Long established Scottish haulage company, Hayton Coulthard Transport of Twynholm, Dumfries and Galloway, has operated Volvo’s FH range since 1994, but has now put its first Tandem Axle Lift equipped Volvo FHs into service with Extra High chassis heights for maximum ground clearance levels when working off road.
Supplied by Justin Fisher at Stuarts Truck and Bus, the three Volvo FH 6×4 tractor units are equipped with D13K engines producing 460hp, I-Shift automated gearboxes and double drive axles with a ratio of 2.83:1.
Volvo’s Tandem Axle Lift is ideal when driving heavily loaded in one direction and empty in the other. When the truck is unloaded, a button on the dashboard is pushed to disengage and raise the drive axle, but as soon as the truck is loaded again, the drive axle automatically lowers and engages to ensure maximum traction and driveability. It only takes about 15 seconds from start to finish, so there is no time wasted. Drive axles produce friction and rolling resistance – which increase the amount of fuel used. Disengaging and raising the axle when it’s not required can achieve a reduction in fuel usage by up to 4%.
The new 3,200mm wheelbase Volvo tractor units will haul walking floor trailers on a local contract based mainly in Dumfries and Galloway.
“The FHs will spend around 50 per cent of their running time empty, so Tandem Axle Lift is the ideal choice for this job,” notes Duncan Coulthard, Managing Director at Hayton Coulthard Transport.
The optional 1143mm chassis height and super single front tyres both give the three new Volvo FHs a robust appearance.
“The overall ride height and chassis clearance is exceptional and will be ideal when the trucks visit landfill sites. For these arduous applications we also specified Jost cast iron, fixed fifth wheels. The Globetrotter Cabs with Drive Plus packages suit our drivers, who are usually back in the depot every night with this job,” Duncan adds.
