Supplied by dealer MC Truck & Bus, the Kent-based operator’s new addition to its 25-strong fleet is an FM-420 tag-axle Tridem, which features the X-High chassis spec, with straight front axles for enhanced ground clearance, 12-speed I-Shift automated transmission and a fully spec’d sleeper cab.
“This walking floor truck, the body of which does not tip when discharging, virtually eliminates the risks associated with tippers and tipping, and in my opinion it could just put us ahead of the curve,” says Bourne.
The company has also specified a low-level nearside window and camera and sensor systems to improve visibility and to meet CLOCS, FORS and Crossrail requirements.
The vehicle’s manoeuvrability and versatility, he adds, offers significant efficiency gains for the company: “Thanks to the capability of the walking floor to carry loose material, pallets or bags, it opens up possibilities when it comes to return loads.
“Furthermore, it offers the opportunity to carry mixed loads, which is particularly beneficial when it comes to landscaping projects.”
The Bourne Group is also moving into delivery of biomass for boilers, as Bourne describes: “With Kent being one of the most wooded counties in England, this presents a great opportunity for us to look after our woodlands while at the same time creating a product – the demand for which is only going to increase over time. And because the biomass obviously needs to be dry, the Volvo FM Tridem with walking floor means we can ‘walk’ the product directly into enclosed hoppers, thus satisfying this requirement.”