Freightliner has pitched in with further assistance to the famed Burrumbuttock Hay Runners by lending a Freightliner Coronado 122 to the organisation leading up to the next hay run on the Australia Day weekend.
Burrumbuttock Hay Runners organiser Brendan Farrell took delivery of a Freightliner Coronado ahead of the upcoming hay run to Quilpie in the Queensland outback.
Freightliner has lent the hay Runners the Coronado 122 for summer so they can continue their tireless work helping Australian farmers through tough times.
In addition to Brendan Farrell’s role helping drought-stricken farmers, he is also an owner-driver and has already put the Coronado 122 to work.
The Coronado 122 will be used to carry hay for the 15thBurrumbuttock Hay Run on January 26th.
The scale of the operation is hard to comprehend, with Mr Farrell expecting a fleet of 300 volunteer truck drivers delivering more than 10,000 large hay bales.
Freightliner was quick to organise a truck for Mr Farrell when it heard his own two older trucks were off the road.
“Brendan has been helping Aussie farmers for years in a truly selfless manner,” says Freightliner Australia Director, Steve Downes.
“When we heard he was having truck trouble, it was a no-brainer to help him out with a Freightliner for a few months. We know the Coronado is tough enough to do this important work and we know Brendan will love driving it.”
Brendan has completed several runs in the Coronado 122, which was built to road train specification. He is impressed.
“This is Mickey Mouse compared to my old trucks,” he says.
“It is so comfortable to drive, and to sleep in. I’m doing a lot of kilometres, so it’s important to be able to get a good rest when I pull up.”
Brendan says the Coronado’s 15-litre Detroit engine “has plenty of horsepower.” He is also pleased that it has been fitted with an 18-speed Eaton manual as he still enjoys shifting gears himself.
The bold styling of the American Coronado, the big bullbar and some tasteful chrome work is not lost on Brendan either.
“It’s bloody beautiful – a real nice looking truck,” he says.
For information on helping out with the Australia Day hay run or donating to the cause, head to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ Facebook page.