Northpower Contracting has added an impressive new vehicle to its extensive fleet - a MAN TGM18.320 4x4 line truck. The truck is 320hp with a tipmatic autoshift transmission and a payload of 3,600kgs. Regional Manager for Northland, David Ford, says the truck will be a big asset for his frontline crews.
This MAN Linetruck is capable of carrying 2x11m poles while still having significant off road capability. This means less resource is required for the installation/replacement of double poles for both planned and reactive fault works as a single truck can transport a double pole to site.” says David.
Northpower’s current Isuzu 4x4 line trucks have a payload of 2,500kgs (or 1,900kgs depending on the year of build).
The MAN will be capable of carrying a B11 power pole and 100kVa transformer, along with all the tools and equipment that the line crews carry on their line trucks. It is also set up to carry two B11 poles at maximum total weight of 15 tonne.
The Goodyear tyres fitted to the MAN have been brought in from the USA and are what the American military use on their heavy trucks and will allow crews to safely operate off road in the Kaipara and Whangarei Districts.