A Volvo first for N D Civils
Company purchases its first ever high-spec Volvo FMX truck for waste-management duties
ACCORDING to N D Civils managing director Neil Roskell, the decision to purchase the company’s first Volvo truck was down to the Swedish manufacturer’s reputation for quality and the help he received from Thomas Hardie Commercials in putting together the exact specification required in order to take full advantage of the vehicle’s full potential.
The Preston-based Volvo dealers configured and supplied a versatile 44-tonne GTW, 8x4 drawbar tipper/machine carrier, which has become the first vehicle to feature N D Civils’ new livery.
While steel wheels are generally fitted for practicality when working on groundworks and muckaway duties, the sleeper-cabbed Volvo FMX features a high level of specification for an eight-wheeler.
For example, the vehicle (designed for 32-tonne gvw operation) is equipped with Volvo’s Dynamic Steering, an I-Shift automated gearbox and VEB+ Engine Brake. The drawbar tow-jaw is from Rockinger, while the air and electrics to the rear were all factory-fitted.
The FMX truck features B-Ride high rear bogie suspension which, together with straight front axles, provides additional ground clearance as well as an improved approach and departure angles when working on sites.
Mr Roskell commented: ‘We made the decision to buy our first Volvo after talking to two other manufacturers. Thomas Hardie Commercials definitely tried the hardest to win our business by working very closely with us on putting together what is quite an involved and complex spec and, as a consequence, won our business.
“Before we placed the order, we had a number of technical questions for 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 a FMX 8x4 demo for us to try out.’
Mr Roskell added: ‘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 8x4 as a 44-tonne 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 on to the reinforced, flat floor, steel tipper body when empty.’
The 6m long Thompsons steel body has been specified with bolt-on steel mudwings for ease of replacement or repair. The vehicle tipping gear is a TFC 145 from Binotto with a lifting capacity of 33 tonnes at 190 bar (hydraulic operating pressure). The truck has been placed on Volvo’s three-year warranty, and repair and maintenance contract.
