Archive, Product News

Isuzu agitator trucks get stability control

ESC for agitator trucks is unique to the Australian part of the Isuzu empire.

 

Isuzu has announced the introduction of electronic stability control (ESC) into its heavy duty agitator offering.

The FYJ 8×4 short wheelbase agitator chassis now comes with ESC, an important safety item for notoriously top-heavy concrete trucks.

Isuzu says these agitators have been selling like hot cakes but not into the fleets of some of the major construction companies such as Boral and Holcim, which are specifying stability control.

This was putting Isuzu at a disadvantage to its main cab-over competitor in the segment, the Iveco Acco, which introduced stability control last year.

Isuzu Australia had to twist some arms at headquarters in Japan, and ESC in this segment is now unique to the Australian part of the empire.

“This model represents the fastest development cycle of any product we have undertaken with Isuzu Japan, with just 12 months between concept and release to market, including testing,” Australia’s chief engineer, product strategy, Simon Humphries says.

Despite the well-proven safety benefits of stability control, it is not offered in the new range of F series trucks.

“There is insufficient demand at this stage outside of concrete applications to justify the engineering and development expense to apply this to other models,” Humphries says.

“However, we do expect that ESC will be mandated as part of the braking ADR (Australian Design Rule) within the next five years or so.”

You can read the full feature on the new Isuzu F series range in the April issue of Owner//Driver.

 

 

 

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend