Hino 300 Series 917
When you buy a Hino, you know you're buying quality.
Clint Cook is the definition of ‘do what makes you happy’. He has turned his hobby of vehicle restoration into a profitable business, and when his business took off, he needed a truck that could keep up with his drive and ambition.
Buying a second-hand truck from an auction is always risky, but, having driven Hino trucks at previous jobs, Clint was confident that the quality, comfort, and reliability of a Hino truck, would help take things to the next level.
Tell us about your business?
I buy, fix, restore and sell all sorts of things, including motorbikes, cars, utes, boats, jet skis, kid’s bikes, ATV’s and my favourite, the side-by-side buggies. I bought my Hino 300 Series 917 ex council vehicle to clean up and restore back to its former glory. Since then, it’s been a fantastic work horse for me to pick up and deliver the items that I restore, and the tipping tray is fantastic for loading and unloading.
What locations do you normally operate in?
Mostly around the Whitsundays in North Queensland.
How has business been since the beginning of COVID in 2020? Have you had to change the way you operate in order to adjust?
I actually started my business during COVID. It has always been a great hobby of mine so when COVID started making things monotonous I decided to step it up and slowly started getting more and more jobs and the projects got bigger.
Why did you choose Hino?
While I hadn’t owned a Hino truck prior to purchasing my 300 Series 917, I have previously worked for companies that had Hino trucks in their fleet. Since then, I’ve known Hino as having premium, quality products that are reliable and trouble free. For me purchasing a Hino truck was a no-brainer.
What have been the standout features of your Hino 300 Series 917?
The standout feature of my Hino has to be the quality and build. Everything just works so well, and it drives amazingly. The turning circle allows for easy steering and the vision in the cab is great…there are no blind spots.
What was your experience purchasing your Hino?
I bought the truck second hand from auction, being an ex-council vehicle and a Hino I was confident that the truck would be in great condition with no issues. As you are unable to inspect, or test drive the vehicles from an auction, you can only rely on the details posted online and the auction house condition report. Luckily for me, I was right… the truck is brilliant.
What is your favourite thing about owning a Hino truck?
Not having to worry about it breaking down or having any maintenance issues, I love the get-in-and-go that Hino trucks have.
How does the comfort of the Hino compare to other trucks you’ve driven?
Whether you’re in the driver or passenger seat the comfort of a Hino truck is second to none. It drives nice and doesn’t bounce around which makes for a smooth and comfortable ride. It really is impressive compared to all the other trucks I’ve driven… and I’ve driven a few.
Can you give us an example of where your Hino has performed in a way you didn’t expect it to?
When I purchased the truck it had a three-way tipping tray installed which initially made me question its stability. Once I put the truck to work, stability was no longer a concern as the suspension was fantastic.
Would you consider purchasing a Hino again if you needed another truck in the future?
100% absolutely, they really are great trucks.
Clint restored his Hino 300 Series 917 from the diamond in the rough and turned it into the jewel of his business. He now has a safe, comfortable and reliable truck to deliver his projects to very happy clients.
If you want to take your hobby to the next level or would like to learn more about Hino trucks, then visit your nearest Hino Dealer today.