Driver training shifted up a gear this month with the unveiling of what may be Australia’s most technologically-advanced driver training vehicle, by Armstrong’s Driver Education of Melbourne.

Australia’s oldest and largest privately-owned driver training provider began talks with Kenworth Trucks more than two years ago. Kenworth spent the past seven months working with Armstrong’s to develop a state-of-the-art training vehicle.

The result is a fully-customised Kenworth T604 prime mover which features an array of electronic measuring systems that provide up-to-the-minute information on the truck and driver’s performance.

The T604’s roomy cabin has been transformed into an integrated training centre. Kenworth has fitted special, coach-style back seats equipped with lap - sash seatbelts in the rear of the cab for maximum comfort and safety. This enables three trainees to observe while another drives the truck with the instructor in the front.

Trainees can watch DVD instructional presentations from their seats. The Caterpillar Electronic Technician (E.T.) program - measures everything from speed, revs and gear shift points to harsh braking and fuel efficiency - and feeds real-time data to the drop down video screen. Viewable by the instructor and the three back passengers, the display provides a unique insight into the running of the truck and their colleague’s driving style.

Armstrong’s Chief Executive Officer Craig Nicholson says the customised T604 is designed to be an interactive training tool, enabling not only the driver but also the passengers to experience and learn in a unique way.

“Rather than the passengers merely waiting their turn to drive, they now have the opportunity to interact and participate in the learning experience. This greatly enhances the way we train drivers - by enabling them to learn not only from personal experience but an entirely different and informed viewpoint,” he said.

Armstrong’s ongoing commitment to the industry saw it recently relocate to a new two-acre complex in Thomastown, half of which is dedicated to training more than 1500 truck drivers each year. The VicRoads-accredited company handles both driver training and testing from light rigid to B Doubles as well as motorcycles and cars.

“We are very focused not only on achieving licensing outcomes but more so on creating a sound foundation for safe driving,” Craig said. “We offer a lot more than defensive driving. I firmly believe in ‘control driving’ and that involves three elements. Drivers control the risks they take. Drivers need to control other vehicles on the road for safety. And drivers never lose control of the road surface. This is the core of what we teach, and our new Kenworth is playing an integral role in this training,” he said.

Armstrong’s Kenworth joins a fleet of eight trucks which cater for different industry-standard licence classifications, covering light, medium and heavy rigid. The T604 pulls double duty, handling semi-trailer and B Double training.

The T604 features a Caterpillar C-15, rated at 500 hp with 1750 lb/ft of torque. It also includes an 18-speed Eaton RoadRanger 20918 transmission, Eaton DS 462 drive axles, Kenworth Airglide 200 AirBag suspension, and a 36-inch integrated sleeper. In addition, a one-piece windscreen and specially-mounted mirrors provide improved visibility.

Craig chose the T604 for a number of reasons, most notably visibility - it has a relatively steep-sloping bonnet so the driver gets an excellent view of what is in front of him - and also cab space. Most driver trainers have only a flat roof sleeper, whereas the T604 has an Aero roof sleeper, so that the passengers can stand up when swapping seats. He says the model also has twin bunk doors which provide emergency side exits for passengers in the rear.

“We have always purchased second-hand vehicles, to keep costs down” Craig said. “But when we were ready to take training to a higher level, buying a new Kenworth was the obvious choice. When you can only afford to buy one vehicle, you want the best of everything - the best reliability, performance and the highest resale value - that’s why we chose Kenworth,” Craig explained.

“We talk to truck drivers all day long, and the general consensus is that Kenworth is the best product on the market - they’re designed to be more durable, flexible in their application, and more productive in their operation. They have the highest driver acceptance in the industry, and that in itself says a lot about their quality.

“And, because Kenworths are built in Australia, they can be easily customised to suit specific needs. In fact, this is what clearly sets Kenworth apart from other manufacturers. “The dealer, manufacturer and other industry bodies, including Caterpillar and Eaton, have bent over backwards to provide us with the best product for our needs,” he added.

The award winning T604 is an aerodynamically-designed ‘power horse’ prime mover, delivering greater performance, a bigger payload and improved comfort on long hauls. It suits a large range of applications including use as a multiple trailer prime mover for double and triple road-trains as well as B-Doubles for certain configurations, with or without sleeper options.

The T604 is available with a choice of Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit engines up to the 15-litre Cummins Signature, 14-litre Detroit Series 60 and 15.8-litre Caterpillar C16, delivering up to 600hp with 2050 lb/ft of torque.

Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF, Leyland and Foden nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

For further information contact:
Neil Willox
Marketing Services Manager
PACCAR Australia
Phone: (03) 9721 1500
Email: neil.willox@paccar.com