Supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials, the FORS Gold operator’s new additions are all rated at 80 tonnes and have gone into service at its Golborne depot, Greater Manchester.
Volvo was chosen as it was the only manufacturer able to supply a driving tag axle. Michael Eden, Murphy’s logistics supervisor, explains: “In the past we’ve tried a simple tag and single drive, but it was taking too much weight off the drive axle, the result being wheel spin when pulling away.
“This is a nice bit of kit and it works... It’s nice to have the twin drive when we’re loaded, then the fuel economy when we’re not.”
The tractors have four-way cameras and additional passenger door glazing panels fitted to their Globetrotter cabs. They are all supplied on Volvo Gold R&M contracts.
“We’ll be using the trucks for road-railers mainly,” says Eden. “These run at around 40 tonnes apiece on our Nooteboom specialist trailers.
“I’ve yet to drive one loaded myself, but my drivers tell me they’re pulling well... Overall we’re very pleased indeed.”