Cambridgeshire-based G. Webb Haulage has purchased its first Volvo truck since 2011 – a Volvo FM 8×4 rigid with lifting rear axle – a unique solution only available from Volvo Trucks.
The customer, which specialises in the haulage and disposal of all types of contaminated soils and wastes in bulk, chose the latest vehicle as part of efforts to reduce the company’s fuel use.
Delivered by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, the FM, which replaces a rival marque, will be in operation five-days-a-week and cover up to 120,000 km annually. It is powered by the proven Volvo D11K Euro 6, Step D, diesel engine which produces 430 hp, plus up to 2,050 Nm of torque.
Paul Broker, Fleet Director at G. Webb Haulage, says: “The nature of our work means some jobs can involve a period of empty running, when our vehicles return to site to reload. With the new FM we can lift the rear axle, reducing rolling resistance, which in turn improves fuel economy and reduces tyre wear. Volvo was the only manufacturer that was able to provide us with this configuration and we were keen to give it a try.”
When the truck is unloaded, drivers can push a button on the dashboard to disengage and raise the second drive axle. This sees the pressure on the first drive axle automatically increase, optimising traction and agility, and delivering a fuel saving of around 4%. As soon as the truck is re-loaded, the second drive axle automatically lowers and engages.
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of dealers with 2,100 service points in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 14 countries across the globe. In 2019 approximately 131,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks ́ work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.
“Initial driver feedback has been very promising. The main focus for us is fuel economy, so if the FM can prove its worth, we’ll definitely return to Volvo for future upgrades to the fleet,” Broker adds. “The whole purchasing process has been smooth from start to finish.”
With maximum fuel saving potential in mind, the truck incorporates I-Cruise intelligent cruise control along with I-Roll software – which helps to save fuel when neither engine power nor engine braking is needed.
Built with a spacious Globetrotter sleeper cab, the FM will typically leave the main site on Monday and return on Friday, so has been specified with driver comfort in mind. It includes a diesel-powered parking heater for the cab, practical internal lighting with night light and a 33-litre under bunk fridge/freezer.
A two-year Volvo Blue Contract covers preventative maintenance for a fixed monthly cost, giving G. Webb Haulage greater visibility of costs and better operational control. All routine maintenance will take place at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia’s Ely site.
G. Webb Haulage Ltd operates a mixed fleet of 60 vehicles, carrying a wide range of bulk materials including aggregates, coal, fertiliser, scrap metal and soils.
