Australia has a wide range of fantastic heavy vehicles to choose from, with each offering different benefits and functions.
But when your business needs one, how do you go about choosing the one that’s right for you? While there’s no quick solution to this question, there are a few points you can take into consideration while searching. In today’s article, we’ve put together five main points worth focusing on in your quest for a new heavy vehicle.
1. What you’ll be using the vehicle for
Naturally, the first thing you’ll want to consider is what exactly you need to be using this heavy vehicle for. Are you looking for a truck to transport goods, earthmoving equipment for the mines, or something else? This will be a fairly logical point of consideration, as you’ll more than likely know the different functions and jobs your heavy vehicle will be needed for.
However, in addition to what you’ll be using the vehicle for, it’s also worth considering whether there will be any restrictions needed to reflect the driver/operator of the vehicle. For example, if you’re a smaller business and the only individuals who’ll be handling the vehicle are already employed with your business, find out what types of licences they have. Particularly with trucks, there are tiers and different licence classes that restrict or permit the operation of certain vehicles types.
2. Performance and the efficiency
When it comes to heavy vehicles, performance is absolutely essential. Not just in terms of speed or how much freight it can move, but also in terms fuel efficiency and durability. By no means were all heavy vehicles created equal, and a poorly-informed purchase could see you sinking more money into fuel and repair costs. Luckily, considering the fact that heavy vehicles do have to adhere to very high standards, you’ll find much of this information is easy to find out. But whatever you do, don’t just buy the first thing that comes along. Because even if one vehicle is cheaper, it could end up costing you more in the long run.
3. Health and safety
They may be mobile, but heavy vehicles still count as a workplace, particularly when it comes to freight and logistics. That’s why it’s imperative that the heavy vehicle you purchase is secure and nurtures a safe environment for its drivers/operators. Health and safety can cover several areas, from a comfortable seating environment, rails on the outside for secure entry and exit of the vehicle, and a sleeper cabin that effectively blocks out all light and allows the driver to get some quality sleep. There’s plenty more that goes into a secure vehicle, but these are just some of the features worth remembering.
4. Maintenance frequency
This sort of falls in line with the second point in this article, but it’s worth digging a little deeper to get a general idea of how frequently a vehicle may require maintenance / general upkeep. Heavy vehicle maintenance is a very costly expense, so vehicles that require less maintenance are typically what you’ll want to look at – provided they cater to the other criteria mentioned in this article, of course. Additional instalments can be added to heavy vehicles, such as automated lubrication systems, to reduce the frequency of maintenance, but it’s always best to aim for a vehicle that can last for a reasonable time before needing general maintenance.
5. Appearance
Now, aesthetics may not be as important as the other four points mentioned in this article, but it still has its place. After all, the appearance of your vehicles can be of great importance if they will be out there representing your business (e.g. a freight truck with your logo on the side). If a heavy vehicle is going to remain onsite, then the appearance may not matter as much. But if you deal in delivering goods or have large trucks moving from site to site, then a vehicle with a nice visual appeal and your logo on the side can be a big plus for your business.
Again, it may not be the most important aspect when it comes to choosing a heavy vehicle for your business, but it’s still worth considering.
* Image source: simononly
