Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London’s Croydon dealerpoint, the Hampshire-based operator’s new addition has a Globetrotter sleeper cab, high chassis height and a hydraulically-steered, pusher axle with single wheels.
The 3,900mm wheelbase tractor is powered by a D16K Euro VI engine, which produces 740bhp and 3,550Nm of torque, driving through an I-Shift Crawler automated transmission system with two extra gears – one Crawler and one ultra-low Crawler.
Rounding off the powertrain are twin rear hub reduction tandem axles with a ratio of 4,55:1. A Jost 150-tonne fifth wheel sits behind two fuel tanks, with extra lockers mounted behind the cab.
The high spec interior includes a Driving++ package, and the Construction Visibility package includes wiper rain sensors, Bi-Xenon headlamps, high-pressure headlamp cleaners and automatic headlamp switching between day running lights and low beam. There is also a four-camera digital video system, left turn alarm and Side Scan system to detect vulnerable road users.
The operator has also bought a five-axle Nooteboom extendable step frame trailer.
In addition to this new combination, the company also runs 15-tonne Volvo FL 4x2 plant rigids, some FL 4x2 skip trucks, 35 FMX 8x4s and a couple of 80-tonne FH12s. “We have looked at alternative manufacturers when there’s been a shortage of supply, but we have an 80% Volvo fleet,” says Robert Collard, managing director.
He adds: “I think Volvo are very solid trucks with a good resale value... There’s also the fact that it’s easier to get a new driver employed if they know they’ll get a Volvo – seriously, it’s a good way to recruit and retain drivers.”
He also praises the Tandem Axle Lift feature: “It’s absolutely sensational and one of the best inventions in the truck market. You’ve got a double drive tractor unit on landfill and building sites, but then you can lift the axle.
“It can carry more weight and also has the ability to go off-road without getting stuck. The fuel returns are a lot higher, too.”