Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, the new addition is a Globetrotter XL 3,900mm wheelbase tridem pusher axle tractor and is powered by the D13K engine, producing a maximum of 533bhp.
The FH is specified with an I-Shift Crawler gearbox, while a gearbox-mounted retarder also provides a secondary braking system.
The vehicle is rated for maximum 90-tonne operations, but will predominately work in the 55- to 60-tonne weight brackets. Both the front and pusher axles are nine-tonne air suspension units, the latter contributing to a rear bogie capacity of 32 tonnes.
“We’d previously bought our four-axle tractor units from Holland, but this requirement is now better served through a dealer local to our business,” explains Simon Wilson, the operator’s managing director.
Volvo impressed with its keenness to quote for the business, he says, adding: “Having a factory-built, four-axle tractor unit was also a bonus, saving on purchase cost and delivery times.”
A Jost cast fixed fifth wheel, steel front bumper and Dura-Bright EVO alloy wheels are also included the specification.
Wilson says: “European work makes up two-thirds of our total business and the regulations around German first axle weights drive our choice of four-axle tractor units.
“I’m not a big fan of really big engines, but we have to balance power outputs and fuel consumption levels with terrain traversed and higher operating weights.”