Freightliner helps out Burrumbuttock Hay Run hero Brendan Farrell

[kscarbel2]

Power Torque Magazine  /  January 2019

Burrumbuttock Hay Runners organiser Brendan Farrell has taken delivery of a Freightliner Coronado ahead of another hay run to the Queensland outback.

Freightliner has lent Mr Farrell the Coronado 122 for summer so he can continue his tireless work helping Australian farmers through tough times.

In addition to his role helping drought-stricken farmers, Brendan is also an owner-driver and has already put the Coronado 122 to work.

The Coronado 122 will also be used to carry hay for the 15^th Burrumbuttock Hay Run to be held on January 26, which will deliver hay to farmers in Quilpie and surrounding areas in South West Queensland.

The scale of the operation is hard to comprehend, with Mr Farrell expecting a fleet of 300 volunteer truck drivers delivering more than 10,000 large hay bales.

Freightliner was quick to organise a truck for Mr Farrell when it heard his own two older trucks were off the road.

“Brendan has been helping Aussie farmers for years in a truly selfless manner,” says Freightliner Australia Director, Steve Downes.

“When we heard he was having truck trouble, it was a no-brainer to help him out with a Freightliner for a few months. We know the Coronado is tough enough to do this important work and we know Brendan will love driving it.”

Brendan has completed several runs in the Coronado 122, which was built to road train specification. He is impressed.

“This is Mickey Mouse compared to my old trucks,” he says.

“It is so comfortable to drive, and to sleep in. I’m doing a lot of kilometres, so it’s important to be able to get a good rest when I pull up.”

Brendan says the Coronado’s 15-litre Detroit engine “has plenty of horsepower.” He is also pleased that it has been fitted with an 18-speed Eaton manual as he still enjoys shifting gears himself.

“It’s bloody beautiful – a real nice looking truck,” he says.

For information on helping out with the Australia Day hay run or donating to the cause, head to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ Facebook page.

.