Eve Trakway get on track with new FM drawbars

Seven Volvo FM12 420 BHP 4x2 drawbar rigids, with full air-suspension and Globetrotter cabs, have been put into service by Eve Trakway. The Chesterfield-based, international company, whose trucks feature a distinctive lime-green livery, are Europe’s largest supplier of temporary access solutions in the form of aluminium panel roadways and fencing to the industrial and outdoor events sector.

Recently the subject of a successful MBO from Babcock International, Eve Trakway are best known for providing the Super Fortress fence for the Glastonbury Festival and temporary access requirements for the London Marathon and the Leicester Square premieres of many famous movies, including Harry Potter and James Bond.

Six of the new Volvo’s will be based at the company’s Central depot in Bramley Vale, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with the seventh operating out of their Lanark premises.

The trucks were supplied by Volvo Dealer Hartshorne Motor Services and according to Eve Trakway’s Transport Development & Compliance Manager Paul Hargrave, will spend around 70% of their time off-road, delivering, installing and recovering access equipment from a combination of major sporting events, construction sites and infrastructure upgrade projects for utility companies such as National Grid Transco.

They will also spend around 95% of the time operating coupled to their drawbar trailers says Paul Hargrave. Because of the adverse site conditions the vehicles sometimes have to work in, the FM’s good ground clearance and excellent turning circle were high on the shopping list in Eve Trakway’s choice of Volvo, says Paul Hargrave. The high percentage of off-road running, often in difficult conditions, was also the main reason for specifying vertical exhausts.

Unladen weight is further helped by the use of aluminium planking for the bodywork floors. A variety of air-powered tools are run from a separate air handling pack. Additional equipment on board includes hot and cold sink wash facilities and 24/240V voltage inverters.

All seven of the vehicles, which are plated for 40 tonne GTW operation with the prime mover at 18 tonnes GVW. The specification also includes heavy duty material handling equipment in the form of a Terex – Atlas 92.2 tonne-metre, rear-mounted crane. The drawbar coupling specified is from Swedish firm VBG. The fixed bodywork was manufactured and supplied by Yorkshire Automotive Maintenance of Batley.