18 BULKDISTRIBUTOR
Road Tankers
May/June 2016
It’s all about manoeuvrability
I
n a joint initiative with specialist bulk discharge and tanker
builder HDE, North-West England and North Wales Volvo
dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials has put a new Volvo FE
6x2 rear-steer fuel tanker demonstrator on the road.
With its compact width and height dimensions and wall-to-w all
turning circle of 16.01m - for the 4.1m wheelbase, the Volvo FE-320
rear-steer rigid chassis 6x2 configuration is claimed to be ideal for
urban or rural deliveries. The ADR specification was line fitted.
Plated for 26 tonnes GVW, the Volvo FE-320 rigid chassis, which
features a low step entry cab, is equipped with a hydraulicallysteered tag-axle and 12-speed AT2412E I-Shift automated gearbox
with fuel and economy software. Power is provided via the Volvo
D8K, 8-litre engine rated at 320hp.
The 3:70:1 ratio Volvo RS1344C single-reduction rear axle has a
design rating of 44tonne GCW and is fitted with a diff lock.
An 8-tonne front axle is standard and the cab is equipped with an
additional, lower window on the nearside to aid visibility of
vulnerable road users. Unladen weight of the 4.1m wheelbase
chassis is 7,543 kg, ensuring a competitive 18,457 kg body/payload
allowance.
Mounted on the FE chassis, is a 19,000 litre capacity, fourcompartment rigid tanker, which was assembled in the UK by HDE
Ltd in Castleford, Yorkshire, on behalf of Cobo UK Ltd. HDE also
carried out the full ‘pet reg’ Safe Load Pass conversion.
Using Cobo’s new SKD, modular design, the tank offers
advantages in terms of ease of installation, a reduction in
maintenance and repair costs and hence reduces life-time costs. The
tanker is equipped with the latest New Truck III Checkmate discharge
equipment from Alpeco, including its ACT-Clear feature.
The vehicle is supported by Thomas Hardie Commercials network
of six workshops in Liverpool, Manchester, Chorley, Middlewich,
Preston and Deeside.
Thomas Hardie Commercials has put a new FE 6x2 rearsteer fuel tanker demonstrator on the road
Meanwhile, Volvo UK has also landed a couple of significant
tractor orders from bulk distribution specialists.
Twelve new Volvo FM tractor units are being bought by Brenntag
UK & Ireland.
According to Brenntag’s UK & Ireland operations director Fred
Worle, Volvo’s reputation for safety and the manufacturer’s
environmental credentials, together with the level of ongoing
Twelve new FM tractor units have joined the fleet of Brenntag UK & Ireland
support from dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials, were key to the
decision to place the order for Globetrotter cabbed, FM-460, 6x2
tractor units with the company.
“Safety is our foundation principle,” explained Worle. “We are
constantly considering ways how to contribute towards greater
sustainability in all industries and applications we serve and striving
to minimise the ecological impact of our business activities. Logistics
is a big part of what we do, so sustainability is a very important
factor. Volvo’s core values in the areas of safety and environmental
care align with those of Brenntag UK & Ireland, which helped
influence our purchase of these 12 tractor units.”
“Other key factors in placing this order,” said Worle, “were that, in
our opinion, Volvo offered value for money and the fact that we
have had a positive experience of service and serviceability with the
existing fleet of Volvo trucks. Our relationship with Thomas Hardie
was also an important factor.”
Brenntag UK & Ireland employs nearly 900 people at 22 strategic
sites and three sea-fed facilities. The company serves over 20,000
customer accounts nationwide. The Brenntag subsidiary operates a
fleet of 100 trucks, of which approximately 50 per cent are Volvo.
The new FMs provide traction for a variety of road barrels that
carry bulk liquid chemicals for use in just about every market sector.
They also service Brenntag UK & Ireland’s distribution sites, where
product is diluted, packed and distributed. Although they are mainly
based at Brenntag UK & Ireland operating centres in North West
England, they have a UK nationwide operational brief, added Worle.
Occasional international work is also undertaken and each truck
will cover in the region of 140,000 km each year. While a number of
the vehicles are double-shifted, all work with a variety of road tanker
trailers.
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