One of Australia’s leading suppliers of airport ground support equipment and maintenance relies on the durability and performance of Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) to ensure the success of its operations.
Australian Airport Services (AAS) provides Ground Support Equipment Solutions across 15 different regional airports throughout Australia and recently purchased six Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot tow tug Burden Carriers to be used at Dubbo, Tamworth and Orange airports across regional New South Wales.
The six new battery-electric Taylor-Dunn vehicles have bolstered the AAS fleet to 16 total units, which the company leases to ground handlers to be used for staff, baggage and equipment transport around the sites.
AAS operations manager Beau Berg said the decision to go with TMHA and the Taylor-Dunn Bigfoots for the new purchase was easy, thanks to the day-in, day-out dependability of the vehicles.
“As these vehicles are based in regional airports it’s critical to have something reliable, it’s proven that the Taylor-Dunns have stood the test of time and are reliable bits of kit,” Mr Berg said.
Another benefit of using Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot vehicles at the regional airports was their 48-volt AC electric powertrain with GT automotive differential, which doesn’t require three-phase power to recharge.
“These machines don’t require three-phase power at these regional airports and because they’re battery-operated, they’re easy to maintain, and we don’t need the requirement of three-phase outlet,” Mr Berg said.
The battery-electric powertrain also helps to reduce the emissions of the material handling fleet for both AAS and the ground handlers they are hired out to, helping to improve the sustainability of the fleet.
The modular nature of the Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot means that the machines can be used for a wide variety of purposes, either as a stock and baggage towing vehicle or kitted out for specialised use.
“The unique design of the Taylor Dunns allows the vehicle to be used for a vairy of situations. We use them throughout our GSE operations as breakdown response vehicles, Where the ground handlers would typically use the Taylor Dunn’s for transport and towing”, Mr Berg said.
With over 1,300kg of load capacity and 4,536kg (10,000lbs) of towing capacity, the Bigfoot XL is an extremely tough and versatile machine for businesses requiring a compact and easy-to-maintain workhorse.
The mechanical simplicity of the Bigfoot also ensures excellent reliability and durability for use in a range of conditions.
TMHA product manager for Allied products Andrew Jones said that one of the benefits of choosing Taylor-Dunn is the strong backing and aftersales support provided by TMHA, who have been the prominent distributor for Taylor-Dunn since 2018.
“Continuity of supply, product knowledge, technical support, all of the stuff that Toyota is renowned for, we roll that out on to all of our products including the Allied products like Taylor-Dunn,” Mr Jones said.
AAS uses a hybrid servicing arrangement for its material handling equipment, but where required, TMHA is able to provide reliable servicing capability thanks to its broad aftersales network and team of knowledgeable factory trained technicians.
“They can rely on us, we’ve got 21 branches around Australia that gives us good exposure to where they have locations around the country,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Berg said his Taylor-Dunn machines help AAS with their performance and reliability, which are tantamount to running a business which leases equipment to airports.
“The units are awesome. The boys at Toyota have looked after us, we don’t deal with them too much, but the products are great.”
AAS was founded in 2003 by Damien and Tracey Berg in Cairns, and currently operates four locations in Cairns, Townsville, Darwin and Canberra.
For the last 10 years it has run its Ground Support Equipment leasing operation, which includes a fleet of 16 total Taylor-Dunn units spread across 15 sites around the country.
AAS proudly seated on their brand-new Taylor-Dunn Bigfoot tow tug Burden Carriers