Ritchie Agricultural manufactures agricultural equipment as well as on and offshore oil and gas machinery and started transporting its goods via its own trucks in 1965.
A 2,400Nm of torque is available from 1,700-1,900rpm, which is said to ensure engine responsiveness while also reducing fuel consumption. Further efficiency gains come via increased compression ratios, an advanced combustion management strategy, Eco Mode for the automatic air conditioning system and A-pillar aerodynamic covers that further improve airflow around the cab.
Stephen Ritchie, Ritchie Agricultural’s logistics manager, said: “These IVECOs are better on fuel than any other trucks we’ve had. The 13-litre engine doesn’t need to work as hard to get the job done and the drivers really love the performance. Many of our drivers have driven just about every type of truck, but they all now favour IVECOs for their comfort and driving position.”
Each of these IVECO S-Way 490s features air suspension, providing additional comfort on the UK’s often battered road surfaces. A block spacer has also been added to help maximise ground clearance, enabling these trucks to enter a range of customer sites with uneven surfaces.
The 4x2 trucks are fitted with a Connectivity Box that enables IVECO ON to provide over-the-air service updates and detailed data relating to driving habits and fuel economy information to help optimise fleet usage. Vehicle health is monitored with the IVECO control room in Turin able to flag potential issues.
Ritchie added: “The proactive system helps keep our trucks on the road and ensures they run without issue. Getting ahead of potential problems helps preserve vehicle longevity.”
These trucks are set to cover around 100,000km each year and are covered by IVECO’s Repair and Maintenance contracts. The Ritchie vehicles are on a four-year 3XL plan that covers everything from vehicle wear and maintenance to the driveline.
The vehicles are fitted with a connectivity box and smart pack. This provides operators with access to advanced features such as smart reporting to help analyse efficiencies and vehicle monitoring for updates on truck performance.