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A fleet replacement plan at Porter Haulage has recently put new Kenworth T909 twins on the road – one working in the North Island and other South Island-based.

“Our [Kenworth] 904s were the flagships for us quite a few years ago and we have just completed a bit of a fleet renewal plan in the last year replacing some of the older trucks,” says Jason Pilling, Porter Haulage Manager.

“These ones will be our new flagship units. They will do a huge variety of work moving all the big machines around for us. One is based in Hamilton and the other in Christchurch, but they will also do some inter-island work.”

The T909 drivers are David Foote and Jake Taylor.

Both new trucks are working with MTE-built `three rows of eight’ widening trailers and MTE `two rows of eight’ widening dollies.

Porter’s worked with Southpac Trucks to achieve the 130-tonne rating and impressive specification for the T909 twins.

“The project began with Scotty Haberfield who has looked after us for quite a few years. When Scotty became ill, Tim Finlay took over and delivered the trucks,” says Jason.

The T909 6x4s are identical twins numbered T126 and T127 in the Porter’s fleet. The specification features include 36-inch recess integrated sleepers along with 7-inch stacks, 12-inch drop visor, bug deflector and high rise air cleaners. They ride on Dura-bright alloy wheels.

The trucks are powered by the 615hp version of the Cummins X15 developing 2050 lb-ft of torque and working with an 18-speed Roadranger.

Among the options on the truck is Neway extra heavy duty rear air suspension and twin 450-litre fuel tanks. The Meritor MT23-168GP rear axles with twin diff locks have a 4.56:1 final drive ratio for heavy haul work.

Details include stainless trim to bottom of bumper, kick panels, battery covers, rolled front guard flare, tank wraps, skirt to rear of cab, bottom of grill, mirrors and headlight defenders. The stainless also continues to the back of cab light bar, air cleaner trim, step trim, stainless guards with KW infill logo, stainless Duomatic and hydraulic services box, stainless rear light bar and stainless tool boxes.

Lighting includes clear lens lights to roof, lights bottom and top of bumper, air cleaners, bug light, stacks, back of cab, and along tanks and toolbox, LED beacon bar to roof and flashers in front grill and rear load lights. 

The tractor unit has tow points fitted front and rear. Inside the cab is the new Cummins driver display and Smart Air Wi-Fi weight system.

Putting the trucks on the road in a high specification and striking livery has been a mix of expertise from within Porter’s and also outsourced. 

“They were painted in-house at our paint and refurb facility by Richard and the signs were done by Murray at Graffito Signs in Hamilton. He does all our sticker work including the excavators,” says Jason.

Stainless work is by Southpac Engineering while TRT did the fifth wheel installations and Waikato Stainless Steel built the toolboxes.

“Our own workshop team led by Tony and James were also heavily involved in getting everything together,” says Jason.

Fittingly for a truck in the Porter’s fleet the public debut of the first of the twins was at Pukekohe back in late-March where it served as the Pace Truck for the final round of the NZ Super Truck Championship.

While Porter’s makes careful choices from the Kenworth specification sheet, Jason says; “there isn’t really anything in the spec that is unique to us other than the `Porters’ lettering in the stacks.”

The T909s are already getting some attention as they have started work around the country and Jason says they are fulfilling the flagship role for the company.

Kenworth trucks have a great road presence and they stand the test of time with the heavy haulage work we do. They have been predominantly used by Porter Haulage for many years so we are keeping to a company tradition. 

“The drivers have been getting some good feedback and we’ve done a bit of social media promotion. They seem to be creating a bit of interest and are flying the company banner for us.”