In total, a dozen new trucks have recently been put on the road, comprising eight hookloaders mounted on 410hp DAF XD chassis and four 450hp XD tractors.
Based at Thalia’s 400-acre waste handling and recycling centre adjacent to the A10 at Waterbeach, three miles north of Cambridge, the new trucks will primarily be employed on trade waste and high volume recycling duties, including Thalia’s full–service waste handling contract with Cambridgeshire County Council.
Thalia opted for 8×2 chassis with a rear lift axle rather than traditional double drive 8x4s, with the resulting benefits, including improved manoeuvrability, lower unladen weight, reduced tyre wear and enhanced fuel economy.
For the bodywork, the Harsh HH26 unit is said to offer reliability, durability and ease of maintenance. Given that Thalia vehicles often run with their container tops covered whether laden or empty, Harsh’s adjustable sheeting system is a valuable feature of its hookloader specification. So too are the advanced, controls that are operated via a hand held ‘tv remote’ device that either sits in a cradle by the driver’s seat or can be used outside of the truck via a wander lead.
Thalia’s transport manager Dan Smith said: “Given our inherent focus on environmental issues, we really wanted to make our new trucks as efficient and economical to operate as possible, whilst at the same time offering our drivers a pleasant, safe and totally modern working environment. As well as offering an ideal hookloader specification, the fact that Harsh also has an East Anglian service support centre less than an hour away is also of no small importance.
We’ve also thoroughly enjoyed working with Harsh who are genuinely enthusiastic for their business, and in turn always ready to work closely with us to deliver optimum solutions.”
The four new tractors are XD models. The mid lift 6×2 chassis with 450hp engines are each fitted with a Harsh hydraulic wet kit optimised to work with maximum capacity walking floor trailers.
“From our perspective, Harsh has got it absolutely right,” said Paul Kirkup, Thalia’s principal business manager. “Their hookloader product is everything that we want and complete in every way. We particularly like the fact that Harsh is also very knowledgeable and ‘hands on’ in their approach to us, whilst also fully communicative with our DAF dealer Chassis Cab to ensure that everything progresses as it should. And, of course, the availability of local Harsh back-up and service support is a real bonus as well.”
