Classic Volvo FH trucks are five firsts for Cooper Buckley 24 April 2013

Five 'Classic' FH-500 6x2 tractor units have entered service with food industry specialist Cooper Buckley, all specified with the Globetrotter XL cab and equipped with I-Shift gearboxes, leather upholstery and a refrigerator.

The vehicle's 'wet kits' were fitted by Thomas Hardie Vehicle Solutions at Chorley, Lancashire. Cooper Buckley is also trialling Volvo's telematics system, Dynafleet.

The trucks carry oats from farms across the country and also make deliveries of animal feed. All the Volvos operate at 44 tonnes maximum gross weight both ways and general manager Caroline Cooper says the company expects fuel economy to be between 8 and 9 mpg. Mileage will be in the region of 150,000 kms a year.

These are the first brand-new trucks to join her fleet, and the company's first Volvos. Additionally, as all the new trucks are on Volvo's Gold R&M contracts, this is the first time that vehicle maintenance has been outsourced.

"Although we have our own fully equipped workshop and have always maintained our own trucks, the R&M contract relieves some of the pressure on the company," comments Cooper, adding that the operator has now expanded to a fleet size now of 40 trucks and one hundred trailers.

"We have a good relationship with Thomas Hardie Commercials," she continues. "Before the arrival of the new Volvos, we purchased two- to three-year-old trucks from them. We decided to purchase new trucks to keep up to date with vehicle technology."

And she adds: "We are comparing the performance of the FHs to other makes in the fleet. We're on unknown territory to some extent, although the R&M contract does give us peace of mind and Volvo has dealer support available across the country.

"Our first thoughts are that outsourcing maintenance is the way forward... If things work out, it could be the start of something big."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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