An acreage and property management company has increased its Fuso Canter fleet to four as the business meets increased demand.
Avagoodweekend Acreage and Property Maintenance provides mowing, gardening and irrigation services for substantial rural blocks and commercial properties in a vast area to the South West of Brisbane.
Business founder Dean Mason and family started the business in 2008 with just a lawn mower and a ute. Since then the operation has grown steadily by providing a reliable, high quality service and now employs six people.
According to Mason the business had initially been using commercial utes in addition to a Fuso Canter tipper, but soon found the utes were not up to the task.
“They say the utes can tow 3500kg, but they can’t do it continuously,” he said.
“We had a range of issues with the clutches and gearboxes in the utes which are just not built for this type of work and we’d go through them after about three years,” said Mason.
After speaking to Kris Lubbers at Daimler Trucks Brisbane, Mason decided to upgrade and add Canter tray models alongside the tipper already in the fleet.
“The trucks are designed and built for this type of work and it just allows us to get on and get the job done,” said Mason.
“They are easier to drive than a ute with a trailer. They have a tight turning circle, great vision in front and around them.”
The Canter 515 trucks can all be driven on a car licence, which makes life easier for the Avagoodweekend team.
All are equipped with the latest active safety features including Advanced Emergency Braking System and Lane Departure Warning System, as well as a hill-hold assist feature, Electronic Stability Program and driver and passenger airbags.
Mason values the standard safety features, especially the active systems of the Canter.
“It’s simple, I don’t want my trucks to be involved in crashes,” he said
“We prefer the Duonic transmission because the driver can just put it into gear and forget about it – it is something they just don’t have to think about,” said Mason.
Making the drive easier and safer is key for Mason, especially as many members of his team have worked hard all day.
“The drivers get tired working on the tools, sometimes it can be 30 to 40 degrees out there, so I want to be as comfortable as possible and get home safely,” he said.