Supplied by dealer MC Truck and Bus, the Surrey-based operator’s new additions are an 8x2 rear steer and an 8x4 Tridem chassis, both fitted with bespoke Webb bodies and fall arrest safety systems.
They are also equipped with Globetrotter cabs and D13K engines delivering 454bhp.
The 8x2 rear tag chassis has a 6m wheelbase and uprated 9-tonne front axles to accommodate the rear cab-mounted Hiab XS558-EP-6 crane. The 8x4 Tridem has a 5.2m wheelbase, a 9-tonne front axle and a rear bogie capacity of 27 tonnes for its rear-mounted Hiab XS548-EP-7 crane. The Tridem also hauls a tandem axle platform drawbar trailer.
“We deliberately chose the four-axle FMs to strike the best balance of load capacity, platform stability, access and manoeuvrability levels,” says Charlie Threapleton, head of operations and special projects at Gatwick Group, part of Swain Group’s special projects division.
He likens the Volvo pair to Swiss army knives – “compact, but bristling with well-designed equipment”.
The FMs are expected to be in service for ten years and are supplied with Volvo R&M contracts.