Bude-based civil engineering and surfacing specialist, MacPlant Construction Ltd has purchased its first-ever brand-new truck and has turned to Volvo for an FM-500 8×4 rigid tipper for its power and durability levels. Fitted with a Wilcox insulated body, the vehicle is already out working for Devon County Council on surfacing and civil contracts.
“We have got four trucks on the fleet and one of them was showing its age a bit. Instead of having a used vehicle we decided to go brand-new with Volvo,” reports Ryan Vincent, Director atMacPlant Construction Ltd.
Supplied by Wayne Bryant, Transport Solutions Executive at Truck and Bus Wales and West, the rigid was specified with an extra-high chassis and B-ride rear spring bogie suspension, the company opted for the versatile FM-500 to power it up the Devon hills.
Ryan adds, “All the rest of our fleet are now Volvo. We really like them and so decided to keep to the marque. We required 500 horsepower as we are quite often dealing with steep hills and we needed the power to cover that.”
The sleeper cab tipper also comes with Volvo’s 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox, front and rear anti-roll bars, leather seats and an EBS medium package that includes a ‘hill hold’ function.
Ryan continues, “The Wilcox body is aluminium, so it’s lightweight and can carry more. It’s alsoinsulated, so we can carry tarmac and keep the material inside for up to four hours if necessary.The new FM’s payload figure is attractive too and it will carry other materials as and when required.”
Tough and flexible count for a lot, but what really swung it for MacPlant Construction was how quick Transport Solutions Executive; Wayne Bryant at Truck and Bus Wales and West could meet their requirements:
“We needed this vehicle in a rush,” explains Ryan. “We are so busy and we were desperate for the lorry. Volvo’s response was faster than other manufacturers and they were able to deliver it veryquickly.”
