New Volvo FMX Tridem for Jet Plant Hire
FMX Tridem 8x4 rigid chassis completes full range of Volvo trucks for Evesham-based road-planing firm
A VOLVO FMX Tridem 8x4 rigid has recently joined the 35-strong fleet at Evesham-based road-planing business Jet Plant Hire Ltd, where its arrival means the company now operates a full range of Volvo trucks models, from FL rigids up to STGO plated FH tractor units.
Supplied by Wales and West Truck and Bus Ltd, the FMX is fitted with a Boweld tipper body and also hauls a tri-axle Andover drawbar trailer for transportation of the company’s road planers.
‘The latest FMX is our first Tridem. We wanted the manoeuvrability of a six-wheeler that could tow a trailer and provide a good payload capacity. The Tridem offers us increased flexibility and utilization levels,’ said Sean Witheford, managing director of Jet Plant Hire Ltd.
‘The driver loves the new arrival and fuel wise it’s doing well. We require our trucks to carry out two roles – to transport the road planer and, when on site, to remove the material that has been planed from the road surface. The FMX Tridem ticks all the boxes and is probably the first of several Tridems we will operate.’
The 460hp FMX 8x4 specification includes a Globetrotter Cab, a nine-tonne front axle and a rear lift/tag axle.
‘The I-Shift gearbox is a deal maker when choosing between Volvo and any other marques. Low-speed road planing operations have the potential to burn out a truck’s clutch within a very short space of time. I-Shift has taken that potential issue out of the equation.
‘Our dealer also ensures the gearbox’s software is properly specified with each new truck, along with the correct differential ratio. These require careful consideration in our slow-speed operating environment.’
Jet Plant Hire now include a seven-year Volvo Gold Service Contract with all their Volvo truck purchases.
Founded in 1989, Jet Plant Hire are one of the UK’s largest planing companies. In addition to their fleet of Volvo trucks, the company operates 32 road planers and 40 operator vans. All the company’s equipment is FORS Gold compliant and the new FMX comes with a lower glazed panel in the passenger door in addition to front, side and rear cameras.
