Independent ground investigation contractor, Geotechnical Engineering, has introduced its first Isuzu rigids, with the arrival of four F135.240(E) 13.5-tonners with beavertail bodywork supplied by Isuzu Truck dealer Aquila Truck Centres.
Replacing 7-tonne light commercials from another manufacturer, the move to Isuzu centred around a need to increase payload capacity, without compromising on build quality or reliability. The new trucks are mounted with bespoke beavertail bodies from Truck Hydraulics, each featuring a three-metre ramp to ensure a load angle of less than 20 degrees, supporting the safe and easy loading of a variety of plant and drilling equipment.
Karl Wintle, Senior Manager of Geotechnical Engineering, says: “The machinery we use on site continues to get heavier and more sophisticated, meaning our existing 7-tonners weren’t up to the task. A move to larger trucks was inevitable, and as we developed the ideal specification and evaluated our options, it became obvious that Isuzu was the frontrunner.”
Teams from Aquila Truck Centres and Truck Hydraulics worked closely to ensure the vehicles meet the precise needs of Geotechnical Engineering’s operations, proposing a chassis and body combination that would unlock genuine efficiency savings for the business.
“By selecting the Isuzu F-Series, we benefit from a robust, highly manoeuvrable vehicle, which we’re confident will deliver great reliability. A lot of our plant is powered by Isuzu diesel engines, so we’ve first-hand experience with the quality and dependability of these drivelines.”
Upgrading payload and performance
The F-Series’ lightweight chassis also ensures a competitive payload capacity, enabling the 13.5-tonners to support the delivery of intermediate bulk containers (IBC), which carry the water essential for on-site drilling activities. This helps to reduce the number of trips required to deliver all necessary materials to customer sites – providing both efficiency and sustainability benefits.
Supplied by Paul Teakle at Aquila Truck Centres’ Gloucester dealership, the vehicles are expected to be on the road five days per week, travelling 30,000 miles annually. They will remain in service for at least the next five years and form part of the company’s 110-strong mixed commercial vehicle fleet.
All four chassis are covered by the manufacturer’s three-year unlimited mileage warranty, which includes 24/7 roadside assistance, and access to the Isuzu Truck UK Customer CARE Team and comprehensive dealer network.
Founded in 1961, Geotechnical Engineering delivers geotechnical and geospatial services, including ground investigations, drilling, lab testing, topographical and utility surveys for infrastructure projects across the UK from its locations in Gloucester and Manchester.
