News

Wolverhampton tipper operator E Aston & Son has taken delivery of its first Hino, a 3213 eight-wheeler supplied 'off the shelf' with Thompson steel muckaway body and Binotto front-end tipping gear. Following Hino practice for the UK market, body and gear were installed in Ireland by J J Harris Assemblers, the importer of Hino chassis for the British Isles.

After a week's evaluation of a Hino demonstrator at the beginning of the year, Aston was able to take immediate delivery of the new  vehicle. The Euro 3-compliant Japanese newcomer joins a fleet of around 30 tippers and other construction industry trucks. Aston's other 8x4s comprise mainly Volvos and Scanias plus a few Mercedes. The Birmingham-based Hartshorne dealership group, which has supplied all the company's Volvos, also owns Hi-Trucks, the separate business set up last year to distribute Hinos.

Director Scott Aston told Motor Transport that drivers have commented favourably on the Hino's performance, particularly on site, though they have criticised the lack of legroom in the sleeper cab. His fitters meanwhile have welcomed what they see as a return to a more workshop-friendly chassis. He says "vital components are more accessible than in most current eight-wheelers, notably the clutch. And the Hino has more sensible wheel fixings".

The Hino 32-tonner has a similar payload capacity to a similarly-equipped Volvo FM in muckaway trim, reckons Scott. He says orders will be placed for two  more eight-wheelers in the coming months, and in deciding which make to go for, Hino will be on the shortlist.