All 14 of the operator’s truck-mounted vacuum sweepers are based on Volvo chassis, 12 of which are two-axle FMs with Johnston VT801 equipment and the remaining two are special Johnston-Beam units, designed to give a ‘back to black’ surface finish.
Supplied by dealer Stuarts Truck and Bus, the FH16 flagship is a 641bhp unit with front and rear high
pressure spray bars, dual/simultaneous sweep and a rear suction bar with V-jets operating at 400bar to provide the special finish. Full hydrostatic drive is engaged when sweeping and the truck has a 9,300-litre water tank.
“That capacity is enough to sweep and wash at full power for over two and a half hours in a single pass,” confirms Martin Brooking, company principal at Brooking Hire.
The vehicle’s driver Heinz Peter Kostka could be away from home for up to 12 weeks, so the cab specification includes night heater, air conditioning, fridge and microwave oven.
“Creature comforts are important, but it’s Volvo’s reliability and service back-up that is vital,” says Brooking.
“We don’t run a 100% Volvo fleet by accident. Our sweepers are often working all night, usually while the motorway or airport is closed, so we cannot afford any downtime issues. Any over-runs and we incur contract penalties.”
He adds: “Volvo’s back-up is first class and the technical support we get from our local dealerpoint, Stuarts Truck and Bus in Exeter, has also been invaluable.”