Statements of intent for Ashcourt Contracts
Company takes delivery of new Volvo FH16-750 180-tonner and Volvo FH 8X4 Tridem
ASHCOURT Contracts of Kingston-upon-Hull have taken delivery of a flagship Volvo FH16-750 6x4 heavy-haulage tractor unit and a 500hp Volvo FH 8x4 Tridem, the latter equipped with a front-mounted Effer-685 eight-section telescopic crane.
The FH16-750 is arguably one of the highest-specification trucks to leave the Crossroads Truck and Bus dealership in Hull. It is STGO CAT 3 rated for operation at up to 180-tonnes gcw and features I-Shift crawler gears, a heavy-duty front bumper, a 10-tonne capacity front axle and air-suspended drive axles.
‘Image is important,’ said John Bradshaw, Ashcourt Contracts’ head of aggregates and transport. ‘The Volvo FH16-750 absolutely looks the part. As a truck, it really stands out and helps us stand out too.’
Inside the cab, the air-suspended leather upholstered driver’s seat with arm rests is heated and vented, and as well as a double bunk there is also a coffee maker, microwave and TV. The company has also elected to have the new Volvo Media Package infotainment system installed, which includes a TomTom-powered sat nav, DAB radio and Spotify access.
According to Ashcourt Contracts, the Volvo FH 8x4 Tridem is no less impressive. Its 13-litre engine is rated at 500hp and produces up to 2,500Nm of torque at between 1,000 and 1,400 rev/min.
The cheese-wedge bodywork by Martin Williams (Hull) has a drawbar coupling and the sleeper cab has a low roof line in order to accommodate the front-mounted Effer-685 crane, which can lift up to 18,380kg at 2.92m and 2,072kg when fully-extended at 20.62m.
‘This new Volvo FH with crane is ideal for the transportation of portacabins, containers and our smaller construction plant, such as generators,’ said Mr Bradshaw.
As with the Volvo FH16-750, the FH 8x4 Tridem has a 10-tonne-capacity front axle, leather upholstery, I-Shift automated transmission, Kelsa light bars and Alcoa Dura-bright rims. Both new trucks are covered by three-year Gold repair and maintenance contracts.
‘I feel that both of these vehicles, but particularly the FH16-750, make a real statement about us as they represent the crème-de-la-crème,’ continued Mr Bradshaw. ‘Ever since we started out, we have invested heavily in both plant and on-highway trucks in order to curb our reliance on others. Through this approach, we are demonstrating our commitment to a company philosophy that sees us offer a fully integrated construction solution across all spheres of operation.’
Operations for Ashcourt Contracts cover a diverse range of activities across a portfolio of entities including businesses in property, construction, civil engineering, quarrying, ready-mixed concrete, plant hire and haulage. ‘Customers today are seeking contractors who can deliver the complete package, from pre-planning right through to completion,’ said Mr Bradshaw.
‘Despite only being established in 2009, we have grown significantly over the past seven years, and especially so in the last 24 months, and through our strategic locations, our staff and our investment strategy, the company in 2017 is ideally placed to meet those customer expectations.’
