Transvaal Heavy Transport (THT), which was established more than 40 years ago, has recently extended the services it offers customers with the acquisition of a HIAB Pesci SPE 350/4 that is mounted on the rear of a Hino 700-Series 28-48 rigid. The crane can lift up to a 17-ton load and is the largest crane mounted on a Hino in South Africa.

The Italian-made crane is one of only three of this model in the country and it was selected by THT managing director Sampie Swanepoel as for its versatility and manoeuvrability. It can lift the 17-ton load with a 2m reach and 5-ton at a 6m reach. The current maximum reach of 8m enables it to lift up to 3.7-ton, while the reach can be extended even further to handle lighter loads.

"The big advantage of is that it can both lift and drag loads, which makes it ideal for rigging tasks, while the truck's freight carrier body enables it to carry a load of up to 14-tons, including the weight of the crane," said Sampie Swanepoel who added that it was an expensive piece of equipment, costing (with the Hino truck) R1.7-million, but has found an immediate market and is almost continually in use.
This is the second truck-mounted crane that THT has had in its fleet, with the previous one, with a smaller crane, having been wrecked when the truck went off the road while driving in Swaziland.

The Hino 28-45, which was supplied by Hino East Rand (previously Pat Hinde Toyota Trucks, in Boksburg), had its chassis extended by TFM to facilitate the rear mounting of the crane. The crane truck has a dedicated driver in Arlindo Augusto Nhamuche, as do the other vehicles in the THT fleet, which consists of about 70 bakkies, trucks and truck-tractors as well as about 60 trailers of various types. The latter are manufactured mainly by Lamone, in Standerton, or Henred Fruehauf.

THT has been a loyal supporter of the Hino brand, having operated Hino and Toyota Dyna trucks since the 1980's, mainly due to very good fuel economy and excellent after-sales back-up service from both the head office and the Boksburg dealer, where Swanepoel singled out Garth Middleditch as one of the stars in a very efficient and helpful organisation.

THT employs 150 people and specialises in abnormal loads, with a variety of trailers than can move loads of up to 100 tons. It operates its trucks for up to a million kilometres and 10 years and Swanepoel says he has no problem disposing of his used models as they are well maintained and serviced, by the dealer during the warranty period and after that at the in-house workshop in Alrode.

The transport company operates only the one depot, in Alrode, and takes loads to destinations all over South Africa and neighbouring countries. It has close ties with the mining industry right from the prospecting stage to construction and ongoing operation. It is also involved in transporting equipment for the new power stations being built in Mpumalanga.