New Volvo FH16-750 for Midwest Plant

Rugged reliability of earlier FH12 tractor unit sees South Wales-based firm return to Volvo Trucks

MIDWEST Plant of Brecon, South Wales, have put a new Volvo FH16-750 tractor unit into operation. The 6x4 vehicle is plated for 80-tonne operations and its purchase came after the rugged performance of a Volvo FH12, acquired as a used truck by the company in 2009.

Midwest Plant director Eirig Davies said: ‘The Volvo FH12 has survived well in an extremely tough environment, as most of our work is off-road either building forestry tracks or working in quarry sites. The FH12 was three years old when we bought it in 2009 and it has stood the test of time better than I expected, so it made sense to look at Volvo for its replacement.’

Supplied by Darren Padfield at Volvo Truck and Bus Wales and West, the new FH16-750 double-drive prime mover is equipped with Volvo’s unique combination of an I-Shift Crawler gearbox and Tandem Axle Lift.

Mr Davies continued: ‘When Tandem Axle Lift became available for 80-tonne applications, that sold the new Volvo to us. We operate frequently on narrow forest tracks with restricted turning and reversing areas. These are often adjacent to steep mountain sides, so the ability to reduce our turning circles when running empty is a real benefit.’

The 12-speed I-Shift Crawler gearbox also features deep multi-speed reverse gears with a ratio of 37:1. The 3,200mm wheelbase tractor unit has a Globetrotter cab, single-reduction drive axles and high ground clearance with a low offset front axle beam. Inside the driver benefits from Volvo’s Drive plus+ package and Living package with two beds.

Midwest Plant will use the new Volvo FH16-750 in conjunction with a Faymonville four-axle, rear-steer low-loader trailer to move their own plant and equipment fleet across a wide geographical area.