Supplied by dealer Wales and West Truck and Bus, the 5,200mm wheelbase Tridem rigid was ordered with a ten-tonne front axle to complement the rear bogie’s 27-tonne design capabilities.
The double-drive truck also comes with front steel parabolic spring and rear air suspension, and a hydraulically-steered tag axle.
Woodlands Generators opted for Volvo’s D13K engine rated at 494bhp driving through an I-Shift automated gearbox. The vehicle has a standard Sleeper Cab, alloy wheels and aluminium air tanks to minimise unladen weight.
“Local back-up is crucial to our business and the nearby location of Truck and Bus Wales and West in Evesham is a factor in our purchasing decisions,” says Jack Preece, director at Woodlands Generators, adding: “We already have a Volvo FH tractor unit on our fleet. Volvo is a good brand with excellent back-up and response levels.”
The operator’s current crane-equipped fleet typically sees 8x4 rigid chassis with lorry-mounted cranes fitted immediately behind the cabs. However, says Preece, “we’ve switched the usual design around with our first Tridem chassis, as the 8x4s need constant monitoring not to overload the front axles. The Tridem’s larger capacity rear bogie design has permitted a rear chassis crane fitment and will bring us more flexibility when moving larger generators.”
The platform plant body is by AG Bracey and is fixed in front of a Fassi F545 remote control crane. The new Volvo FH will work predominately across the UK, with occasional trips to Europe.
The vehicle is supplied with a five-year Volvo Gold R&M contract.