Grantley Sawmill’s 21 year old timber treasure

Grantley Sawmills near Ripon, Yorkshire, are still operating a 21-year old Volvo FL7 which the company bought new from local Dealer Crossroads Commercials in 1986. The long-wheelbase 8x4, chassis number 8000096, was one of the first FL-cabbed trucks to go into service in the UK and has spent its entire working life hauling timber.

Owner David Webster paid a £1,000 premium at the time of ordering the truck to ensure that the chassis was fitted with the, then brand-new, FL cab. In fact, the same cab is still in good order today despite the arduous nature of timber haulage with its frequent trips off-road. Says David. “It’s quite common for the FL to travel a mile off-road on un-made forest rides followed by a further mile spent in reverse just to reach the loading point.”

Traction is aided by the FL7’s rear-mounted crane, a heavy-duty 12 tonne-metre Epsilon, and the 7.2 metre long-wheelbase and B-ride two spring bogie. “It is particularly good in winter conditions in the hilly areas of Northern England when the diff-lock and cross-locks are a boon,” says David.

Thanks to the combination of the crane, the double inserted chassis and the 8 bolsters per side timber body, tare weight is a hefty 14,400 Kgs. However, David Webster reports that the FL7 has not suffered from any of the chassis twisting or cracking which can beset timber haulage vehicles as a result of the high percentage of demanding off-road duties they undertake while fully laden.

Parts for the FL7 are sourced from Crossroads Truck and Bus, who deliver from the nearby Boroughbridge depot and David reports that his requirements are always met within 24 or 48 hours despite the age of the truck.

David Webster admits to having a ‘bit of a soft spot’ for the FL7 and is planning to retain it as a show truck on its eventual retirement. In fact, the vehicle recently took part in the Trans-Pennine run for classic and vintage trucks in early August to mark its ‘coming of age’.