The IVECO X-WAY 8x4 Tridem (AD350X46ZY/PS OFF) with rear-wheel-steer features a rear mount bucket crane and two-way tipper body and is powered by the Cursor 11 460hp diesel engine mated to a 12-speed HI-TRONIX gearbox with creeping mode. Its rugged tyres, an increased ride height, and the underbody protection offered by the Off-Road Package ensure the IVECO X-WAY can tackle the most arduous terrain.
This multi-purpose truck will be responsible for loading and unloading pipework or gravel in locations with restrictions on space, meaning some extensive engineering from Thompson Group was needed to deliver a bespoke solution. The 12-cubic metre box is capable of tipping on either side of the truck via a set of hydraulic doors that run the full length of the body. The driver can remotely activate the whole tipping operation to ensure total operator safety, and a manual redundancy tipper door feature has also been integrated to ensure this IVECO X-WAY is always operational should the hydraulics fail.
An Epsilon M135L HPLS rear crane, complete with stabilisers and a reach of over nine metres completes the IVECO X-WAY specification. At full extension, the crane can lift 750kg which makes lives easier for the pipeline crew when lifting on-site loads. The tipping mechanism operates within a very confined space, so a modified scissor lift design was employed. Operating at 350bar, safety was a primary concern with the lifting cylinders customised to prevent over tipping.
Achieving these series of capabilities was an engineering challenge that took AM Phillip Trucktech and Thompsons around five months to design and build.
FCH Construction Services managing director Fraser Hart said: “We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, highlighting the importance of having a reliable and go-anywhere fleet behind us. Our vehicles have a tough life and work in a challenging environment, and we are confident this new IVECO addition to the fleet will further add to the level of service we provide to our customers.