Heavy-duty tippers are often judged by their payload, body strength and engine output. Those things matter, but after spending a day behind the wheel of the Hino 700 Series FS 2845 tipper, what stood out most was how easy it was to drive.
The route was far from ideal testing conditions. It included Sydney traffic, motorway running on the M5 and M7, suburban roads, construction-style traffic conditions and a run out towards Richmond. It was exactly the sort of mixed environment where many council, civil construction and infrastructure fleets operate every day.
At the heart of the FS 2845 is Hino’s E13C-BL 13-litre six-cylinder engine producing 450hp (331kW) and 2,157Nm of torque. The engine is paired with Hino’s M112 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), delivering power to a 6×4 driveline.
On paper, those figures suggest a truck built for serious work. On the road, however, the standout characteristic was refinement.
Plenty of power in reserve
The 13-litre engine never felt stressed. Whether accelerating onto a motorway, climbing grades or moving away from intersections, there was always plenty in reserve.
While many drivers focus on outright horsepower figures, the real story was the torque. With more than 2,100Nm available, the truck maintained momentum with very little effort, allowing the AMT to make intelligent gear selections without constantly hunting between ratios.
Like any heavy vehicle, the FS 2845 rewards drivers who take the time to understand how the drivetrain works. Smooth throttle inputs and allowing the AMT to do its job delivered the best results.
It’s a reminder that modern trucks may be easier to drive than ever before, but driver technique still plays a major role in performance, fuel efficiency and overall comfort.
Built for hard work
The demonstration vehicle was fitted with a Chris’s Body Builders 4.5-metre Hardox tipper body.
The body featured 1150mm high sides with Hardox construction throughout, including 5mm side walls, front wall and tailgate, along with a 6mm Hardox floor designed to withstand the punishment of construction, quarry and civil applications.
A 35-tonne rated Rockinger RO500B coupling was also fitted, providing additional flexibility for operators who need towing capability.
The truck’s 28,000kg GVM and 50,000kg GCM place it squarely in the heavy-duty segment, making it suitable for a broad range of infrastructure and construction tasks.
Safety becomes part of the drive
One of the biggest changes in modern heavy vehicles is how safety technology is integrated into daily operation.
The FS 2845 comes standard with Hino SmartSafe, which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Monitor, Vehicle Stability Control, Distance Warning, ABS and EBS braking systems.
What impressed during the drive was that these systems largely stayed in the background until needed.
The lane departure warning provided useful reminders on narrower roads, while the distance warning system encouraged better following distances in traffic. Rather than feeling intrusive, the technology acted as a second set of eyes during a busy driving day.
For fleets focused on reducing risk, particularly where truck driving is only one part of an employee’s role, these systems add an additional layer of protection without increasing driver workload.
A comfortable workplace
The 700 Series cabin feels more like a workplace than a traditional truck cab.
The air-suspended cab and ISRI NTS2 driver seat helped smooth out rougher sections of road, while the 7-inch TFT instrument display provided clear vehicle information.
A 10.1-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay made it easy to stay connected throughout the day. While these features might sound minor, they become increasingly important when drivers are spending long hours behind the wheel.
Noise levels were also impressively low, contributing to a more relaxed driving experience.
A truck that builds driver confidence
Perhaps the most important observation from the drive was how quickly confidence developed behind the wheel.
The combination of strong visibility, predictable handling, responsive drivetrain performance and safety technology meant the truck never felt intimidating despite its size.
For fleets that regularly rotate drivers or employ operators whose primary role isn’t truck driving, that matters.
The FS 2845 still delivers the durability, payload capability and performance expected from a heavy-duty tipper, but it does so in a package that is approachable and easy to operate.
In an industry facing ongoing driver shortages and increasing safety expectations, that balance may be one of the truck’s biggest strengths.
