Forever Young — the Walters family’s Kenworth Legend 900

Kenworth Legend 900 number 16 is a moving monument to Isaac “Maxi” Walters.

Words by Howard Shanks. Photography by Howard Shanks.

There is no doubt that the limited edition Kenworth Legend Series trucks are special.

Special indeed! What makes them so special is often a simple story close to the owner’s heart … this is one of those stories … the story about Kenworth Legend 900 Number 16.

When Kenworth released the Legend 950 in 2015, the complete limited edition production run was sold in under 48-hours. Two years on, in early 2017 whispers of second Legend model ran excitedly through the transport industry. For many trucking enthusiasts the classic old school lines blended with modern technology offered in the Legend series models was appealing enough to place an order, for others it was the chance to own a collectible piece of Australian trucking history. However, for Chris Walters and his family, this Legend 900 is a living monument to their son, Isaac, who passed away on the 27 of March 2017.

Walters Contracting Pty Ltd of Mole Creek, Tasmania, is very much a family business, started by Allan & Kaye Walters in 1967. Predominantly focusing on the civil construction sector of earthmoving and road construction with material supplied from their own quarry and gravel supplies.

Their son, Chris Walters, now heads the family business, and along with wife Kim and their two sons, Joseph & Eli, the business is certainly shaping up to be a third-generation prospect.

Affectionately known as Maxi, Isaac had different ideas though. Growing up, he was more into sport than tinkering with machinery or helping out in the business. He became an extremely talented cricketer and football player, wielding the bat for the Westbury Shamrocks and pulling on the boots for the Deloraine Football Club. The Westbury Shamrocks emblem and his number 9, is displayed high up on the passenger side of the sleeper, while the Deloraine Football Club logo and his number 33 is displayed on the driver’s side of the sleeper.

Sadly, Isaac was suffering from depression and had been for nearly two years. Why he felt there was no way out of it, nobody knows but him.

But he left behind an extremely close family, many friends and his beloved team mates from both cricket and football.

Over the past decade several trucks have been built that are more than just a piece of machinery destined for a specific job, they have become a mobile monument to loved ones, treasured by family of what they represent.

Craig Membrey’s 2006 T904 “4ROWAN” is one such truck, built in memory of his son Rowan who unfortunately took his own life when aged just 17.

The truck also features the beyondblue logo, the first time the organisation allowed its name to be put to such use, and Craig is still very much an ambassador for them, spreading the word about suicide prevention as often as he can.

For the Duggan Family from Emerald Queensland, their 2015 Legend 950, named “Speechless” is another Legend with significant meaning. John Duggan and wife Karen’s daughter Maddy, affectionately known as Mouse, has Autism and is Non-Verbal, their Legend 950 was built to help spread the word about Autism and the Duggan’s favourite organisation ‘Little Souls Taking Big Steps’ who helped enormously to get Maddy where she is today.

“I was talking to Tim Cotton, (PACCAR’s Regional Service Manager) at the T610 launch here in Launceston,” Chris began. “He knew about Maxi’s passing and mentioned the Legend 900 was about to hit the road and suggested that we do one to honour Maxi. Brad May, director of sales and marketing for Kenworth/ PACCAR Australia, was here that night so we took the opportunity to talk to Brad about our situation and Brad agreed to lock in Number 16 for us.”

Then it was down to Chris Walter’s close friend, CJD General Sales Manager Chris Saltmarsh to work together to fine tune the specifications of this Legend 900 to suit its application. Given the significance of this truck, it was destined for special duties only and there’s none more special in the Walter’s operation than hauling their low-loader shifting their construction machines.

When it came time to personalising the Legend 900, the two Chris’ had some clear ideas of the way this truck was going to look when it finally went to work.

“We wanted to keep with the old school W-Model theme,” Chris Saltmarsh said.

“That’s why we chose the spider wheels. The chassis has a deeper red paint similar to a truck of the seventies era. Then for the cabin paint scheme we chose classic period Kenworth lines on the air cleaners with added painted raised air-rams. The factory bullbar is kitted out with round driving lights to match the theme. The stainless work is done by SLS in Rutherford NSW and the lavish signwriting and mural commemorating “Maxi” was trusted to one of Tasmania’s last remaining free hand sign writers, Kevin Brown from Spectrum Signs.”

Nuts and bolts wise, this Legend 900 is one of a few to have full length double row chassis rail and its fully optioned from the factory including over nine A4 pages of dealer fitted extras, some of which are listed in the specifications.

Power is from a Cummins X15 that punches out peak power of 578 hp at 1850 RPM, and 550 hp at 1800 RPM.

Torque is set at 1850lbft from 1100 RPM. Transmission is as you’d expect the heavy-duty RTLO22918B Eaton 18-speed that spins the main tail-shaft fitted with SPL 250 service free universal joints connecting the Meritor RT50-160GP diffs. The front diff and power divider are equipped with an oil cooler and x-locks are fitted to both axles. The final drive ratio of 4.56:1 is well suited to the operating environment in Tasmania.

During the handover ceremony of the Legend 900 held at Entally Lodge in Hadspen, CJD Equipment General Sales Manager, Chris Saltmarsh, presented a cheque to the ‘Make. Runs. Maxi’ charity, who were absolutely blown away by the extremely kind gesture.

The contribution of $10,000 to the ‘Make. Runs. Maxi’ charity, was made possible by Chris Saltmarsh generously donating the commission he would have received for the sale of the vehicle and contributions by CJD Equipment.

These funds will help the volunteers connect with communities, schools and sporting clubs to push their message around positive mental health, resilience and fulfillment, and trying to prevent more suicide deaths by young teens.

“It is a truly selfless act of generosity,” Chris Walters said in thanking Chris Saltmarsh and all those involved at CJD Equipment and Kenworth for their continued support and generous donation to the charity.

“We can’t thank Chris enough for going above and beyond with all his efforts over the past 12 months and we are extremely proud and yet humbled Model Engine Horsepower Torque Main Transmission Air Cleaner Alternator Fuel Filter Air Dryer Electrical Air-Conditioner Front Axle Front Suspension Power Steering Rear Axles Rear Axle Ratio Rear Suspension Wheelbase Chassis Rear X-Member Brakes Sleeper Windscreen Turntable Interior Seats Bumper Battery Box Extras by his generous gift.”

A few weeks after the handover we caught up with driver, Craig Beams, back at CJD Equipment’s Launceston dealership to join him on a run in the Legend 900 to deliver a brand new Volvo EC220DL excavator to a job site a few hours away.

If you or someone you know is finding life a little too hard, there is help.

SPECS IN BRIEF Kenworth Legend 900 – No16 Cummins X15 EuroV 550 hp (410)kw @1800 RPM 1850lb/ft (2508Nm) @ 1100RPM Eaton RTLO22915B 18-Speed Dual 406 Cyclopacs, Deep Bowl, with raised air rams 160amp Fuel Pro & fuel/water separator Dual Turbo 2000 160A isolated alternator Roof Mounted Red-Dot Meritor MFS73LA 7.3t capacity 7.2T Multi leaf TRW Ross TAS 85 Meritor RT50-160 with cooler & X-locks 4.89:1 Kenworth KW6-60A low 5420mm 8mm outer rail 6mm full length insert Taper with dolly pull HD (P-type) drum brakes with auto slacks 915mm Aero-1 Two piece flat with Chrome rubber key Jost JSK37 Crimson cab trim, HD Diamond pleat vinyl Charcoal HD Extreme air suspended driver’s seat Polished Alloy Stoodly Bull bar Chassis mount Severe Service Kit, Lower Radiator pipe shield, Remote diff breathers, Extended grease lines to clutch, Polished tanks, Icepack 2000S sleeper A/C The hardest step is taking that first step is admitting something is wrong and asking for help. Once you do that, things do get easier. It takes time but with help you will get there. If you feel you can’t talk to a family member or a friend, call BeyondBlue on 1300 22 46 36 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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