Supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials, the vehicle has been configured as a versatile 44 tonnes gtw, 8x4 drawbar tipper/machine carrier.
Although steel wheels are fitted for practicality when working on groundworks and muckaway duties, the sleeper-cabbed Volvo FMX features a very high spec for an eight-wheeler, including Volvo Dynamic Steering, I-Shift automated gearbox and VEB+ Engine Brake.
The drawbar tow-jaw is from Rockinger, and the air and electrics to the rear were factory-fitted. Rear bogie suspension is B-Ride High, which, together with straight front axles, provides additional ground clearance as well as improved approach and departure angles when working on sites. When working solo, the FMX operates at 32 tonnes gvw.
Neil Roskell, managing director at ND Civils, says: “We made the decision to buy our first Volvo after talking to two other manufacturers. Thomas Hardie Commercials at Preston definitely tried the hardest to win our business by working very closely with us on pulling together what is quite an involved and complex spec and as a consequence, won the business.”
The dealer also provided ND Civils with a demo FMX 8x4 to trial, he adds.
The FMX features the operator’s new silver and blue livery, and the chassis is configured to couple to a new low loader trailer with front ramps.
“When this arrives, it will enable us to use the full potential of the FMX 8x4 as a 44-tonnes gtw, machine-carrying drawbar outfit as well as a tipper. Using the front ramps on the low loader, we will also be able to drive an additional machine up onto the reinforced, flat floor, steel tipper body when empty,” says Roskell.
The six-metre long Thompsons steel body was specified by Roskell with bolt-on steel mudwings for ease of replacement or repair. It has three sets of lashing rings on the floor of the body, so the operator can securely load a machine.
The split tail-gate also has a conventional top hinge that can be disengaged, so it can be opened on its side hinges as ‘barn-doors’ to allow the loading of a machine into the bodywork.
Tip gear is a TFC 145 from Binotto and features a lifting capacity of 33 tonnes at 190bar hydraulic operating pressure.
The FMX-450 is on a three-year R&M contract and three-year warranty.