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International’s 9870 R8 Skyroof Eagle has been available now for some time and there are plenty of standout examples working on New Zealand highways.

And with only a handful of 9870s left to be built at the Intertruck Distributors facility at Tauriko (Tauranga), this truck - owned by L D Rural Transport Ltd and contracted to Ranfurly Transport - might just be the best yet.

Owner-driver Lyndon Buchanan is the fourth generation of his family to have an association with the International brand. Lyndon’s great-grandfather, grandfather and father have all spent time behind the wheel of an International during their driving careers.

Lyndon got into the industry from a young age riding `shotgun’ with his dad when he drove for Fulton Hogan, spending a lot of hours in the truck instead of being at school.

Once Lyndon had decided school wasn’t for him, he left and took a gap year so he could go about getting his licences. This was spent farming, which inevitably paved the way for Lyndon to join the family business and become a stock truck driver.

Starting out in a two-axle Hino `flea truck’ for his father, Lyndon worked his way up through his licences until eventually he was put behind the wheel of a Freightliner Argosy.

Seeking a break from carting stock, Lyndon joined the team at Summerland Express Freight, but the call of stock cartage proved too strong and before long he began driving for Ranfurly Transport.

“Stock called me back, it’s sort of a bug you can’t get rid of really. Once you’re in stock, you’re in stock I reckon,” Lyndon says. 

Once Lyndon was offered the position of owner-driver at Ranfurly Transport he knew which brand of truck he wanted. He phoned Intertruck Distributors South Island salesman Shaun Jury and placed an order for the 9870.

The imposing International 9870 R8 Skyroof model (which is painted in the eye-catching colour of Ford Sunburst Orange and sign written by B Design in Alexandra) is powered by the Cummins X-15 615 horsepower engine developing 2050 lb-ft of torque and matched up with an Eaton Roadranger RTLO 20918B 18-speed manual shift transmission.

The front axle is a Meritor MFS-143 wide track rated at 6.5 tonne with a 50 degree wheel cut fitted with 9-inch offset rims. The second steer axle (which also has the same wheel cut and offset rims) features electronic control air suspension (ECAS). The system uses an electronic height sensor that transmits accurate data to the truck’s ECU and calculates whether or not the pressure in the bellows above the magnetic valve needs to be adjusted, making the suspension more efficient.

Meritor 46-160 drive axles are fitted on the rear of the truck with 275/70 x 22.5 tyres on alloy rims. Full cross locks are fitted and are likely to be needed in the high country from time to time.

Lyndon has put his own detail touches on his International Eagle adding a black powder coated stone guard and a Ali Arc alloy bumper fitted with LED driving lights. These also feature on the roof and up the cab extenders making it an impressive sight on the road at night.

The cab interior is decked out in full diamond vinyl trim in charcoal black, a fridge drawer that’s mounted underneath the bunk and a stunning Pearl Craft steering wheel and gear shifter. Comfort is provided by ISRI 6860/875 seats embossed with the International logo.

Running nationwide carting stock, the truck and 5-axle trailer crates must be durable and able to withstand the rigours of the harsh New Zealand climate. 

Built by Delta Stock Crates in Timaru, the crates are set up for two-deck cattle and four-deck sheep transport measuring 25 feet on the truck and 37-foot trailer. The combination runs on a 50-tonne permit, with a payload of just over 30 tonnes.

TES in Invercargill have also set-up this flexible unit with twist locks so the crates can come off and tanks can be fitted for the upcoming milk season.

Lyndon, his wife Danielle and two young daughters are all very happy with the new truck.

“The truck’s performing great, proving itself out on the farm and the country roads around Central and it’s definitely a nice comfortable ride,” Lyndon says.