Tree surgeon branches out with Fuso Canter05 October 2011

Seven years after setting up his own business, tree surgeon Chris Gill has invested in a Fuso Canter, the vehicle he had used when first employed in the industry by another company.

"They had a Canter, which I just thought was a fantastic little truck," Gill recalls. "I always knew that when I was in a position to invest in a new truck, it would have to be a Canter."

Gill's 3.5-tonne Canter 3C15 model was supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealer Bell Truck and Van, of Longbenton, Newcastle. Mounted on its ladder-frame chassis is a bespoke, high-sided body by CVC, of Blaydon.

"The Canter is the ideal vehicle for the job. The turning circle is excellent, which makes manoeuvring in narrow residential streets easy, even when towing a chipper," continues Gill.

"It also carries weight extremely well – the cab-forward design means any cargo is much more evenly distributed between the axles, whereas the vans I've used previously tend to sit very tail-heavy. Also, the flat-fronted cab also helps give a smaller overall footprint," he adds.

"At 18,000 miles the service intervals are long and I expect the Japanese engineering to translate into excellent reliability, while the fact that the three-year warranty has no mileage limit demonstrates the manufacturer's faith in its product."

"It's great to drive too," he states. "Even with three people in the cab, a load on the back and a chipper towed behind, there's ample power from the 150hp engine. I definitely made the right choice."

Author
John Challen

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.