Devonshire haulier takes delivery of first Iveco Stralis tractor units

Thursday 6th August 2015

Devonshire haulier, William C Hockin (Transport) Ltd has added two Euro VI Stralis Hi-Way 6x2 twin-steer (AS440S46TXP) tractor units to its fleet of more than 100 commercial vehicles. The Stralis tractors are the first Iveco units to go into operation with the Barnstable-based family company and initial feedback on all fronts has been “good”.

Delivered by dealer Hendy Van & Truck, the new vehicles will trunk more than 130,000 km per year operating with a mix of curtainsiders, flatbeds and tankers. The company was established more than 40 years ago, and today sees the Hockin fleet operating nationwide – carrying a wide variety of loads including building materials, fertilisers, food and fuel.

Bill Hockin, Managing Director, says: “We had heard good reports of the Stralis Hi-Way so were keen to run our own evaluation. Initial reports have been encouraging with good results on the fuel front, even when taking into account the vehicles are still new. We carry out all our own maintenance, and operations to date have been trouble free; coupled with positive comments from the drivers, it’s made for a very encouraging start.”

Iveco has ensured that the cab of its largest Stralis Hi-Way model is built around the driver, with class-leading ergonomics, comfort and safety to provide an environment which maximises productivity – especially important on long haul operations. 

Key to the Stralis Hi-Way’s efficiency is Iveco’s patented HI-SCR system, which has been used to meet the latest Euro VI emissions standard without the need for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). As a result, there is no requirement for increased engine cooling capacity, nor for active regeneration in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) at very high temperatures. This helps to deliver weight reduction and impressive fuel performance, whilst the simplicity of the SCR-only approach means long service intervals for the DPF of up to 600,000 km. Iveco says the HI-SCR is more durable thanks to a less complex, yet highly efficient, technology.

Hockin adds: “As the vehicles get more miles under their belt we will be better placed to evaluate the total cost of ownership. That’s the number one consideration when running a large heavy truck fleet as intensively as we do, and was the key driver in us ordering our first Iveco vehicles.”

Each of the Stralis tractor units is powered by an Iveco Cursor 11 engine which produces up to 460 hp between 1,500 and 1,900 rev/min and 2,150 Nm of torque between 925 and 1,500 rev/min. The engine is matched with Iveco’s proven EuroTronic automated transmission, which is manufactured by ZF and comes as standard in all Stralis vehicles.