Quality control: Isuzu agitators ‘complete unit’ for QuickMix Concrete

There’s a big stir happening in regional Victoria and over the western border in South Australia, with calls for more housing combined with growth across industries such as timber and farming creating a ‘big boom’ for construction works.

Mount Gambier-based QuickMix Concrete, originally a one-man operation established by Andrew Buchalka in 1986, is expanding output to meet demand for a range of poured and pre-cast concrete products.

In addition to five concrete plants and a fulltime staff of 26, QuickMix runs a fleet of 30 agitators to keep jobs turning over.

Over half the fleet—20 trucks in total—are Isuzu 8x4 FYJ-300-350s with Di Medio (AADS) agitator bodies. Two brand new Isuzu FYJ Agitators have recently joined the fleet, helping to ramp-up productivity this year.

Growing pangs

Brenton James, who become joint partner of QuickMix in 2009, describes a steady expansion with recent site acquisitions in Millicent in South Australia, plus Portland and Warrnambool in Victoria, all with the intent of taking the business to the next level.

The booming operation relies on the quality of their chosen equipment to uphold a reputation for great service and professional presentation with their clients.

“Our wide footprint provides customers not only with our expertise in products and delivery but also knowledge of the region to cater for the smallest of pours through to large-scale projects,” explained Brenton.

“We're an independently owned company and support local sporting clubs, charity groups and organisations, and often donate to and sponsor community events.

“We also always buy local just to ensure that we're supporting other local businesses.”

With their job bank building in-line with the region’s growing number of construction projects, it’s load after heavy load for the agitators in the growing QuickMix fleet.

“It's a combination of the first-class build of the Isuzu Japanese product and the specific design of the concrete agitator vehicle,” said Brenton.

“We couple the FYJs with a Di Medio agitator out of Melbourne and find we are getting a complete unit for all our needs.”

Designed for duty

Manufactured in Japan but meticulously specified for Australian weather and conditions, Isuzu’s 8x4 FYJ 300-350 cab chassis comes with twin-steer front axles and load-sharing front suspension for ideal load control, plus Isuzu’s outrigger body mounting system for increased chassis integrity, durability under pressure and ease of use for body builders.

The FYJ features a 30,000 kg GVM and 45,000 kg GCM, and an Isuzu 9.8-litre 6UZ1-TCC turbo-diesel engine under the cab, producing peak power of 257 kW (350 PS) @ 2000 rpm and pumping out 1,422 Nm of torque @ 1,400 rpm.

This is matched with features for optimum driver comfort and ease of operations, such as six-speed Allison 4430 automatic transmission, an ISRI 6860 air-suspension driver’s seat and the MyIsuzu Co-Pilot multimedia system, which supports a standard reversing camera and a wide range of optional features including reversing sensors and cameras.

QuickMix requires their trucks and drivers to deliver in a variety of ground conditions, from sealed bitumen though to water-logged paddocks.

“Being a cab-over truck, the FYJ is extremely easy to manoeuvre, and certainly services our business needs much better than any other truck we have ever had,” said Brenton.

“Some of the beauty in this vehicle design is its exceptional turning circle and reversing camera, and the sight lines from the driver’s position are second to none.”

Got your back

With all indicators showing that further projects and developments are set to continue across their patch of the country, QuickMix says that the addition of their two new Isuzu agitators will keep them at the forefront of meeting client demand and sustaining business growth.

Brenton says the choice to support operations with Isuzu Trucks is based on quality of product and the service they receive from their local Isuzu dealership.

“Nathan Butler and Shane Howard from Mount Gambier Isuzu have been exceptional with their knowledge of the product and our requirements.

“Anytime we have had to call, the dealership has had our back in keeping us on the road.

“Despite the rough-and-ready industry we work in, Isuzu trucks have proven to be a terrific workhorse.”