F.G. Bond & Son, a haulage company based in Marshfield, South Gloucestershire, recently added a new Volvo FH rigid truck to its 14-vehicle fleet. The 26-tonne FH 500 Dual Clutch 6x2 is powered by a Volvo D13K Euro 6, Step D diesel engine that produces 500 horsepower (373 kilowatts) and up to 2,500 newton-metres of torque. It features a TWR Commercial Bodybuilders flatbed body and an Atlas 135.2 remote-controlled crane, all on a 4,900-millimetre wheelbase.
As the name implies, the new Volvo FH also features a 12-speed I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission, an innovative technology that can essentially queue up the next gear change for smoother shifting, meaning that it leaves “one clutch idling while the other is engaged,” Volvo says. The truck also offers the advantage of Volvo Dynamic Steering, a technology that uses an electric motor in cooperation with the hydraulic power steering to reduce steering force by as much as 85%. This not only helps to minimise driver fatigue, but also to increase steering stability for added safety.
F.G. Bond & Son also spec’d its new FH with several optional packages, including the Driving Plus, Long Haul Fuel, Media, and Single Bed Resting Packages. The cab features leather seats, a pocket-sprung mattress in the sleeper compartment, and a 33-litre refrigerator-freezer unit underneath the bunk. With a three-year Volvo Dynafleet fleet management subscription, F.G. Bond’s latest addition combines comfort with efficiency, two important advantages considering it will work five days per week moving concrete floor beams while covering roughly 120,000 kilometres each year.
“Beyond Happy”
“We considered two other manufacturers for this order, but after careful consideration, Volvo won it for us,” says Edward Bond, transport manager at F.G. Bond & Son. “My father Rodney, who has been with the business since 1966, was also pushing for us to get another Volvo in the fleet and it hasn’t disappointed. We operate in a range of different conditions and our customers have sites that vary from small urban locations up to big housing developments, so we needed a truck offering the best manoeuvrability. This is also the first Volvo we’ve had with Dynamic Steering and Dual Clutch, and it’s a real game-changer. We are beyond happy with the full package that Volvo has provided.”
More Volvo FH Details
Winner of the International Truck of the Year in 1994, 2000, and 2014, Volvo’s FH has a lengthy and successful history. Volvo announced a new generation of Volvo FH tractors and rigid trucks earlier this year, highlighted by the latest efficiency technologies and safety features. The FH16 is the new flagship in the heavy-duty truck lineup, featuring a six-cylinder 16-litre Euro 6 D16K engine that produces from 550 to 750 hp (410 to 560 kW) and 2,800 to 3,550 newton-metres of torque. FH16 tractor and rigid variants are available, and axle configuration options include 4x2, 6x2, 8x2, 8x4, and 10x4.
A wide selection of FH 13 and FH LNG tractor configurations are also available. Features like I-Save help reduce fuel consumption and improve torque in long-haul operations. Volvo FH trucks with Euro 3 and Euro 5 engines can also utilise Volvo Torque Assist to deliver fuel savings. Safety features like adaptive high beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, downhill cruise control, and an electronically controlled braking system can be found throughout the new generation Volvo FH series.
Find The Right Volvo Truck
You will find hundreds of new and used Volvo trucks for sale on Truck Locator, including a large selection of FHs, FLs, FMs, and FMXs.
Source: Volvo