A relatively small transport company is leading the industry in the production and use of biodiesel by building Australia’s only commercial refinery and distributing the product with a bio-fueled fleet of Kenworth trucks.
Established in Maitland, near Newcastle, by Paul Hill more than 55 years ago, the company began carting conventional fuels to the surrounding region. But in 1985 when Paul’s sons – Peter and Andrew – joined, the business converted to Kenworths to handle new business with intrastate and interstate routes to Sydney and Brisbane. Soon after, the company took a more dramatic turn when the brothers began researching alternative fuels, and eventually settled on the vegetable oil-based biodiesel.
Today P.J. & A.D Hill manages two operations. The original distribution business continues to haul bulk specialty lubricants and petroleum products for Caltex and BP. Its new Biodiesel Industries Australia refines and distributes biodiesel blends to a variety of customers including councils, mining and transport companies as well as fuel distributors as far afield as South Australia. The biodiesel business was established in 2001 as a joint venture with other local businesses and the production plant was constructed in 2003. While still in its infancy, it already manufactures nine million litres annually. The operation is growing faster than expected with the growing acceptance of the new product.
“We do not see the two arms of our business as a conflict of interest,” said Director Andrew Hill. “They complement each other. In fact, a number of our customers are conventional fuel distributors who sell both types of fuels to businesses and the general community.”
Biodiesel may be the new buzzword attracting widespread interest in Australia and growing acceptance around the world, but its invention and application is not new. It actually predates regular diesel fuel. In fact, when Dr Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine in 1895 and first demonstrated it at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, he powered it with peanut oil. He designed the diesel engine to run on vegetable oils. It was only years later, when innovative drilling techniques made petroleum-based fuels more accessible, that the industry standardised on the conventional fuel.
Today, biodiesel is commercially refined and mandated for use throughout Europe and the United States, which produce three billion litres annually. It can be sourced from a variety of vegetable oils, including soy bean, canola, palm, corn, coconut, sunflower, olive and hemp, as well as from recycled cooking oils, and sardine, algae and animal fats.
Peter and Andrew Hill swear by the alternative fuel. They have been testing biodiesel for many years and run all of the family’s vehicles on it, including two Rodeo utes, a Pajero 4WD and a Peugeot car. Their company also operates its entire truck fleet on B50, a 50-50 blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel.
“Biodiesel may not be the definitive fuel, but it’s definitely an economically and environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuels,” said Andrew Hill.
“It is clean-burning, biodegradable and uses renewable resources that are commonly available. Studies show that it is far more environmentally friendly than petroleum diesel, producing less greenhouse emissions, as well as other emissions such as black smoke, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons, which significantly cuts air pollution,” Andrew explained.
“And apart from the environmental advantages,” Peter said. “Biodiesel is also beneficial to transport owners and operators. It can power any diesel engine without modification and be distributed through standard fuel pumps. Biodiesel delivers comparable performance, tare weights and fuel economy and, with its enhanced lubrication, reduces wear and tear on engines. That’s what studies have shown and that’s what we have seen after using biodiesel in our vehicles for years,” Peter added.
P.J. & A.D Hill’s maintains an eclectic stable of 90 tonne-rated, Kenworth B Doubles including a K104 cab-over, T401 truck and dog, a T404SAR, several T404s and T904 prime movers as well as a DAF CF85. Most of their trucks are driven by Cat engines, and Caterpillar still provides a full warranty with the use of biodiesel.
The latest addition to the fleet is a T904, with a second due next month. It handles two distribution routes – Sydney to Brisbane and Brisbane to Townsville. The new T904 is powered by a C-15 engine rated at 550 hp and producing 1850 ft/lb torque. The vehicle features an 18-speed Eaton 20 Series transmission, Eaton DS462P axles (rated to 46,000 lb) and rides on Kenworth’s acclaimed Airglide suspension.
“The T904 is, by far, the most comfortable truck I have driven, and it’s especially suited to long distance hauls,” Peter commented. “I always wanted to have a W Model, but never did. Now I don’t need one – the T904 is everything I want in a truck. Apart from its superior ride and grunt, I love the classic, rugged look and the big bonnet, which harks back to the good old days of trucking.
“But, on a more practical side, like all of the Kenworths, the T904 is well engineered for reliability, durability and performance. And, at the end of the day, Kenworths always return a good resale price. What more could you ask from a truck?” he said.
Peter said the company had worked with a number of competing brands over the years but none compared to Kenworth. “Every time we bought other brands, they have always cost us more to keep on the road. Their parts cost more, and their time off the road adds considerably more. And when we want to get rid of them, nobody wants them,” Peter said.
“The reverse is true of Kenworth. They are cheaper to operate and maintain, and they offer a much higher resale value when it’s time to upgrade. We generally turn them over after four years and in that time they rack up around a million kilometres on them.”
Kenworth dealer Gilbert & Roach – Hexham is the company’s local dealer and, according to Andrew and Peter, go the extra mile in providing top service and support before and after the sale. “We have worked with them for years and we’re very happy with the relationship.”
Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, DAF, Leyland and Foden nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.
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Neil Willox
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PACCAR Australia
Tel: (03) 9721 1500
Media Contact: Neil Willox (neil.willox@paccar.com)