[binaiks]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

This is NOT a recommendation - just consider them. IMHO kerala body buiders' build quality is very poor.

Heard from a bus operator here in Kodungallur that Shillibear (at Thrissur) does a good job compared to most builders in Kerala. I am not sure of the statement's validity or truth - just sharing what operators say these days. In Fact, there is one operator here, with all his buses built at Shillibear - even two years after those buses hit the road, the body is in good shape.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

@hanmust: I almost daily see Few MAN Trucks(Tipper/Taurus?) carrying stone/soil to Ernakulam/coastal areas from Thodupuzha areas.

Yes, i have seen Man Tippers carrying Stones in many construction sites in Kerala. It is getting more and more popular.

@raj_5004:the two Bus body builders I noticed here in Kerala is OJES Kothamangalam and Sisira,Kalady.

What about ShilliBear Shillibear | About Us They make Volvo clones on Leyland Chasis.

[foby.sebastian]

[quote=binaiks;1503351]Heard from a bus operator here in Kodungallur that Shillibear (at Thrissur) does a good job compared to most builders in Kerala. I am not sure of the statement's validity or truth - just sharing what operators say these days. In Fact, there is one operator here, with all his buses built at Shillibear - even two years after those buses hit the road, the body is in good shape.[/quo

Ah , shillibear , they have their factory at the thrissur - palakkad road near pattikkad , on the righ hand side of teh road (if we travel from thrissur to palakkad)

They build some quality Bus bodies nowadays.

[Transsenger]

raj_5004:

The following are the leading body builders in south india, who has presence in Kerala market:

Bangalore:
1. S M Kannappa - Prakash
2. Azad / Jaico
3. Veera (new)
TN:
1. Sundaram Ind. - now IRIZAR TVS
2. Karur based - REC, Sakthi Coaches, TVR Coaches, Indiaan Coaches,
Kerala:
1. Ojes Kothamangalam
2.Sisira, Kalady
3. Saxs Coaches, Chittoor Ernakulam
4. AM coaches Kollam
5. Akash Kollam
6. Shillibear, Trissur.
Goa:
1. ACGL
Among them Prakash, IrizarTVS, Veera, Azad are premium options. Prakash body will fetch higher resale value. To try alternative low cost options you may consider Saxs, Shillibear, Ojes or the ones at Karur. Luxury buses built by Saxs are very common and has seen most tour operators buses being rebodied here including Kallada Volvo. They are only building coaches.

[raj_5004]

thanks a lot for your advice buddies.

now, i will even consider veera & shillibear.

[Transsenger]

Some pictures Ojes & Saxs built buses.
Also Check - Sisira Enterprises

1. By Ojes on Eicher20.15
2, 3 & 6 By Saxs on AL Viking 222"WB
4. By Saxs on AL Stag A/c coach
5. By Saxs on Swaraj Mazda
7, 8 & 9. By Saxs A/c coach

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

thanks a lot for your advice buddies.

Mata Amritanandamayi Math has a few buses with Shillibear bodies, in and around their Ernakulam Campus. One operator by the name "Anandraj" operates only Shillibear buses - they are a good Stage Carriage service, and has good presence on the Kodungallur-Guruvayur Route.

Following are some pics of these buses. Plus, there is one pic of a new bus introduced by local transport company, MS Menon Transports, on the Kodungallur-Thrissur route (As Limited Stop Ordinary). This bus is built by Sakthi, Karur.

[deepclutch]

Someone Notice: Even Saranya,Kottarakkara Build Bus Bodies.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Some pictures Ojes & Saxs built buses.
Also Check - Sisira Enterprises

1. By Ojes on Eicher20.15
2, 3 & 6 By Saxs on AL Viking 222"WB
4. By Saxs on AL Stag A/c coach
5. By Saxs on Swaraj Mazda
7, 8 & 9. By Saxs A/c coach

thanks a lot buddy. i quite liked 6, 7, 8 & 9.

but as you said, since prakash, veera & azad are premium options & since prakash fetches higer resale value, shouldnt i stick to prakash?

[DWind]

Is ABTx Travels coach (P-6000) done by Prakash? Their coach made on AL 12M chasis is well maintained and has held well so far. They also look elegant and are sufficiently powered to not struggle in the Krishnagiri ghats. I have travelled only between Bangalore and Chennai on them and I though they were a good alternative to the Volvo's.

[Dev Iyer]

I should mention that the body quality of Sundaram Industries Madurai is pretty good. I remember 2 AL buses bought by SPIC Tuticorin whose body were built by Sundaram in 1972 were "alive and kicking" at least till 1997.
O.T. one bus peculiarly had a hand gear (like in old ambys) for quite some time after which it was replaced with the conventional floor gear.

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

@raj_5004 - I consider build quality over looks for heavy vehicles. (not that looks are not important) Did you consider Sundaram Industries, Madurai for the body work?

This is NOT a recommendation - just consider them. IMHO kerala body buiders' build quality is very poor.

Edit - I am not saying Prakash is poor in quality.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by DWind

Is ABTx Travels coach (P-6000) done by Prakash? Their coach made on AL 12M chasis is well maintained and has held well so far. They also look elegant and are sufficiently powered to not struggle in the Krishnagiri ghats. I have travelled only between Bangalore and Chennai on them and I though they were a good alternative to the Volvo's.

ABT X Travels has coaches built by Prakash, and some from Veera as well. Veera seems to be a name catching up very soon - and their designs are distinct and well-finished as well. I had recently traveled on a Veera built KSRTC Rajahamsa, and I was flattered by the quality of job done. The bus was not new (Atleast 6 months into running), but there were no irritating sounds. The leg space was amazing, and seats were of Harita Make.

[Transsenger]

New Hino 500 series Tipper model undergoing trials in India. Sources indicate its fitted with Hino Jseries CRDI engine.

[fx45]

No covering of badges etc on that Hino??

[sajo]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

New Hino 500 series Tipper model undergoing trials in India. Sources indicate its fitted with Hino Jseries CRDI engine.

Thank you transsenger. There is one doing rounds of Pune too, completely white (including the bed) and looked very spotless and clean.
Which also means it probably has not been used. Or would resemble the below :



Do you think this Tata 2516 can dig itself out, on its own power ? I think its stuck, and will have to be pulled out, what do you guys think?
The driver (moron!) has also damaged the traffic island while reversing into it. And it was not some blind corner, but right underneath his own window, which he managed to drive quite neatly into. I spotted this (not while it was happening though) while waiting for the company bus today morning near my home.