Outstanding fuel economy and a low overall cost of ownership are major plus features allied with the rugged construction of the truck and trailer.

The Hino 700 2841 6x4 freight carrier tractor pulls a custom-built trailer built by Motor Body Construction (MBC) in Johannesburg. This combination can carry a total of 22 tons. The maximum number of slaughter oxen loaded so far has been 33 but it could carry up to 56 oxen weighing 230 kg each, with 28 on the truck and a further 28 on the trailer.

The combination was built to the order of Gobabis Toyota and is being operated by dealer principal Theo Redelinghuys as a service to the Gobabis cattle-farming community. The service has proved especially worthwhile to local farmers during the drought season to transport cattle to auction or the abattoir at reasonable tariffs. Most of the operations have been in the Omaheke district of Namibia, which is as large as the Free State, but the rig has already been to destinations all over Namibia.

The combination has covered more than 28 000km to date and is proving particularly well suited to the varying road conditions in Namibia, which range from rough gravel roads to tarmac. Fuel consumption is averaging 2.6km per litre.

“The competitive Hino 700 is proving ideal for this type of operation with a rear axle set up that provides diff-lock and cross-lock. It also has advanced driver safety features, and the Hino brand’s attributes of quality, durability and reliability,” Theo explains.

“Gobabis Hino realised that a solution was needed to assist cattle farmers who have an ageing fleet of trucks and trailers to take their livestock from far-flung farms on unpaved roads to market. The Hino 700 combination has been given bold branding based on that of Hino’s Dakar Rally racing trucks by Vista Branding in Gobabis, and feedback from the farming community has been highly positive,” he adds.