Frank Key Expands Fleet With Volvo FL Trucks, Plans For Additional Volvos
Nottingham-based independent builders’ merchants and plant and tool hire specialist Frank Key recently added two new Volvo FL 250 4x2 rigid crane trucks to its fleet. The 115-year-old business supplies building, plumbing, and timber materials along with interior, landscaping, and drainage products. The new 16-tonne (17.6-U.S.-ton) FLs will perform multi-drop deliveries to customers throughout Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Lancashire.
About The Volvo FL
The FL rigids have two-step entry, a factory-fitted passenger side lower door window for improved visibility, and a white step light in the lower door and roof-mounted amber beacons for safety. Inside the cab, operators ride in comfort with a suspended seat with adjustable shock absorber, backrest, lumbar support, and heat controls. The cab also has air conditioning, cruise control, and a DAB radio. The trucks are powered by 250-horsepower (184-kilowatt) D8K engines with 950 newton-metres (700 pounds-foot) of peak torque to reduce the need for gear changes.
The FL is loaded with technology to enhance safety and efficiency. The Stretch Brake helps prevent jack-knifing during downhills on slippery or winding roads by applying braking pulses to the trailer and can be activated at speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph). Downhill cruise control engages auxiliary brakes to maintain the set speed. Other features include electronic stability control, collision warning with emergency brake, lane keeping assist, and lane changing support.
Dropside bodywork for the trucks was provided by Ranch Truck and Trailer. The HMF cranes on the trucks will ease loading and deliveries. The FLs will cover around 40,000 kilometres (25,000 miles) per year and will soon be joined in the fleet by two 26-t (28.6-U.S.-t) Volvo FEs that Frank Key recently purchased.
“We run trucks from three different manufacturers, but selected Volvo this time due to the value for money they offer,” says Frank Key Transport Manager Neil Lunn. “It is a good quality product, which doesn’t let us down and is built to last. We can’t afford unnecessary downtime in this line of work. The trucks are ideal for what we need them for. The FLs have good manoeuvrability. Volvo is a brand that we like and trust, plus we get good support from the team at the local dealer.”
Find Volvo Trucks
You’ll find hundreds of new and used Volvo trucks for sale on Truck Locator, including a big selection of Volvo FL rigids in a variety of configurations.
Source: Volvo