All four new trucks were specified with rear air suspension and Andrew Chrystal, managing director of the family owned business, went for Volvo’s 320bhp 7.7 litre D8K engines driving through I-Shift automated transmissions.
“I-Shift makes driving so much easier,” he says. “Now it is fitted as standard, I would say it represents a far better way to drive a truck at these operating weights. Our drivers love it.”
Chrystal also rates the FE’s manoeuvrability. “[It] ideally suits our work because access to some of our customers is somewhat challenging,” he says.
“We’ve been particularly impressed with the 6x2 and its steered tag-axle, as there’s really nowhere the 4x2 can go that the 6x2 can’t match.”
All four trucks’ tanker bodies s were built to Chrystal Petroleum’s own specification by Road Tankers Northern of Barnsley with Alpeco metering equipment.
Meller Flow Trans, of Bradford, fitted the fire screens for Pet Regs and moved AdBlue tanks and components from the nearside of the chassis, to accommodate the on-board fuel delivery equipment.
The 4x2s are able to transport 11,500 litres of fuel/oil before hitting their 18-tonne gvw limit, while the 6x2 can carry up to 19,000 litres.
“We specified short day cabs and Alco Durabrite Aluminium rims to keep the weight down,” says Chrystal. “We always fill to the gvw of the trucks as this helps us hit our efficiency targets.”
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, Broxburn, the new trucks are all covered by a Volvo Gold R&M contract for five years.
Speaking of the dealership in Broxburn, Chrystal says: “We enjoy a really good relationship with the dealer. They look after us supremely well and the support we receive absolutely helps us to deliver.”