6 Foot Behind the Bullbar - Real Trucks. Real Roads. Real Stories.
By Howard Shanks
From long-haul legends and bush mechanics to cutting-edge rigs and technical deep dives, every episode is packed with firsthand stories, expert interviews, and a healthy dose of outback humour. Whether you're a seasoned driver, a transport enthusiast, or just love the roar of a diesel engine, this podcast puts you right in the driver's seat.
Be sure to visit roadtrains.com.au to check out photos of the trucks featured in each episode.
The Biggest Buzz: How AIR CTI Keeps Warral Maldon’s Bee Trucks Moving
How does AIR CTI help Warral Maldon move more than 7,000 beehives across Victoria for the annual almond pollination season?
In Episode 18 of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar, roadtrains.com.au join fifth-generation beekeeper and Warral Maldon Managing Director Lindsay Callaway to explore the extraordinary logistics behind one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest movements of livestock.
From remote apiary sites in Victoria’s sandy Big Desert to almond orchards near Robinvale, Warral Maldon’s trucks must carry millions of bees across bitumen, gravel and deep sand. Lindsay explains how the Australian-made AIR CTI central tyre inflation system allows drivers to adjust truck and trailer tyre pressures from the cab, improving traction, reducing track damage and protecting their unusually sensitive freight.
We also hear how Warral Maldon coordinates more than 7,000 hives, 70,000 frames and 200 apiary sites, and why reliable road transport is so important to Australia’s almond pollination industry.
This episode of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar is proudly sponsored by AIR CTI.
Read the full story at www.roadtrains.com.au
Scania Super 11 Concrete Agitator Enters the Jungle
Scania has entered the concrete game with the new Super 11 P350 concrete agitator, and this is not just another truck with a barrel on the back.
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, Howard Shanks looks at Scania’s new 11-litre five-cylinder Super engine, the G25CM 14-speed gearbox, low-rev torque, tare-weight savings, roll stability, safety technology, 360-degree camera system and real-world performance around batch plants, urban streets, roundabouts and tight construction sites.
Read the full feature with images on Roadtrains.com.au:
Scania Super 11 concrete agitator review.
The Scania Super 11 agitator marks an unexpected move into one of Australia’s toughest vocational truck markets, where payload, stability, driver access, visibility, backup support and fuel efficiency all matter. So, has Scania simply joined the concrete truck market, or has it arrived with something that might genuinely shake up the old order?
Let’s climb six foot behind the bullbar and find out.
Up the Dusty Track — Kilclooney Station with Owen Schmidt
Some stories don’t age. They just keep rolling.
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, we head back more than twenty years to Northwest Queensland, riding alongside legendary livestock operator Owen Schmidt as he takes a Kenworth T650 and triple Haulmark road train into Kilclooney Station to load cattle.
This is not a story about polished trucks or perfect roads. It is about the reality of livestock transport in one of Australia’s most unforgiving regions. Dust that hangs in the air. Tracks that barely qualify as roads. Equipment built not to impress, but to survive.
You’ll hear how Owen and his wife Liz built Schmidt Transport from a single truck into one of Queensland’s respected livestock operations, why durability mattered more than appearance, and how trailers designed decades ago are still working today across the north.
This episode captures a moment in time when road trains were simply tools of the trade, and the men and women who operated them did so without fuss, recognition, or margin for error.
Because out here, reliability was not a feature. It was survival.
Forkin’ Good Scania P420
Forkin’ Good
When the truck carries its own forklift, delays disappear — and a business is born.
In this episode of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar, host Jason Jordan sits down with Fork2U founder Peter McCormack to uncover how a former Melbourne firefighter built one of Australia’s most versatile pallet delivery fleets using Scania P420 rigid trucks and rear-mounted Manitou telehandlers.
Operating from Melbourne’s outer suburbs, Fork2U moves more than 3,000 pallets per week across construction sites, airports, infrastructure projects, and urban delivery locations where conventional trucks simply can’t operate. Peter shares how a simple idea — putting a forklift on the truck — transformed pallet logistics by eliminating delays, improving efficiency, and creating a fully independent delivery solution.
This episode explores the real-world performance of Scania P-series trucks in demanding urban freight applications, including fuel economy, Opticruise transmission efficiency, twin-steer payload advantages, and the importance of reliability in high-pressure delivery environments. Peter also reflects on lessons learned from his 31-year firefighting career and how those principles shaped his approach to business, fleet management, and customer service.
If you’re interested in trucks, transport logistics, Scania performance, Australian trucking stories, or the people behind modern freight operations, this is a rare inside look at a fleet built on solving problems and delivering reliability.
Subscribe to 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar for authentic Australian trucking stories, road transport history, heavy haulage features, and behind-the-scenes interviews from the people who keep Australia moving.
For the full story and photos visit www.roadtrains.com.au
Kenworth T904 Heavy Haul: Moving a 102-Tonne Komatsu Across the Gulf Country | Archive Episode
On this very special archival episode of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar, we rewind the clock more than twenty years to an original Outback Road Train video, filmed deep in the Gulf Country of Northwest Queensland, where Deason’s heavy haul driver Craig Oldham prepares to move one of the largest wheel loaders ever transported on Australian roads.
Filmed by Howard and Tommy Shanks as part of the original Outback Road Train DVD series, this episode follows Craig and his 200-tonne-rated Kenworth T904 as it hauls a massive 102-tonne Komatsu WA900 loader across 1,200 kilometres of remote outback highway. From sunrise at a Royal Flying Doctor emergency airstrip near Gregory Downs, through the historic towns of Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond and Charters Towers, this is Australian heavy haulage in its purest form.
You’ll hear the original soundtrack recorded in the cab and along the roadside, capturing the authentic sounds of a Caterpillar-powered Kenworth at work. Hydraulic module trailers, bush repairs, fuel stops, tyre fixes, and the constant challenge of moving oversized loads across one of the harshest environments on earth.
This is not a recreation. This is the real journey, as it happened.
For the full story, photos, and technical insights, visit
roadtrains.com.au
If you enjoy real Australian trucking stories, be sure to follow 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar on Spotify so you never miss an episode.
Behind the Scenes: North of the Dingo Fence
In 2002 — the Year of the Outback — a story called North of the Dingo Fence was filmed and written on the red dirt of outback Queensland. First released as a magazine feature and on VHS video tape (and later on DVD), it captured a raw snapshot of life, livestock trucking, and long runs far beyond the bitumen.
But what audiences never saw were the stories behind the story.
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, Roadtrains.com.au technical editor and filmmaker Howard Shanks opens the archive to reveal the behind-the-scenes moments from the making of North of the Dingo Fence — the prototype trucks that couldn’t be shown, the weather that changed everything, the nights that ran too late, and the decisions made well north of the Dingo Fence.
This is a rare look at how outback trucking documentaries were made before smartphones, drones, and GoPros — when cameras were heavy, trust mattered,
Settle in for the story behind the story — Six Foot Behind the Bullbar.
For all the photos visit www.roadtrains.com.au.
The Kinrara Cattle Run: When the road fought back.
Two triple road trains. One brutal outback run.
Wind the clock back 20 years and climb into the passenger seat with Roadtrains.com.au editor Howard Shanks as we tackle a classic north Queensland cattle haul — loading at Kinrara Cattle Station in the Gulf Savannah and pounding south to Hughenden on relentless corrugated dirt roads.
Filmed for the legendary Kenworth Country documentary series, this episode of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar drops you deep into the reality of northern cattle cartage: crushing corrugations, heat, dust, fatigue management, animal welfare, mechanical sympathy and the constant pressure to get live freight across vast distances safely and on time. This isn’t romanticised trucking — it’s the real deal, where experience matters and the road always has the final say.
We explore the challenges faced by cattle carters in the north, the skill required to run triple road trains in harsh conditions, and why these operators are among the toughest in the industry.
📘 This story also features in Great Australian Road Trains – Volume Two, available on Amazon.
📸 For the full story and photos, head to roadtrains.com.au.
Strap in, turn it up, and follow the dust north — this is Australian road transport at its rawest.
Built for the Bush
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, we roll west — way west — beyond Roma and deep into the heart of Western Queensland’s tough-as-nails trucking country. Join host Matt Washer as he steps inside the world of Charlie Burke, the no-nonsense operator behind Roma Transport, a fleet built to survive bulldust, bad roads and brutal distances on the fringe of the Simpson Desert.
We take you behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most respected outback operations — from Charlie’s 550-horsepower Kenworth workhorses, double-rail chassis, and Haulmark side tippers, to the BPW running gear and old-school steel 6-rod suspension that keep his rigs alive where most gear gives up.
But this episode isn’t just about machinery.
It’s about mentorship, grit and the next generation of outback truckies.
Midway through the run, we catch up with young operator Chris Stansbee, who served his trucking apprenticeship under Charlie’s wing. Guided by Charlie’s hard-earned wisdom, Chris has now launched his own transport business — built on the same rock-solid principles and tough-as-iron equipment that shaped Roma Transport from day one.
From the cattle country around Roma to the lonely tracks 200 clicks west of Boulia, this episode dives into the people and the trucks that keep remote Queensland supplied, connected and moving.
If you love big horsepower, harsh country, and real trucking stories told straight, this is one journey you won’t want to miss.
For the full story and photos, visit: roadtrains.com.au
The Hawke’s Bay K220 Aerodyne Dream Machine
Take a deep dive into one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking livestock trucks—a stunning Kenworth K220 Aerodyne working the rolling hills of Hawke’s Bay. In this episode of 6 Foot Behind the Bullbar, we follow Clifton Smith’s remarkable journey from wash-bay kid to professional livestock operator, and how his lifelong dream of owning an iconic Kenworth finally roared to life on rural Kiwi roads.
With the warm wit and observational charm of James May, we explore the geography of Hawke’s Bay, the heritage of Farmers Transport, the evolution of the K-Series, and the craftsmanship behind Clifton’s refurbished five-axle stock trailer and beautifully striped Aerodyne cab.
Whether you’re a Kenworth fan, a livestock industry insider, or simply love great trucking stories, this episode offers an inspiring look at passion, perseverance, and one magnificent K220 working the countryside.
For the full story and all the photos, visit: kenworthdownunder.com
Special thanks to Rod Simmonds for filing this story.
Cruising the Corrugations on the Weipa Run
Strap in and settle six foot behind the bullbar as we roll back twenty years to one of the toughest, dustiest and most important trucking missions in Australia — the legendary supply run to Weipa. Filmed for the Kenworth Countrydocumentary series, this episode dives deep into the raw, corrugated red roads of Cape York, where one driver, one Kenworth, and one triple road train carried the lifeline for remote communities scattered across the peninsula.
Join Roadtrains.com.au editor Howard Shanks as he revisits the extraordinary journey north — a run where every pallet of freight mattered, every creek crossing was a gamble, and every kilometre held the responsibility of keeping outback townships fed, fuelled, and functioning.
We explore how these communities relied on the weekly arrival of Jim’s road train, how the looming wet season could cut them off for weeks, and how the run itself has changed dramatically over two decades, with large sections of those once-brutal dirt tracks now sealed under smooth bitumen.
If you’re a fan of big trucks, remote roads, and the grit it takes to deliver the essentials to the farthest reaches of Australia, this episode is your ride.
For the full story and exclusive photos from the original run, visit www.roadtrains.com.au — and don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss a new yarn from the long paddock.
How to become a FIFO worker in Australia
Thinking about chasing big money, big skies, and a career that could change your life? This episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar dives head-first into the real world of FIFO work in Australia.
Whether you’re a truck driver, mechanic, tradie, or total green hand, this no-nonsense guide breaks down exactly what it takes to become a FIFO worker—from the first step on the application ladder to the realities waiting for you on site.
We unpack the pros, the cons, the hidden challenges, and the massive opportunities that come with Fly-In Fly-Out life. You’ll learn about salaries, rosters, training pathways, what recruiters actually look for, and how to avoid the biggest rookie mistakes.
If you’ve ever wondered whether FIFO is the right move for your lifestyle, your family, or your bank balance, this episode lays it all out—honest, raw, and with a few laughs along the way.
Perfect for anyone dreaming of a career change, chasing financial freedom, or just curious about how thousands of Aussies make the FIFO lifestyle work.
Hit play and get the real story, straight from the cab.
A Chat with Jack!
In this special edition of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, we uncover something truly remarkable — The Lost Tapes of JD Hurley.
When roadtrains.com.au Technical Editor Howard Shanks was challenged to dig deep into his old documentary archives, he struck gold: a rare, recording from more than 25 years ago featuring Jack “JD” Hurley, one of the founding fathers of Brown and Hurley — the iconic Australian truck dealership that became a national institution.
These lost tapes capture JD in his element — candid, witty, and full of life. Known for his dry humour, down-to-earth wisdom, and natural flair for salesmanship, Jack Hurley built more than a company — he built a legacy of trust, mateship, and good old Aussie ingenuity.
Join us as we revisit this classic conversation, bringing to life the laughter, the lessons, and the legendary spirit of the man behind the Brown and Hurley story. It’s a nostalgic journey through Australia’s transport history — one that celebrates the heart, humour, and honesty of a true trucking pioneer.
Restoring the Legendary Ford LTL 9000 “Krystal Dreams”
Join us for a special episode of Six Foot Behind the Bull Bar as we travel to Deloraine, Tasmania, to catch up with Highland Haulage owner Mick Linger. We relive the glory days of fast trucking with the restoration of Mick’s legendary 1986 Ford LTL 9000 “Krystal Dreams”, the exact truck Mick drove for Klaus and Jean Derichs on the Melbourne-to-Perth run. An emotional reunion, untold stories, and a nostalgic look back at when fast trucking ruled Australia’s roads.
Keeping the wheels turning with AIR-CTI
Discover what AIR-CTI is, how it works, and why Tasmanian operators trust it for traction, safety, and tyre life.
Join us as we head deep into Tasmania to meet logging and transport operators who rely on AIR-CTI central tyre inflation systems to tackle some of the steepest and toughest terrain in the state. From enhancing traction on slick forestry tracks to improving tyre life and safety on the highway, we see first-hand how AIR-CTI is changing the way trucks handle the job. And it’s not just for trucks in the bush. Super spreaders working wet paddocks and soft soils are also reaping the rewards, with reduced compaction, improved efficiency, and the ability to keep moving when conditions turn muddy. These are real stories from real operators, straight from the cab.
The East Coaster Run with Kingbars
Ride along on “The East Coaster run with Kingbars” – a road trip from Tasmania’s transport hub in Devonport to the far reaches of Mount Garnet in Queensland. Along the way, we meet the operators who face constant wildlife strikes, unpredictable weather, and the toughest road conditions Australia can throw at them. Their common safeguard? Kingbars bullbars – built to take the hits, protect the load, and keep the wheels turning. This is the story of real-world protection, proven across thousands of kilometres on Australia’s East Coast.
Trucking Through the Last Frontier
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, we fire up the time machine and roll back to 1996 with a legendary story by Howard “Shanksie” Shanks — first published in Truckin’ Life magazine (Vol. 19, No. 10).
Trucking Through the Last Frontier follows Andrew Hickey’s brand-new Kenworth T950 as it takes on the wilds of outback Queensland. Thirty years later, a phone call from Andrew sparked the revival of this iconic yarn — complete with crocodile encounters, red dirt roads, and big horsepower in the bush.
Resurrected from the archives with original slides and fresh audio, this episode is a tribute to a golden era of Australian trucking — where grit, machines, and mateship got the job done.
📸 See original photos and read the full article at roadtrains.com.au
🎯 Tags:
Kenworth T950, Australian Trucking, Road Trains, Truckin Life Magazine, Howard Shanks, Outback Trucking, Remote Haulage, Trucking Stories, Heavy Transport History, Truck Photography, Long Haul Driving, Northern Territory, Gulf Country, Crocodile Encounter, Classic Trucks, Trucking Legends
📢 Hashtags:
#KenworthT950 #RoadTrains #AustralianTrucking #TruckingPodcast #TruckinLife #OutbackTruckin #TruckStories #HeavyHaulage #HowardShanks #SixFootBehindTheBullbar #ClassicTrucks #TruckPhotos #BigRigs #TruckingLegends #RealTruckinStories #RoadtrainsAustralia #BrownandHurley
4 High-Tech Log Trailers Built for the Bush
In this episode of Six Foot Behind the Bullbar, we hit the backroads to meet four logging operators running the smartest, toughest trailers in the bush — all built right here in Australia by Elphinstone Engineering.
From self-steering dog trailers to rapid-loading B-Doubles and Long Loggers that haul 19-metre timber with precision, these trailers are redefining what’s possible in modern log haulage.
We ride along with the men behind the wheel and take a close look at the technology that’s helping them haul more efficiently, more safely, and with less wear and tear.
“Six-Foot Behind the Bull Bar: Breaking Ground with the 770hp Scania Beast”
Strap in as this week’s episode of Six‑Foot Behind the Bull Bar tears into the cutting-edge world of heavy haulage, showcasing the mighty Scania R770 V8 in action. We dive into the story behind D&P Solutions' R770 8×4 prime mover and its custom 5R8 Linkwing trailer — and why this duo is shaking up Australia’s megaproject logistics scene
From its ferocious 770hp, 16.4‑litre V8 engine churning out 3,700 Nm of torque, to the slick 16‑speed Opticruise gearbox with multiple reverse gears — every spec is a testament to engineered might and clever design. We unpack how hub‑reduction tandem drive axles, diff locks and advanced traction systems let this rig haul road‑headers up steep grades and through mud without drama
We also talk fuel economy, decoding how this monster averages between 1.2 km/L to 1.4 km/L on long hauls from Brisbane to Sydney — a big deal when you’re hauling 130‑tonne loads across remote terrain
Plus, we’ll discuss why owner Deirdre Young describes the R770 as a “hamburger with the lot” — featuring built‑in shower, Starlink, fridge and generator — and why it took more than two years to perfect every detail before delivery.
Tune in for:
- A technical deep dive into R770’s V8 power and emissions‑compliant Euro 6 setup
- How diff‐lock, traction control, hill‑hold and retarder systems work together to keep this giant in control
- Tales of Australia’s tunnelling boom and what it’s doing for heavy haulage operators
- Behind‑the‑scenes of spec’ing one of the most capable Scania rigs in the Southern Hemisphere
Ready for horsepower, engineering brilliance, and haulage stories like no other? Jump in six‑feet behind the bull bar and let’s roll.
👉 Be sure to visit roadtrains.com.au to read the full stories and check out photos of the trucks featured in each episode.