Fuso’s recent launch of its flagship 510 hp Shogun has led a Sydney-based civil contractor, JMT Civil to buy its first ever Japanese truck.
JMT Civil, which specialises in vegetation management, demolition and machinery heavy haulage, has a fleet of eight conventional ‘American-style’ trucks, but the fact that the Fuso Shogun was available with more than 500hp, was central for JMT Civil Director, Joel Taylor, in making the decision to break with tradition when he needed a truck for jobs around metro Sydney.
“We are very happy with our existing trucks, but there comes a time that the benefits of a model like the Shogun outweigh any negatives,” Joel said.
“The main thing is the maneuverability of the cab-over and the excellent visibility that will really help our drivers getting in and out of compact sites in the city, but the fuel efficiency of the 13-litre is also a real positive,” Joel explained when asked what those benefits were.
Joel Taylor said the Shogun, which has a Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating of 63-tonnes, is a good truck for the application: “The design and visibility really make it easier for our drivers and they love it.”
Taylor says that as for the efficiency the Shogun 510 is “considerably better” on fuel than the other trucks in the fleet when working the same type of jobs.
The Shogun 510 is the only Japanese truck with more than 500hp and is fitted with a 13-litre six-cylinder Daimler Truck that delivers 510hp and 2500Nm of torque. Taylor said the fact that it has more than 500hp was a key factor.
“Nobody wants to drive an underperforming vehicle, so the engine performance was really important,” Taylor said.
Even though the Shogun is the first Japanese truck in the JMT Civil fleet, it was still given the full treatment with plenty stainless steel, scroll paint details and extra lighting the company is known for.
The immaculate presentation of the JMT Civil trucks is no accident. Having built the company up from one truck eight years ago, Mr Taylor knows the importance of appearances.
“We take great pride in the presentation of our equipment and I think customers are more likely to do business with a company that has well-presented trucks that shows they are professional,” he said.
All Shogun 510s are delivered with a distinctive black front section that only features on the 13-litre unit.
The JMT Civil Shogun was prepared by Fuso dealer Sydney Trucks and Machinery (STM). Mr Taylor has known salesman Bruno Gerace forever and appreciates the team’s customer service.
The JMT Civil Shogun 510 is being used with low loader trailers hauling various plant and machinery at around 40 to 45 tonnes GCM.
All Shoguns come with a full suite of active safety features, which is especially important for trucks operating in urban environments with dense traffic and many pedestrians.
These include an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) feature that uses camera and radar technology to automatically brake for an object or moving pedestrian in the event the driver does not respond to an audible warning. This system is standard, as is radar-based adaptive cruise control.
Active Attention Assist (AAA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), a driver airbag, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) assistance function are also standard.
The 510’s OM471 six-cylinder engine hits its maximum power output at 1600rpm while its maximum torque of 2500Nm is available from just 1100rpm.
It is strong down low with 86 per cent of maximum torque available from just 800rpm, while 84 per cent of maximum torque is still available at 1700rpm.
The engine features an asymmetric turbocharger and the latest generation common rail system with variable pressure boosting for ultimate fuel efficiency.
A standard 12-speed fully automated transmission (AMT) features the clever EcoRoll system, while a powerful three-stage engine braking system gives the driver more control.
