OPERATOR FEEDBACK
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For a second opinion on the Hino eight-legger CM spoke to three tipper °aerators who have already responded to its eastern promise...
Brendan Mitchell, owner of BP Mitchell Contractors of Watford, runs five vehicles in his all-8x4 tipper fleet which includes three Fodens, an ERF and a new 300hp Hino. He has previous experience of the Japanese marque:"I drove one in Ireland, a 250hp FY eight-legger and found it was a good lorry, a little bit underpowered—but very tough." According to Mitchell the latest model is no less robust: "I went for it right away, I like the running gear, it's a tough lorry, basically a workhorse. It's as good in the chute as it is on soft ground. I'm pleased with the power and it does reasonably well on fuel. The driver likes it too, he reckons it's a comfortable drive." Mitchell's Hino has a Thompson all-steel muckaway body; his local dealer is in Hoddesdon and can deliver parts at short notice, says Mitchell: "So far the only problem he's experienced with the new 8x4 is a broken wheel stud, which he says was their own fault.
Ben Biddall, owner of Dalmarnock, Glasgow-based Decor Stone, runs a mixed fleet of Leytands and Mercedes and has just bought a pair of 300hp 8x4 Hinos: "I think it's an excellent vehicle. We had one in '83, a ZM six-wheeler when it first came into the country and there isn't much that goes wrong with them." The new Hinos are averaging just over 8mpg, running at around 31.5 tonnes in Decor Stone's 12-strong fleet. "Better than my Leyland Constructors," says Biddall. "My drivers like them—they've driven Scanias and Volvos and reckon Hinos are the best, they get out of the cab at night and they're not even fatigued." BP Mitchell's steel-bodied eight-legger was on Hino's TipCon stand.
Biddall reckons they're "lighter than Volvos—I've got a John Wade alloy body on one which weighs 11.4 tonnes all up with a full tank of (diesel."
The problem, says Biddall, is "getting people to believe you. I'd say they're the best on the market and their residuals are good too."
Enfield-based owner-operator Clive Bradnum runs three trucks on concrete and tipper work for Pioneer. After running into problems with his 14-litre Cat-powered Foden he part-exchanged it for a new Hino 8x4: "I went for the Hino because I had dealings with Valley Trucks which has Foden and Hino franchises. I didn't have a lot of time to look around, I needed the second vehicle and this got me out of a difficult situation. I'd heard that the Irish liked them. I think it's a great motor. I went for it on its reputation that if you buy a Hino you never buy another make." So far Bradnum hasn't been disappointed with the performance of the Hino, which has a McGovern steel body. "The only problem I've run into has been tyre wear with the second steer axle caused by the tracking but Valley is dealing with it—I've nothing but praise for them."
"I'm getting around 8mpg plus out of it: my Volvo does around 7mpg although that's an F-reg. The Foden was doing 5mpg. I can't fault its ride and handling; it's very we'll designed and very comfortable. The top end power isn't that much but after the Foden anything will be underpowered."
The steel body and Drum underfloor gear has pushed up the kerbweight. "I'm not too happy with the weight; I could knock off more with an alloy body but with concrete waste you need something tougher. Overall it comes in at around 12 tonnes. I'd like to get into the elevens because when you're carrying stone you're paid by the tonne."
When it comes to cab comfort, says Bradnum, getting into the Hino "is like stepping into a Rolls Royce, it's so well thought out."