Whitby-based coal and fuel supplier Sam Wilkinson Solid Fuels has taken delivery of its first Isuzu vehicles, adding two Isuzu N35.150(T) Grafters to its commercial fleet following a review of suitable 3.5-tonne trucks for its operation.
Supplied by local dealer Thompson Commercials, the two new Grafters replace similar vehicles from another manufacturer and join a five-strong mixed fleet.
Each vehicle has been fitted with a bespoke dropside body by Robinson Truck Bodies, with one unit also equipped with a Penny PH110 crane to support the loading and unloading of larger bags of firewood and coal.
Additional modifications include an increased bed height to reduce the risk of injury during manual handling, along with heavy-duty lashing points to improve load security.
Sam Wilkinson, owner of Sam Wilkinson Solid Fuels, said: “We looked towards Isuzu when our previous manufacturer stopped making flat front cabs, which we need to be able to manoeuvre around many of our customer sites.
“After speaking to others in the industry, Isuzu consistently came up as the best around for the type of work that we do. Between the payload capacity, the agility of the chassis and their reliability, the Grafters have really impressed us.”
The company selected the N35.150(T) model to benefit from twin rear wheels, a three-litre engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, providing the capability required to operate across the hilly terrain of the Yorkshire Dales, where the majority of its customers are based.
Wilkinson added: “Thompson Commercials has also been incredibly supportive throughout the whole process. We told them exactly what we needed, and they helped us spec each vehicle to fit that bill. The service we received was personal, thorough and professional, we couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Both vehicles are expected to operate at least five days a week, averaging around 12,000 miles annually, completing deliveries within a 40-mile radius of the firm’s Whitby base.
As with all Isuzu chassis, the new Grafters are covered by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, including 24/7 roadside assistance, alongside access to Isuzu’s Customer CARE Team and nationwide dealer network.
