Fuso Canter pulls its weight for plant-hire

Story: COLIN DAWSON

The Canter’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity is among the best in class

WHEN husband-and-wife team John and Sharon Graham’s plant-hire business lost its previous van-based transport after it was written off in an accident, the replacement had to be right for the job.

“The old van-derived chassis cab had its limitations,” John Graham told Business Vans. “Our work takes me off-road into quarries most days so I need a vehicle that can stand up to the job.”

John Graham Contracting chose to invest in its first Fuso Canter, citing rugged build quality, exceptional towing capacity and a competitive finance package as persuasive reasons for the purchase.

John Canter said: “The Canter is built like a proper truck, with a tough ladder-frame chassis and twin rear wheels.”

The Canter’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity is among the best in class.

“That’s extremely useful too,” said Mr Graham, “because I tow a trailer that carries a 2.0-tonne digger. Likewise, the fact that the Canter rides that bit higher then my last vehicle also means there’s increased protection from damage.”

The Morpeth-based business specified its new Canter with a light alloy dropside body by Robinson Truck Bodies of Blaydon. The Canter’s 130hp engine drives through a DUONIC gearbox, which is new this year, and the first twin-plate automated transmission to be fitted to a light truck.

“The DUONIC gearbox is excellent,” Mr Graham said. “It takes a lot of the strain out of driving, especially in traffic, and the truck is still returning an impressive 23mpg. The cab is also well-designed and comfortable with easy access, and the engine brake is very effective as well.”

The 3.5-tonne Canter 3C13 was supplied by Newcastle Mercedes-Benz dealer Bell Truck and Van. The Fuso light truck range is sold and supplied by the German manufacturer’s dealer network in the UK.

The new Canter is the subject of a flat-rate 1.95 per cent finance arrangement, which is available to business van buyers on all new Fuso models supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealers.

Keep up to date with developments in our Business Van News section.