Hino 300 Series 616 IFS Dump truck 2016 review

Peter Barnwell road test and review Hino 300 Series 616 IFS dump truck with performance, fuel consumption and verdict.

There is a limit to how much spanking a solid ute of a tough shopper can take. When you need to move several tons of stone or sand, you need to move on to something more serious.

The Hino 300 series dump truck we hired for our landscaping job stood up to a challenge that would have broken a one-ton dump truck. You can drive a car license on it, which is a bonus.

Within two days, we moved a full load of garden stones, about 2000 kg, as well as a load of wood chips and a pallet of paving stones, with the first two loads being dropped by a front loader into a 3.2 mm thick steel tray, and the last one lowered. in with a forklift after falling sides.

The rock put the Hino on the suspension and it rode better as a result.

For trucks of this size, the level of difficulty is now quite high.

Rocks and wood chips were easy to unload, large latches on the tailgate made it easy to get them out of the way. Pull the tilt lever to the right of the steering wheel and it will instantly turn 60 degrees.

Manufacturers and raw material suppliers use this size (1.9 cubic meter) dump truck for a variety of purposes, and as a working tool it is durable, reliable and economical to operate.

Our truck was with a standard cab 616 IFS, the base model with a gross weight of 4495kg - right under the car was cut off. It is also available with a wide cab. Load capacity up to 3500 kg.

Hino makes 300 models with GVWs up to 8500kg, which is a much larger truck in all dimensions.

The test model dump truck tray had a dealer-installed shading fabric trunk lid that spooled off the front.

For trucks of this size, the level of difficulty is now quite high. The Hino coil-spring front suspension makes the ride much more comfortable both unloaded and fully loaded, while multi-leaf rear springs absorb tonnage.

Front and rear disc brakes are complemented by stability control and ABS, while a handy exhaust brake is added to help keep you safe. The easy start system means you don't have to wait first thing in the morning, and the 24V electrical system is powered by two 12V batteries in series.

The ladder chassis is a large-section channel rails. All service points are easily accessible when the cab is tilted forward.

As a cab, the 300 has limited passenger comfort, but Hino adds passenger car features such as a Bluetooth multi-media screen and digital radio. However, the handlebars are still set flat and seat adjustment is limited.

The driver is informed by numerous signal lamps, buzzers and counters.

The cabin is relatively comfortable from wear-resistant materials.

The twin rear wheels are powered by a 4.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel (110 kW/420 Nm). The diesel particulate filter limits exhaust emissions to Euro 5 levels. We average 12.0 l/100 km.

In the test model, the five-speed manual transmission had an ultra-low first gear and a relatively tall top gear - second gear is best for general driving. The gate reducer, oddly enough, had a reverse gear where the first is usually located.

The top is useful on the highway, as the Hino 300 easily handles 110 km/h when loaded, and downshifts are required on long climbs.

An optional six-speed automatic will be easier to drive and more economical.

A particular advantage of the Hino is its small turning radius, which makes it easier to reach hard-to-reach areas.

The cab is relatively comfortable thanks to durable materials, a comfortable layout and heated exterior mirrors.

It's Hino, meaning "bulletproof" for life, and backed by an extensive dealer network. A small cab may not be for everyone, but when it comes to a quarry, this small haul truck comes into its own.