Thirteen years after it commissioned its first 3.5-tonne Fuso Canter, South Wales arboriculturalist TR33 has finally withdrawn the truck from front-line service ' and replaced it with two new trucks of the same model.

The company's new Canters are both 3C13 models with Comfort day cabs and economical, high-tech 3.0-litre engines that produce 96 kW (130 hp) and offer an impressive 300 Nm of torque at low revs. They also feature the Idle Start/Stop function and an engine brake as standard.

The Cardiff-based company provides a full range of tree and landscaping services plus grounds and estate maintenance and the new Canters are fitted with locking cupboards immediately behind their cabs, for storing power saws and other equipment.

One, which at 2,500mm has the shortest of the four available wheelbases, has a high-sided tipping body with ladder rack, purpose-designed for tree surgery work. The other has a 2,800mm wheelbase and dropside body.

TR33 was founded in 2001 by New Zealander David O'Brien. 'I was a 'one-man band' back then, with a single battered truck,' he recalled.

'Today, after 15 years of organic growth during which we have built enduring relationships with public bodies, commercial organisations and socially-oriented enterprises, as well as private customers, we are a team of 30 qualified arborists, horticulturists, mowers and cutters who are fully focused on providing the very best in arboriculture and horticulture.

'That vehicle has been amazing. She was involved in an accident early on but she came back from that and has never let us down. Even now, we've only taken the Canter off active duty ' it will still be useful as a spare and as a yard vehicle'