Hino trucks are the pick for student training.

Peter has been a heavy vehicle driving instructor for the last 15 years and he is committed to running trucks that demonstrate user friendly support and provide a simple driving experience. The Hino product has proven to be the perfect fit since we delivered a Hino FC 500 Tipper many years ago.

“Some of the training schools I’d worked for had a Hino or two in the mix, along with other brands, and the Hino just seemed to be the one that was the most user friendly and simple to drive,” said Peter.

“You don't want something that's got a million dials or the indicator on the wrong side of the steering column. User friendly, reliable, fuel efficient – that’s what you want. You don't want something that’s hard to learn in and you certainly don’t want to be chasing your tail with repair bills. The Hino ticked a lot of boxes.

“Nervousness is a common theme among the students. There are two things that will put them at ease. Obviously, and most importantly is the person that's instructing, but also the truck they’re driving. The Hino fit the bill in terms of size, all round vision and ease of use.”

Thanks to the 500 Tipper demonstrating great reliability and performance, Peter decided to grow his versatile fleet and the next Hino to be added to the fleet was a Hino 500 FM Heavy Rigid.

“Once you get to heavy rigid, you’re talking about different gearboxes. So, with an automatic you'd be restricted. With a synchromesh, single clutch gearbox you’ll also be restricted. But with a double clutch ‘box – you’re unrestricted.

“And that next truck was the one that had the unrestricted or ‘crash’ gearbox that requires double clutching. It's an older truck because I wasn't able to buy one new and that’s a crying shame because it’s just a ripper!

“People may think one crash box is the same as any other but that’s not true. I went to Melbourne to look at this truck, along with a couple of others that I drove first. I thought at the time that if the Hino drove like that I was turning around and heading straight back to Adelaide.

“I took it out for a spin, and it was the sweetest crash box truck that I’d ever driven. It's just smooth, honest, and easy to learn.

“I’ve been in all sorts of trucks with that type of gearbox, and they drive OK, but that Hino just drives sweet. Its engine matches well to the transmission, the configurations match well to shift. I suppose manuals are getting phased out but there's still a lot of people that want an unrestricted licence.”

Thanks to the growth of the business, Peter needed to add more trucks in his fleet and chose to invest in a 500 Series with an auto box and then the 80th Anniversary syncro-boxed 500 Series.

Whilst many truck driving schools may want a prime mover in their fleet, like the 700 Series, Peter loves the versatility of his current fleet of 500 Series’.

“These three trucks have all been built in a manner where the tray comes off with the help of a forklift and underneath the tray is a turntable. Stand up the pogo stick with the Susie coils, and then go hook up a trailer to take heavy combination licences. It takes all of 15 minutes to effect the change.

“So, we're covering all bases: Automatic, single-clutch manual and double-clutch manual, in both heavy rigid and heavy combination. It covers all the classes, except for MC, which is still in the pipeline. The three FM500’s effectively give us six trucks” says Peter.

The conversions completed on the Hino 500s were carried out by Adelaide based Combo Industries and we agree with Peter, their work is first class!

Peter believes that there are many other advantages with the 500 Series, which is why he prefers to use them for HC training with his students.

“Firstly, being cab-overs, the wheelbase is shorter and therefore it makes the trucks more manoeuvrable. Secondly, with a rear window the learner has the advantage of being able to use the rear-view mirror as well as the wings – it makes for added confidence for a beginner.

“Secondly, with a rear window the learner has the advantage of being able to use the rear-view mirror as well as the wings – it makes for added confidence for a beginner.

“Then there is the power – or rather less of it when compared to say the Hino 700 Series. We see that as an advantage in that it teaches the student a lot more about gear changing when hill climbing for instance. Experience is all important.”

Peter’s next project will be to move into multi combination licencing and as the Hino 700 Series rated MC to 72 tonnes, we know that Hino will continue to be the perfect fit for Truck Licence SA.

The CMI Hino Adelaide team are proud to have long lasting relationship with Peter and Truck Licence SA team, and we value Peter’s experience and commitment to educating the next truck drivers on our roads, particularly in Hino trucks!

“It’s exciting to see that CMI Hino Adelaide have an input into the training of future qualified truck drivers, and that they are mastering their heavy-duty driving skills with Hino trucks.

“We’re looking forward to working with Peter well into the future are they look to expand their fleet with more Hino Trucks, including the Hino 700 Series,” explained CMI Hino Adelaide General Manager, Nathan Chatfield.

We would like to thank Peter and the Truck Licence SA team for choosing CMI Hino Adelaide. We look forward to continuing to partner with you as you continue to grow your Hino fleet!

Truck Licence SA provides heavy vehicle training and assessing in various locations across South Australia and provides students with the opportunity to be trained under mentorship in multiple truck classes.

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