When the business was acquired by new owners two years ago, among a number of changes was the purchase of a new Fighter FK1428 removal truck.
“It’s a nice piece of machinery!” says operations supervisor Israel Macleod. “It’s very user friendly – the steering is really good, it’s comfortable and the cab is well laid out.”
Israel speaks from first-hand experience, following a testing trip to Invercargill that the Fighter passed with flying colours.
“I had to take a detour just outside of Dunedin down the original highway, because a major accident had closed the road. The route is all gravel and pretty steep. Even fully loaded, the Fighter pulled uphill with ease and it holds its speed really well on the open road too.”
The 6M60-9AT2 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, delivers up to 207kW and 802Nm. Taring at just over 4 tonnes with a GVM of 13.5 tonnes, the FK1428 has a generous payload that suits regular home removal jobs – and running full air suspension helps ensure a smooth ride for those treasured possessions. Fitted with a 50m3 box body, it is the largest truck in Canterbury Relocations’ fleet.
“It’s a good size for the work we do,” says Israel. “Big enough to carry what we need but not too big for manoeuvering in residential areas. I’ve had to negotiate my way around some tight corners and over one-way bridges, but the Fighter has no problems at all.”
While the company delivers right across the South Island, Israel says trips to the country’s southern reaches are rare.
“We try to keep it fairly local; that said, we don’t really like to say no to anyone! The only place we won’t go is the North Island, because it’s often easier to pack a container and send it up on a boat.”
As well as making light work of a full load, the new Fighter fits the company’s professional image – smart and reliable.
“It’s such a competitive market,” says Israel. “One foot wrong and it can tarnish your reputation for life. Our customers are often trusting us with their most precious possessions, so we have to respect that.”
Maintaining that trust relies on delivering the same excellent service again and again. With Fuso dependability on its side, Canterbury Relocations is ensuring customers keeps walking through the door.
“We get a lot of business through word of mouth and have a number of repeat customers – that must mean we’re doing something right!”
GVM/GCM: 13,500kg/20,000kg
Power / Torque: 207kW / 802Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 5,210mm
