O’Donovan Waste Dispoals make it a Volvo double

Waste-management firm takes delivery of two FL-250 4x2 rigids from Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London  

NORTH London-based O’Donovan Waste Disposals have purchased two new 18-tonne Volvo FL-250 4x2 rigids from authorized dealers Volvo Truck and Bus Centre London. The latest Volvo FL units continue a long-standing relationship between O’Donovan and the Swedish manufacturer, dating back some 30 years.   

Jacqui O’Donovan, managing director of the waste-management firm, highlighted a strong dealer relationship as one of the key elements when investing in new trucks. ‘We are a family business so relationships are paramount,’ she commented. ‘Obviously, driver safety and visibility from the cab are also of vital importance to us, as is reliability. Volvo satisfies these fundamentals and that is why the majority of our 85-strong fleet is Volvo.’

Equipped with steel rear suspension, the two FL-250 units are powered by an 11-litre Volvo D8K engine (250hp) producing up to 950Nm of torque, which is transmitted through a six-speed overdrive gearbox. The trucks also feature Day cabs and low-level nearside windows for enhanced visibility. 

‘Our commitment to CLOCS and FORS Gold Membership, and our recent Safe Vehicle Award at the Brake Fleet Safety Awards, are all testament to the continuous drive to improving safety and for vulnerable road users on the busy streets of London,’ continued Jacqui O’Donovan. ‘We simply have to find ways to make it work so that cyclists and trucks can share the same environment.’

The Volvo FL-250 rigids have clearly been specified to meet this important objective. Alongside the low-level windows, there is an excellent all-round view from the cab, while a rear-facing camera, forward-facing cameras and a side scanner, which alerts the driver when something is sensed, are all equipped as standard. 

Both trucks feature Hyva skiploader bodywork with a lifting capacity of up to 12 tonnes. Day-to-day duties involve handling skips between 3 and 12 cubic metres capacity.

Jacqui O’Donovan commented: ‘From an operational perspective, we have also been delighted with the fuel consumption. Environmental impact is high on our agenda so fuel efficiency is an important factor. On reflection I would say our ethos really mirrors the Volvo core values of safety, quality and the environment.’