VOLVO FH540 Trucks For Sale

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Volvo FH Truck at the IAA in 2014

The Volvo FH range of tractor units is designed for high-volume long-haul transport. And with a long era of successful international operation under its belt, buying a used FH is not just possible but also a positively sensible idea. Large cabs on this type of truck are a given, but you also get a range of creature comforts, efficient engines and plenty of axle configurations so that an FH tractor unit can be a practical and proficient transcontinental companion.

Class-Leading Technology

Volvo's various technological advances for the FH range are able to make it a worthy competitor for some of the other popular tractor units from rival manufacturers. And one recent development is the Dynamic Steering system, which makes the truck easier to manoeuvre by predicting what the driver will require of it and using an electric motor to boost torque while keeping the feel behind the steering wheel the same. So rather than having to fight with the tractor unit when it is hauling a heavy load, the driver will feel just as in control as when the trailer is empty.

I-Shift Automatic Gearbox Technology

Auto and manual FH tractor units are available, with newer models benefiting from I-Shift technology which completely takes the clutch pedal out of the equation and enables efficient gear changes whatever the situation. This applies to uphill movement as well as making steady progress on motorways, with this system alone helping to shave two per cent off fuel costs compared to units that lack I-Shift abilities.

Many FH tractor units feature high-roof cabs so that there is extra headroom for the driver and also an abundance of compartments in which gear of all kinds can be stored when not in use. A driver should be able to stand without having to crouch within the cab, which can make a real difference when it comes to how spacious it feels. Bigger cabs also allow more room for seating to be manoeuvred and configured to fit the body shape of individual drivers, which is something that not every manufacturer can offer but Volvo delivers.

The Volvo FH Range

Volvo FH tractor units can come with axle configurations starting at 4x2 and going up to 8x4 on the more specialist models that are available. Most buyers will opt for the 40- to 44-tonne units that can accommodate the majority of workloads with ease. And modern efficient Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines find a home within the imposing framework of the more recent FH releases. Power levels start at around 420hp, with the biggest units offering 750hp to drivers. Electronically managed fuel injection means that the precise amount of fuel required to push the truck forwards is added at any one time, reducing consumption whether the FH tractor unit is cruising on the motorway or manoeuvring in the city. These Globetrotter vehicles really live up to their name, and if a second-hand Volvo FH tractor unit is something you would like to procure, finding a well-maintained and reliable model should not be difficult in today's market.

Searching for a used Volvo FH Truck

To find the ideal used Volvo FH it’s worth knowing a little about the model numbers. Prior to 2006 Volvo used to put the engine size (in litres after the FH) followed by the horsepower. You will see advertised in these pages an FH12.380, for example – this is a twelve litre 380 horsepower FH. The F stands for Forward (control) High entry – forward control means cab-over where we tip the cab to get to the engine, unlike the US versions that have long bonnets. The top power of these trucks was the 6 cylinder FH16, launched back in 1993 with power now rising to an impressive 750hp.

After 2006, Volvo stopped putting the engine sizes on the model denomination – the same time as replacing the twelve-litre unit with a 13-litre – the D13A with design features borrowed from the 16-litre. Todays FH truck line, (called the FH13 by some who continue to use the earlier convention) simply uses the power output in the model. At TruckLocator therefore you will see FH400, 420, 440, 460, 480, 500, 520 and 540 trucks listed, but no FM13.480 for example. These will all be post-2006 trucks – for those trucks registered early in 2006 check the model on the cab – the earlier ones said FH12 and the later just FH.

Looking for Something Smaller?

If you don’t want or need the large Globetrotter and Globetrotter XL cabs then check out the range of Volvo FM trucks for sale here at TruckLocator.