Downer chooses Hino 700 Series for Bergkamp road-preservation feeder

By Staff Writer

Downer’s Hino 700 Series FY 3248 8×4 carries a Bergkamp feeder unit for road preservation and micro surfacing. Photo: Hino Australia.

Downer has added a Hino 700 Series FY 3248 8×4 Bergkamp feeder unit to its road-preservation fleet, with cab access and driver comfort central to the chassis selection.

Downer evaluated several manufacturers before choosing the Hino chassis, according to Hino Australia. Downer Fleet Category Manager AU (On Road HV) Jake Sauer identified comfort, tare weight, power and safety equipment as priorities.

A chassis for repeated cab entry

The feeder works in a stop-start environment, where operators regularly climb into and out of the cab. Sauer said a lower entry point mattered, alongside an air-suspended cab for longer journeys.

Power comes from Hino’s E13C engine, rated at 480hp (353kW) and 2,157Nm, through a ZF TraXon 16-speed automated manual transmission.

Hino Australia says lane-departure warning, driver monitoring and autonomous emergency braking were among the safety features considered, alongside dealer support through the specialised build and its working life.