New Cascadia returning 1.62km per litre while running 91 Tonne loads of fertiliser

Paul Mills runs a family trucking business based in Brinkworth, South Australia and he is delighted by the fuel numbers that his new Cascadia 126 returns. It hauls fertiliser on a run that takes in Port Lincoln, Walleroo and Port Adelaide.

“We are getting 1.62km per litre running 91 tonnes loaded both ways,” Mills said. “That is kind of number you expect from a truck running that route with a 68-tonne B-double.”

The result? Mills is saving a lot of money on fuel. “It certainly adds up,” he said. “Especially when you consider how much it saves over the life of the truck.”

His new Cascadia runs a 16-litre six-cylinder Detroit producing 580hp and 2050 ft/lb of torque, which is connected to a DT12 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).

He also chose the Cascadia 126 as part of his businesses safety-first policy. as it goes above and beyond with safety features for all its equipment, so selecting the safest truck in the class was a straightforward decision.

“We are market leaders in safety and we wouldn’t want it any other way,” Mills said.

Mills Freightlines invests in full TEBS trailers that sound an alarm if they lean past a safe angle, live tracking, fire retardant systems, trailer tyre heat and pressure sensors, fatigue monitoring systems and front, rear and driver-facing cameras, so it was pleased to see so much standard safety equipment as standard in Cascadia.

The Cascadia is the only conventional truck in Australia to be fitted with a driver airbag and is now available with an optional side head-protecting airbag for the driver. It also comes standard with integrated radar-cruise control and advanced emergency braking capability, in addition to lane departure warning.

“The system works very well and it just allows the driver to really concentrate on the road in front of them and what is going on up ahead,” Mills added. “It is an excellent system.”

Mills said the 126, with a 48-inch sleeper, is “a beautiful truck to drive,” adding that the driver is thrilled with his new machine.

If would like more information on the Freightliner Cascadia call Steve Pinkstone on 0418 652 619.

Photos: Ryan Schembri