Following trials with Volvo Trucks and AEBI Schmidt, the Highways Agency has put innovative Volvo FE spreaders into service in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset – and expects a 50% reduction in salt usage.
The new vehicles, which use a pre-wet spreading system, meet the technical specifications required by the Highways Agency, in terms of performance and reliability and were designed for a minimum seven years life expectancy.
Accuracy of spreading accounts for a 25% cut in salt use, while the pre-wet system (where salt is mixed with brine in the spreader's spinner) saves a further 25% compared to the dry system it replaces.
The Highways Agency is buying around 90 Volvo FEs, of which 47 are equipped with the new high-tech AEBI Schmidt Stratos spreaders. All have also been equipped with AEBI Schmidt's SNK single blade polymer snow plough.
All the trucks are Euro-5 Volvo FE-340 6x4 rigids, with Allison World Series six-speed automatic transmission, a rear-of-engine mounted Volvo PTO and the Medium cab with independent cab-heater.
An FMS gateway has also been fitted as preparation for telematics. The winter-prepared chassis have a wheelbase of 3.85 metres.
