Volvo Trucks ‘first’ at CLOCS 2017 progress event

First FM 8x4 full air suspension ‘low’ construction truck and FE low-entry cab with mixer body on show

TWO weeks ago (14 March), Volvo Trucks took part in the Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) progress event at ExCeL London, where they displayed four trucks specially chosen to highlight the heights and driving positions of the FM and FMX construction truck range, and how this compares with the Volvo FE Low Entry Cab (LEC).

The display was designed to assist operators with their response to the direct vision standard announced by The Mayor of London, which is out for consultation until 18 April 2017.

Although the trucks that were on the Volvo stand have not yet been ‘star’ rated under the direct vision standard, the display allowed operators to evaluate four different solutions in terms of vehicle heights and cab position.

Visitors to the event had the opportunity to measure up three examples from the Volvo 8x4 range. They were able to compare a traditional FMX N3G, High B-Ride, off-road specification 8x4, with an FM N3 with rear air suspension and a low front-axle offset, and an FM medium-height truck with full air suspension. The lowest FM could then be compared with Volvo’s lowest-height cab offer, the FE LEC.

This was the first time that an FE LEC equipped with a construction body – a CIFA 6 cubic metre mixer – had been displayed at the CLOCS event. The FE LEC is fully air suspended and is 200mm lower than the standard FE.

Marking another first, the fully air suspended FM 8x4 also made its debut. The FM 8x4 ‘low’ construction vehicle can be specified with either an 11- or 13-litre engine rated from 330–500hp and is available with a window in the lower nearside door.

The conventional design of the fully air suspended FM 8x4 allows normal four-axle rigid/tipper weight distribution. Gross vehicle weight is 32 tonnes, while the front axle load is 18 tonnes and the rear bogie is 19 tonnes.

Specification of the 5,100mm wheelbase, fully air suspended FM 8x4 has been designed for efficiency and maximum manoeuvrability when working in urban environments. Volvo’s I-Shift automated gearbox and Volvo Dynamic Steering are included, as is tandem axle lift to reduce tyre and component wear when unladen. A forward-facing camera is also mounted under the sun visor.

Volvo Trucks also took part in a question and answer session as part of the CLOCS Seminar Programme at the event – the only truck brand to be invited to take part in the session. The session was part of the ‘Business as Usual for CLOCS’ seminar, where a selection of organizations pitched their plans to embed and promote CLOCS across the industry, thanks to funding made available through the programme.