Tipper I-Shift cuts fuel consumption for R Collard’s Volvos23 June 2010

Demolition, disposal and recycling specialist R Collard's latest pair of Volvo eight-wheelers have been equipped with the I-Shift automated gearbox – and the firm says it is already seeing benefits.

"We took an I-Shift box in an FM double-drive tractor nine months ago and it's performed exceptionally well, so I thought it was time to try it in an eight-legger," explains Robert Collard, owner of the Hampshire-based firm,

The two new Volvo FM13-380 8x4 chassis have only been at work for a month, but, says Collard. "The drivers think they are absolutely fabulous and early indications are that they are beating the manual versions on fuel. My next order will be I-Shift too."

Collard took the construction software package for the I-Shift, which optimises the gear shifting for on/off road work to give the best possible fuel consumption.

Collard operates a fleet of 44 trucks and the two new arrivals take his Volvo four-axle rigid fleet to 30. The trucks work hard for a living on multi-drop and on/off highway construction and aggregate duties.

Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London supplied the trucks from its Didcot site, and Collard uses the company's Basingstoke depot for service, parts and warranty work.

"The support we get from [truck salesman Tommy Carroll] and his colleagues in Basingstoke is second-to-none. This is the 50th truck I've bought from him and he always gives us a good deal," comments Collard.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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