GITI Tyres Big Test - Lift and Carry

It’s not very often that I get to drive a crane truck on our Big Tests, but here we are with Les Harrison Transport’s unique 10x6 Hino 700.

Yes, that’s right – it’s a six-wheel-drive unit. It came to New Zealand as an 8x4 and has had an extra drive axle fitted to handle some specialised work.

It’s the first time a tri-drive conversion has been done to a Hino 700, hence why we are here to learn more about it.

The Hino 700 Euro 6 is standard if you take away the bi...

GITI Tyres Big Test - Valley Cruiser

North Canterbury is always enjoyable to visit. By turning off the hustle of State Highway 1 there are quieter roads to discover, flowing through constantly changing terrain and scenery – set against the southern alpine backdrop in the distance.

In early December there’s still some green remaining in the pasture and a slight chill to the morning breeze. Perfect conditions to hit the road in the GVT (Greta Valley Transport) Iveco S-Way 570 livestock unit for a busy morning co...

GITI Tyres Big Test - Heavy Metal

The six tall chimney stacks at the old Meremere Power Station which were roughly a half-way landmark during the Hamilton-Auckland journeys of my childhood have long gone.

But appropriately there is a pair of tall metal stacks awaiting us in the grounds of the former coal-fired power station on the morning of this month’s New Zealand Truck & Driver Giti Tyres Big Test.

They belong to the new Nikau Contractors Kenworth T909 heavy haul unit, built to a custom specification and rat...