Simon Irwin, a Bedford-based contract haulier for Tarmac, has taken delivery of a Volvo FH 8×4 Tridem tipper from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London’s Milton Keynes Dealerpoint. It is Simon’s first Volvo and the first FH Tridem to join the Tarmac fleet.
Simon has already noticed significant safety advantages with the Volvo FH 8×4 Tridem configuration: “You don’t need to swing out so much when cornering, so this truck is definitely safer for cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Another safety feature is the mirrors,” adds Simon. “They’re incredible. The all-round visibility is second-to-none.” Supplementing the FH’s mirrors, is a Brigade 4-camera system with nearside sensor.
Tarmac is committed to improving road safety, particularly for vulnerable road-users. The company is a founding member of the cross industry working group that developed CLOCS and a champion of the standard. Tarmac was also the first operator in the UK road construction industry to be approved to undertake fleet audits as part of FORS.
Sean McGrae, who is Senior Manager National Transport at Tarmac, which operates the largest fleet in the UK road construction industry, says: “The Tridem configuration offers our customers and Tarmac, real flexibility alongside a design which supports our broader approach to road user safety.”
Simon reports that he is delighted by the performance of the N3 On-Road spec Volvo when operating as part of the paving train.
“When tipping into the hopper, the rear wheels and air suspension are in ‘locked’ mode, so butting-up to the paving machine is no different than a more traditional 8×4 tipper. The paver’s push roller connects to the rear wheels and pushes the truck along as normal. There have been no issues at all when tipping into the paver and when the PTO is engaged, the air system automatically locks, with air in the bags, to offer total stability for tipping,” he explains.
Flexibility too was the fundamental differentiator in Simon’s decision to invest in a Volvo truck. “I wanted a truck that met a very particular set of requirements,” he says. “Volvo, more than any other manufacturer, went the extra mile to help me. They had the vision, production capability and flexibility to meet my needs. The Tridem’s manoeuvrability is far superior to any other 8-wheeler out there, which not only helps to improve efficiency, but also reduces tyre wear.”
Simon’s Volvo FH Tridem is equipped with a Wilcox Wilcolite aluminium body featuring Edbro tipping gear. The Wilcolite body has insulated floor and sides and is equipped with a cab-operated Dawbarn ‘Wraptor-2′ side-to-side sheeting system
