On a recent trip to Goulburn I visited a local manufacturing success story that has been building water trucks and tankers for councils and civil contractors for over 30 years. The street outside was lined with cab chassis waiting to converted and while I was there several more turned up.
Barry Burrows Engineering was founded by Barry Burrows and is now run by Shondelle and Justin Coggan. Justin started as an apprentice 17 years ago and then took over the business when Barry retired. There are 10 staff which includes five apprentices. It was great to see that they are keeping local manufacturing alive in a regional town and training the next generation of trades people.
It was my first time meeting Justin and as he showed me around the shed my smile kept growing taking in the scale of the operation. Like anyone that has risen to a master’s level in their trade, Justin didn’t think their business was special, though as he rattled off the list of councils that had purchased his tanks, I was thinking they have manufactured 90% of the water truck fleet on the east coast.
They build a range of tanks for different applications using the same trusted design that has been refined over the years.
It starts with several tonnes of 5mm steel plate that is rolled to form an oval shape. The shape is a key part of the design because it holds the tension to avoid cracks in the welded joints. There are three internal baffles – two transverse and one longitudinal – that keep the water steady while the truck in on the road.
Tanks come in several sizes starting at 2,000 for trailer mounted tanks, 3,000 litres for parks and garden trucks up to 20,000 litres.
Internally the tanks are treated with Amerlock 2K so they carry potable water. They comply with confined space legislation and have removable access points in the baffles with a hinged top hatch to allow access for inspection and maintenance. Externally the tank is primed and coated with two coats white two pack. The fittings and plumbing are hot dip galvanised.
A key design feature is the three way flexible tank mounting system that allows the tank to float over the chassis to reduce twisting and improve vehicle dynamics. It takes four weeks to convert a pile of steel into a fully operational water truck and they build up to 40 every year.
One of the very first water trucks built by Barry Burrows Engineering is still on the job in the fleet at the Goulburn Race Club and a sibling will join it soon after spending a lifetime building roads around Australia.
