Fertiliser supply and spreading operator adds a new Coronado to its fleet, much to the delight of driver Justin Atkinson.
When Calcimo Lime & Fertilisers owner Graeme O’Connor called company truck driver Justin Atkinson into his office to show him the new truck he would be driving, Justin didn’t know what to expect.
On Graeme’s computer screen was an image of the Freightliner Coronado 114. He told Atkinson: “Here’s your new truck.”
Calcimo recently made the decision to replace its 2005 Kenworth K104, which had clocked up 850,000km, and Graeme settled on the Coronado.
Justin didn’t have a lot of experience driving Freightliners. He’d mainly been behind the wheel of Kenworth 401s and 680s and admits to never having given Freightliners much thought.
But that all changed when he began driving the Coronado.
It has certainly impressed Justin with its ride, room and finish. There’s a Detroit DD15 under the bonnet, set at 560hp (417.6kW).
Calcimo’s Coronado is the XT model. Though it does appear deceptively small from the outside, Justin has been impressed with the level of finish and how much thought for the driver has gone into the cabin. This includes lockers for clothes and a built-in fridge.
“I am 6 foot 3 and can stand up without any problem,” Justin says.
“The bed is comfortable and the whole cab finish is very plush.
As far as Graeme is concerned, the Coronado, which recently had its first service at 40,000km, ticks all the boxes.
“As it turned out, the truck has been fantastic thus far and hasn’t missed a beat,” he says.
“It is excellent for living in and is one of the best laid out and equipped trucks I have seen.”
Read Justin Atkinson’s full story in the December edition of Owner//Driver.
Photography: Peter Schlenk