The Ullingswickm Hereford-based company has a seven strong fleet and this latest addition was driven by the firm’s experience with Volvo trucks, dealer responsiveness and driver preference.
“When it came to specifying this truck we had various criteria,” explains Steve Gwynn, son of company founder Mick.
“First and foremost, the overhead bins at Sun Valley Mill, where we collect [animal] feed, give us just 12ft clearance, so the Volvo FM with standard height suspension trumped the Volvo FH, which is just too high,” he says.
“Even so, we had to modify the aero kit on the Globetrotter cab to squeeze under.”
Other criteria included driver comfort, all-round visibility and durability, he continues.
“This truck will hardly see a motorway: most of the time it will be on roads and farm tracks... Furthermore, handling animal feed and grain can be a pretty dusty business and we know Volvo trucks cope well in such conditions.”
Gwynn’s new Volvo FM was specified with a 3.9m wheelbase and the 12.8 litre 460bhp, 2,300Nm D13K engine mated to the 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox.
It was also fitted with Dura-bright wheels, mirror guards and a Kelsa light bar, while in the cab there’s a trailer weight display and Bluetooth phone connection.
The new Volvo FM is already working double-shifts, five days per week, hauling 27-tonne loads of animal feed in a tipping trailer across Devon, Shrewsbury, Mid-Wales and Gloucester.