Supplied by Matt Kubot, transport solutions executive at Volvo Truck and Bus South & East, the new FHs were handed over at Ardent Hire’s Felixstowe depot and will join its busy UK-wide operation.
Gareth Clements, group operations director at Ardent Hire, said: “We have been long-term admirers of the Volvo product, having run its trucks for a number of years now. The FH is ideally suited to our line of work and, following a thorough procurement process, Volvo Trucks came out on top for us again.”
The new FHs are powered by a Euro-6 compliant D13K Step E engine, producing 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,500 Nm, and driven through an automated 12-speed I-Shift transmission.
To protect the trucks during their work delivering heavy plant machinery to busy construction sites, the FHs are built with a high chassis and feature a heavy-duty bumper. Made of 3mm high-grade steel and partly covered by a thick polypropylene coating, it’s designed to shield the front of the truck from scratches, dents and broken headlights on any terrain.
“We operate at STGO Category 2 which allows us to run at 65 tonnes, and we have a special construction specification,” added Clements.
Replacing 20 older Volvo Trucks models in the company’s 50-strong fleet, the FHs are expected to cover 80,000km per year. They are set to be joined by a further 12 Volvo FMX 8x2 rigids at Ardent Hire later in the year.