Located in the most westerly peninsula on the British mainland, Loch Shiel Garage of Acharacle, Argyll, has taken delivery of a high specification Volvo FM recovery vehicle- the largest truck they have operated to date.
Fitted with bodywork by Dave Bland Engineering and supplied by Kevin Fraser, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre North & Scotland, the 26 tonne rear-steer tag axle FM ispowered by Volvo’s D11K engine rated at 410hp, which drives a 12-speed I-Shift automated gearbox. The Globetrotter-cabbed 6×2 rigid also boasts a 6m wheelbase chassis to accommodate the four-car recovery bodywork. To cope with a variety of loading conditions, a nine tonne front axle and full air suspension were also selected.
“We have traditionally used crew cabs in the past, but my brother John and I decided we needed aproper sleeper cab this time, hence our choice of the FM Globetrotter,” notes Andrew Cameron, Joint Managing Director at Loch Shiel Garage Ltd.
Andrew adds, “The FM’s driver is a Volvo man and he had input into the specification process. Insidewe opted for full leather trims, a fridge and a microwave oven as the new truck will be frequentlyused for long distance jobs and it’s already receiving plenty of positive feedback. The driver is impressed with the powertrain’s smooth operation and the low in-cab noise levels.”
Andrew continues, “We have a full hire and reward operator’s licence for third party haulage work, so when it’s not carrying cars the Volvo will be used for shifting plant or machinery and anything else that will legally fit on the back; just like the shepherd’s hut we moved recently!”
The all-steel, 12,000kg Dave Bland Engineering recovery bodywork offers a maximum carrying capability of four cars, with a 30 foot platform complemented by a 2.5 tonne capacity top deck. Also included within the specification is a 4,000kg spectacle lift and 48-inch rear power out ramps. A gearbox driven PTO supplies power to a 14,000kg remotely-controlled, hydraulic winch. Other operational items such as work lockers, airlines and tow balls are all present, alongside a comprehensive array of additional work, strobe and marker lights.
Due to its remote rural location, Loch Shiel Garage will carry out its own six-weekly inspections on the FM, whilst routine maintenance through a five-year service contract, will be done at Volvo’s Inverness dealerpoint. The truck’s stunning appearance is courtesy of Carbon Graphic pearl black paintwork and graphic lettering by Signright Highland, Inverness.
