Supplied by dealer Truck and Bus Wales & West, the RELs comprise four 26-tonne gvw FE-320, 6x2 rearsteer chassis and one FL-280 4x2, 18-tonne gvw rigid – the latter’s short wheelbase needed for use on sites with restricted access.
FL bodywork is from Heil Farid’s T1 range; the FEs have Heil Farid’s Big Bite Junior bodies.
All chassis are specified with the six-speed Allison automatic gearbox. All the trucks are equipped with AEBS.
The FL-280 skiploaders are specified with Volvo’s ZTO1006, six-speed manual gearbox and Hyva bodywork.
Smiths’ transport operations manager Simon Allen says: “Volvo reliability has proved to be bullet proof. We also have a very good rapport with Truck and Bus Wales & West.
“Fuel economy is good, too, and we are seeing a 2 mpg improvement with these Euro 6 trucks over their Euro 5 equivalents.”