Supplied by dealer Stuarts Truck and Bus, of Exeter, the new additions are part of Clarence Court’s renewal programme for its 23-strong fleet.
After evaluating three manufacturers, Volvo was selected, as transport manager Martin Hoar explains: “It was really the Dynafleet services – including the remote download of tachographs – and the overall reliability of Volvo trucks alongside the reassurance of the Uptime Guarantee offered by Volvo that ultimately tipped the balance for us.”
The FH tractors feature mid-lift axles and Globetrotter cabs with single bunks and fridge/freezers, as well as leather upholstery throughout, including the Comfort air-suspended and temperature-controlled driver’s seat. Power comes from Volvo’s D13K 460bhp engines producing up to 2,300Nm of torque at 900-1,400 rpm.
Coupled to Chereau tri-axle fridge trailers fitted with Dhollandia under-slung tail lifts, each truck transports up to 281,000 eggs at a time.
The 12 FM rear-steer rigids are equipped with sleeper cabs and fridge bodies by G&A of Doncaster with Dhollandia under slung tail-lifts. “We chose the FM over the FE simply because we needed the ground clearance to enable us to get on to farms,” says Hoar.
Volvo’s Dynafleet is proving to be a boon, he adds. “Thanks to Dynafleet and the scorecard information, drivers are now coming into the office to ask where they sit in the league table and what they can do to improve. It really has generated a positive atmosphere.
“We have certainly boosted the efficiency and safety of our operation thanks to these new trucks,” says Hoar.
“This is not only great for the business, but also improves the working conditions for our drivers.”
The FH tractors are expected to be in service for three years and the FM rigids for five years All are covered by a Gold R&M contract with Truck and Bus Wales and West, Swindon.