- S. Highfield of Hemswell near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire has taken delivery of a Volvo FH-500, high chassis 6×2 tractor unit, from Crossroads Truck and Bus, Scunthorpe.
- S. Highfield Transport Manager Pip Burkitt cites the extra ground clearance and robust specification of the FH with high chassis, particularly when working on farm deliveries, as an important factor in the decision to purchase another Volvo.
The new FH joins eight Volvo trucks already at the company and grows the total fleet to 22 trucks. “On average, every third load will be onto a farm, so we needed a truck that has the ground clearance and can cope with this tough working environment,” says Pip Burkitt, adding; “The Volvo FH also offers the reliability and driveability that we need, as well as meeting our requirements in terms of payload and fuel efficiency. We are achieving a payload in excess of 27.6 tonnes, which is critical when considering the varying loads we carry such as corn seed, steel waste, agricultural fertiliser and plastic waste.”
The new Volvo FH, which works away from the company’s base in Hemswell all week, is equipped with a single bunk Globetrotter cab.
“I expect the new truck will be covering somewhere between 80,000 and 100,000 km per annum,” adds Pip. “We deliver and collect from all four corners of the UK, so driver comfort is crucial to us running a safe operation. To this end, we have not only chosen Volvo, but also specified the ‘Driving Plus’ package to further enhance the driving environment.”
The latest FH to join the fleet is being maintained on a 4-year Blue R&M contract by Crossroads Truck and Bus in Scunthorpe, which is just 8-miles away from the main yard. “We get on really well with the team at the dealership,” says Pip. “We enjoy a good relationship and receive great support, which makes a real difference.”
