If you are looking for a tipper or a dropside that’s the size of a van but built more like a truck then you need to follow Anwen Construction’s route and consider buying a 3.5 tonne Fuso Canter. The company already runs two tippers – one a ‘proper’ 7.5 tonner and the other a van-based 35. Tonne GVW tipper. The newest addition is a 3.5-tonne Canter 3C13 model which has a rugged ladder frame chassis and has twin rear wheels that more closely resembles the ‘proper’ truck than the van with the same gross vehicle weight. This is the first time the company has bought a Mitsubishi Fuso and has been impressed with the vehicle and the supplying dealer, Bell Truck & Van. “Given some of the rough sites on which we work its strength and durability were certainly key to the Canter’s appeal,” explained Mr Stevenson. “It’s as compact and manoeuvrable as a van, and any member of our team can drive it on a car licence. Make no mistake, though, this is a proper little truck, and we’ve bought it to do a proper day’s work.”
Solid Construction Work
With many businesses reporting pandemic-related confidence issues, the family-owned operator’s Financial Director struck a refreshingly optimistic note. “We’ve plenty in hand right now and there’s lots more business out there,” said Damian Stevenson. “We’re currently tendering for work which, if it all came our way, would keep us going for five or six years. That scale of opportunity is unheard of.”
Established nearly 30 years ago by proprietor and Managing Director Andrew Bosomworth, Anwen Construction has a head office in Newton Aycliffe. It works primarily in the North-East but has also undertaken projects as far afield as the Scottish Borders and Manchester.
The Canter Specification
Anwen Construction’s Canter has a 2,500mm wheelbase – the shortest of the four available – and offers a highly competitive payload allowance of 980kg. Its fuel-efficient 3.0-litre common-rail turbodiesel produces 96 kW (130 hp) and 300 Nm of torque at 1,300-3,000 rpm, and drives through a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Canter is assigned to general duties and carries aggregates such as gravel and sand, as well as bricks and blocks, paving slabs and drainage materials, to and from sites. The operator anticipates running it for at least three years.
“The intensive, demanding nature of our work means that vehicles can quickly become tired,” continued Mr Stevenson. “While they’re in service, though, it’s essential they’re always in the right place at the right time. I’ve every confidence that our new tipper will live up to the FUSO brand’s reputation for toughness and reliability.
While Bell supplied the chassis from stock and at short notice, we were able to design the body to our precise specification, so that it incorporates a number of detail features which mean it is perfectly customised to our requirements. As a result, despite the initial reservations you’ll always get when implementing any kind of change, the vehicle has been very well received by those colleagues who are now using it.
Damian Stevenson
He added: “Bell Truck and Van’s Truck Sales Executive Craig Graham provided an excellent service. The communication was clear, consistent and honest throughout, which is all we would ever ask for.
“These are still early days, of course, but our initial perceptions of the Dealer are entirely positive. So, providing its pricing is competitive, we’ll certainly be giving Bell Truck and Van the opportunity to maintain our Canter.”
