LUSTEC is an Australian business with an extensive history in the local trailer manufacturing industry.
On the back of family-owned and operated business, Lusty, LUSTEC emerged and has become renowned for designing and building heavy vehicles of the highest quality.
“I started building low loaders with my father, John, back in 1996 and I’ve been building them ever since,” says LUSTEC owner, Chris Lusty. “I’ve been in the industry since then and I’ve won design awards for major Australian trailer manufacturers.
“In 2019 I decided it was time for me to have a crack myself, and I’m proud of where I’ve come from. I’m the third generation of the family and I still work closely with my father.”
While low loaders are the main types of trailers which Chris has specialised in, LUSTEC is now entering a new venture with side tipper models.
“One thing about low loaders is they just don’t wear out – the first one that my father built in 1984 is still on the road,” he says. “But, we’re moving into side tippers now.
“We were looking for a product range with a little bit more turnover and side tippers seemed to be the best option for us. Side tippers were something I wanted to add to my range. With changes in the market, especially along the east coast,
I see a huge opportunity for them.”
Chris and the team started designing their new side tippers this time last year, and the first ones have now been built and are ready to go. Over the next couple of years, Chris says there’s going to be a heavy push to get them off the ground.
Using Chris’ lifetime of experience in designing and manufacturing class-leading trailers, the cutting-edge steel body side tippers are being crafted with precision engineering and innovation, and like all of LUSTEC’s trailers, will be made up completely with Fuwa K Hitch components.
The trailers themselves were designed with a distinctive body to incorporate a functional and streamlined look. They feature a unique hinge design to increase door speed while also allowing the hydraulic cylinders to sit vertically, resulting in more room in the tipper bodies.
The trailer features 20” drum brakes, steer axles, Weweler air suspension, fifth wheels and landing legs from Fuwa K Hitch. Image: LUSTEC.LUSTEC also spent a lot of time to ensure the trailers would be built with serviceability in mind, leading to less downtime for maintenance and repairs once put into action.
“Most side tipper designs have a lot of hoses everywhere, but I wanted to be able to run cat tracks and just tidy everything up,” Chris says. “So, we’ve managed to tidy all of our lines up and make them look a lot cleaner.”
The running gear on the trailers includes Fuwa K Hitch suspension, axles, turntables and ballraces – giving Chris the confidence to launch the new product range in a competitive market.
“Fuwa K Hitch is our base product, it’s what we spec all of our trailers on,” he says. “We do give customers the option for other products, but Fuwa K Hitch is our standard one and what we like to use in all of our designs from our air bag trailers through to our hydraulic and spring suspension trailers.”
Fuwa K Hitch’s 19.5” drum brake axles, steer axles, disc brakes, KT suspension, fifth wheels and landing legs have always been heavily featured on each of LUSTEC’s trailer builds. Although its 20” drum brakes and Weweler air suspension will be dedicated to the new side tippers, joining the rest of the standard components.
“We started using Fuwa K Hitch when they first started in Queensland, which was around 20 years ago,” Chris says. “They’ve been good value to us ever since.”
During this time, price and service, according to Chris, have been driving factors.
“Fuwa K Hitch’s price in the market is great, and their service to us has always been excellent,” he says. “I like a lot of their designs and the way they do things, especially with their forged axles, rigid arm designs and KT suspension which work well with our trailers. Their turntables are also very robust.”
By relying on Fuwa K Hitch for all of his trailer component requirements over the years, Chris’ business has gained significantly.
“As part of our relationship, Fuwa K Hitch has supplied us with information which has allowed us to get all of their designs into our trailers,” he says. “Having that information and being able to get it into all of our models just makes thing work seamlessly. We’ve seen this with the steer axles – we’ve got a lot of moving parts, but we’ve been able to make sure everything works without any interferences.”
“There’s also been a couple of projects, especially on our rows of eight trailers, where Fuwa K Hitch designed products for us to fit in our trailers. We have fitted prototype suspension arms in our trailers for them over the years as well.”
Little to no warranty issues has also been an advantage and the main reason LUSTEC continues to use Fuwa K Hitch.
“The products are standing up to what people ask them to do,” Chris says. “Ninety per cent of people are extremely happy with their gear.
“Fuwa K Hitch has grown to be a market leader in the axle space. Through their product being the most used axles in our trailer builds, they’ve proven to be reliable with great spare parts support.
“So, the partnership has worked well for us. The fact that Fuwa K Hitch is local, has products in stock and can cater to us is beneficial.”
LUSTEC put a lot of thought into the body design for a functional and streamlined look. Image: LUSTEC.The post LUSTEC releases new Fuwa K Hitch side tipper range appeared first on Trailer Magazine.