Volvo Trucks make inroads at Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage

Two new FH16 650 6x4 tractor units added to fleet, replacing two older trucks from rival manufacturer

DONNELL & Ellis Heavy Haulage have added a pair of new Volvo FH16 650 6x4 tractor units to their fleet, replacing two older trucks from a rival manufacturer.

The new additions are plated to operate at a gross combination weight of up to 120 tonnes, the ideal specification for the company’s cross-channel delivery work transporting plant equipment to and from construction sites.

Supplied by Damian Kerin, new sales executive at Dennison Commercials, the two FH16s are powered by Volvo’s D16K engine, producing 650hp and a maximum torque of 3,150Nm.

Scott Donnell, transport manager at Northern Ireland-based Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage, said: ‘Traditionally we have been a one-manufacturer fleet, but we opted to go for something different this time and, so far, we are very pleased with that decision.

‘The main reason was the competitive pricing and the fact that Volvo could offer us the exact specification we were looking for in regard to weight. Most of our loads are crushers and screeners, which are usually between 50 to 60 tonnes. So, we are over 90 tonnes gross but we would never be up at 150 tonnes – the two options we had from our usual manufacturer.

‘We have 18 trucks in total, and only had the one Volvo before, but that has always performed very well and never let us down.’

The new FH16s are liveried in the firm’s red and white colours and driven via Volvo’s popular automated 12-speed I-Shift gearbox, which constantly evaluates information regarding speed, weight, road grade, and torque demand to apply precision to every shift.

To maximize startability, Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage have also opted to equip their new arrivals with two extra gears – one Crawler and one ultra-low Crawler – in a move that could also reduce clutch wear by up to 75%.

Inside the spacious Globetrotter XL cabs, the company’s drivers are treated to many benefits that form part of Volvo’s Drive+ package, including fully electronic air-conditioning with a carbon filter and sun, mist, and air-quality sensors, dual armrests on the driver seat, and an adjustable steering wheel with neck tilt.

A one person Living package adds extra cab storage, two bottle holders, a cab parking heater, as well as a 33-litre fridge/freezer.

The trucks’ specification also includes Forward Collision Warning with Advanced Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Support systems to improve safety.

‘The level of service from Damian and the team at Dennison Commercials has been first-class, you couldn’t ask for more,’ added Mr Donnell. ‘The drivers are very happy with their new tools as well.’

Donnell & Ellis Heavy Haulage will pair the FH16s with multi-axle, step-frame low-loader trailers and expect each to clock in the region of 95,000km per year, operating out of the firm’s headquarters in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.