The decision to buy the company’s first Volvo truck, according to N D Civils Managing Director Neil Roskell, was down to Volvo’s reputation for quality and the help he received from Thomas Hardie Commercials, Preston in putting together the exact specification needed to exploit the vehicle’s full potential, by configuring it as a versatile 44 tonnes GTW, 8×4 drawbar tipper / machine carrier.
Although steel wheels are fitted for practicality when working on groundworks and muckaway duties, the sleeper-cabbed Volvo FMX features a very high level of specification for an eight-wheeler. For example, it is equipped with Volvo Dynamic Steering, I-Shift automated gearbox and VEB+ Engine Brake. The drawbar tow-jaw is from Rockinger and the air and electrics to the rear were factory-fitted. Rear bogie suspension is B-Ride High, which, together with straight front axles, provides additional ground clearance as well as improved approach and departure angles when working on sites. When working solo, the FMX operates at 32 tonnes GVW.
Explains Neil: “We made the decision to buy our first Volvo after talking to two other manufacturers. Thomas Hardie Commercials at Preston definitely tried the hardest to win our business by working very closely with us on pulling together what is quite an involved and complex spec and as a consequence, won the business.”
“Before we placed the order, we had a number of technical questions to ask of the various manufacturers and dealers. Ultimately, we found that Volvo and Thomas Hardie’s Neil Crook were the only ones to stick with us every step of the way. They even lent us an FMX 8×4 demo to try out,” adds Neil.
“The FMX features our new silver and blue livery and the chassis is configured to couple to a new low loader trailer with front ramps. When this arrives, it will enable us to use the full potential of the FMX 8×4 as a 44-tonnes GTW, machine carrying drawbar outfit as well as a tipper. Using the front ramps on the low loader, we will also be able to drive an additional machine up onto the reinforced, flat floor, steel tipper body when empty.”
“Thompsons at Blackburn have welded three sets of lashing rings into the floor of the body to enable safe loading of a machine, such as a dumper or one of our Volvo excavators. Additionally, although the split tail-gate has a conventional top hinge, that can be disengaged so it can be opened on its side hinges as ‘barn-doors’ to allow the loading of a machine into the bodywork,” concludes Neil.
The six-metre long Thompsons steel body was specified by Neil with bolt on steel mudwings for ease of replacement or repair. Tip gear is a TFC 145 from Binotto and features a lifting capacity of 33 tonnes at 190 bar hydraulic operating pressure. The FMX-450 has been placed on a Volvo three-year Repair & Maintenance contract and three-year warranty. Maintenance and ‘O’-Licence inspections are carried out by Thomas Hardie Commercials, Preston. The new silver and blue, high gloss paint job was carried out by Thomas Hardie Vehicle Solutions paint and body shop at Chorley, Lancashire.
