Based at the company’s headquarters in St Albans, the new tippers will typically work within a 30–40 mile radius on day-to-day muck-away and aggregate movements, while also supporting larger contracting projects further afield across the South East and beyond. Annual mileage is expected to average around 80,000 kilometres per vehicle.
The decision to introduce Renault Trucks to the Kane Haulage tipper fleet followed a detailed evaluation process, including running a demonstrator in the UK and visiting Renault Trucks’ manufacturing facilities in France.
Andy Kane, Owner and Managing Director of Kane Group, said: “We carried out a thorough review of the market and looked closely at the whole-life cost of the vehicles rather than just the headline price. Renault Trucks stood out in terms of the overall package, from the vehicles themselves through to the support and approach from the team, which gave us confidence in the decision.”
Kane Group’s new tippers are Renault Trucks C440 P8x4 Off Road eight-wheelers, combining a 440hp 13-litre Euro VI engine with Renault Trucks’ Optidriver automated transmission. With a 32-tonne GVW, reinforced chassis and off-road suspension, the vehicles are built for tough site conditions and are equipped with Thompson steel tipping bodies, providing the durability required for high-intensity construction and muck-away work.
Driver-focused features include a comfort driver’s seat, air conditioning, digital media touchscreen with DAB radio, tyre pressure monitoring and a full suite of safety systems, including side radar, moving-off information system and reverse camera.
Early feedback from drivers has been positive, with the high-spec cabs praised for comfort, space and ease of use — an important consideration for vehicles spending long days on demanding construction and contracting work.
Andy added: “The drivers have been very happy with them so far. They’re comfortable, well laid out and easy to live with, which matters when the trucks are working hard both on and off site.”
The new tippers are supplied on three-year Repair and Maintenance agreements through Renault Trucks and include Renault Trucks’ Excellence Predict system, which uses vehicle data to anticipate component wear and help plan maintenance proactively.
“Excellence Predict was recommended to us during the purchasing process,” explained Andy. “The idea of identifying potential issues before they become failures is attractive, particularly if it helps us plan maintenance rather than deal with vehicles unexpectedly off the road. In our operation, anything that reduces unplanned downtime is worth looking at.”
Mick Feeley, Transport Solutions Executive at Renault Truck Commercials, Chiltern, commented: “Kane Group is a highly respected name in the tipper and construction logistics sector, so it’s a privilege to be chosen to support their operation. Andy and his team take a rigorous, whole-life approach to fleet decisions, and we’re pleased to see Renault Trucks selected following such a thorough evaluation. We look forward to supporting the fleet as the remaining vehicles are delivered and get to work.”