GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Speedy Heavy Hauling recently took delivery of a new Kenworth C500 8-wheel drive twin steer, aptly named “Brutus,” at a ceremony in conjunction with MHC Kenworth – Grand Junction.

The custom truck, a four-axle giant, was engineered to the customer’s specifications to take on the high elevation and arduous, rough off-highway terrain in Colorado.

Mark Duncombe, executive vice-president of Speedy, said the company’s C500 truck was engineered by Kenworth specifically to handle the oil field services, which are Speedy Heavy Hauling’s primary business. The application includes delivering loads to and from oil fields at high elevations, up to 12,000 feet.

“It is the only one I have seen with a winch on the front,” Duncombe noted. “We ordered the twin steer axles to handle the Colorado terrain. The entire building and customization process cost just under $500,000.”

The truck is equipped with closed-circuit cameras so the operator can see everything around the truck at all times, and 8×8 all-wheel drive to navigate the steep and difficult terrain.

Speedy Heavy Hauling employees built the truck bed and hydraulic systems for the three winches themselves. Upon the Kenworth C500’s delivery from the Kenworth assembly plant in Renton, Wash., the final work was done in Clifton, Colo. The installation of the truck bed and hydraulic winches took five weeks.

Duncombe expects the new Kenworth C500 truck to give Speedy Heavy Hauling an advantage to better serve their customers, especially those at higher elevations.

“We’re thrilled it went into operation the day after we received the keys,” said Duncombe. “We took it up to 11,000 feet, and moved equipment down to an elevation that made it accessible to smaller trucks. It performed admirably, and we are considering ordering another. We are extremely pleased with the Kenworth C500.”

Speedy Heavy Hauling is based in Grand Junction, Colo. The company operates 150 Kenworth C500 and T800 power units throughout seven states, and 19 all terrain Liebherr cranes.