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As one of Australia’s most respected concrete placement and pumping companies, Delnote Constructions has one overriding company philosophy. Its equipment must be the latest and the best.
For director Hermann Janzon and his partners David and Kym Grosvenor, it’s a philosophy that makes good sense, both in terms of looking after their business and their employees.
“Our drivers may have to travel hundreds of kilometres before spending the whole day operating the concrete pump for any number of pours. Then they have to get back in the vehicle and drive it back to base,” said Hermann.
“So it’s our philosophy that we have the best possible equipment and the latest equipment for reliability, maintenance and safety.”
Testament to this is Delnote’s fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which ranges from a well used but well-loved 1424 and a 1517 to the company’s 3234 and a 3240 Actros, fitted with a 32 and a 36 metre concrete pumping boom respectively.
The trucks are both modified to handle the added weight and dimensions of the booms. In the case of the 3240, the roof was cut down and the suspension enhanced to cater for the permanent 26.5 tonne load. The chassis had to be extended slightly and the rear steer axle had to be moved slightly back so that the outrigger could fit between the steer axles.
“The modifications were not difficult to achieve at all because the boom is made by Putzmeister who are just 60 kilometres from the Actros factory in Germany. They tell Mercedes-Benz the specifications they need and the trucks are modified accordingly before making the short trip down the road to have the pump fitted,” said Hermann.
“We have had such a good run with the 1424 that we thought we should stick with Mercedes-Benz. Our ‘Benz models are perfectly suited to the job and the drivers love them.”
The trucks – and their equipment - have a pretty hard life. Running constantly to enable the high output, high pressure pump to put out 160 cubic metres of concrete per hour, the reliability of the Mercedes-Benz fleet has proved a key.
The company’s own formidable reputation has been forged over 10 years in places such as Olympic Dam and Adelaide’s new Pelican Point power station, where Delnote achieved a pour of more than 950 cubic metres in just one day.
“One of our units recently poured 650 cubic metres in a day at the Flinder’s Medical Centre all by itself. Others in this industry would probably send two trucks to that sort of job. It’s got to do with reliability. If you send an old pump there, something is likely to go. It might be a simple thing but it will cost you money and delays. The same thing applies with the trucks.”
The Telligent management systems on the Actros make it simple for Delnote to service and maintain the trucks themselves. That part of the business is overseen by Peter Ditloff, a former Kenworth road train driver.
“It’s very relaxing to drive. After a day’s pumping, you jump into the Actros and it’s a pleasure to sit in the cab. The air cushioned, hydraulic seating really makes a difference to making sure we are in the best possible condition when we arrive at the job,” he said.
“The Telligent gearbox is fantastic, the brakes are excellent and it’s just a pleasure to drive.”
Delnote’s commitment to best practice extends to its water conservation system. A number of catchment and settling pools have been constructed at its St Marys’ headquarters to recycle the water used to wash the trucks along with rainwater collected on the depot roof.
The runoff water is filtered before being pumped into 600 litre tanks on the trucks. The water from those tanks is then used to wash the pipe and the hopper before the truck leaves the construction site. It is then brought back to the depot where it is washed again, beginning the recycling process anew.
“We approach every part of our business with the same philosophy, whether it’s our trucks, our pumps or our facilities. We are in a competitive business that doesn’t reward the second-best,” said Hermann.
“That’s why the Actros is a perfect fit for us. It’s a safe, reliable and completely professional vehicle that more than holds its own in what is a very tough industry.”
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