and average engine speed of 1322 rpm.
“Fuel consumption is very good, in line with our expectations for the X15, and it will only improve when we fine-tune the aerodynamics,” he adds, pointing out that rooftop wind deflectors are to be fitted.
The Euro 6 engines also fit with Sadleirs’ commitment to decarbonisation and support its aspirational aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035.
The X15 is EGR-free and utilises a standard wastegate turbocharger for Euro 6. Single module aftertreatment technology integrates both the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and AdBlue selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.
Lower cost maintenance
While Sadleirs relies on OEM servicing of its European trucks, Thomas McAulay is utilising Sadleirs’ own workshop to service the Kenworths which he believes will result in lower cost maintenance over the life of the trucks.
“We have a workshop team of 10 and Cummins has been involved in a familiarisation program with our technicians,” he says..
Cummins’ support, led by Geoff Ironmonger, is rated highly by Thomas. “When we’ve wanted something from Cummins, the response has been quick.”
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