Irvine’s Purple Perfection K220

Irvine’s Purple Perfection K220

Words and Photography by Rod Simmonds.

Painted in deep purple, the new Kenworth K220 combination for Irvine Cartage Limited sure is a standout. With its new Bulk Transport Trailers bin and five-axle tipping trailer, the combination is unmissable against the green Waikato landscape. It is about as subtle as a purple dinner jacket at a cattle sale, and all the better for it.

Andrew and Simone Irvine established Irvine Cartage Limited in 2004 at Te Kauwhata, where the company still operates today. Based in New Zealand’s Waikato region, south of Auckland, the business is well placed for rural and regional bulk-cartage work across one of the country’s key agricultural areas.

Rolling Green Pasture

For international readers who have never travelled through this part of New Zealand, the Waikato is the sort of country that looks like it has been permanently set to “lush”. It is rolling green pasture, small rural towns, dairy country, farm gateways, contractor yards and enough tidy fence lines to make a surveyor emotional. It may look postcard-pretty from the roadside, but it is also a serious working landscape, and that is where a truck like this earns its keep.

Bulk work includes overburden, soil, aggregates, fertiliser, stock feed and anything else that can be tipped off, both around the Waikato and further afield.

Trusted Local Carrier

From the beginning, the aim has been simple, to be a trusted local carrier. While that remains the focus, in recent years the company has stepped outside its comfort zone and diversified into a wider range of work, including seasonal milk and bulk grape harvest work around the country.

Supported by dedicated owner-drivers, Irvine Cartage has the gear to react and respond as required.

In the early days, the small fleet was predominantly Isuzu, Fuso and UD, the traditional start-up money makers. Then, as higher weights and long-distance work became more common, DAF CFs, a Scania 770, Kenworth T610s, a K200 and now this versatile 6×4 K220 joined the growing fleet mix.

Superb Handling

Owning Kenworths has always been a goal for the business, and the Kenworth K220 felt like the perfect fit for the fleet. The K220 is another step up in technology, with the superb handling and comfort appreciated by the drivers, especially when the work can range from local bulk cartage to longer runs across New Zealand’s varied road conditions.

That variety is important. One week the truck might be working close to home in the Waikato, the next it could be heading well beyond familiar territory, chasing seasonal work through country that can shift from open pasture to narrow rural roads, wet yards and busy freight corridors in very short order. In that sort of work, a comfortable, modern cabover with a strong 6×4 platform and a practical tipping combination makes plenty of sense.

Finished in the distinctive purple colour, chosen by Simone to create something unique on the road, it suits the variety of work the company now undertakes.

Finishing Touches

All of the extra lighting, stainless and finishing touches were completed in-house at Southpac Trucks Auckland. This included the side skirts with stainless trim, twin under-mount exhaust tailpipes, stainless air intake piping and more.

Abby says, “The service from Southpac Trucks is impeccable and seamless throughout the process. A special mention must go to Transport & General, who consistently build exactly what is needed, with outstanding after-sales support.”

Special mention also goes to Fleet Image and Signsmith Cambridge for nailing the subtle-but-standout combination.

Related Reading:

• • Ultrashift Kenworth T610 shines in the quarry
  • Carley’s Transport, Flagship Kenworth T909
  • Harvest Time
  • Side Tippers – Australia’s Most Durable