First FMX snowploughs in UK for South Gloucestershire council12 December 2011

The first FMX snowploughs in the UK, including the first FMX 4x4 variants, have entered service with South Gloucestershire Council.

These are also the first Volvo gritters to be operated by the authority, with the order, for a total of 11 vehicles, comprising eight FMX-330 6x4 26-tonners and three FMX-330 4x4 18-tonners.

South Gloucestershire Council's highways manager Owen Jenkins explains that the council maintains 1,500km of road but is also required to keep access roads, delivery ramps and shoppers' car parks clear in urban Bristol.

Hence, in part, the choice of all-wheel drive 4x4 FMX snowploughs, which can work in car parks as well as on rural main roads, such as the A46 and A38 and market towns like Thornbury, Yate and Marshfield.

Jenkins says that the short wheelbase 4x4s are ideal for this application, as they need to work on icy surfaces, on steep hills and between rows of parked cars to keep roads open.

Delivering power consistently for this kind of work is the latest D11C 11-litre engine, rated at 330hp, matched to the Volvo Powertronic PT2106 six-speed fully-automatic planetary gearbox with integral retarder.

Designed for heavy duty applications, the PT2106 offers smooth gearchanges, without interruption in power delivery, in both automatic and manual modes.

Jenkins says that smooth start-ups and good traction are available, even on gradients and demanding terrain, thanks to the electronic gear selection and torque amplifier, with automatic lock up.

He also states that drum brakes were specified to reduce maintenance costs in the aggressive winter environment.

The FMXs are expected to have an eight-year operational life with South Gloucestershire Council before being sold on, says Jenkins.

The bodywork is by Econ and the FMX 6x4s are equipped with nine cubic metre salt spreading bodies, complete with the company's 'low throw' distributor.

Meanwhile, the FMX 4x4s have six cubic metre Econ salt spreading bodies and low throw distributors. All the Volvos have also been fitted with the latest Econ Spargo gritter management system.

According to Jenkins, this reduces waste, since each truck is only loaded with enough grit to treat the route it is working on. And he adds that to further cut wastage and maintain legal axle weights during operation, Red Forge weigh cells have also been fitted.

Jenkins explains that South Gloucestershire Council carried out a comprehensive evaluation programme, including testing a number of demonstrators.

The new FMX gritters and snowploughs are the highest specification yet implemented by the council.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Econ Engineering Ltd
Volvo Group UK Ltd

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