Australian members, please share your impressions of Hino, compared to Mitsubishi and Isuzu. I know the Hino 500 model pictured above is in a heavier class than the Canter.
Gladly.
I run a spreading company with my uncle.
We have two Hino's ('86 and '89) and two Mitsubishis (similar vintage)
Not sure if those are too dated for your interest so I will keep this brief unless you ask for more ^^
Mitsubishi doesn't come in 4x4, but seems to use less fuel and the gearbox is all ten gears available all the time.
If we could put the Mitsi transmission in the Hino I would be a happy chappy, with the Hino I am stuck with 5 gears in L or 5 in H.
I must come to a complete standstill to switch from L to H range.
The new Hino of course has 6 speed, but still has the same H/L range issue.
There is a Hybrid with the variable transmission but its only 2WD.
The other spreader firm in town runs Isuzus and Mitsis, (also similar vintages) but my uncle said they had a lot of problems with at least one of the Isuzus.
Two of the farms I work on have 2003/2006 model Hinos so I can ask around if you have specific questions.
The 2006 has the double chassis, and it rusted out between the layers (looked like book leaves)
The same goes for one I saw at auction (It was an underground mine support vehicle)
The 2003 single chassis seems to be fine, so keep that in mind if you drive on salt or in corrosive environments.
Our '86/'89 models have the single chassis, work with super corrosive urea every year and still look better than the 2006 double chassis!
I hope that helps some...
