When you're in the business of maintaining sports grounds at more than 150 schools you need a vehicle that's up to the job. No wonder CPS Grounds chooses the Fuso Canter.
The Bristol-based company has been running 3.5-tonne Canters since 1998, a year after its foundation, and currently has seven, the latest of which has just entered service.
The Canter 3C13 was supplied by Mercedes-Benz dealer City West Commercials – the German manufacturer's network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Fuso light truck range in the UK.
The truck has a fuel-efficient 3.0-litre engine producing 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque, and is fitted with a landscape-specification dropside body. Features include a beaver tail for easy loading of heavy mowers, removable high cage sides for use when collecting leaves and other materials, and a practical tool box with roller shutter door immediately behind the cab.
Key to the Canter's appeal for CPS Grounds Managing Director Chris Richardson, are its outstanding reliability and strong, ladder-frame chassis.
"In all our years of running Canters they've never let us down and have given us no trouble at all," he says. "The Canter is also built like a small lorry, whereas most 3.5-tonners are based on vans and too flimsy for our work.
"The mileages aren't big – they'll only do 5-6,000 a year – but it's a tough job. We make full use of the Canter's competitive payload allowance and these vehicles spend plenty of time off road – but not in the workshop, on green fields!"
Also important, says Mr Richardson, is the Canter's "˜cab over engine' design. "The fact that it doesn't have a bonnet means we can fit a 4.5m body onto a 3400 mm wheelbase chassis without having an excessive rear overhang.
"The Canter is also highly manoeuvrable in restricted spaces; it's definitely preferable to sit immediately above the wheels."
CPS Grounds maintains natural and artificial sports surfaces as well as flower beds and other areas at primary and senior schools throughout north Somerset, south Gloucestershire, Avon and Bath. Its Canters transport up to three groundsmen along with their mowers, hand tools and other equipment, to and from sites.
The latest arrival is also fitted with a tow hitch and used on occasion to pull a trailer. The 3.5-tonne variant has twin rear wheels and has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, which puts it among the best in its class.
City West Commercials will deliver a second new Canter later this year. "The dealer maintains our vehicles at its workshop in Bristol and provides a very good service," adds Mr Richardson.
