In reply to Swishy

Swishy was asking a few days ago how long the new-fangled computer controlled trucks would last; well, I can't answer that yet, but here's a start...............

In 1995 the company I work for bought this International S3600 for me to drive, mainly pulling this old set of B-train tanks for carrying wine around New Zealand. It was specified by our then General Manager with a Cummins M11 350bhp engine and a wide ratio Fuller Roadranger 10-speed gearbox; it was a bit under-powered and had not enough gears for 45 tonnes on our hilly NZ roads but I drove it for 8 years and 900,000km and it did the job OK.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/b10ba229.jpg?t=1342769213

Then in 2003 the new owner of our company bought 2 new International 9400i tractor units together with 2 sets of B-train tankers. These were a huge improvement, having 460bhp Cummins ISX engines and Fuller Roadranger 18-speed gearboxes, the best gearboxes in the world without a doubt.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/346dafe7.jpg?t=1342769219

My one was named "Grandad's Mobility Scooter" in view of my age as I was 64 at the time. I never thought then that I would still be driving it 9 years later!

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/ea72b3c7.jpg?t=1342769223

It looked better with a bit more signwriting on

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/0092936b.jpg?t=1342769298

and it has done a great job, through rain

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/c9285659.jpg?t=1342769225

and snow

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/fe5cb1be.jpg?t=1342769225

and sunshine, throughout the length of the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/ab43ea65.jpg?t=1342769225


On Tuesday I stopped for breakfast outside the Magpies Rest Cafe, where they serve great meals, in Cheviot, north of Christchurch

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/0f8e760e.jpg?t=1342769229

and the odometer read 999,999 kilometres.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/640b7c02.jpg?t=1342769230

I thought "Bugger this" and drove forward a few feet and the reading changed to 1,000,000 km. This is the first truck I have seen with this reading as most of them return to zero after 999,999. In that time the basic engine has never been touched although it has had a new alternator and starter motor, as well as a new turbo as a routine scheduled replacement. It also had to have an electronic fuel metering actuator replaced a few weeks ago, and although this required a mechanic coming out with a new one, it was only a 15 minute job to replace itand this was the only computer/electronic problem it has ever had.

Apart from oil changes, the gearbox has never been touched in any way and the engine and gearbox still perform as well as, or probably better than new.

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/69ae59b7.jpg?t=1342769232

So, a short distance down the road and the odometer turns over to 1,000,001 km and the truck is ready for its second million.

What say you, Swish?

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz350/vicandval/9ecb421b.jpg?t=1342769233

G'day Vic
what a great story.... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Thanks again for the time you have taken..
Cummins and Inters....What can i say.....
Keep motorin mate....
Wish you all the best on the next million!!

regards
chocs

Well Hung Vic
Gudday M8
Chalk it up
U dun good
Probly 2 do with the nut Bhind the wheel
LOL

Ok then haz anybody heard of hora stories of the pewter control lorries

Iz there any of the 1st - 2nd ---100th generation trucks around from th@ era
or haz there been repowered with a more conventual control

Eye'm all for progress
providin it aint any worse than wot twaz it replacin

Cya
[ch9787]

g'day VicHung and congratulations on the one million kay milestone

... can tell the pride you're feeling and deservedly so, as it's no mean feat to accomplish what you've done, on the kind of operation it is, without a scratch to yourself or machine, or any real mechanical drama to speak of

of course the whipper snappers probably think a bit of age and experience on a bloke wouldn't have made any difference eh?.....good luck to ya...cheers

Thanks for sharing that Vic, a great milestone for both you and the truck. Proof is in the pudding!!

Good on you Vic, the boss would have to be pretty pleased with that mate.

A record to be proud of Vic, thanks for recording it and putting it together for us.

What an excellent combo of proven gear ...