Irish owner operator turns to Volvo Trucks

David Boylan says safety, comfort and performance key to new FH 540 Globetrotter acquisition

OWNER operator David Boylan has taken delivery of a flagship Volvo FH 540 Globetrotter 6x4 tractor unit, specified to combine the highest levels of driver safety and comfort while improving operational efficiency.

Supplied by Jim Bergin, new truck sales executive at Irish Commercials, the new FH boasts a striking silver and blue livery and will operate with a Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle tipping trailer delivering sand, pebbles, and crushed stone, as well as offering site clearance services.

‘Getting the best bang for your buck is vital in today’s climate, so when it came to ordering a new truck, Volvo was the number one choice,’ said Mr Boylan. ‘The FH is already putting in strong performances day to day and the fuel economy gains we’ve seen versus the older truck it replaced have certainly helped our bottom line; I couldn’t be happier.’

Mr Boylan says he left no stone unturned in refining his new truck’s specification, selecting numerous Volvo option packages to create a supremely comfortable working environment with a build fine-tuned for safety and driveability.

This sees the FH’s spacious Globetrotter cab benefit from Volvo’s top-tier Drive++ package, which includes desirable extras such as an electrically operated interior sun visor, extended leather upholstery, and fully electronic air-conditioning with an air-quality sensor and carbon filter. The addition of twin armrests on both the driver and passenger seats, together with the media package with navigation, ensures a premium onboard experience.

Power is provided by Volvo’s 540hp D13K Euro-6 Step E engine, capable of producing a maximum 2,600Nm of torque, which is driven through an intelligent 12-speed automated I-Shift gearbox. This constantly evaluates information such as speed, weight, road grade, and torque demand to perfectly time every shift, which in turn helps to deliver improved driveability and efficiency without compromising vehicle performance.

Other features include the Volvo Engine Brake, which boosts safety and reduces brake wear, together with both reverse and passenger side cameras. Volvo’s Visibility+ pack completes the build, adding distinctive V-shaped LED headlights that automatically adapt to ambient light conditions, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and electrically heated rear-view mirrors.

‘The environments the truck is expected to perform in can be very difficult to navigate safely so ensuring maximum visibility was a top priority when it came to settling on a final specification,’ added Mr Boylan.

‘The Globetrotter cab was a must-have for that very reason. It’s spacious, and affords the driver great visibility, which helps take a huge weight off their shoulders, while the additional intelligent safety technology on board adds another vital layer of protection.’

Operating from Blessington in Co. Wicklow since 1994, David Boylan expects his new acquisition to cover 120,000km annually, working to a six-day schedule across the Leinster area.