Brooking Hire Puts New High-Spec Volvo FH16 Sweeper Truck Into Operation
Brooking Hire, based in Totnes, Devon, recently added a new FH16 to its fleet of 14 Volvo trucks, all of which are outfitted with vacuum sweeper bodies. The 6x2 rear-steer truck, supplied by Stuarts Truck and Bus in Plymouth, sports a D16K engine that produces 650 horsepower and up to 3,150 newton-metres of torque.
Application-specific features include a Johnston-Beam S14000 sweeper body with high-pressure spray bars in the front and rear, a 9,300-litre water tank, and a rear suction bar with 400-bar V-jets. “That capacity is enough to sweep and wash at full power for over two and a half hours in a single pass,” says Martin Brooking, company principal at Brooking Hire. The rest of the company’s fleet consists of 12 Volvo FM models with Johnston VT801 equipment, and two others with Johnston-Beam bodies.
Home Away From Home
Brooking Hire drivers such as Heinz Peter Kostka are sometimes “away from home for up to 12 weeks,” which is why the company opted for several optional convenience features, including a microwave and refrigerator, in addition to standard ones, like heating and air conditioning. These amenities, plus the overall performance and reliability of Volvo trucks, can make longer-term jobs a little easier. Kostka, for example, recently took on the job of sweeping the M25 Motorway shoulder and followed that up with cleaning a vehicle test track in Italy, which was three days away from the company’s headquarters.
“Creature comforts are important, but it’s Volvo’s reliability and service backup that is vital,” says Brooking. “We don’t run a 100% Volvo fleet by accident. Our sweepers are often working all night, usually while the motorway or airport is closed, so we cannot afford any downtime issues. Any over-runs and we incur contract penalties. That’s why it’s essential our drivers have a safe comfortable environment in which to work and why we run a 100% Volvo fleet.”
The Clear Choice
This website is home to hundreds of nearly new Volvo trucks for sale, including used Volvo FH and Volvo FM models. You’ll also find tractor units in the FH16 range, as well as dedicated Volvo sweeper trucks.